Svalbard in Spring: The Return of the Sun

Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard  

Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway's fjord-side capital, a city rich in history with a thriving art scene. Wander the Ekebergparken sculpture park, admire the striking Opera House and Munch Museum, relax in a floating sauna on the harbour, or head to Sørenga for urban beach life and New Nordic cuisine, before settling in for the night in an airport hotel.

Get to know the town at the top of the world

After a morning flight from Oslo, your adventure begins with two nights in Longyearbyen, a colourful frontier town at the edge of the Arctic wilderness, where snowmobiles outnumber people. 

Beyond exploring the town at your own pace, join our curated two-day programme of excursions designed to reveal Longyearbyen's history, nature and resilient spirit. Discover how a settlement once built on coal mining has reinvented itself around science, tourism and a deep connection to the Arctic wilderness, while retaining the traditions that unite those who call this remote frontier home. 

Welcome to your expedition home

After two days exploring Longyearbyen, it’s time to board your expedition ship. The Expedition Team and crew will be waiting to welcome you aboard. Once you've settled into your cabin, we'll cast off and set course for the remote wilderness and extraordinary wildlife of the High Arctic. 

Majestic glaciers, birds and pioneer history

Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. The cliffs here are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers reaching into the sea, and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper to hunt in Svalbard.

Then we head to admire the classic beauty of the snowcapped mountains of Bellsund – a historic area where you can see the evidence of former whaling and mining activity on the shoreline.

Our activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions of Hornsund and Bellsund. Your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day. 

Explore pristine snowscapes under the Midnight Sun

Over the next two days, we’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park where steep mountains, glaciers, and beautiful offshore islands form a unique Arctic landscape.

We’ll scout for some of the animals of the Arctic – seals, walruses and reindeer. Early in the season, there’s a good chance we may spot polar bears too, so we’ll always be on the lookout for these iconic but elusive predators. And as we progress further into June, we may see whales returning to the region for summer and birdlife such as Little Auks, Arctic Terns, skuas, Eider Ducks and Barnacle Geese.

From landings to kayaking, be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Leader decide on the best landing sites and activities based on the day’s conditions.

Sail to the edge of the polar ice cap 

If conditions allow, we’ll sail north and cross the 80th parallel to explore the ever-changing ice edge. The transition zone between the ice cap and the sea is a magical yet ephemeral place where the waters are filled with ice floes and drifting pack ice. From the ship, there are great opportunities for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge on the sparkling ice. And if the conditions are right, we’ll lower our Zodiacs into the water and enjoy an unforgettable close-up experience amid the floating ice.  

The ice edge isn't a fixed boundary. It shifts with the season and conditions, so reaching it is an attempt rather than a certainty. From May to August, as summer progresses, it retreats further towards the pole and may be out of reach. If so, we'll explore the no-less-impressive fjords, glaciers, and incredible scenery of the Svalbard coast. 

Experience science, serenity and epic scenery

Today you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighbouring fjords such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. 

One of the northernmost settlements and a former mining town, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now a hub for global science and climate research, you can still see remnants of the town’s history. 

You’ll be immersed in rugged, glacial scenery as we explore the fjords around Ny-Ålesund. Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our small expedition boats, go ashore to hike or cruise by majestic glaciers. 

A last day on top of the world

Your Arctic adventure comes to an end back in Longyearbyen. A transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Oslo. You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice and climate change than you arrived with – and memories of an incredible experience.