Svalbard
Land of the midnight sun
Svalbard
8 day itinerary
Escape to the furthest reaches of the earth in the Arctic North to experience an untouched wilderness and unique wildlife in a setting both rugged and fragile. More polar bears than people live here among snowy peaks, gleaming glaciers, vast ice fields and blue-tinged icebergs, ever lit by the midnight sun during summer.
Longyearbyen
TOP OF THE WORLD
After a short flight from mainland Norway, board your yacht for an unforgettable charter. Our start point is in Svalbard’s main settlement of Longyearbyen, located on the west coast of Spitsbergen Island. Settle in onboard and stroll around this former mining town before setting sail.
Hornsund
FJORD DISCOVERY
Known as the most beautiful fjord in Spitsbergen, Hornsund is the southernmost fjord on the Island, cutting approximately 25 km deep into the land. Cruise bays backed by glacial valleys leading to high mountain peaks. Look for Arctic foxes, seabirds and reindeers, common sights in this area.
Edgeøya
POLAR BEAR PATCH
The third largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Edgeøya forms part of the Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve and is home to reindeer and their mighty predator, polar bears. Herds of walrus are frequently spotted here. Rarely visited, the island's eastern side is almost entirely covered in ice.
Hinlopen Strait
ICEBERG TRIP
As we come around the northeastern tip of Spitsbergen, ice conditions permitting, cruise through the Hinlopen Strait, which separates Spitsbergen from Nordaustlandet. Dotted with icebergs, this scenic strait is the perfect spot for a Zodiac cruise, and harp and bearded seals, polar bears and seabirds are often seen here. Go ashore to walk amongst the Arctic flowers and take in the incredible beauty of this remarkable region.
Lågøya Island
WALRUS HANGOUT
Go ashore on Lågøya Island, known for its large walrus haul-out. Observe these enormous creatures relaxing on the shore. Ever curious, the walrus will often approach Zodiacs as they pass, offering excellent views. In the afternoon, cruise by Zodiac along the pack ice edge in the hope of encountering polar bears as they hunt for seals and reindeers.
Liefdefjorden
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Enter this spectacularly scenic fjord and board Zodiacs for a cruise through the ice fields leading up to Monaco Glacier. Spot more polar bears, often seen in this region. Conditions permitting, head ashore to hike the glacier or walk along the shoreline. Bring your camera to spy Arctic foxes, whales, ringed seals or thousands of kittiwakes around this stunning fjord.
Danskøya + Amsterdamøya
HISTORICAL ISLANDS
Head ashore to the islands of Danskøya and Amsterdamøya to discover the history of this area. Danskøya Island was the launch site for a failed attempt by Salomon Andrée and two companions to reach the North Pole by hydrogen balloon in 1897. Amsterdamøya Island was a Danish and Dutch whaling station in the early 1600s and is now the habitat of nesting Arctic terns.
Longyearbyen
DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the yacht for transfer to Longyearbyen, and your flight back to civilisation after a magical week under the midnight sun.