Svalbard Explorer - 8 day tour

Sunday. Oslo - Longyearbyen. Included flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago which lies midway between continental Norway and the North Pole. Our expedition cruise ship, the Ocean Atlantic, is docked in the capital of Svalbard, Longyearbyen, which also happens to be the most northern town in the world. Upon arrival in Longyearbyen make your way to the ship which is docked close to the town centre. Embark and settle in with a welcome drink on board.

Later today we set sail as the captain takes the ship out of Advent Fjord and into the Arctic Ocean. We'll be sailing up the coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island on Svalbard, and the only one inhabited by humans.

Facilities aboard the Ocean Atlantic include a spacious restaurant serving international cuisine, two bars, a comfortable lounge area, and a library. Relax in the sauna or work out in the gym. There is also a lecture theatre where you can learn more about this part of the world. All of your meals onboard are included, and you can enjoy free snacks, tea and coffee. From the top deck you can keep your eyes peeled for marine life and watch sea birds swooping and wheeling over the ship.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Dinner

Longyearbyen - Ny Alesund. During the Arctic summer, the sun never sets. Sailing through the bright night, we reach the Kongsfjord, where floating winter ice may still block many of the waterways. Keep your eyes peeled for polar bears on the ice. Svalbard is one of the final strongholds for these incredible animals, and they command respect amongst the human residents of Svalbard. As well as the bears, seals and sea birds are arriving at Svalbard at this time, eager to begin their frantic summer feed before the harsh winter sets in.

Our first port of call is Ny Alesund. This settlement is actually more northern than Longyearbyen but with just a handful of scientific stations, a post office and a single shop, it doesn't really count as a town. We enjoy a leisurely walk through the settlement.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ny Alesund - Smeerenburg - Fuglesongen. Today we reach the northwest reaches of Svalbard. The unforgiving conditions here mean our itinerary must be flexible, but projected activities include a Zodiac (small boat) cruise to search for seals and of course their ever-present hunters, the polar bears.

We also plan to visit Smeerenburg, the now abandoned 17th century whaling town. A place of Norwegian myth and legend, more than 200 men once lived, and often died, in this dangerous environment. Whaling was banned due to the near extinction of many of these incredible gentle giants, and the town was abandoned.

From Smeerenburg, we'll land on the tiny island of Fuglesongen. The island is a haven for birdlife and is home to the largest colony of Little auks in Svalbard. One creature to have noticed this is the Arctic fox, which is also present on the island and can often be seen stalking birds at the base of the cliffs.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fuglesongen - Svalbard pack ice. Today we reach the northernmost location of our expedition. How far north we go depends on the extent of the ice, but we aim to get to the edge of the pack ice. This is prime polar bear territory. The bears ride the ice floes up north during the summer, following the seals. If we have been lucky enough to see some bears already, then these are the unfortunate ones who haven't been able to ride the ice - they will have a hungry summer, feeding on berries, eggs and whatever scraps they can find. If we spot any bears in the pack ice, they will be much better fed.

Gaze out from the observation deck at the incredible scenery of ice floes sailing past, keeping your eyes peeled for polar bears, whales and other Arctic wildlife. Walruses, Minke whales and Sei whales all inhabit Svalbard during the summer months. If the sea is calm then we may be able to arrange a Zodiac cruise out into the pack ice.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Svalbard pack ice - Monacobreen Glacier. Leaving the pack ice behind, we head east aboard the Ocean Atlantic. Our route may still be restricted by the ice but we will travel as far east as the conditions allow. We may enjoy a Zodiac excursion around bird-rich Andoya and will attempt to land on the inhospitable Reindyrflya peninsula. We also visit Mushamna trapping station and the Texas Bar, a wooden cabin built in 1927, which has certainly passed the test of time in these trying conditions.

The final stop of today will be the Monacobreen Glacier, which we cruise up to aboard our Zodiacs. Named after Prince Albert of Monaco, a famed explorer of the 1900s, we'll get as close as we can to this wall of ice, weaving between small, but still impressive icebergs.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Monacobreen Glacier - Blomstrand - Lilliehook Glacier. Today we begin our return journey to Longyearbyen, heading west along the coast of Spitsbergen. We anchor on the Blomstrand Peninsula, now an island due to the continued retreat of the Blomstrand Glacier. We'll cruise up this newly formed channel aboard our Zodiacs, and if you wish, you'll be able to hike up to the summit of Irgensfjellet mountain (385m). The views of this frozen land from the summit are sublime - gaze out over the Nunatak Mountains all the way to Ny Alesund.

After lunch we continue into the fjords and can enjoy a Zodiac cruise along the front of the Lilliehook Glacier.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lilliehook Glacier - Bellsund - Calypsobyen. The west coast of Svalbard enjoys warmer water than the rest of the archipelago, meaning there will be no more ice to navigate. This allows us to enter the fjord of Bellsund, once an important coal mining community. We'll make landings at Varsol Bay, home to a huge population of Little auks. The birds fertilize the tundra, meaning Svalbard reindeer can also be seen grazing in the region. We enjoy a walk along the beach and can see the remnants of the Industrial era, when Svalbard was busier than it is today.

After lunch we land at Calypsobyen to see more of the Industrial era ruins. Enjoy a pleasant walk along the tundra behind these abandoned buildings.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner