Dates

Overview

You will weigh anchor in Longyearbyen, where colorful wooden homes dot the landscape with a human presence that will certainly be the last you see for a while. The sea rolls on, and the white-streaked mountains, which gave the region its name, rise up from deeply tinted waters. The polar light combines with the changing weather of the Arctic, a big blue sky, the horizon scattered with clouds, the enveloping mist erasing the border between the land and the sea: these variations all provide the magical, almost surreal, setting with new nuances. Included round-trip flight from Paris.

Expedition Highlights

• A cruise to discover the riches of Svalbard, in search of mysterious wild fauna, in the comfort of an exceptional ship.
• Outings and shore visits in Zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
• The possibility of hiking on the island, between tundra, beaches and glaciers.
• The history of Spitsbergen connected to hunting and fishing, the mining industry and polar exploration, with the possibility of discovering Ny-Ålesund.
• Discovering the incredible geology of Spitsbergen, easily observable with the naked eye due to the archipelago’s short vegetation.
• Scenic sailing past glaciers or cliffs, inside huge fjords, between dazzling blue sky or mysterious polar mist.
• Landscapes: rugged mountains, icebergs, ice caps, deep valleys, striated cliffs, vertiginous walls, gigantic glaciers, glacier fronts, tundra and the possibility of observing the ice floe.
• Wildlife: polar bears, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, walruses, bearded seals, harbour seals, Arctic fulmars, Arctic terns, black-legged kittiwakes, eiders, guillemots, blue whales, minke whales, orcas.

Itinerary

We can arrange air, and pre- and post-cruise arrangements for you.

Day 1 – Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

Embarkation from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Departure at 6:00 PM
Your included flight from Paris will arrive in Longyearbyen this afternoon. Transfer is provided to the ship. Settle into your suite.

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below -40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

Days 2-3 – South-West Region of Spitsbergen

Set sail for southwest Spitsbergen, immerse yourself in this environment unlike any other and explore its unexpected riches. In this natural sanctuary, the polar light combines with the changing weather of the Arctic, a big blue sky, the horizon scattered with clouds, the enveloping mist erasing the border between the land and the sea. Follow in the footsteps of the first explorers and admire the majestic fjords and glaciers sculpting the breathtaking landscapes, their icy waters shimmering beneath the midnight sun. The fjords, veritable cathedrals of ice, reveal their millennial secrets, while the glaciers, like sleeping giants, move slowly towards the sea, setting free sparkling icebergs. On the water, you might spot belugas and rorquals, while on the shores, seals and Arctic foxes add a touch of mystery to this living tableau, where the steep cliffs become breeding grounds for thousands of seabirds, like guillemots.

Day 4 – Sailing toward the ice floes

Your captain will sail right up to the limit of the ice, to the edge of the ice floe. Weather conditions and conditions of the ice allowing, you will be able to go out in a Zodiac dinghy for a unique experience in the middle of these floating slabs of ice. In addition to this grandiose journey through the middle of these floes with their cut and blue-tinged edges, sometimes over 2 meters thick, it is also often an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe: birds, seals and polar bears.

Days 5-6 – North-West region of Spitsbergen

A kingdom of contrasts and natural marvels dotted with islands and peninsulas, northwest Spitsbergen fascinates with its preserved beauty. On these pristine lands, infinity unveils itself, treating the eyes to beauty sculpted by nature and enhanced by the changing light. The fjords bathed by icy waters, the jagged mountains and the imposing glaciers stand majestically before you, like monumental sculptures. In these lands, where souls are filled with deep serenity, only the murmur of broken ice, bearing mysteries and legends, disturbs the calmness. Aboard our Zodiacs and in the company of naturalist-guides, get as close as possible to this unique fauna and discover this centre for scientific expeditions. In the distance, majestic whales glide silently through the glacial waters, whereas seals, walruses and Arctic foxes add a playful touch of life. As Svalbard reindeer wander the vast expanses, Arctic terns liven up the polar sky with their gracious flight and polar bears, which you may be lucky enough to see, patrol magnificently along the icy shores.

Day 7 – Ny-Alesund, Spitsbergen

During your cruise, discover Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town that has been transformed into a scientific base. Founded in 1916, this small town was the departure point for many Arctic expeditions, including those of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen. Don’t miss a visit to the museum and its famous post office, considered to be the most northerly in the world!

Day 8 – Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

Arrival early in the morning – Disembarkation at 8:00 AM
After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your included flight to Paris, France.