Hurtigruten's Circumnavigating Svalbard -
The Ultimate Expedition 2022 & 2023

Day 1 - From 59° N to 78° N :

Location : Oslo - Longyearbyen

Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway's fjord-side capital. If you have time before your flight, why not explore the museums, parks and cutting-edge architecture of the city centre or relax in a café or bar. You could also take a walk to the Ekeberg Sculpture Park, visit Akershus Fortress or relax in a floating sauna. Explore modern Sørenga and enjoy urban beach life, or try New Nordic cuisine before flying out to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago.

Day 2 : Civilisation in the Arctic Desert

Location : Longyearbyen

After breakfast, you'll have time to explore Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost town. It is a colourful frontier settlement where, although people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, it is perfect for exploring on foot. As you walk along the main street you may see a Svalbard reindeer saunter by. Although wild, they're curious and tame. Admire the polar bear-inspired art or visit the North Pole Expedition Museum.

Get ready for your included excursion after lunch, or join an optional electric bike, dogsledding or hiking tour. In the afternoon, it's time to board your ship as you begin your Svalbard circumnavigation.

Days 3 - 5 : North-West Spitsbergen National Park, Spitsbergen, Norway

Over the next three days, you'll explore Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, combining natural beauty and fascinating history in all its rugged glory.

Today, the ship sails to Kongsfjorden, one of the most scenic fjord areas in Spitsbergen, with majestic glaciers calving icebergs into the sea and a back-drop of rugged mountain formations. Seabirds wheel as we scan for animals of the Arctic – whales, seals, walrus and reindeer. We might even see polar bears hunting on the ice.

At 78° 55' N, Ny Ålesund is the world's northernmost permanently inhabited community, where a number of countries run their own national research stations. Activity here is particularly high in the summer. As your ship sails northwest, you reach Krossfjorden and Mitrahalvøya, with ruins from the whaling period, beautiful alpine flora, bird cliffs and Svalbard reindeer. The North West Corner of Spitsbergen is home to the largest concentration of cultural treasures from Svalbard's first inhabitants and its whaling history.

Magdalenefjorden is home to a very important piece of cultural heritage; a whaling station from the 16th century, including a graveyard of whalers who died during the first "oil adventure". If weather are favourable, you may be able to land for a hike to the 151-meter high top of Ytre Norskøya, or for the daring, take a swim in the 'refreshing' Arctic waters.

Deep inside the giant Woodfjord system you find the enormous and fast moving Monaco Glacier. In front of this dramatic glacier the mixing of fresh and saline water creates excellent feeding grounds for sea birds. The Jotunkjeldane thermal springs in another branch of the Woodfjord system are unique - they are the northernmost documented thermal springs on Earth.

The spectacular bird cliff of Alkefjellet is sometimes referred to as the Piccadilly Circus of seabirds; its 300m spires rise directly from the sea and create perfect nesting conditions.

Days 6 - 8 : Eastern Svalbard, Svalbard, Norway

Over the next three days, you'll explore the area with your Expedition Team on exhilarating landings, hikes and optional kayaking trips. Where exactly will depend on conditions on the day. The ship might cross 80° parallel North, through the Hinlopen Strait, scouting for walruses and colonies of Brünnich's Guillemots, gulls and kittiwakes.

The frozen seascape of North-Eastern Svalbard boasts the largest population of polar bears on the archipelago - so there is a good chance to see one. Hopefully, the ship will be able to sail by Isflakbukta and Phippsøya en route to Sorgfjord. Bordering the North East Spitsbergen Nature Reserve, it boasts superb opportunities for spotting walrus and bird life. Kvitøya, is the easternmost island in the Svalbard archipelago and is 98% covered by the Kvitøyjøkulen ice cap. An attempt may be made to land on the island where the remains of the Andrée expedition (an attempt to fly over the North Pole in a balloon) were found in 1930.

Edgøya is the third largest island in Svalbard. Here you will find cultural heritage from all eras of human exploration of Svalbard. Storfjorden will give you spectacular views of the east coast. In the distance you will see hundreds of glaciers and mountains and if you are lucky you may meet some of the marine mammals of Svalbard.

The landscape of Hornsund is alpine with some very special mountains like Bautaen, or in English, the Obelisk, which, seen from the right angle looks like a giant Viking sword. Let your imagination run wild while spending the day in these extraordinary surroundings.

Days 9 - 10 : Hornsunden and Bellsund

Your expedition continues south towards Hornsunden, where the dramatic landscape and geology attracts polar bears as they hunt for food. It is one of Svalbard's most beautiful fjords where rich, colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway.

Keep an eye out on deck as you may spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers calving into the sea. The ship then heads toward snow-capped Bellsund, whose cliffs are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars, along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Look out for early mining settlements and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper, in our Hunters and Trappers lecture.

Day 11 : Isfjorden, Spitsbergen, Norway

Wonderful formations around Burgerbukta and the rich whaling history of Bellsund are today's highlights. In central Spitsbergen, Isfjorden is the largest fjord system in Svalbard. One of the most prominent mountains is Alkhornet where thousands of Brünnich guillemots nest during the summer season. As you journey into the fjord, the landscape changes constantly. Majestic glacier-carved valleys rich in wildlife, vegetation and human history are home to large herds of Svalbard Reindeer.

To the north, Alkehornet is home to guillemots, kittiwakes, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes. The clear traces of whaling and hunting history are visible on beaches and bays. Further south, we'll pass the former Isfjord Radio Station, now one of the world's most beautifully-situated hotels. Your activities today will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions and your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day.

Day 12 : Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Norway

Sadly, every Hurtigruten explorer voyage has to come to an end. Hopefully you will be recalling the memory of that polar bear, the calving glacier front or the buzzing bird life - or simply enjoying the subtle, odd feeling of having spent time on top of the globe, just a few hundred kilometres from the Geographical North Pole. Before your flight back to Oslo, you'll have time to discover more of Longyearbyen and do a spot of shopping – perhaps a warm Svalbard sweater.

The route described here is only an indicative. Based on the weather conditions at the time, the final itinerary will be presented to you after embarkation.

DEPARTURES: 2022

August 15, 25

DEPARTURES: 2023

July 2, 17, 27
August 6, 16, 26.
September 5.

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CIRCUMNAVIGATING SVALBARD - THE ULTIMATE EXPEDITION - PRICES : 2022/2023

EARLY BOOKING PRICES

• Save on the brochure price by booking early.
• The early booking prices are subject to limited availability.
• Be aware that Hurtigruten has a flexible pricing system and the early booking prices are capacity controlled.
• Prices may change at any time before departure date, the applicable price will be quoted at the time of booking.

WHAT'S INCLUDED :

Flights

• • Return flights in economy class between Oslo and Longyearbyen

Hotel

• • Overnight in Longyearbyen before the expedition cruise, including breakfast and lunch

Transfers

• • All transfers in Longyearbyen including an excursion before the expedition cruise

Expedition Voyage

• • Expedition cruise in a cabin of your choice
• • Breakfast, lunch and dinner including beverages (house beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurant Aune
• • À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests (on MS Fram only)
• • Complimentary tea and coffee
• • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Please note there is very limited Wi-Fi and phone signal in the remote areas we travel to and streaming is not supported. When in Svalbard, there is no Wi-Fi or mobile coverage except in Longyearbyen or Barentsburg.
• • Complimentary reusable water bottle to use at water refill stations on board
• • English-speaking Expedition Team who organise and accompany activities on board and ashore
• • Range of included activities

Onboard Activities

• • Experts on the Expedition Team deliver in-depth lectures on a variety of topics
• • Use of the ship's Science Center which has an extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
• • Citizen Science programme allows guests to assist with live scientific research
• • Professional onboard photographer gives top tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
• • Use of the ship's hot tubs, panoramic sauna and indoor gym
• • Informal gatherings with the crew such as daily recaps and preparation for the day to come

Landing Activities

• • Escorted landings with small expedition boats
• • Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment for activities
• • Complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket
• • Expedition Photographers help with your camera settings

NOT INCLUDED :

• • International flights other than where shown as included.
• • Travel insurance
• • Luggage handling
• • Optional excursions
• • Gratuities

NOTES :

• • Prices are in £s per person.
• • All planned landings are subject to weather and ice conditions.
• • All itineraries are subject to change.

FLIGHT PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES :

• • Return Economy class from London to Oslo including current taxes and charges.

NOT INCLUDED :

• • Travel insurance.
• • Regional departures and upgrades may be available at extra cost.