Realm of the Polar Bear – 8 Days Svalbard Expedition Cruise

Realm of the Polar Bear – 8 Days Svalbard Expedition Cruise

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Longyearbyen — Embarkation

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town. Explore this unique Arctic settlement before boarding your expedition vessel in the afternoon. Meet your expedition team — naturalists, polar historians, and Zodiac drivers — during the welcome briefing. As the ship sails out of Isfjord, watch the dramatic Arctic landscape unfold under the 24-hour midnight sun. First dinner on board as the adventure begins.

Day 2: Northwest Spitsbergen — Kongsfjord & Ny-Ålesund

Sail into Kongsfjord, one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords, surrounded by dramatic glacier fronts and towering mountains. Zodiac cruise among ice floes, watching for bearded seals, ringed seals, and the first polar bears of the expedition. Visit Ny-Ålesund, the world’s northernmost permanent settlement and an international research station. See the mooring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile for their historic North Pole airship expeditions.

Day 3: Liefdefjord — Monaco Glacier

Morning approach to Liefdefjord and the spectacular Monaco Glacier (Monacobreen), a 5km-wide glacier front named after Prince Albert I of Monaco, who sponsored early Arctic exploration. The glacier’s blue ice face is one of Svalbard’s most photogenic locations. Zodiac cruises bring you close to the calving glacier while keeping a respectful distance — watch for the thunder of ice breaking into the sea. Excellent opportunities for polar bear sightings along this coastline.

Day 4: Hinlopen Strait — Alkefjellet Bird Cliffs

Navigate the Hinlopen Strait, separating Spitsbergen from Nordaustlandet. The highlight is Alkefjellet — towering basalt cliffs hosting one of the Arctic’s largest seabird colonies: over 60,000 pairs of Brünnich’s guillemots, plus kittiwakes and glaucous gulls. The cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, and the air is filled with the sound and motion of thousands of birds. Arctic foxes often patrol the base of the cliffs looking for fallen chicks. Zodiac cruise for close-up views.

Day 5: Nordaustlandet — Polar Desert & Walrus Colonies

Explore the coast of Nordaustlandet, the second-largest island in Svalbard, dominated by massive ice caps. The landscape here feels like another planet — a polar desert where life clings to the edges. Visit walrus haul-out sites where dozens of these massive creatures rest on beaches. The sound of walruses — grunting, bellowing, and the distinctive whistle — is unforgettable. Weather permitting, push towards the edge of the polar ice cap at 80°N.

Day 6: Edgeøya — Polar Bear Country

Today, reach the remote east coast of Spitsbergen at Edgeøya (Edge Island). This area has one of the highest polar bear densities in Svalbard. Scan the ice edges and shorelines with your expedition team. The East Svalbard current brings pack ice close to shore, creating ideal hunting grounds for polar bears. Also look for Svalbard reindeer (the world’s smallest subspecies) grazing on the sparse tundra vegetation. The sense of true wilderness here — hundreds of kilometers from any settlement — is profound.

Day 7: Hornsund — Spectacular Fjords of South Spitsbergen

Sail into Hornsund, one of Svalbard’s most dramatic fjord systems, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks reminiscent of Patagonia. The Polish research station at Isbjørnhamna offers a fascinating glimpse into Arctic scientific work. Zodiac cruise past towering glacier fronts and through brash ice. Final opportunities for polar bear, walrus, and Arctic fox sightings. Farewell dinner on board with the expedition team, celebrating a week of extraordinary Arctic exploration.

Day 8: Longyearbyen — Disembarkation

Morning arrival back in Longyearbyen. After breakfast, disembark with a new perspective on the High Arctic. Optional visit to the Svalbard Museum (one of Norway’s best) before transferring to the airport. Fly south carrying memories of polar bears on ice floes, glaciers calving into the sea, and the raw, pristine beauty of the Arctic wilderness.

What’s Included

• 7 nights aboard expedition vessel (twin-share cabin)
• All meals on board
• Expedition team: naturalists, polar historian, Zodiac drivers
• Daily Zodiac excursions (weather permitting)
• Ny-Ålesund visit
• Alkefjellet bird cliffs
• Monaco Glacier cruise
• Onboard lectures & presentations
• All port taxes & landing fees

What’s Excluded

• Flights to/from Longyearbyen
• Pre/post expedition accommodation in Longyearbyen
• Travel insurance (mandatory, must cover emergency evacuation)
• Alcoholic beverages on board
• Tips for expedition staff
• Waterproof boots (rental available)
• Personal Arctic clothing