Spend 9 to 11 days in high Arctic waters and ashore on Spitsbergen with zodiac excursions, kayaking, hiking, wild life and nature viewing and photography in search of polar bears, whales, seals and more.10 & 11 day cruise itineraries similar with kayaking as an optional extra cost.
Day 2: Krossfjorden and Ny Alesund | Krossfjorden is home to numerous bird colonies and we cruise the bird cliffs near the 14th of July Glacier. Afternoon visit to Krossfjorden to the town site of Ny Alesund the world’s most northern community. Until 1962 a coal mining town now housing polar science institutes Ny Alesund earned its place in history as a jumping off place for North Pole aviation and the airship pylon for Amundsen is still in place.
Day 3: Raudfjorden | Ruadfjord in the north western tip of Spitsbergen, offers an excellent place to hike, zodiac cruise and kayak. Ashore we search for reindeer ashore and seals.
Day 4: Hinlopen Strait, Alkefjellet | Hinlopen Strait divides the Svalbard archipelago and the water moving through this Strait brings the sea ice and closer contact with polar bears.
Day 5: Phippsoya, into the Ice | As conditions allow our ship moves into the ice in search of harp seals, walrus the mighty polar bear and here we reach our farthest point north at around 80 degrees.
Day 6: Liefdefjorden, Monacobreen | We visit the wide face of the Monaco glacier at the head of the fjord with spectacular paddling and zodiac cruising. The coastal plain here offers superb hiking and is a great place to spot polar bears.
Day 7: Fuglesangen, Smeergenburg | We zodiac to Fuglesangenoya, home to a large dovekie colony with excellent viewing without impacting the colony and then to the former whaling station of Smeerenburg, literally Blubber Town where now all that is left are the blubber ovens.
Day 8: Alkehornet, Tryghamna | We zodiac to hike at Alkehornet home to a massive colonies of guillemots and kittiwakes as well as reindeer and Arctic fox.
Day 9: Longyearbyen | Disembark.