This 11-day (May) or 12-day (September) itinerary will take you on a journey of polar exploration to the remote northern reaches of the Svalbard Archipelago. This vast area is filled with breath-taking fjords, snowy islands and unspoilt wilderness, home to polar bears, sunbathing walruses, whales, ring seals, birds and more.
Preparing well is key to staying comfortable in the Arctic. A Schengen visa is required to enter Norway. Expect temperatures between -3.9°C and 0°C, rarely dropping below -5°C or rising above 5°C-though wind chill can make it feel colder. Waterproof outerwear and rubber boots are essential for zodiac and land excursions, while warm layers such as fleece, wool, or down provide insulation and wind protection. We also recommend packing a camera for wildlife photography and binoculars for spotting from the ship or zodiac.
Arrive in Longyearbyen, the gateway to your Arctic adventure. You'll make your own international flight arrangements - please let us know if you'd like recommendations on airlines or routes. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to Funken Lodge, where you will spend one night.
In the evening, enjoy a four-course set dinner with wine pairing at the atmospheric Gruvelageret Restaurant, a short transfer from the lodge.
On Day Two, there will be a transfer from the Funken Lodge to the ship in time for embarkation. On arrival to the ship, there will be a welcome briefing by the Expedition Leaders.
Thereafter, your time aboard M/S Polarfront will be spent exploring the Svalbard Archipelago in search of Arctic wildlife and frozen landscapes. The exact itinerary will depend upon the weather conditions, the density of the pack ice in the north and wildlife opportunities.
During your Arctic safari you can expect to visit ice-filled fjords framed by breath-taking snow-capped peaks. Alongside stunning landscapes, go in search of polar bears as they hunt for seals, seek out sunbathing walrus and spot whales breaching in the icy seas. On shore you may come across Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer and beautiful Arctic flora.
Please note: The exact itinerary will depend upon the weather conditions, the density of the pack ice in the north and wildlife opportunities.
Gather in the lounge for a presentation by your Specialist leaders on the trip overview. You will also be invited up to the bridge, where you will get a lesson on how to use binoculars and spot and identify wildlife, whether birds, geological rock formations.
We head to the east flank of Isfjorden, south of Scansbukta to watch reindeer eating lichen, which forms the main part of their diet in these barren lands.
Throughout your voyage, your Specialist leaders will keep a lookout for Ursus Maritimus, also known as the walrus. They usually gather in groups to feed or nap, so this is a great opportunity to take some photographs by zodiac. Your guides will take questions and share an in-depth presentation on the physiology, habitat and behaviour once you are back on M/S Polarfront.
Your Specialist leaders will be able to arrange land adventures and hikes, where possible. Please note this is always dependent on weather, tides and animal activity. Exploring on land is a fascinating way to witness the geology, flora and fauna of Svalbard and will give you a completely different perspective from the sea-based voyaging.
Around 60 per cent of Svalbard is covered in glaciers, which make for a truly awe-inspiring sight. Throughout this voyage you will have the opportunity to view the glaciers from a safe distance, with explanations about their history, formation, calving and plight from your Specialist leaders.
Subject to weather conditions, we hope to include a visit to Kongsfjorden to admire the sharp-peaked mountains named after the countries of Sweden, Norway and Denmark. We will also travel across fast ice to watch ring seals sunbathe, and if we are lucky enough, a polar bear hunting for its next meal. We find civilisation again at Ny Ålesund, originally a coal mining town and the site of two unconfirmed attempts to be the first to the north pole; it is now a rather surreal scientific community complete with its own gift shop.
There are currently around 22,000 polar bears left in the wild, in a total of 19 sub-populations. Global warming and climate change are their greatest threat.
The latest figures on the number of polar bears suggest that the Svalbard Archipelago is home to around 3,000 bears, a mere 13.6 per cent of the global population. This can make it tricky to sight polar bears, but our expedition takes advantage of the best seasons to do so. The month of May brings perfect conditions as the ice has not yet melted. Later in September, we can explore further north to cover more ground where the polar bears often concentrate to hunt for seals in the remaining icy areas.
Hornsund is the southern most major fjord system on the west coast of Spitsbergen, influenced by the gyre back-current that originates in the Arctic waters to the east, and is therefore colder and holds snow and sea-ice longer than the northern fjords. This makes it the perfect playground for not only ring seals, but whales. You may observe Beluga whales in their natural habitat, while on the northside at Burgerbukta, Blue, Minke and Humpback whales have made their presence known.
You will arrive back into Longyearbyen, disembark and then time to say your final farewells and begin your journey home.
