Around Spitsbergen
from £5100 excluding flights
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Highlights
Search for the majestic polar bear
Take in Spitsbergen's flora and fauna under the midnight sun
See abundant wildlife including seals and walrus
Cruise past breathtaking icebergs and sweeping glaciers
Observe seabirds in towering cliff-side rookeries
Visit fascinating historic and scientific sites
Why this trip...
Choice of vessels
We offer a wide choice of small ships from simple budget-conscious options to purpose-built luxury vessels
Expertly guided
In-depth knowledge and expertise will enrich your experience on this trip
Immersive exploration
Immerse yourself in your surroundings on a true exploration of remote and spectacular areas
Overview
The aim of this expedition is to deliver the complete Spitsbergen experience, circumnavigating the Svalbard archipelago’s largest island. With superb wildlife encounters on offer, this voyage also delivers unparalleled photographic opportunities with spectacular scenery throughout.
This is the 'star' voyage in our Arctic portfolio, exploring the full coastline of the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, Spitsbergen. Renowned for wildlife watching opportunities both on land and in the marine rich coastal waters, discover this last frontier of the inhabitable world on a fabulous circular voyage.
Please note that the chance of successful circumnavigation is higher later in the season when the ice has melted and more channels are open. Early departures are better for those wanting to see the region's rich birdlife and to experience large ice-floes. All voyage itineraries are dependent on the sea-ice conditions at the time of travel.
Itinerary
Day 1 embarkation, Longyearbyen
Board your ship in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement and the world's most northerly town. Colourful, yet weathered building scatter the shoreline and house restaurants, cafes and the town's museum.
Board your ship in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement and the world's most northerly town. Colourful, yet weathered building scatter the shoreline and house restaurants, cafes and the town's museum.
Days 2-10 Spitsbergen
Over the next few days your expedition team will take advantage of local ice and weather conditions to explore the highlights of Spitsbergen, as you attempt to circumnavigate the island. Along the way you may visit the renowned basalt sea cliffs of Alkefjellet, where thick billed murres (brunnich guillemots) nest in their thousands, or visit the abandoned mining town of Pyramiden. Perhaps search for polar bears at Isbukta, beluga whales near Bourbonhamna or walrus at Moffen Island. Conditions permitting there should be plenty of opportunity to hike the Arctic tundra and enjoy Zodiac cruises in the shadow of mighty glaciers.
Over the next few days your expedition team will take advantage of local ice and weather conditions to explore the highlights of Spitsbergen, as you attempt to circumnavigate the island. Along the way you may visit the renowned basalt sea cliffs of Alkefjellet, where thick billed murres (brunnich guillemots) nest in their thousands, or visit the abandoned mining town of Pyramiden. Perhaps search for polar bears at Isbukta, beluga whales near Bourbonhamna or walrus at Moffen Island. Conditions permitting there should be plenty of opportunity to hike the Arctic tundra and enjoy Zodiac cruises in the shadow of mighty glaciers.
Day 11 disembarkation in Longyearbyen
Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. Choose to extend your stay or head to the airport for your flight home.
Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. Choose to extend your stay or head to the airport for your flight home.
Vessel Finder
There are a choice of vessels available for this voyage. Compare the facilities of up to three ships at a glance then talk to our Travel Specialists who will be happy to advise which one is right for you.
Special Interest Departures
On the following special departures, join an Around Spitsbergen voyage with a twist.
On-board Workshops
M/V Hondius: 24 June 2020
Workshop 1: Astronavigation with a sextant
Learn to navigate with a sextant under the supervision of an on-board expert, Dr. Lothar Kurtze, who is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in London. He is a volunteer project coordinator of the Faulkes Telescope Project in Germany and Austria, and is committed to astronomical education. He runs a private observatory in Weinheim, and in his free time provides guest lectures on polar astronomy. His primary career is mechanical engineering in Salzburg.
Workshop 2: Basics of Polar Photography
A photo workshop for beginner and advanced photographers under the supervision of a photo expert on board. The workshop group (up to 20 participants per guide during landings, minimum of 20 for the activity while on board) will be accompanied by the photo expert during activities on shore. The workshop will provide the basic rules of photography, including; objects, exposures, and photo composition.
Special Guest: Doug Allan
MS Quest: 24 August 2020
Doug Allan, an award winning polar photographer and cameraman, will be joining this voyage as special guest lecturer. Doug’s love affair with ice has lasted for over forty years. He spent four winters as a research diver, scientist, base commander and photographer for the British Antarctic Survey, before changing direction to full time filming in 1984. He specialises in natural history, expeditions and science documentaries in the wildest and most remote places on our planet, particularly the polar zones. Over his career, he’s filmed for series like The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Ocean Giants, Operation Iceberg and Forces of Nature. He has been on over 20 expeditions to Svalbard to film its wildlife.
His photographic awards include eight Emmy’s and five BAFTA’s. He has twice won the underwater category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and has three Honorary Doctorates in recognition of his camerawork, as well as two Polar Medals.
Excursions
Prices and Departures
Price from £5100 excluding flights
Airfares are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
What's Included
- Shipboard accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board
- Tea & coffee available around the clock
- All Zodiac transfers, cruising & shore landings
- Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
2020 Departures
Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin
| Departure | Duration | Vessel | Activities | Price from (pp) | Special interests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Jun 2020 | 11 days | Sea Spirit | £8,076 | ||
| 22 Jun 2020 | 11 days | The Greg Mortimer | £5,100 - Waitlist only! | ||
| 24 Jun 2020 | 10 days | M/V Hondius | £5,636 | Hiking & Interactive workshop | |
| 24 Jun 2020 * | 14 days | Ocean Adventurer | £8,900 | ||
| 26 Jun 2020 | 10 days | M/V Ortelius | £5,636 | Hiking | |
| 26 Jun 2020 | 11 days | G Expedition | £5,199 | French translator onboard | |
| 27 Jun 2020 * | 14 days | World Explorer | £11,600 | ||
| 30 Jun 2020 | 12 days | Sea Spirit | £8,956 | ||
| 01 Jul 2020 | 10 days | M/V Plancius | £5,636 | ||
| 02 Jul 2020 ^ | 11 days | The Greg Mortimer | £5,100 - Waitlist only! | ||
| 05 Jul 2020 | 10 days | M/V Ortelius | £5,636 | ||
| 06 Jul 2020 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | ||
| 13 Jul 2020 | 11 days | G Expedition | £5,199 | French translator onboard | |
| 16 Jul 2020 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | ||
| 19 Jul 2020 | 10 days | M/V Plancius | £5,636 | German translator onboard | |
| 26 Jul 2020 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | ||
| 30 Jul 2020 | 11 days | G Expedition | £5,399 | ||
| 30 Jul 2020 * | 14 days | World Explorer | £11,600 | ||
| 02 Aug 2020 | 10 days | M/V Hondius | £5,636 | ||
| 05 Aug 2020 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | ||
| 09 Aug 2020 | 11 days | G Expedition | £5,399 | ||
| 15 Aug 2020 | 10 days | M/V Plancius | £5,636 | German translator onboard | |
| 15 Aug 2020 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | ||
| 24 Aug 2020 | 12 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | Guest: Doug Allan |
* Departs and finishes in Oslo, Norway
^ Departs from Longyearbyen and finishes in Kirkenes, Norway
2021 Departures
Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin
| Departure | Duration | Vessel | Activites | Price from (pp) | Special Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 May 2021 * | 14 days | Ultramarine | £12,792 | Photography focus | |
| 21 Jun 2021 | 10 days | Sea Spirit | £6,495 | ||
| 26 Jun 2021 | 11 days | G Expedition | £5,399 | ||
| 29 Jun 2021 | 12 days | Sea Spirit | £8,995 | ||
| 30 Jun 2021 * | 14 days | Ocean Adventurer | £9,992 | ||
| 01 Jul 2021 | 10 days | M/V Ortelius | £5,864 | ||
| 02 Jul 2021 | 10 days | M/V Plancius | £5,864 | ||
| 07 Jul 2021 = | 13 days | The Greg Mortimer | £8,300 | ||
| 08 Jul 2021 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | ||
| 10 Jul 2021 | 10 days | M/V Ortelius | £5,864 | ||
| 13 Jul 2021 | 11 days | G Expedition | £5,399 | ||
| 19 Jul 2021 | 10 days | M/V Ortelius | £5,864 | ||
| 20 Jul 2021 | 10 days | M/V Plancius | £5,864 | ||
| 28 Jul 2021 | 10 days | M/V Ortelius | £5,864 | ||
| 28 Jul 2021 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | ||
| 29 Jul 2021 | 10 days | M/V Plancius | £5,864 | ||
| 30 Jul 2021 | 11 days | G Expedition | £5,699 | German translator onboard | |
| 06 Aug 2021 | 10 days | M/V Oretlius | £5,864 | ||
| 07 Aug 2021 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | German speaking | |
| 09 Aug 2021 | 11 days | G Expedition | £5,699 | German translator onboard | |
| 16 Aug 2021 ∅ | 10 days | M/V Plancius | £5,864 | German translator onboard | |
| 17 Aug 2021 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | ||
| 18 Aug 2021 ^ | 13 days | The Greg Mortimer | £8,600 | ||
| 27 Aug 2021 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 |
* Departs and finishes in Oslo, Norway
= Departs from Longyearbyen and finishes in Kirkenes, Norway
^ Departs from Kirkenes and finishes in Longyearbyen
∅ Attempts to land on island of Kvitoya
Activity Icon Key
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Diving
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Kayaking
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Snorkelling
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Kayak taster session
The inclusions for this cruise are dependent on the vessel chosen, though the following are applicable to all
Offers
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