Realm of the Polar Bear In-Depth – 11 Days Expedition

Realm of the Polar Bear In-Depth – 11 Days Expedition

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Longyearbyen — Embarkation into the Midnight Sun

Arrive in Longyearbyen. Explore this frontier town — the Svalbard Museum, galleries, and shops — before boarding your expedition ship in the afternoon. Meet your expedition leader and the team of polar specialists during the mandatory safety briefing. As the ship glides out of Isfjord, watch the midnight sun illuminate the Arctic landscape — 24 hours of daylight during the polar summer.

Day 2: Northwest Spitsbergen — Kongsfjord Exploration

Enter the pristine waters of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Zodiac cruise through Kongsfjord, surrounded by dramatic glacier fronts including Kongsbreen and Kronebreen. First polar bear scanning sessions on deck with your naturalists. Visit Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost permanent settlement at 79°N, home to scientists from over 10 nations studying climate change, Arctic biology, and atmospheric physics.

Day 3: Liefdefjord — Monaco Glacier & Polar Bear Territory

The Monaco Glacier — at 5km wide, one of Svalbard’s most impressive glacial fronts. Morning Zodiac expedition along the ice face, watching for the spectacle of calving. This coastline is prime polar bear habitat — previous expeditions have reported up to 10 bears in a single day here. Naturalists on constant watch from the bridge and observation decks.

Day 4: Hinlopen Strait — Alkefjellet & Walrus Haul-Outs

Navigate through Hinlopen Strait between Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet. The towering basalt cliffs of Alkefjellet host over 60,000 pairs of Brünnich’s guillemots — one of the Arctic’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Zodiac cruise at the base of these 100m cliffs, with Arctic foxes often seen hunting along the scree slopes. Afternoon visit to Torellneset, a known walrus haul-out where dozens of these tusked giants rest on the beach.

Day 5: Nordaustlandet — Edge of the Ice Cap

Explore the remote east coast of Nordaustlandet, dominated by Austfonna — Europe’s third-largest ice cap. The landscape here is stark and otherworldly: polar desert, ice, and rock. Push east towards the polar ice edge, where the nutrient-rich waters attract seals and their predators. The 24-hour daylight allows flexible expedition schedule — the captain and expedition leader respond to wildlife sightings and ice conditions in real time.

Day 6: Kvitøya — The White Island

Weather and ice permitting, attempt a landing at Kvitøya (White Island), the easternmost point of Svalbard at 80°N. This remote, ice-covered island is the final resting place of Salomon August Andrée’s ill-fated 1897 Arctic balloon expedition — their remains and diaries were discovered here in 1930. The sense of Arctic history and isolation here is profound. Excellent polar bear territory.

Day 7: Brasvellbreen — The Ice Waterfall

Sail along Brasvellbreen, a 160km-long glacier front on Nordaustlandet that is one of the longest in the Northern Hemisphere. This “ice waterfall” where the Austfonna ice cap meets the sea is an awe-inspiring sight. Zodiac cruise among icebergs of every shade of blue, sculpted by wind and water into fantastic shapes. The sounds of the ice — cracking, groaning, fizzing — are mesmerizing.

Day 8: Edgeøya — East Coast Wilderness

Reach the remote east coast of Edgeøya (Edge Island), part of the Southeast Svalbard Nature Reserve. The East Svalbard current brings pack ice close to shore, creating prime polar bear habitat. Extended scanning sessions from the bridge and on deck. Visit the remains of historical Pomor (Russian) hunting stations from the 18th century. The density of Svalbard reindeer is surprisingly high here during the brief summer.

Day 9: Hornsund — Jagged Peaks & Glaciers

Enter Hornsund, Svalbard’s southernmost and most spectacular fjord system. The jagged peaks of the Hornsundtind massif (1,431m) dominate the skyline. Zodiac cruise past multiple glacier fronts: Hansbreen, Paierlbreen, and Samarinbreen. Visit the Polish Polar Station for insight into year-round Arctic research. Final intensive polar bear and marine mammal scanning as the expedition enters its final days.

Day 10: Bellsund — Beluga Whales & Historical Sites

Explore Bellsund, a historical whaling region with fascinating remnants of the 17th-century whaling era. Visit the remains of a blubber oven at Recherchefjord where Dutch and English whalers processed their catch. This fjord is also a hotspot for beluga whales, often seen in pods of 10-30 individuals, their white bodies glowing in the Arctic light. Final Zodiac excursions of the expedition. Farewell dinner with the expedition team.

Day 11: Longyearbyen — Disembarkation & Departure

Morning arrival in Longyearbyen. Disembark after breakfast with a lifetime of Arctic memories. Transfer to the airport or extend your stay to explore more of this unique town. Take home photographs of polar bears, stories of glaciers and midnight sun, and a deep appreciation for one of Earth’s last great wildernesses.

What’s Included

• 10 nights aboard expedition vessel (twin-share cabin)
• All meals on board
• Expert expedition team (naturalists, historians, photographers)
• Daily Zodiac landings & cruises (weather/ice permitting)
• Ny-Ålesund research station visit
• Alkefjellet bird cliffs
• Monaco Glacier & Brasvellbreen
• Kvitøya attempt (ice dependent)
• Onboard lecture program
• All landing & port fees

What’s Excluded

• Flights to/from Longyearbyen
• Pre/post cruise accommodation
• Travel insurance (mandatory — emergency evacuation from 80°N is essential)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tips for crew & expedition staff
• Waterproof boots (rental available $50)
• Arctic waterproof clothing