Arctic : Around Spitsbergen

Day 1 Embarkation: Longyearbyen
At approx. 2,075 inhabitants, Longyearbyen is the largest community in the Svalbard Islands. The fascinating museum is well-worth a visit, or perhaps stock up on a few last minute thermal items in the Duty Free shops. Embarkation is in the early afternoon. Dependent on flight timings, a pre-voyage night in either Oslo or Longyearbyen itself is highly recommended*. 

Days 2-4 Western Spitsbergen 
On the west coast of Spitsbergen enjoy a zodiac cruise to view the 14th of July Glacier. Other highlights may include Ny Alesund, an international Arctic research station. Birders should keep their binoculars handy as this is a known habitat for Arctic Terns, Arctic Skua, Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese and Snow Buntings.

Days 5–8 Smeerenburg, Phippsoya & Thousand Islands
At Smeerenburg, established by Norwegian whalers in the 17th Century as ‘Blubber Town’, we'll visit relics of the whaling industry, blubber ovens and whalebones. A tour of the former whaling station recounts the Dutch and Basque influences on the local community, which relied on the harvesting of bowhead whales for survival. The temperature drops as we continue northward, crossing 80N, 965 km (600 miles) from the North Pole. Polar bear and walrus are known to inhabit the waters around the small archipelago of Phippsoya, the most northerly in Svalbard!  Norway's Arctic Islands of Svalbard are so numerous that certain areas within the archipelago have names that reflect the profusion, Tusenoyane (Thousand Islands) for example. We'll go ashore on Aekongen to seek Red-throated Divers and a whale skeleton.

Days 9–10 Bourbonhamna
The narrow sound near Bourbonhamna is a favoured route of majestic white beluga whales. The population of belugas inhabiting the waters of Svalbard is estimated to be a few thousand. The “white whales” are the only whales able to nod and turn their heads sideways. We’ll search whales before going ashore, where we’ll learn about hunting and whaling. As we explore, you can expect to hike through geological formations five hundred million to a billion years old.

Day 11 Disembarkation: Longyearbyen
After breakfast you will bid farewell to the Expedition Team and crew as you step off the vessel for one last time. Upon disembarkation in Longyearbyen you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. 

Please note that all voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only - embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!