Svalbard: 10-Day Ultimate Spitsbergen Circumnavigation — Polar Bear Safari
The complete Svalbard experience. This 10-day expedition attempts a full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the archipelago, reaching as far as the polar ice cap. A far more comprehensive wildlife safari than the standard 8-day itinerary, this voyage maximizes your chances of multiple polar bear encounters, explores rarely-visited east coast fjords, and ventures close to the 80th parallel. For serious polar enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Longyearbyen embarkation. Sail Isfjorden. Safety briefing, expedition welcome dinner.
Day 2: Kongsfjorden & Ny-Ålesund. King’s Glacier zodiac cruise. Arctic tern colonies.
Day 3: Northwest Spitsbergen — Magdalenefjord and Gravneset, historic whaling cemetery (17th century). Red Bay glacier.
Day 4: Liefdefjorden — Monaco Glacier (5km-wide face). Extended zodiac safari. Prime polar bear hunting grounds.
Day 5: Hinlopen Strait — Alkefjellet bird cliffs, 60,000 guillemots. Polar bear patrol at cliff base.
Day 6: Nordaustlandet — Austfonna ice cap (8,100 km²). Polar desert landing. Remote trapping station ruins.
Day 7: Edgeøya — Sundneset walrus colony. Svalbard reindeer. Thick-billed murre colonies.
Day 8: South Cape — rounding Sørkapp into the Greenland Sea. Pelagic bird watching for fulmars and skuas.
Day 9: Hornsund — dramatic fjord with active glaciers. Beluga whale search. Expedition recap evening.
Day 10: Return Longyearbyen. Farewell breakfast, disembark, airport transfer.
Inclusions
- 9 nights expedition vessel
- All meals, daily shore landings and zodiac cruises
- Comprehensive expedition team (polar guides, naturalists, historian, photographer)
- Daily lectures and recap sessions
- Waterproof boots, parka
- Port taxes, park fees, emergency insurance
| Duration | 10 Days / 9 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Svalbard — Complete Spitsbergen circumnavigation |
| Price | From $6,000 per person (twin cabin) |
| Tour Style | Ultimate Arctic Expedition |
| Data Source | Expeditions Online, Quark Expeditions |
