HURTIGRUTEN VOYAGES AROUND SPITSBERGEN

Remote, mysterious and extreme, the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen is the European gateway into the High Arctic - a land forged by ice and wind, ocean and snow that presents a spectacular range of unforgettable adventures.

In the 19th century, explorers and scientists discovered Spitsbergen as an interesting destination and it has been used as a 'jumping off' point for many arctic explorations since and is still today a base for scientific research. Norwegian trappers started to hunt polar bears, foxes and other arctic wildlife in the late 19th century. This time saw also the advent of mining on the island as it is rich in mineral deposits, although it is a harsh environment in which to extract them. Mining has been a feature of Spitsbergen up to the present day, but it has never been profitable and only exists on a small scale.

In its early years - up until the First World War, Spitsbergen was considered to be no man's land, but in 1920, a treaty was signed in Paris which gave Norway administration and sovereignty over the island, but guaranteed free access for citizens of all signatary nations. The Spitsbergen Treaty came into force in 1925 and remains valid today.

Svalbard is the kingdom of the mighty polar bear, these frozen landscapes of arctic desert and towering glaciers herald an incredibly rich diversity of Arctic wildlife and unique nature. Species like the Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer and thousands of seabirds live here. Each summer, thousands of seabirds migrate to the coastal cliffs of Svalbard because of its proximity to their feeding grounds.

From the remote mining and research communities that line the rugged coastline, to the spectacular fjords, icebergs and jagged peaks that offer the most breathtaking of backdrops, Hurtigruten's expedition-style field landings will take you close to both the Arctic wildlife and the ghost towns of early whaling stations and mining communities.

These incredible voyages invite you to remarkable towns like Longyearbyen, Barentsburg, and Ny-Ålesund - all of which have a completely different atmosphere, to crossing the 80th Parallel to sail through the rich water of Moffen Island. Beneath skies that echo the cries of countless seabirds, you cross ocean landscapes boasting seal, walrus, whale and polar bear. The use of Polar Cirkel Boats / Zodiacs gives you the possibility to make a wide range of landings which include amazing landscapes and places of historical interest in isolated fjords and bays.

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Spitsbergen Voyages :