Explorer Voyage - a Spitsbergen Arctic Voyage

Known as the ‘land of the cold coasts’, Svalbard is rich in wildlife and dramatic scenery. Watch in awe as we sail through the bays and channels of this starkly beautiful outreach of Northern Europe. Arctic fox, reindeer, seal and walrus abound, and there is an excellent chance of spotting whales, as well as the solitary overlord of these Arctic regions, the polar bear.

Our journey begins in Spitsbergen’s capital, Longyearbyen, once a coal mining settlement, but now a major centre for polar research. We will find out about the history of the area and life on the island today before embarking MS Fram. Cruise the fjord of Hornsund and from Bellsund, cruise past rocky islets to the auk cliff of Varsolbukta.

Ny Alesund was the starting-point for some of the best-known expeditions to the North Pole and there are now several research stations here. Watch out for humpback whales and polar bears on the journey to the Monaco Glacier. In Isfjorden, the mountains are a nesting ground for Brunnich's Guillemots and on and around the glaciers of Svalbard's fjords spot Svalbard Reindeer, kittiwakes, Arctic foxes, walruses and seals.