This 10-night 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.
Preparation for your COMO Journey to Svalbard is the key to being comfortable in the Arctic. You will need a Schengen visa to enter Norway, and while it is technically summer, the temperature will range from below zero to an average of 6°C. Please consider the wind chill factor with waterproof wear and rubber boots for zodiac and land adventures. Layering with fleece, wool or down will insulate you from the cold and offer protection from the wind. We also recommend bringing a camera for wildlife photography and binoculars for encounters from the ship or zodiac.
You will make your own international flight arrangements to Longyearbyen. Please let us know if you’d like our assistance on airline and route recommendations.
Your Arctic adventure starts in this small Norwegian town where you will be met at the airport and transferred to Funken Lodge. In the evening, Gruvelageret Restaurant will be your destination for a four-course set menu accompanied with wine pairing.
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.
Gather in the lounge for a presentation by your Expedition 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.
In Yoldiabukta, your Expedition 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. We may also spot these magnificent creatures at Magdalenafjorden or Smeerenburg. Your guides will take questions and share an in-depth presentation on the physiology, habitat and behaviour once you are back on Polarfront.
One of our land adventures includes hiking at Krossfjorden. You’ll take the zodiac out, then set tracks for the first ridgeline through some daily deep snow. Enjoy the incredible 360-degree view from the summit and the glacial face of Lilliehöökbreen to the north, as well as learn the history of the area as a German weather station during World War II.
At Tinayrebukta, you will come across the breath-taking Tinayrebreen hanging glacier. Further south, the Fjortende Julibukta, or 14th of July Glacier dazzles with its elegant shards of blue tide water, which you will be able to capture up close and photograph via zodiac.
We head 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.
The mouth of Bellsund fjord and Van Keulenfjorden are known for its polar bear sightings, so be prepared to jump into the zodiacs and give chase at a respectful distance as they move fast. You may also bump into a pod of Beluga whales nearby. Isfjorden is also another location where you may spot polar bears hunting on the tundra and glacial face.
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 whales 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.
On board each Svalbard expedition, there will be an experienced Captain, friendly crew and at least two naturalist guides on hand to offer advice and information throughout your trip.
With a range of backgrounds, all of our expedition leaders have years of experience working aboard ships in Svalbard. Whether they focus on photography, wildlife, history, culture or a mixture of all these things, they are fascinating people who will greatly add to your Arctic experience.
En route to the pack ice – when you’re not looking out for whales and seabirds from the deck – your expedition leaders will host informative lectures on various local topics. These informal lectures will range from the history of whalers in the Svalbard Archipelago, to the effects of climate change on the habitats of Arctic wildlife, offering you a greater understanding of the areas you will visit throughout your trip.
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