Around Spitsbergen
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.
Highlights
- Encounter polar bears and walrus in their natural habitat
- Cruise past glaciers, ice-floes and towering sea cliffs in a Zodiac
- Visit fascinating historic and scientific sites
- Optional kayaking available on selected departures (additional cost)
What's Included
- Shipboard accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board
- Shore landings & Zodiac cruises
- Experienced Expedition Team
- Presentations on board
Full description
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!
Special Interest Departures
Take a look at the 'Other Information' section for details about select departures that will be accompanied by leading experts, from renowned scientists to professional photographers.
Prices & Dates *
Offers
Arctic 2021: Up to 20% Early Booking Offer on voyages aboard the G Expedition
Arctic
Receive up to 20% discount on Arctic 2021 voyages aboard the G Expedition
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Arctic 2021: Huge savings on voyages aboard the Ocean Adventurer and brand new Ultramarine
Arctic
Save up to 20% on Arctic 2021 voyages aboard the Ocean Adventurer and Ultramarine, plus enjoy an additional 10% discount if full payment is made by 15th Jun 2020!
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Arctic 2021: Save up to 15% on the Sea Spirit
Arctic
Save up to 15% on selected Arctic 2021 voyages aboard the Sea Spirit.
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Arctic 2021: Save £280 per person on all voyages aboard the MS Quest!
Arctic
Book your Arctic 2021 voyage aboard the MS Quest today to receive an Early Booking Discount of £280 pp
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Arctic 2020: up to 40% discount on selected voyages
Arctic
Book your 2020 Arctic voyage aboard the Ocean Adventurer or World Explorer and receive up to 40% discount!
Discover MoreAirfares are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
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 (refer to Other Information) | |
| 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 on-board | |
| 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 on-board | |
| 16 Jul 2020 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 | ||
| 19 Jul 2020 | 10 days | M/V Plancius | £5,636 | German translator on-board | |
| 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 on-board | |
| 15 Aug 2020 | 11 days | MS Quest | £7,592 |
* Departs and finishes in Oslo, Norway
^ Departs from Longyearbyen and finishes in Kirkenes, Norway
Activity Key:
Kayaking
Kayaking taster session
Snorkelling
Diving
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 | £12,200 | Photography focus | |
| 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 | £9,600 | ||
| 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 on-board | |
| 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 on-board | |
| 16 Aug 2021 | 10 days | M/V Plancius | £5,864 | Attempts to land of island of Kvitoya, German translator on-board | |
| 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
Activity Key:
Kayaking
Kayaking taster session
Note the inclusions for this cruise are dependent on the vessel chosen, though the following are applicable to all:
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
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection »
Please contact us for full details and to discuss the options best for you.
Itinerary & Vessels
Itinerary & Vessels
Day 1: Embarkation, Longyearbyen
Board your ship in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement.
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.
Day 11: Disembarkation, Longyearbyen
Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen.
Notes
- All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only - embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!
- The above sample itinerary is based on the 11-day voyage on the G Expedition. Other departures may vary in duration and routing, please contact us for specific details.
M/V Plancius
Antarctica
Grade: Simple
Type: Expedition Ship
The M/V Plancius is a traditional ex-research vessel, with proven experience in icy waters.
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M/V Hondius
Multi-destination
Grade: Superior
Type: Expedition Ship
New for 2019, the M/V Hondius is one of the strongest vessels of its category in the polar regions.
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M/V Ortelius
Antarctica
Grade: Simple
Type: Expedition Ship
A former scientific-research vessel, the Ortelius offers the classic small ship experience.
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MS Quest
Arctic
Grade: Simple
Type: Expedition Ship
The smallest expedition ship in our polar fleet, M/S Quest offers an intimate polar experience.
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G Expedition
Multi-destination
Grade: Standard
Type: Expedition Ship
The ever-popular G Expedition offers spacious and comfortable accommodation at an affordable price.
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Ocean Adventurer
Multi-destination
Grade: Standard
Type: Expedition Ship
An attractive ice-strengthened vessel, the Ocean Adventurer features plenty of outside deck space making this a great choice for a polar adventure.
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The Greg Mortimer
Multi-destination
Grade: Deluxe
Type: Expedition Ship
Brand new for 2019, the Greg Mortimer is a custom-built expedition ship featuring cutting-edge design, superior comfort and environmentally friendly technology.
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World Explorer
Multi-destination
Grade: Deluxe
Type: Expedition Ship
The World Explorer is a new state of the art, purpose-built expedition vessel, among the fastest and most luxurious in our fleet of small ships.
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Sea Spirit
Multi-destination
Grade: Superior
Type: Expedition Ship
This all-suite vessel couples adventure with spacious accommodation and a friendly atmosphere.
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Ultramarine
Multi-destination
Grade: Deluxe
Type: Expedition Ship
The spacious Ultramarine is a purpose-built expedition ship, offering a choice of adventure activities as well as the chance to explore by helicopter.
Discover MoreExcursions
Kayaking
from: Price on request
Duration variable Jan-Mar, Jun-Aug, Nov-Dec
Multi-destination
Paddle alongside seals, icebergs and more on a polar kayaking excursion.
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Kayaking Taster Session
from: Variable
Variable Jan-Mar, Oct-Dec
Multi-destination
Explore the polar region on a sit-on-top kayak.
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Scuba Diving
from: Variable
Variable Jan-Mar, Nov-Dec
Multi-destination
Explore an icy underwater world.
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Snorkelling
from: Variable
Variable Jan-Mar, Nov-Dec
Multi-destination
Immerse yourself in polar waters in search of marine adventures.
Discover moreOther Information
On the following special departure, 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.
Find a holiday idea or suggested itinerary that inspires you, then send an enquiry or call us
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Together we’ll refine your itinerary until you’re happy and ready to book
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