Thank you for your interest! This journey is either underway or complete, but we do have many other tour options for you to choose from.

The Norwegian territory of Svalbard and the islands that make up the archipelago offer a tremendous wildlife and birdlife experience, as well as a fascinating lesson in glaciology. The islands were first used as a whaling base in the 17th and 18th Centuries and are now celebrated as a breeding ground for many seabirds, along with lots of marine mammals.

Start your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearbyen, then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the fantastically beautiful landscapes, the thousands of seabirds, and of course the star of the show, the Polar Bear. Nothing can prepare you for your first sighting of a wild Polar Bear, the undisputed king of the Arctic.

The Svalbard archipelago is one of the most dramatic places on earth. Just 600 miles south of the North Pole, warmed by the most northerly waters of the Gulf Stream, this is a spectacular land of rugged mountains, extensive Arctic pack-ice drifting offshore, and the blue ice of ancient, awe-inspiring glaciers. Experience the majesty of these North Atlantic islands as we explore one of the last great wildernesses on earth.

Our voyage focuses on the western and northern coast of Spitsbergen, and as far north as the permanent pack ice. This area has the highest concentration of wildlife and places of historic and scenic interest in the archipelago.

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Tour Highlights

  • Take advantage of long daylight hours, coinciding with the height of the breeding season for most birds
  • Watch for Purple Sandpiper, Red-throated Diver, Ptarmigan, Great and Arctic Skua, Long-tailed Duck, and Common Eider
  • Witness wild Polar Bear hunting to sustain themselves through the long winter.
  • Watch for whales: Our last group saw good numbers of Bowhead, Minke, and Beluga Whales
  • Watch for the rare and beautiful Ivory Gull and endearing Dovekie
  • Learn the natural history of this fabled archipelago
  • Visit fascinating historic locations of early industry and exploration
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Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Fri., June 11: Arrivals in Spitsbergen


Welcome to Spitsbergen! We touch down today in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of the island of Spitsbergen, the largest of the Svalbard archipelago. Depending on your time of arrival, enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. In the afternoon, we board our ship for the trip, the m/v Plancius. In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where we see plenty of Dovekie, and we might even spot the first Minke Whale of the trip. (B,L,D)

Sat., June 12: Route to Raudfjorden


Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, we take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by Ringed and Bearded Seal. There are opportunities of Beluga Whale sightings as there are estimated to be around five to ten thousand Belugas in the Svalbard population. The Beluga has no dorsal fin; a diagnostic feature of whale species that live in the High Arctic such as the Narwhal and Bowhead. It has been postulated that the Beluga's lack of dorsal fin is an adaptation to living in waters that are frequently covered by ice. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of Polar Bear and maybe Red-throated Diver! (B,L,D)

Sun., June 13: The Monaco Glacier


Today we sail into Liefdefjorden, and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of the precipitous Monaco Glacier – a truly magnificent sight and experience. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular spot for Polar Bear. (B,L,D)

Mon., June 14: Highlights of Hinlopen


Today we cruise into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal, and Polar Bear. At the entrance, there is the likely possibility of spotting Blue Whales. After cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in the Zodiacs, you can view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with their thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, we may attempt a landing on Nordaustlandet. Here Reindeer, Pink-footed Goose, and Walrus are likely sights. Nearby Murchison Fjord is a wonderful place to kayak or Zodiac cruise between the islands. There are some excellent hiking routes here, affording us breathtaking views. (B,L,D)

Tues., June 15: Stop at the Seven Islands


The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. Be sure to get up to the ship’s bridge and take a picture of the GPS showing your latitude or, better yet, take your own handheld GPS with you and mark in the waypoint as we are so close to the North Pole! Polar Bear inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice before wheeling around west again. (B,L,D)

Wed., June 16: Sailing the Continental Shelf


While retracing our route west, keep watch for more Polar Bear and the elusive Greenland (bowhead) Whale. About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen, we sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here, Fin Whale forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water wells up from below the sea’s surface) that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, there are great chances of sighting more Minke Whales. (B,L,D)

Thurs., June 17: Forlandsundet | Alkhornet


The sight and sound of a Walrus haul-out spells Arctic like nothing else can. We visit the Walrus colony on Prince Charles Island and hope to see these odd-looking animals ashore.

Approaching from downwind can often confirm that Walrus are ashore—the smell of a Walrus-haul out is quite…unique! Alternatively, we might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic Fox search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and Reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. We arrive in Longyearbyen later for our final night–it's a great time to reflect on a wonderful voyage in this wild and remote place. (B,L,D)

Fri., June 18: Longyearbyen | Departures


We disembark in Longyearbyen this morning and we have some time to explore the town, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. (B)

View Printable Itinerary
  • Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Birding Cruise, Svalbard Nature Cruise, Naturalist Journeys
  • Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Birding Cruise, Svalbard Nature Cruise, Naturalist Journeys
  • Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Birding Cruise, Svalbard Nature Cruise, Naturalist Journeys
  • Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Birding Cruise, Svalbard Nature Cruise, Naturalist Journeys
  • Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Birding Cruise, Svalbard Nature Cruise, Naturalist Journeys
  • Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Birding Cruise, Svalbard Nature Cruise, Naturalist Journeys
  • Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Birding Cruise, Svalbard Nature Cruise, Naturalist Journeys
  • Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Birding Cruise, Svalbard Nature Cruise, Naturalist Journeys

Cost of the Journey

Pricing is by cabin, per person, based on double occupancy. Please note that many cabin levels sell quickly—this is a VERY popular cruise

Superior: $7150
Twin Window: $5950
Twin Porthole: $5500
Quadruple Porthole: $3950

There are also Triples for $5500, and Twin Deluxe rooms for $6300 on the ship. Please ask us about availability

Tour price includes: Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary; All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac; Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes; Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Longyearbyen; Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Longyearbyen (directly after disembarkation); All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Tour price does not include: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; Pre- and post- land arrangements; Passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; Meals ashore; Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Travel Details

To make sure your flight syncs well with the tour start and end times, please discuss your flight details with us before you confirm your flight booking. Once we know your flight details, we will book your airport transfer and any extra accommodation you may need before or after the tour. These are not included in the tour cost and you can pay them directly at the hotel’s reception.

Items of Note

Please plan to arrive in Longyearbyen at your convenience on June 10; you will need to overnight in Longyearbyen on June 10; we can recommend hotels. The tour starts with a briefing at 19h00. Please plan departures in the afternoon on June 18; please double check all flights with us before you finalize them.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

Asia

Bhutan

Borneo

Cambodia

India

Indonesia

Japan

Thailand

Vietnam

Map for Svalbard: Kingdom of the Polar Bear

Pace & Protocols +

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of Read more

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 


Photo credits: Banner: Bearded Seal by Erwin Vermeulen courtesy of Oceanwide Expeditions; Arctic Fox by Erwin Vermeulen; Zodiac Cruise by Erwin Vermeulen; Purple Saxifrage on Spitsbergen by Rinie van Meurs courtesy of Oceanwide Expeditions; Polar Bear by Erwin Vermeulen; Little Auk couple by Rinie van Meurs; Ivory Gulls by Rinie van Meurs; Fuglesangen by Rinie van Meurs; Humpback Whales by Erwin Vermeulen; Lounging Walrus by Erwin Vermeulen; Arctic Tern by Erwin Vermeulen; Swimming Polar Bear by Erwin Vermeulen; Perfect day for an zodiac cruise by Erwin Vermeulen; Blue iceberg by Leica Akademie; King Eider Duck taking off by Erwin Vermeulen; Zodiac cruising among the icebergs by Leica Akademie courtesy of Oceanwide Expeditions; Returning to the vessel by Rinie van Meurs; Minke Whale by Rinie van Meurs; Bog Saxifrage by Erwin Vermeulen; Polar bear interaction by Erwin Vermeulen; Arctic Fox with Pink-footed Goose by Rinie van Meurs; Group of Walrus by Erwin Vermeulen; A so called 'wet' landing at Diskobukta, Edgeøya, Sptisbergen by Arjen Drost courtesy of Oceanwide Expeditions.

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