Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage

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Polar expeditions and cruise Guided and Escorted

Carbon neutral

15 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

138 peopleMaximum group size

8 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Helsinki, Finland

Ends

Helsinki, Finland

Highlights

Uncover the incredible landscape of Spitsbergen, from the quirky northernmost city of Longyearbyen to stunning fjords, towering mountains and impressive glaciers.

Scour sheets of ice and be rewarded with sightings of Arctic foxes, reindeer and the ruler of the Arctic – the polar bear.

Did someone say midnight snack? Because of the time of year, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight, allowing for sightseeing any time of the day, or night!

With a flexible voyage itinerary, you’ll only hit the places which are worthwhile and have the best conditions, as your expert polar team maximises wildlife spotting opportunities each day.

Choose to get even closer to this amazing environment with optional activities like hiking and gliding along pristine waters between icebergs in a sea kayak.

Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (2 night), Expedition cruise ship (12 nights)

Meals

13 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, Zodiac, Plane

Guide

An expert tour leader

What's Excluded

Tour Availability

Select your preferred departure date and secure your spot

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Good to Know

Cancellation

Payment

Travel Insurance

Visa

Other Practical Information

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our travel experts are ready to help.

Jane Andersen

Sine

Rasmus Juul Olsen

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Booking was simple and intuitive. Customer Service contacted us upon our initial inquiry and offered their assistance with any additional travel arrangements we may require.

5 days ago

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Itinerary

Circle the Arctic’s crown jewel on the "Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage" tour—a fourteen-day polar cruise that starts and finishes in Helsinki. Board the Ultramarine and set forth on a flexible schedule of daily excursions around Spitsbergen and the Svalbard archipelago.

With expert guides leading the way, seek out polar bears, Arctic foxes, and walruses in their natural habitat. Zodiac trips take you to glacier faces and remote islands near the North Pole, offering unparalleled photo opportunities and moments of awe.

This tour’s unique selling point? A comprehensive circumnavigation of Svalbard, delivering the ultimate polar wildlife and wilderness experience for travelers eager to explore the farthest reaches of the north.

day 1 - Helsinki, Finland

Tervetuloa! Welcome to Helsinki, Finland. Your Arctic adventure begins in Finland’s modern capital, where you may arrive at any time. Once settled in, why not head out and explore the city’s endless array of options? You could visit one (or more) of the many museums, galleries and restaurants on offer, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander through the vibrant Design District. For dinner, perhaps head out in the evening to sample some local, traditional dishes.

accommodation:

day 2 - Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Embark

This morning, transfer to the airport and board your private charter flight to Longyearbyen – Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. You may want to visit the Svalbard or North Pole museums to learn more about the local history, or perhaps grab a beer at the Svalbard Brewery if you have time. After boarding the ship, head out on deck to enjoy the great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic town.

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Dinner

day 3 - Exploring Spitsbergen

Your expedition begins by sailing north, exploring Spitsbergen’s coastal fjords and smaller, outlying islands. The plan is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, but if conditions are favourable, you'll also attempt a larger circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago. Each day will be a surprise, treating you to spectacular new sightings and experiences. There are a range of excursions you might embark on, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, helicopter or shore landing.

For birders, 14th of July Bay is home to puffins, purple sandpipers, black-legged kittiwakes, pink-footed geese, and barnacle geese, while Alkefjellet’s cliffs are teeming with nesting brunnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).

Always on the lookout for wildlife, be sure to have your camera ready to capture reindeer on visits to sites like Ny-London, Hornsund, Sundneset and Alkhornet. Phippsoya and Isbukta are often home to sea ice, polar bears’ preferred habitat for hunting, which translates into great potential for you to view them in action. Alternatively, Moffen Island is a protected sanctuary for walrus, which are best viewed from the water.

Sitting at 112-mile- (180 km) long, Brasvellbreen’s glacier face makes for an impressive sight during a Zodiac cruise, stretching all the way to the horizon. Lilliehook Glacier features labyrinths of sparkling icebergs and breathtaking panoramas of ice, while at Monaco Glacier you can listen to the crackle and pop of the brash ice, search for seals and have a chance to admire a natural sculpture gallery.

If conditions allow, you’ll also visit Phippsoya and Martensoya of the Seven Islands – this small archipelago is closer to the North Pole than anywhere else in Svalbard.

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 4 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 5 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 6 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 7 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 8 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 9 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 10 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 11 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 12 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 13 - Spitsbergen

accommodation:Expedition Cruise Ship

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 14 - Disembark in Longyearbyen and Fly to Helsinki

Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, you’ll transfer to the airport for a return group charter flight to Helsinki. Then transfer to your hotel for a free evening to explore Helsinki.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 15 - Helsinki

After breakfast, you can make your own way to the airport for your onward f light home, or stay to explore Finland’s culturally-rich capital on your own if you’ve made prior arrangements.

meals:1 Breakfast