Day 1: Embarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Welcome to Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost permanent settlement! It’s located on the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard, an archipelago located halfway between Norway and the North Pole with a population of nearly 3,000. Svalbard is an Arctic International wildlife wonderland, home to reindeer, walruses, seabirds, and polar bears, regulated by a special treaty like Antarctica—and we’re heading out to look for them all.
Spend the morning exploring this fascinating town, whether that’s visiting the Svalbard Museum, perusing local gift shops, or having a beer from Svalbard Brewery Then, in the afternoon, embark upon the Polar Angel, our home for the next 11 days. Get to know the ship and your fellow expeditioners as you settle in, then wave goodbye to Longyearbyen as we set sail at 6 p.m.
Days 2–3: Exploring Northwest Spitsbergen
Our first full expedition day begins with a half-day sail up to Northwest Spitsbergen. Once there, we’ll look to explore Raudfjord, or «Red Fjord,» so named for the scenic red sandstone mountains along its edge. Conditions permitting, we’ll go ashore for a hike across the tundra.
The next day, we’ll sail for Sjuøyane, the northernmost part of Svalbard that’s known for walrus haulouts. Again, depending on conditions, we might venture ashore for a hike across the stark, dramatic landscape, or we’ll hop in the Zodiacs to explore the shoreline.
Days 4–5: Wildlife Spotting Along the Ice Edge
For a two-day interlude, we’ll leave Svalbard behind for a rare change to explore the edge of the sea ice that extends all the way up to the North Pole. Despite being far from land, life proliferates here—we might see walruses or ringed seals hauled out on the ice, seabirds flying overhead, or potentially even polar bears, if we’re lucky. If conditions allow, we’ll drop our Zodiacs to get up close and personal with the ice.
Days 6–10: Exploring Spitsbergen
Returning to Spitsbergen, we have four exploration days ahead of us. The expedition team will ensure your safety and enjoyment during your time in Svalbard, considering weather, sea, and land conditions as they decide your activities for the day. Depending on their determinations, you might make a landing to hike across the tundra, visit a small settlement to learn about Svalbard’s coal mining and whaling history, take a Zodiac cruise through an iceberg-filled fjord
surrounded by glaciers and mountains, or observe thousands of seabirds nesting on the rocky face of a towering cliff.
Day 11: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
The time has come to say farewell to your fellow expeditioners, expedition staff, scientists, and crew. Disembarkation is at 8 a.m., leaving you the day to explore Longyearbyen or head to the airport for your flight home.