Welcome to Oslo, which in 2019 was awarded the prestigious title “Green Capital of Europe”. We’ve arranged a comfortable stay for you at an Oslo Airport hotel so that you’re conveniently close for your flight to Longyearbyen on Day 2.
If you’re adventurous and have the time, take the handy airport train into central Oslo – it’s a 20-minute ride and trains depart and arrive frequently during the day. Near Oslo Central Station are shops, cafes, the Botanical Garden, cultural attractions and the attractive waterfront area.

Today you have a flight to Longyearbyen (regular airline flight), the administrative center of Svalbard and starting point of our Arctic expedition! At the Longyearbyen airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. Once underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. 
This is not just any cruise, but a photo cruise, designed specifically for amateur photographers of all skill levels. It will be a cool and unforgettable journey. You will have the opportunity to photograph some of the most pristine and remote wilderness areas in the world, and to develop your photography skills in the company of like-minded fellow travelers.

This voyage aims to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, and experience its many facets. The itinerary includes visiting South Spitsbergen National Park, the wildlife-rich Southeast Svalbard Nature Reserve, and the Northwest Svalbard Nature Reserve. South Spitsbergen National Park features polar deserts, impassible mountain ranges, and historical whaling operations. The Southeast Svalbard Nature Reserve contains hundreds of uninhabited islands, including the densest population of endemic Svalbard reindeer, geese, eiders, sandpipers, Arctic foxes, and walrus. The Northwest Svalbard Nature Reserve is the largest in the region, covering the rugged northwestern parts of Spitsbergen and the entirety of Nordaustlandet.

The ship will sail along the dynamic boundary between sea and ice, observing the interplay between polar bears and seals. Northwest Spitsbergen National Park is the crown jewel of Svalbard's scenic wonders, featuring deep fjords, serrated mountain ranges, and immense tidewater glaciers. The voyage will also include encountering marine mammals, such as beluga whales and Arctic seals, and evidence of Svalbard's earliest sealers and whalers. Human habitation along the route can be found at Ny Ålesund, a former mining town and airship base now home to an international community of Arctic researchers. The Svalbard and Polar Ice Edge route offers a comprehensive view of the Arctic's many faces, offering exciting opportunities to encounter Arctic wildlife, witness incredible polar scenery, and walk in the footsteps of historic expeditions.

After our final breakfast aboard, we will disembark in Longyearbyen. However, the day promises further exploration in this charming town full of attractions. Right after disembarkation, you will be offered a guided sightseeing tour, which includes visits to the Svalbard Museum and the Art Gallery. In the evening, you can relax in a comfortable hotel in Longyearbyen.

Today marks the beginning of our journey back home. We will arrange your transfer to the airport, where a regular flight will transport you to Oslo. By now, you might already be dreaming up plans for your next polar adventure!

Secure your space today by calling one of our Travel Specialists on 0203 196 1000 or enquire here