Credit Michelle Sole
Credit Acacia Johnson
Credit Nicky Souness
Credit Acacia Johnson
Credit Michelle Sole
Credit Michelle Sole
Credit Michelle Sole
Credit Acacia Johnson
Credit Acacia Johnson
Credit Michelle Sole
Credit Michelle Sole
Credit Acacia Johnson
Credit Acacia Johnson
Credit Michelle Sole

Spitsbergen Circumnavigation

From

A$20,216 per person

  • Dates

    Jun and Jul

  • Duration

    14 Days

  • Ships
    Ultramarine
  • Embark

    Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

  • Disembark

    Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Routes

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  • Depart

Route information

Embark: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Disembark: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Destinations: Smeerenburg, Monoco Glacier, Alkefjellet, Hinopen Straight and also Kvitøya if conditions allow

Ships: Ultramarine

Duration: 14 days

Additional Information: 1 nights in Helsinki and return flights from Helsinki to Longyearbyen included.

  • Depart

Route information

Embark: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Disembark: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Destinations: Smeerenburg, Monoco Glacier, Alkefjellet, Hinopen Straight and also Kvitøya if conditions allow

Ships: Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer

Duration: 15 days

Additional Information: 2 nights in Helsinki and return flights from Helsinki to Longyearbyen included.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Helsinki

Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, known for its stunning architecture and fascinating blend of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, take the opportunity to explore the city’s many museums, galleries, and restaurants. You can also unwind at a traditional Finnish sauna or stroll through the lively Design District before retiring to the group hotel.

Day 2 Fly Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Embark

This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board a private charter flight to Longyearbyen, the largest township on Spitsbergen. As the ship sets sail, take in your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from the icy waters.

Day 3 - 13 Exploring Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Expect a new adventure every day as the journey begins by heading north around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying islands. The plan is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, and if conditions are favourable, a larger circumnavigation of the archipelago, including many of the outer islands in the Svalbard archipelago, will be attempted. Every expedition will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but some of the places that may be visited include the 14th of July Glacier, Ny-London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet, and the seldom-visited Kvitøya.

These names may seem unfamiliar, but each site has its own unique appeal. There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen, where colorful tundra meadows are complemented by immense glaciers. For birders, 14th of July Bay is home to puffins, purple sandpipers, black-legged kittiwakes, pink-footed geese, and barnacle geese, while Alkefjellet’s cliffs are teeming with nesting Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).

Always on the lookout for wildlife, be sure to have your camera ready to capture reindeer when visiting sites like Ny-London, Sundneset, and Alkhornet. Searching for the iconic polar bear is a constant activity for the Expedition Team. Phippsøya and Isbukta are often home to sea ice, the bears’ preferred habitat for hunting, offering great potential to view and capture them in action.

A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding its history—not just how people live today, but also how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see remains of outposts from the 16th century, along with other evidence of whaling at landing sites such as Smeerenburg.

Day 14 Disembark in Longyearbyen and Fly to Helsinki

The time has come to say farewell to your newfound friends and Expedition Team. After disembarking, spend the day exploring the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen before catching the charter flight to Helsinki.

Day 1 Arrive Helsinki

Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, known for its stunning architecture and fascinating blend of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, take the opportunity to explore the city’s many museums, galleries, and restaurants. You can also unwind at a traditional Finnish sauna or stroll through the lively Design District before retiring to the group hotel.

Day 2 Fly Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Embark

This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board a private charter flight to Longyearbyen, the largest township on Spitsbergen. As the ship sets sail, take in your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from the Icey waters.

Days 3 - 13 Exploring Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Expect a new adventure every day as the journey begins by heading north around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying islands. The plan is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, and if conditions are favorable, a larger circumnavigation of the archipelago, including many of the outer islands in the Svalbard archipelago, will be attempted. Every expedition will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but some of the places that may be visited include the 14th of July Glacier, Ny-London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet, and the seldom-visited Kvitøya.

These names may seem unfamiliar, but each site has its own unique appeal. There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen, where colorful tundra meadows are complemented by immense glaciers. For birders, 14th of July Bay is home to puffins, purple sandpipers, black-legged kittiwakes, pink-footed geese, and barnacle geese, while Alkefjellet’s cliffs are teeming with nesting Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).

Always on the lookout for wildlife, be sure to have your camera ready to capture reindeer when visiting sites like Ny-London, Sundneset, and Alkhornet. Searching for the iconic polar bear is a constant activity for the Expedition Team. Phippsøya and Isbukta are often home to sea ice, the bears’ preferred habitat for hunting, offering great potential to view and capture them in action.

A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding its history—not just how people live today, but also how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see remains of outposts from the 16th century, along with other evidence of whaling at landing sites such as Smeerenburg.

Day 14 Disembark in Longyearbyen and Fly to Helsinki

The time has come to say farewell to your newfound friends and Expedition Team. After disembarking, transfer to the airport for the flight to Helsinki. On Arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night.

 

Day 15 Depart Helsinki

After breakfast, you can make your way to the airport for your onward flight home, or stay on to explore Finland’s culturally-rich capital on your own.

Activities

    Credit Quark:Michelle Sole

    Paddling Excursion

    The Paddle Excursion Program offers sit-on-top, two-person inflatable kayaks for a unique, intimate experience exploring unforgettable Arctic locations from a different perspective.

    Credit Acacia Johnson

    Hiking

    Hiking in polar regions offers unique, immersive experiences across tundra, snow, and beaches, with organised hikes ranging from short wildlife visits to longer excursions, guided by experts.

    Credit David Merron

    Polar Plunge

    This rite of passage, scheduled once per voyage, offers you the chance to jump safely into the bracing polar waters under the watchful eye of our trained staff.

    Credit David Merron

    Zodiac Cruising

    Zodiacs take you places that ships can’t access, allowing you to reach remote shorelines, explore shallow inlets and search for unique wildlife.

    Credit Michele Sole

    Sea Kayaking

    Kayaking offers adventurous travellers a unique, intimate connection to the Arcic Wilderness, allowing exploration of the mazes sea ice and glaciers while forging bonds with fellow explorers at water level

    Dates & rates

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    • Dates

      Jun 25 – Jul 8, 2025

    • Embark

      Longyearbyen / Longyearbyen

    • Ship

      Ultramarine

    • Price range (per person)
      A$26,296 - $50,464 was A$34,000 - $65,800
    • Dates

      Jun 30 – Jul 14, 2026

    • Embark

      Longyearbyen / Longyearbyen

    • Ship

      Ultramarine

    • Price range (per person)
      A$22,487 - $51,234 was A$27,395 - $62,995
    • Dates

      Jul 9 – Jul 23, 2026

    • Embark

      Longyearbyen / Longyearbyen

    • Ship

      Ocean Explorer

    • Price range (per person)
      A$27,575 - $43,805 was A$33,695 - $53,795

    What's included

    Inclusions

    Flights from Helsinki to Longyearbyen return.
    An official expedition parka to keep.
    Leadership throughout the voyage by an experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings, presentations and other activities.
    Shipboard accommodation in your chosen room with private facilities.
    All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage. Beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails also included during bar service hours and dinner.
    Waterproof expedition boots to borrow for landings and Zodiac cruising. Snowshoes and walking poles are also provided.
    Complimentary Wi-Fi on one device.
    Group transfers mentioned through the itinerary.

    Exclusions

    International airfare to join the cruise.
    Passport and applicable visa expenses.
    Meals unless otherwise specified.
    Waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned.
    Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified.
    Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew.
    Additional overnight accommodation.
    Adventure options not listed in included activities.