Arctic, Spitsbergen
Exploring Spitsbergen and Svalbard
Embark on an 11-day cruise aboard the Ocean Nova to discover the realm of ice, Svalbard. During this journey, you’ll explore unforgettable, unique landscapes of ice floes, peaks and glaciated valleys. During this journey, we'll set sail towards the Northeast Land, where you'll explore vast, cold deserts and great polar ice caps. This archipelago is also home to seals, walruses, whales, polar foxes, reindeers, millions of birds and a land of extraordinary history.
The polar bear has been protected in the Spitsbergen since 1973 and several hundred of them spend their summers there. Regular sightings make every encounter a truly exceptional event. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to witness the magnificent beauty of the Arctic wilderness!
• Barentsburg and Isfjorden: Explore the Russian enclave of Barentsburg and sail through Isfjorden, enjoying the scenic landscapes of the area.
• Monacobreen and Liefdefjorden: Witness the spectacular views of Monacobreen glacier and navigate through Liefdefjorden in search of polar bears.
• Murchisonfjorden and Walrus Colonies: Visit Murchisonfjorden, known for its walrus colonies and remarkable bird colonies nestled among steep cliffs.
• Nordaustlandet and Ice Caps: Spend four days navigating around Nordaustlandet, a vast island covered by thick ice caps, and discover unique sights like Austfonna and Kvitøya.
• Smeerenburgfjorden and Kongsfjorden: Explore Smeerenburgfjorden, a legendary fjord once home to a bustling whaling station, and visit Kongsfjorden with its pyramidal peaks and cultural heritage sites, including Roald Amundsen's historic flight attempt to reach the North Pole.
The polar bear has been protected in the Spitsbergen since 1973 and several hundred of them spend their summers there. Regular sightings make every encounter a truly exceptional event. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to witness the magnificent beauty of the Arctic wilderness!
Highlights
• Barentsburg and Isfjorden: Explore the Russian enclave of Barentsburg and sail through Isfjorden, enjoying the scenic landscapes of the area.
• Monacobreen and Liefdefjorden: Witness the spectacular views of Monacobreen glacier and navigate through Liefdefjorden in search of polar bears.
• Murchisonfjorden and Walrus Colonies: Visit Murchisonfjorden, known for its walrus colonies and remarkable bird colonies nestled among steep cliffs.
• Nordaustlandet and Ice Caps: Spend four days navigating around Nordaustlandet, a vast island covered by thick ice caps, and discover unique sights like Austfonna and Kvitøya.
• Smeerenburgfjorden and Kongsfjorden: Explore Smeerenburgfjorden, a legendary fjord once home to a bustling whaling station, and visit Kongsfjorden with its pyramidal peaks and cultural heritage sites, including Roald Amundsen's historic flight attempt to reach the North Pole.
Fly from Oslo to Longyearbyen and depending on your arrival time, enjoy some free time in town before boarding the Ocean Nova. To begin our adventure, we’ll navigate through Isfjorden, close to the Russian enclave of Barentsburg, the second-largest settlement in the archipelago.
We’ll navigate among the well-preserved ice floes in search of polar bears on the north coast. Monacobreen is a glacier reaching down into Liefdefjorden, whose landscapes and icebergs provide some of the most spectacular views in the whole archipelago. We'll travel towards the island of Moffen where whales, walruses and bears like to dwell, before proceeding beyond the 80th parallel north.
We’ll reach Murchisonfjorden, which is as famous for its buildings from the 1958 International Geophysical Year research expedition as it is for its walrus colonies. One of the largest and most remarkable bird colonies on the archipelago is also nestled among the steep cliffs made up of dark basaltic rock and bright limestone. Ice permitting, we’ll resume our search for polar bears as we continue northeast.
These four days will be spent navigating around Nordaustlandet, a 15,000 km² island lying almost entirely under thick ice caps. The area is brimming with unique sights such as Austfonna and Vegafonna—two ice caps forming a colossal glacier front—and Kvitøya, a majestic island covered by an ice cap with an hourglass-shaped dome. This polar desert offers a distinctive ecoregion where large glaciers, snow and bare rock form a harshly cold environment that allows colonies of walruses and bears to thrive due to the melting of ice in the summer.
This area has inspired the bravest of explorers and was witness to several tragically famous exploits such as Andrée's Arctic balloon and the Royal Navy’s first polar expeditions, as well as General Umberto Nobile’s flight aboard the Italia airship, which crashed approximately 120km northeast of Nordaustlandet. This section of Svalbard is also home to Karl XII-øya and Storøya, the least-explored islands in the whole archipelago. Ice permitting, we’ll navigate through Wijdefjorden and catch a glimpse of its highest peaks and former trapper stations before moving on to Sorgfjorden. Also known as the’“Bay of Sorrow’, it has been the scene of armed conflicts between different whaling nations as far back as 1693.
If the pack ice is too dense to navigate back to Longyearbyen via the east, we will either circle back through the south, passing Freemansundet Sound—a famous stop to witness polar bear migrations—and the spectacular Hornsund and Bellsund fjords, or travel through the north via Sjuøyane, the Seven Islands archipelago, Raudfjorden, Smeerenburgfjorden, and Kongsfjorden.
Once home to a busy whaling station and a starting point for major Arctic expeditions, this legendary fjord—where glaciers form a spectacular ice front against the sea—has now been claimed by wildlife. Walruses and seals are a likely sight, as bears wander about the slopes of steep, rugged mountains with beautiful ice-sculpted tops. We’ll discover rarely explored bays and impressive little auk colonies, the most populous bird species in Svalbard.
The pyramidal peaks of the majestic Tre Kroner mountains overlook Kongsfjorden, an inlet comprising several cultural-heritage sites. Norwegian explorer and key figure of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration Roald Amundsen made an attempt to reach the North Pole by flying boats from this area in the early 20th century. From gigantic icebergs calving from the edge of glaciers to bird colonies, nature reserves and research stations, Kongsfjorden offers a unique array of riches. To top it off, you’ll likely cross paths with a few reindeer and arctic foxes!
You’ll disembark in Longyearbyen, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Oslo.
This itinerary is subject to change depending on the ice, weather, and wildlife. This cruise is meant to provide you with every opportunity to observe the local wildlife, and our stops and route could be adapted to better fulfill our goal. Please note that only the captain of the ship and the expedition leader have the authority to change the itinerary.
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Triple
€8,900 EUR pp
2 lower / 1 upper berths
Twin / single
€10,500 EUR pp
1 lower / 1 upper berths
Twin
€11,100 EUR pp
2 lower berths
Double
€11,500 EUR pp
lower berth
Superior twin
€11,900 EUR pp
2 lower berths
Premium
€13,500 EUR pp
2 lower berth
Single
€15,900 EUR pp
Vessel Type: Expedition
Length: 73 metres
Passenger Capacity: 86
Built / Refurbished: 1992 / 2005
The ice-strengthened expedition ship Ocean Nova was built in Denmark in 1992 with high ice class to serve Greenland’s west coast. In 2004 to 2005 she was completely refurbished and has now a career as a small and comfortable expedition ship. The Ocean Nova accommodates 86 passengers in single, double and triple cabins, all with sea-view and private facilities. The double cabins have either two lower beds or upper and lower beds. The triple cabins have upper and lower beds. In your cabin you will also find a desk with chair and ample storage space for clothes and equipment.
In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy a drink with a breathtaking view of the surrounding polar landscape. This is where PolarQuest’s on board specialists entertain and educate you with lectures on polar biology, history, geology and conservation. There is also a library with panoramic views and a good selection of polar books. On board there is a satellite phone, gym and medical doctor. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for from the spacious observation decks. The ship has North European officers and there is a friendly and informal atmosphere on board. Travelling with this small expedition ship offers an entirely different experience and perspective than you can get on a larger and more conventional cruise ship.
Ice Class: Ice 1B, E0 (Hull Ice 1A)
Inclusions
• The Grands Espaces direct flights from Oslo to Longyearbyean and return
• The full-board cruise
• All excursions
• Tour guides
• All transferts
• Rubber boots for landing (loan)
Exclusions
• Insurance
• Drinks
• Tips
• Personal expenses
Expedition
11 Days from
€8,900 EUR pp
Our Associates Include
