Arrive in Longyearbyen, the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

Nestling between millennial glaciers and carved mountains, and considered to be “the crown of Arctic Norway”, Spitsbergen is a place that never sees darkness. Your ship will take you closer to this fascinating archipelago and, more particularly, the Hornsund fjord. Considered to be Svalbard’s southernmost fjord, it is especially reputed to be it's most stunning: at the end of its vast bay, 8 great glaciers slowly make their way down to the sea before giving way to the many icebergs elegantly drifting along its cold and mysterious waters.

You will head to the Bellsund fjord to follow in the footsteps of the first explorers who came from the Norwegian coast. Boasting astonishingly rich wildlife, the arms of the fjord separate to form two lush valleys. Give free rein to your imagination in the heart of this majestic natural environment where time seems to stand still.

Your captain will sail right up to the limit of the ice, to the edge of the ice floe. Weather conditions and state of the ice allowing, you will be able to go out in a Zodiac® dinghy for a unique experience in the middle of these floating slabs of ice. In addition to this grandiose journey through the middle of these floes with their cut and blue-tinged edges, sometimes over 2 metres thick, it is also often an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe: birds, seals and polar bears.

Måkeøyane is a small archipelago in the heart of the Woodfjorden, whose name is a reference to the large quantities of driftwood washing up on the beaches. It is located at the intersection between the Bockfjorden and the Liefdefjorden which leads to the Monaco Glacier, one of the most beautiful in Spitsbergen. As you sail around these little islands, you will be able to observe Arctic terns whose eggs sometimes attract polar bears. Located in the North-West of the Svalbard archipelago, the Monaco Glacier is probably one of Spitsbergen’s most beautiful and majestic.

Raudfjorden means “red fjord”, from the colour of the sandstone of the mountains that surround it. Along the west coast of this fjord, intersected by many shallow bays, you will be able to admire some of Spitsbergen’s most spectacular ice formations. the ford eventually leads to two magnificent glaciers of Chauveaubreen and Raudfjordbreen. To the east, Alicehamna Beach in Bruceneset Bay has seen trappers, fishermen and explorers arrive for centuries.

Located at the far north-west of the Svalbard archipelago, at the intersection of oceanic and Arctic influences, you'll visit Smeerenburg a former Dutch whaling colony. In a landscape of hills with steep slopes, plateaux, lakes and lagoons, you will anchor at a sandy beach. Dotted with driftwood and the remains of ovens that were used to melt the whale blubber, this is one of Spitsbergen’s most important archaeological sites.

Day 7 - NY Alesund & Kongsfjorden

During your voyage, discover Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town that has been transformed into a scientific base. Founded in 1916, this small town was the departure point for many Arctic expeditions, including those of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen. A must-visit is the museum and its famous post office, considered to be the most northerly in the world.

Your last destination will be Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, where you'll disembark the ship and say farewell to the team and your fellow travellers. 

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