The Polar Travel Company

Embark on a full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen to discover dramatic landscapes and amazing wildlife. Explore glaciers, historic whaling stations, and search for polar bears, walruses, and reindeer in the heart of the Arctic wilderness.

� OEX

Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Starts: Longyearbyen, Norway
Ends: Longyearbyen, Norway
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.

Included

Sail around Spitsbergen taking in the wildlife, whaling history, and stunning landscapes. This full circumnavigation allows for visits to historic whaling stations and searching for walruses and reindeer in their natural habitat. In Hornsund, you will explore majestic glaciers that serve as hunting grounds for the polar bear, while in the Hinlopen region, you will delve into polar deserts surrounded by lofty ice caps.

Throughout the voyage, you can observe massive seabird colonies such as kittiwakes and explore archaeological remains dating back to the 17th century. The expedition combines sailing with frequent landings to walk across the Arctic wilderness, allowing you to absorb the beauty of the polar regions at your own pace. From spotting minke whales to encountering Arctic foxes, every day is an opportunity to connect with pure nature.

Highlights:
Full circumnavigation of the island of Spitsbergen.
Sightings of polar bears, walruses, reindeer, and Arctic foxes.
Visit to historic whaling stations from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Exploration of massive glaciers in Hornsund and Bellsund.

� OEX

Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
Arrival in Longyearbyen
Touch down in the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Enjoy strolling around the former mining town before sailing out of Isfjorden toward Trygghamna to visit 17th-century whaling station remains.

Day 2: Foxes, seabirds, and grazing reindeer
Alkhornet bird cliffs
Walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff. This area is a common place to spot Arctic foxes and reindeer grazing on the lush vegetation below the cliffs.

Day 3: Remains of the whalers
Fuglefjorden and Ytre Norsk�ya
Sail into Fuglefjorden with views of Svitjodbreen. Visit 17th-century Basque blubber ovens and follow the whalers' tracks to the summit of Ytre Norsk�ya island.

Day 4 � 14: The many sights of Svalbard
Hinlopen Strait and southern fjords
Explore Sorgfjord, Lomfjord, and Wilhelm�ya searching for polar bears. Visit the polar desert of Svartknausflya and the kittiwake colonies in Diskobukta. Navigate through the glaciers of Hornsund and Bellsund before returning north.

Day 15: There and back again
Disembarkation in Longyearbyen
Every adventure must eventually come to an end. Disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories of your Arctic circumnavigation.