Svalbard in Summer: Under the Midnight Sun

Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard

Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway’s fjord-side capital. If you have time, we suggest exploring the city center on your own.  

With its rich history and fashionable art scene, Oslo is a fascinating city. You'll find museums, galleries, and breathtaking architecture—including the beautiful Opera House and new Munch Museum.  

Take a stroll in the Ekebergparken Sculpture Park, visit Akershus Fortress, or relax in a floating sauna. Explore modern Sørenga and enjoy urban beach life, or try New Nordic cuisine before spending the night at your airport hotel in Oslo.

Get to know the town at the top of the world

After a morning flight from Oslo, your adventure begins with two nights in the world’s northernmost town. It’s a colorful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles—you’ll discover that Longyearbyen is a unique place on the edge of the Arctic wilderness.   

Spend the next two and a half days exploring Longyearbyen and its surroundings. The town is perfect for getting around on foot; stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer saunter by. But don’t worry—although wild, they're curious and tame.  

To give you a wider look, local guides will take you on an e-bike tour of the area and present the historic backdrop to the town at the top of the world.   

From the expedition center, you’ll head out of town and along an unpaved road to Hotellneset, which has a lake and showcases the remnants of the area’s mining past. Svalbard’s very first hotel was built here by Hurtigruten pioneer Richard With before the modern town we see today had even been constructed.   

Then we’ll head back into Longyearbyen along the “Burma Road,” which was an important link for coal being shipped from the harbor, enjoying panoramic views as we ride. Sights along the way include an old funicular, the historic Svalbard Church and the ruined remains of the original Longyearbyen, which was bombed during WWII.   

From here we’ll continue under the steep cliffs of the Plateau Mountain, passing the graveyard and the iconic Huset—a building that has been everything from a movie theater to a bar, school, and church. We will continue on to the Coal Miners’ Cabins, the original miners’ homes, and enjoy a relaxed lunch before completing our tour and returning to the hotel.  

On Day 4, you’ll have the morning to finish looking around Longyearbyen before boarding the ship in the afternoon and beginning our expedition cruise.

Majestic glaciers, birds, and pioneer history

Your expedition cruise continues south toward Hornsund—one of Svalbards most beautiful fjords. Rich, colorful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, admire Mount Hornsundtind, and watch glaciers calving into the sea.

Then we’ll head to Bellsund, whose cliffs are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots, and northern fulmars, while Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer can be found below. Look out for the early mining settlements here and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper. 

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.

E****xplore the Arctic wilderness under the midnight sun

Making our way to Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, we’ll cruise into Magdelenefjorden and through Sørgattet, the southern entrance to Smeerenburgfjord. The light of the midnight sun gives us plenty of time to explore this breathtakingly scenic area. 

Over the coming days, we’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park. In this wilderness of steep mountains, stark glaciers and beautiful offshore islands, we’ll scan for some of the animals of the Arctic: seals, walruses, and reindeer. At this time of the year, much of the shore ice has receded, meaning we can venture into areas that are inaccessible at other times. 

It’s also peak whale season in the archipelago, so we’ll scan the seas for species such as humpback, blue and sperm whales. There’s a good chance we may spot polar bears too, so look out for these iconic but elusive predators. Marvel at the array of majestic glaciers and gain insight into the area’s whaling past. On the cliffs above, look out for thousands of Arctic birds like little auks, Arctic terns, skuas, eider ducks and barnacle geese. 

Each day will be different. 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.

Experience the opportunity to 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 here for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge photogenically on the sparkling ice. And if the conditions are right, we’ll lower our expedition boats into the water and enjoy an unforgettable close-up experience amid the floating ice.

The ice edge isn’t a fixed boundary, and it moves depending on the season and conditions, so visiting it will be an attempt rather than a certainty. As summer progresses from May to August, it retreats further toward the pole, meaning it may be out of reach for us. If this is the case, then instead we’ll explore the equally impressive deep fjords, mighty glaciers and enchanting scenery of the Svalbard coast. In late July and into August, this is a time when the wildflowers appear, blanketing the landscape with a blaze of beauty and color.

Experience science, serenity, and epic scenery

Today you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighboring fjords, such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions, as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station requires us to 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, the town is a hub for global science and climate research, and you can still see remnants of its 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 final 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 with memories of an incredible experience. 

If you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet, we suggest spending some more time in the Arctic and joining our optional Post-Program.