Duration: 10 days Starts: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Ends: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Language: English speaking voyage
* On 9 day voyages we return to Longyearbyen on day 8. Exploration will be focused on the Northern and Western Fjords.
* We always recommend arriving in Svalbard at least 24 hours before departure.
Not only we travel from one point to another and find our shelter on board the ship we chose. We also enjoy from incredible scenery, landscapes and interactions that only our noble vessel can provide.
Everyday the Bridge Team navigates the ship to position ourselves on the best posible spots, looking for unique opportunities.
Many times, this includes sainig through narrow passages, on the vicinity of glaciers or entering bays and fjords only approachable from the ship.
Enjoy this incredible places from the comfort of the common areas on board, open decks or your own private balcony!
Shore excursions are the backbone of almost all itineraries, with most ships making landfall at least once every day once they reach their destination. The weather plays a huge role in your daily itinerary, although given the sheer array of fantastic landing sites all over there are plenty of options your Captain and Expedition Leader can choose from. On-shore excursions allow you to visit scientific research stations, communities, prominent wildlife colonies and take hikes to elevated viewing points for fantastic photography.
On board the Zodiac you will discover a world of possibilities; accessing the most exclusive landing sites, cruising the coast in search of wildlife or simply enjoying a tour in the calm of the polar regions in search of marine wildlife or bird colonies.
The blue ice an its intimate presence is experienced at its best on zodiac tours.
It is not uncommon to meet curious seals, or humpback whales feeding.
Expedition cruising must be one of the most incredible ways of travelling. Not only for the amazing places you visit and the unforgetable wildlife but for the wildlife, the sensory overload and the unimaginable memories.
But all of this needs a context in order to understand where you are and what you are experiencing.
On board your expedition vessell you will find a group of experts, naturalists, zodiac drivers and guides that that will translate the language of nature for you, telling you the stories of the places you are visiting, reviewing the historical, biological, ecological and geological aspects of your trips.
You will experience first hand what surrounds you and arrive back home wiser and loaded with new knowledge.
Hiking options include very easy beach hikes (good for photographers who need time for photography), easier short hikes, medium-difficulty extended hikes, and more challenging long hikes.
The experience of sea kayaking in the humbling wilderness of Antarctica or the Arctic is guaranteed to stir your soul.
Sea kayaking is one of the highlights for any Polar Traveller, providing ice and weather conditions are assessed as safe by your Expedition Team.
This activity requires previous kayaking experience.
The ultimate Svalbard cruise on a small, capable expedition vessel with just 12 guests. This adventure focuses on exploring the beautiful natural wilderness of Svalbard during the summer months with 24 hours of daylight. We will encounter calving glaciers, witness an abundance of wildlife, visit historical places, and spend time exploring ashore. All this with 2 expert guides and just 12 guests.
On this summer expedition, we will venture to the northern wilderness to explore the beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and glaciers of Northwest Spitsbergen with 24 hours of daylight. Every day is an adventure and we will use the Zodiac landing craft to explore walrus haulouts, cruise the edge of the sea ice for wildlife including polar bears, and take short hikes ashore to explore different natural and historical sites including glaciers and the raw nature of the Arctic.
Expedition Highlights
• Experience breathtaking landscapes that include majestic glaciers, mountains, and fjords.
• Witness the midnight sun, which creates a surreal and magical atmosphere by never setting.
• Explore Arctic landscapes on foot, hike with expert guides, and visit historical sites such as abandoned whaling stations and Russian mining towns.
• Use 2 Zodiacs for exploring and close-up photography of wildlife.
• Encounter polar bears, walruses, and whales in attractive lighting conditions during this great time of year.
• Enjoy a friendly and inclusive atmosphere with a small, intimate group size of just 12 like-minded explorers.
• Be led by world-class expedition leaders.
Learn From Our Knowledgable Guides
We make it our business to work with exceptional individuals in the industry who possess a genuine passion and care for the precious places we visit. We believe people are at the heart of everything we do and our guides have a wealth of knowledge to share with you, giving you a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Arctic ecosystem.
The Voyage
Secret Atlas is founded, led, and made for explorers by explorers. We understand that every expedition is unique, so we don’t follow a fixed itinerary. We believe that real expeditions should follow the opportunities that the wilderness offers and our expert guides know exactly how to maximise your experience.
The following itinerary is an example. The expedition is flexible and its course will be defined on daily bases sustained by the opportunities presented by weather, ice and wildlife.
Day 1 Welcome aboard! Embarkation in Longyearbyen at 16:00
We begin our expedition in the most Northerly town in the world, Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we will embark on our expedition vessel after an introduction from our expedition leader and a safety briefing from the Captain. We’ll set sail out through the majestic Adventfjord and as Longyearbyen disappears astern, wave goodbye to civilisation.
Day 2 Western Fjords
In the morning we sail by Prins Karls Forland, an uninhabited island of beautiful scenery off the west coast of Spitsbergen. This is a place where sometimes walruses are likely to haul out or be sighted. In the afternoon, we may get our boots on for a hike to spot grazing reindeer. If the conditions allow, we will sail along the coast exploring places such as Krosssfjorden, home to majestic glaciers, and some of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords and scenery.
Day 3-4 Northern Fjords / Ice Edge
Over the next few days, we will navigate between the coast and the sea ice that extends all the way to the North Pole. We will count on regular shore landings and zodiac tours to visit different natural and historical sites including glaciers, partake in wilderness hikes and fully immersive ourselves in the raw nature of the Arctic.
Every day we will explore deeper into the wilderness Svalbard has to offer. Under the guidance of our expedition leader, we will work with the weather and sea ice conditions to show you the best that the northern coast has to offer.
Day 5-6 Exploring East Coast
If the sea ice grants passage, we will aim to head east towards the Hinlopen Strait area and venture deeper into a vast world of ice and cliffs. While attempting this we will be obliged to reach a new higher latitude to the voyage, crossing the 80 degrees North parallel. The days will be long and complemented with action, zodiac cruises and the search for wildlife. The ice will extend all the way to the horizon, and the enigmatic presence of the northern king of wildlife will be felt. We will potentially come across some immense bird cliffs where thousands of birds fly in and out without a break. These days will be filled with a sense of adventure and exposure to nature, the ice and the winds might let us through to the south, or we might need to turn around and head back West over the north. Regardless of the exact route, the expedition will build into its climax.
Day 7-8 Exploring Southern Fjords
We will follow the compass south and explore the region along the south coast of Spitsbergen. We will visit rarely visited landing sites and have lots of chances to take in the breathtaking nature, wildlife, and scenery. As we round the southern tip of Spitsbergen, we will enter the area around Hornsund where we will have a day to explore and do some wilderness hikes. We will then set sail north along the coast towards Isfjorden.
Day 9 Isfjord
Already back in the protection of Isfjorden, we will find peaceful landing sites to hike or simply relax and take it all in. Isfjorden offers a fantastic mix of landscapes, history and wildlife. Offering the best possible closure to our experience before heading back to civilization.
Day 10 Disembarkation in Longyearbyen at 09:00
By morning we will have arrived back at the port of Longyearbyen. Disembarking the ship will involve saying goodbye to the new friends you’ve made but knowing you will keep the memories of the transformative adventure you shared together.
Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome aboard! Embarkation in Longyearbyen at 16:00
We begin our expedition in the most Northerly town in the world, Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we will embark on our expedition vessel after an introduction from our expedition leader and a safety briefing from the Captain. We’ll set sail out through the majestic Adventfjord and as Longyearbyen disappears astern, wave goodbye to civilisation.
Day 2 Western Fjords
In the morning we sail by Prins Karls Forland, an uninhabited island of beautiful scenery off the west coast of Spitsbergen. This is a place where sometimes walruses are likely to haul out or be sighted. In the afternoon, we may get our boots on for a hike to spot grazing reindeer. If the conditions allow, we will sail along the coast exploring places such as Krosssfjorden, home to majestic glaciers, and some of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords and scenery.
Day 3-4 Northern Fjords / Ice Edge
Over the next few days, we will navigate between the coast and the sea ice that extends all the way to the North Pole. We will count on regular shore landings and zodiac tours to visit different natural and historical sites including glaciers, partake in wilderness hikes and fully immersive ourselves in the raw nature of the Arctic.
Every day we will explore deeper into the wilderness Svalbard has to offer. Under the guidance of our expedition leader, we will work with the weather and sea ice conditions to show you the best that the northern coast has to offer.
Day 5-6 Exploring East Coast
If the sea ice grants passage, we will aim to head east towards the Hinlopen Strait area and venture deeper into a vast world of ice and cliffs. While attempting this we will be obliged to reach a new higher latitude to the voyage, crossing the 80 degrees North parallel. The days will be long and complemented with action, zodiac cruises and the search for wildlife. The ice will extend all the way to the horizon, and the enigmatic presence of the northern king of wildlife will be felt. We will potentially come across some immense bird cliffs where thousands of birds fly in and out without a break. These days will be filled with a sense of adventure and exposure to nature, the ice and the winds might let us through to the south, or we might need to turn around and head back West over the north. Regardless of the exact route, the expedition will build into its climax.
Day 7-8 Exploring Southern Fjords
We will follow the compass south and explore the region along the south coast of Spitsbergen. We will visit rarely visited landing sites and have lots of chances to take in the breathtaking nature, wildlife, and scenery. As we round the southern tip of Spitsbergen, we will enter the area around Hornsund where we will have a day to explore and do some wilderness hikes. We will then set sail north along the coast towards Isfjorden.
Day 9 Isfjord
Already back in the protection of Isfjorden, we will find peaceful landing sites to hike or simply relax and take it all in. Isfjorden offers a fantastic mix of landscapes, history and wildlife. Offering the best possible closure to our experience before heading back to civilization.
Day 10 Disembarkation in Longyearbyen at 09:00
By morning we will have arrived back at the port of Longyearbyen. Disembarking the ship will involve saying goodbye to the new friends you’ve made but knowing you will keep the memories of the transformative adventure you shared together.
Before your adventure begins
• Comprehensive joining instructions, with a complete packing list.
• Local assistance in planning your pre and post-adventure activities and accommodation.
• Transfers between your hotel and ship on arrival (select adventures).
• Connect with like-minded travellers on your adventure before setting out in our Facebook group.
What you’ll taste on your adventure
During your voyage, we offer a freshly made breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by our onboard chef along with soft drinks, tea, and coffee.
• A complimentary alcoholic beverage (such as Mine 3 Beer from the world’s most northernmost brewery) is included with dinner on some adventures, with additional drinks available for purchase.
• On the day of embarkation, an evening meal is included and on the day of disembarkation, breakfast is provided.
• The chef will serve a variety of hearty dishes offering you the chance to experience the unique regional cuisine using locally sourced produce. If you have any dietary requirements, food allergies or intolerances, or would like a vegetarian option,
please let us know at the time of booking.
What you’ll access on your adventure
• Rubber boots for shore landings and hiking (select adventures)
• Services of an expedition leader and guide (customary tips not included)
• Shore landings by Zodiac landing craft a detailed in the itinerary
• Accommodation in warm, comfortable cabins with all bedding and towels provided.
• Education on reducing your carbon footprint
After your adventure ends
• Further guidance with your carbon drawdown
• Transfers between your hotel and ship on arrival and departure (select adventures)
• For 2 Guests
• Comfortable double or twin bed
• Ensuite shower and toilet
• 15 m˛
• Located on deck 1
• Window
• Desk & chair
• Wardrobe
Signature Single $18,700
Ship: MV Vikingfjord | Cabin: Signature Single
• For 1 guest
• 10 m˛
• Located on decks 1 and 2
• Window
• Wardrobe
• Cabin 6 - 7
* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.