Pristine Spitsbergen by Ponant

Enjoy a 9-day itinerary to explore the incredible sights of Svalbard and the archipelago's incredible wildlife. You'll set sail to Svalbard from Tromsø, where you'll board the ship, passing by Bjørnøya (Bear Island) with its incredible birdlife before reaching the southern tip of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the archipelago.

As you sail to the north of the island, you'll discover an untouched wilderness filled with memorable wildlife such as Arctic foxes, puffins and seals, before the ship takes you through the majesty of the ice floes, where you'll experience this mesmerising and ever-changing scenery whilst being on the lookout for polar bears! This is a magnificent adventure in which you'll witness incredible and diverse landscapes, outstanding wildlife and the awe-inspiring purity of the Arctic. 

Highlights

• Outings and shore visits in Zodiac inflatables
• Hiking opportunity.
• Sail in Spitsbergen’s fjords and towards the ice floe.
• Landscapes: ice floes, jagged mountains, icebergs, ice caps, steep-sided valleys, sheer cliffs, huge glaciers.
• Wildlife: polar bears, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, Arctic terns, walruses, whales, puffins.

Quick Itinerary

Day 1: Tromsø
Day 2: At sea
Day 3: Sailing by Bjørnøya (Bear Island)
Days 4 - 6: Spitsbergen National Park
Day 7: Sailing Ice Floes
Day 8: Kingsfjorden, Spitsbergen
Day 9: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

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

Departures and Prices

Day 1 - Tromsø

You’ll arrive in Tromsø, a secluded town located in the northern part of Norway. Also called the “Paris of the North” due to its neoclassical architectural heritage, you’ll have time wander through this attractive town and admire its monuments, including the Arctic cathedral.
You’ll embark the ship later in the afternoon, ready to set sail in the evening.

Day 2 - At sea

A day spent at sea as you head towards the Svalbard archipelago. You can take this opportunity to enjoy the many services and activities on board, such as the spa, fitness and wellness centre, and the various common areas – from the comfortable lounge to the open deck – where you can relax and soak in your spectacular surroundings. 
If you want to spend your time learning more about where you're heading, the team offers lectures and presentations to familiarise yourself with what you're about to see and experience in Spitsbergen.

Day 3 - Sailing by Bjørnøya (Bear Island)

The ship will arrive in Bjørnøya – the southernmost island of Svalbard. This small island is generally covered with a thick layer of fog and shelters a meteorological station. Bjørnøaya was declared a nature reserve in 2002 as the island is home to a huge colony of sea birds. You'll be able to spot skuas, guillemots, puffins, Tridactyl gulls, petrels, gulls and little auks.

Days 4 - 6 - Spitsbergen National Parks

Spitsbergen is the largest island in Svalbard, covering an area of 37,673 km2 (14,546 sq mi). The South and Northwest Spitsbergen National Parks were established in the early 1970s in order to protect the pristine environment against the growing interest of the mining industry. The region is filled with astonishing wildlife, from Arctic sterns to seals and of course, the majestic polar bears hunting on the ice floes.

Day 7 - Sailing Ice Floes

The ship will sail through the vast and immaculate ice floes. Hear the cracking sound of the ice as the ship powers through it, and admire the ever-changing scenery of this pristine region. You'll have the opportunity to observe wonderful wildlife, including polar bears, birds and seals.

Day 8 - Kingsfjorden, Spitsbergen

As you head back to Spitsbergen you'll approach the former mining town of Ny-Ålesund before sailing through one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard – Kongsfjorden. Surrounded on each side by an impressive range of snow-capped mountains, the fjord is also filled with enormous icebergs that will keep your camera busy. As you reach the end of the fjord, you'll enjoy the views of Kongsbreen, the "glacier of the King", with its three rocky peaks.

Day 9 - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

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. You can decide whether you want to visit the mining town, or explore the town's magnificent surroundings. The glaciers, mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the utter purity of the nature will make you feel as though you're standing in a completely unexplored territory.

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