Arctic Cruise - Spitsbergen - Quest

Spitsbergen, a remote and spectacular archipelago of immense glaciers, narrow fjords, sheer mountain cliffs and abundant wildlife, has lured many explorers into its enticing web. On this expedition, explore the eastern and least visited areas of this beautiful and dramatic region. Spitsbergen has twice as many polar bears as people, so you may encounter a good number of them. You will also visit beaches covered by massive walrus, and seabirds will be your constant companions throughout the trip.

Itinerary

Day 9: Longyearbyen - Oslo

Today toy reach Longyearbyen and fly back to Oslo.

Please, read this itinerary as a guide only; your exact route and program will vary depending on ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to a successful expedition.

Day 1: Oslo - Longyearbyen

You arrive in Longyearbyen under the midnight sun and transfer to Radisson SAS Polar Hotel, with a magnificent view of the Ice Fjord.

Day 2: Longyearbyen - Barentsburg

You explore Longyearbyen and visit the Svalbard Museum. Embark the Quest in the afternoon and sail to the Russian enclave Barentsburg. A local guide shows us around this fascinating coal mining settlement and you have a glass of Soviet champagne at the local hotel.

Days 3-7: Spitsbergen archipelago

Your exact itinerary depends on weather, ice conditions and the wildlife we encounter. Each day you make several landings with the rigid Zodiac craft and thanks to the midnight sun you can go ashore day and night. Here are a few of the many places you may to visit:

Ny Ålesund
This is a unique opportunity to send a card from the world?s northernmost post office. Svalbard reindeer roam through this town seemingly unaware of your presence and Arctic terns nest along the roads. It was here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic attempts of reaching the North Pole by airship.

Danes? Island
Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started here. Swedish balloonist Andrée made an attempt with hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started out with airship. You are guided around the site, which is littered with remnants from the heroic era.

East Spitsbergen
Heading east you meet the massive pack ice border. You are now off the beaten track in a wilderness virtually untouched by man. You enjoy the silence and the grandeur of this icy landscape. Here your odds of finding polar bears are the greatest, and you will keep a constant lookout on the bridge during your time in the ice.

Nordaustlandet
You cruise along a massive icecap stretching down to the sea where it forms a long glacier front intersected by hundreds of melt-waterfalls. This is a favourite area for seals and bears.
Storöya
When ice conditions are light you can land on this isolated island east of Nordaustlandet. Storöya is a real gem. You see large groups of walrus lounging on the beaches and polar bears are frequently spotted here.

Hinlopen Strait
It is exciting sailing though this strait, an area of very heavy ice concentrations. The waters here are especially nutritious, which explains the large quantities of sea birds. You visit a colony of 600 000 guillemots nesting on vertical cliffs.

Day 8: Prins Karls Forland / Longyearbyen

You retrace our route back to Longyearbyen and land on Prins Karls Forland. In the evening you anchor in a bay and celebrate the completion of the expedition with a farewell dinner.