The best of Svalbard in one week

After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Longyearbyen. Take in the views of icy fjords and glaciated mountains surrounding this historic former coal-mining town. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship. For lunch, Longyearbyen offers quick and easy meal options including the most northerly pizzas and kebabs in the world.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the 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. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. Over the coming days, our expedition will focus on spending as much time as possible in the northern part of Svalbard and along the edge of the polar pack ice, where conditions often provide the best opportunities for unforgettable wildlife encounters. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the gorgeous scenery in 24-hour daylight as we pass through the wildlife-rich waters of Isfjorden.

During these expedition days discover the highlights of western Spitsbergen: glacier-filled fjords, rugged mountains, Arctic tundra, historic sites, and the everchanging Arctic ice formations. With relatively short distances between exploration sites, the voyage is designed to make the most of each day, offering ample opportunities for shore landings, Zodiac cruises, and wildlife encounters.

There is no fixed daily schedule in the Arctic. Weather, sea ice conditions, and wildlife activity will shape our route, and our expedition team will select the most rewarding landing sites and activities each day.

In South Spitsbergen National Park, we will explore Hornsund, one of Svalbard’s most spectacular fjords, where immense glaciers descend between rugged mountain peaks. Along the southern shores of Bellsund, we will discover the remains of historic whaling operations, including old wooden boats, cabins, and thousands of whale bones — remnants of the region’s whaling history. The surrounding tundra also offers excellent hiking opportunities through landscapes rich in Arctic flora, birdlife, and fascinating geological formations.

Farther north, Northwest Spitsbergen National Park features deep fjords, immense tidewater glaciers, and dramatic sea cliffs. During the breeding season, millions of murres, guillemots, and little auks return to the islands and cliffs. Look out for whales and Arctic seals in the surrounding waters.

Our voyage will also take us to Forlandet National Park and Prins Karls Forland, one of Svalbard’s best places to observe walruses hauled out on shore. In North Isfjorden National Park, we will look for endemic Svalbard reindeer grazing across the tundra and Arctic foxes roaming the landscape. We will also visit Ny-Ålesund, a former mining settlement and airship base that is now an international center for Arctic research and one of the northernmost permanent communities in the world.

A special focus of the expedition will be exploring the Arctic sea ice. We will make every effort to approach areas of fast ice along the coast or reach the polar ice edge, taking the ship as close as conditions safely allow. These ice-covered environments offer prime opportunities to spot polar bears hunting ringed seals in their natural habitat.

After enjoying one final breakfast buffet on board, we bid you farewell in Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard and final destination of our expedition. After disembarkation, a captivating sightseeing tour awaits you, showcasing some of the most interesting locations in the world's northernmost city. We provide transfers to the airport or to the town center in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard.