Spitsbergen & Polar Bears – an Arctic Adventure (Wednesday to Monday)

This Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen. An early morning transfer bus will take you to the airport for your flight home.

Kongsfjorden is the largest fjord in the Northwest coast of Spitsbergen and home to the majestic Kongsbreen glacier. Later, we dock at Ny-Ålesund. Situated at 78º 55’ N, this is one of the world’s northernmost year-round communities. It is now an advanced High Arctic research station.

North West Spitsbergen National Park features beautiful terrain, as well as the fast-moving Monaco glacier and Jotunkjeldane thermal springs. We may spot a polar bear searching for bird eggs nearby. Be on the lookout for whales and seals as well. If the conditions are favourable, we will sail past 80° North.

This area is rich with islands, fjords and beaches and heritage: a whaling station and graveyard that dates from the 16th century. We hope to make a landing here and explore this wonderful Arctic wilderness. Keep a sharp eye out! We hope to encounter polar bears, whales and seals.

After breakfast, you will have some free time to relax or visit the shops before check out and lunch. After lunch you will take your bags to the bus, and enjoy a guided tour that includes visits to the Svalbard Museum and Camp Barentz. This tour ends at the harbour, where you will embark MS Nordstjernen to sail the Isfjord to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg. Here you can explore Russian artefacts and architecture, join a folklore show or soak up real Russian atmosphere in the local pub.

Your adventure starts with an overnight stay to enjoy Longyearbyen´s galleries, pubs, restaurants and magnificent setting on the edge of wilderness. Reminders of mining heritage are everywhere in this frontier town. The package includes an overnight at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, the world’s northernmost full-service hotel when booking a cabin with private facilities on board MS Nordstjernen. If you have booked a cabin with shared facilities, an overnight at charming Coal Miners’ Cabins is included. Hotel upgrade is available on request.

Hurtigruten offers unique expedition cruises to some of the most remote and pristine waters of the world. As with all expeditions; nature prevails. Weather, and ice and sea conditions, sets the final framework for all Hurtigruten’s operations. Safety and unparalleled guest experiences are at all times our top priorities. All our indicative itineraries are continuously evaluated for adaptions, whether this is due to constraints the elements unexpectedly presents – or exciting possibilities nature and wildlife offer. That is why we call it an expedition.