Svalbard Classic – Land of the Polar Bears

Welcome to Longyearbyen, the capital of Spitsbergen. Here, our adventure in the Arctic begins. We will meet our professional guide at the airport and travel to one of the best hotels in the city – Radisson Polar Blue (or similar, included in the price) in preparation for the upcoming adventure! (Accommodation is included in the package price).

After breakfast at the hotel, there will be free time for last-minute preparations and wandering through the beautiful town of Longyearbyen, with its colorful houses, charming shops, and some of the northernmost restaurants in the world. In the afternoon, we will gather together and travel to our ship – the Sea Spirit. One of the best and most luxurious ships in the Arctic. As we set sail, we will immediately begin our enrichment schedule with lectures and engaging activities. After a wonderful dinner, we will go out on deck together to enjoy the breathtaking scenery during the season when there is golden light 24 hours a day and the sun never sets.

During our journey, we will circle around Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. We will experience many amazing corners of this enchanting white territory. Our itinerary and schedule will primarily depend on the weather and local wildlife, with a focus on the majestic polar bears and large walruses.

During the journey, we are expected to reach the northwest of the island. In this remote and isolated area, the ice remains mostly intact even in summer, providing an opportunity to see the enchanting white landscape, like a “different world.” We are planned to continue to the enormous ice cap in the north, where the sea meets a 45-kilometer ice cliff known as Brassevoldbreen, which is one of the wonders of the Arctic world. Here, in the white and frozen world, resides a vast number of seabirds, and the chance to see polar bears and walruses is particularly high due to the ice.

We will continue to the northwest Spitsbergen National Park, the jewel in the crown of Svalbard’s scenic wonders and one of the most beautiful places in the world. Here we will witness deep fjords surrounded by towering mountains and enormous blue and turquoise glaciers that mesmerize the eyes. We will arrive right in the season to encounter countless wildlife, including various species of whales, seals, and millions of seabirds against the backdrop of stunning nature.

We will proceed to the Kings Fjord and the settlement of Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost settlement in the world! Thirty-five residents call this place home, most of whom are researchers from leading universities worldwide. We will reach the famous mast of the North Pole, which was the starting point for Arctic research expeditions, including those of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen. In front of the town, there is an island that serves as a nesting place for Barnacle Geese and Red-throated Divers, two fascinating birds in their behaviors. South of the enormous bird cliff, there are several dens of Arctic foxes, and thanks to the western sun, we will have excellent lighting on the cliff.

Our unique itinerary offers a comprehensive look at the many faces of the polar region, with each day presenting something new and exciting. We will not miss any opportunity to encounter amazing Arctic wildlife, witness stunning polar landscapes, and follow in the footsteps of historic expeditions that have been here before us.

After breakfast, we will say goodbye for the last time (at least for now) to the ship’s crew and head to the airport or to Longyearbyen for a tour until our flight back home, filled with experiences, amazing photographs, and memories for a lifetime.

The schedule is a statement of intent only. It is subject to changes based on field conditions, wildlife location, the guide’s and captain’s decisions, and other factors.