The Polar Travel Company

Embark on an extraordinary expedition into the untamed wilderness of Svalbard, with the special aim of exploring the ever-changing pack ice ecosystem north of Spitsbergen. Under the midnight sun, discover monumental glaciers and Arctic Ocean wildlife in a five-star nature experience.

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Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Starts: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Ends: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Language: Swedish/English speaking voyage

The main goal of this expedition is to spend extra time (approximately two days) in the pack ice north of Spitsbergen.
Small group
Includes one hotel night in Longyearbyen prior to embarkation.
The itinerary is for guidance only; the exact route depends entirely on ice, weather conditions, and wildlife encounters.
Complies with the new Svalbard environmental regulations in force since January 2025.

Included

This expedition distinguishes itself from other Svalbard cruises by its dedicated focus on the pack ice, a floating and vital ecosystem for the Arctic. During the summer, as the midnight sun illuminates bird colonies and purple saxifrage decorates the slopes, the M/S Quest will sail toward the northern tip of Spitsbergen. The goal is to spend about two days exploring this frozen and ever-changing habitat, where tranquility is absolute and opportunities to spot polar bears, seals, and the rare ivory gull are exceptional.

Over 12 days, travelers will explore not only the sea ice but also the majestic fjords of the northwest coast. Historic sites such as Ny-�lesund, the birthplace of North Pole expeditions, will be visited, and cruises will navigate past spectacular glacier fronts like the Monaco Glacier and the 14th of July Glacier. With daily hikes and Zodiac cruises led by a team of 5 guides, this journey offers deep insight into the geology, polar exploration history, and biodiversity of one of the most remote and fascinating places on Earth.

Highlights:
Extended time exploring the pack ice north of Spitsbergen.
Sightings of iconic wildlife: polar bears, walruses, seals, Arctic foxes, and whales.
Visit to Alkefjellet, an impressive basalt cliff with over 200,000 birds.
Exploration of historic polar exploration sites in Ny-�lesund and Dansk�ya.
Cruising past majestic glaciers and the Br�svellbreen ice front.
Small group expedition with a high guide-to-passenger ratio.

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Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Arrival in the Polar World
Arrival in Longyearbyen and transfer to the hotel for the first night. Time to explore the northernmost town before the expedition begins.

Day 2 - 11: Expedition Cruising
Ice, Glaciers, and Wildlife
After lunch with the group and guides, embarkation on the M/S Quest to sail through the spectacular Isfjorden. The exact itinerary will depend on ice and weather, including possible visits to:

Northwest Spitsbergen: Sightings of Arctic foxes at Alkhornet and a visit to the scientific village of Ny-�lesund. Exploration of Dansk�ya, the launch site for historic North Pole expeditions.
Spitsbergen Fjords: Sailing through Liefdefjorden past the Monaco Glacier and Krossfjorden with the 14th of July Glacier, home to thousands of seabirds.
North of Spitsbergen and the Pack Ice: We will dedicate approximately two days to navigating and exploring the pack ice, searching for polar bears and seals in this unique ecosystem.
Sju�yane: Visit to Svalbard�s northernmost outpost.
Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellet: Observation of basalt cliffs teeming with Br�nnich�s guillemots.
Eastern Svalbard: The immense ice cap of Nordaustlandet and the Br�svellbreen glacier with its hundreds of waterfalls.

Day 12: Longyearbyen
Return Home
Early morning disembarkation and transfer for the journey back home.