SVALBARD IN SPRING – SEA ICE, PRISTINE SNOW AND WILDLIFE
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11 DAYS
Make the most of the rare opportunity to visit the Norwegian High Arctic when Svalbard is bathed in 24 hours of daylight, yet the landscape remains entrenched in its snow-clad Arctic splendor. Witness the Arctic “waking up” – birds arrive, filling the silence with their calls; meltwater begins to trickle; ice cracks and pops; the ground starts to thaw.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Helsinki, Finland | Arrive in Norway and explore this vibrant city |
| Day 2 | Helsinki to Longyearbyen, Norway | Embark the ship and set sail |
| Days 3 - 9 | Svalbard | Incredible landscapes, iconic Arctic wildlife including polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, ivory gulls, ringed and bearded seals |
| Day 10 | Longyearbyen to Helsinki | Disembark the ship in Longyearbyen fly to Helsinki |
| Day 11 | Helsinki | Onward flight home |
SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Ultramarine
Part of the Quark fleet, Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Ultramarine accommodates 199 guests and is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters to offer the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. With two dining areas, four bars, a panoramic lounge, theatre, library, spa and fitness centre, Polar boutique and an ocean view sauna your days at sea can be as busy or relaxing as you decide.
Ocean Explorer
The Ocean Explorer is part of the Quark fleet, offering modern and elegant design. This 138 passenger vessel is purpose-built for polar exploration, featuring well-appointed and spacious public areas and ample outdoor viewing areas for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.
Day 1 Helsinki, Finland
Arrive in the Finnish capital and make your way to the group hotel located right at Helsinki airport, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the rest of the day to explore explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District. If you do plan to visit Helsinki city center, take advantage of the convenient 40-minute rail service from the airport.
Day 2 Helsinki to Longyearbyen, Norway
After breakfast, the group will transfer to the Helsinki airport and board a private charter flight to Longyearbyen, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. Your journey to the High Arctic now truly begins. You will see the coastal and birch forests of southern Scandinavia give way to taiga and tundra environments, the mountains of Norway and northern Sweden, and the convergence of the Norwegian and Barents seas. Approaching Svalbard, you may get your first views of a pure, snowcapped wilderness, complete with ridgelines, glaciers, and perhaps even sea ice in the distance. Land in Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s largest settlement, and transfer to the harbor where you will embark on your ship.
Days 3 – 9 Svalbard
Spring in Svalbard is characterized by a beautiful combination of snow, ice and Midnight Sun. A fascinating contrast unfolds with the arrival of spring: majestic polar landscapes illuminated by continuous daylight. Sea ice is at or near its annual maximum, so your Expedition Team and Bridge Officers will consult the latest ice charts daily and adjust your route accordingly.
Sea ice is the primary hunting, resting, and travelling platform for iconic Arctic species—and spring offers the best chance to see it all. While polar bears may be the main goal, you may also spot walruses, Arctic foxes, and ivory gulls—in addition to ringed and bearded seals.
On shore, spring landscapes remain blanketed in snow, with many bays still filled with ice—habitat crucial to Arctic wildlife for food and survival. Alongside drifting sea ice, you may see icebergs and bergy bits— fragments of glacial ice.
In Svalbard, the mesmerizing transition to Spring is vivid and inspiring, welcoming migratory birds and whales. As the season unfolds, cliffsides will become busy with seabirds, such as little auks, guillemots and kittiwakes, returning to breed. Whales, too, may appear. While sightings can never be guaranteed, some large migrators—such as blue whales—begin arriving in coastal waters by late spring. Others, like belugas, live here year-round and may be spotted threading through sea ice.
With seven full expedition days in Svalbard, you will explore a wide range of locations. Potential destinations include the spectacular fjord systems of Hornsund, Bellsund, Isfjorden, Krossfjorden, Smeerenburgfjorden, Raudfjorden, Woodfjorden, Sorgfjorden, and others. These fjords feature dramatic mountains rising directly from the sea, folding into endless layers. Some outings may take place on exposed rocky terrain, but most will involve walking on snow. And if conditions are safe and suitable, you may even set foot on the sea ice itself—an unforgettable moment that truly feels like walking on water.
Day 10 Longyearbyen to Helsinki
The time to say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontierstyle settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, transfer to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, and hotel night. Both are included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.
Day 11 Helsinki
After breakfast at your included hotel, make your way independently to the airport for your onward flight home, or spend more time exploring the Finnish capital as prearranged.