SVALBARD IN SUMMER – TUNDRA, WHALES AND WILDLIFE

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

Svalbard is a true Arctic environment, where many iconic species spend their entire lives, entwined with the winter and spring sea ice. But with the arrival of summer—brief as it is—the archipelago bursts to life as countless migratory species settle in to take advantage of the season’s endless daylight and abundant food. Chief among Svalbard’s summer migrants are seabirds, waterfowl, and other birds, joined by marine visitors such as baleen whales—including the mighty blue whale. Though wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, these giants are sometimes observed foraging in the rich Arctic waters.

Under the midnight sun, plant life also flourishes. While less diverse than in southern regions, Svalbard hosts hundreds of plant, lichen, and moss species, from hardy grasses to vibrant wildflowers. Some terrain here is nearly vertical, with seabirds colonizing every possible ledge. Little auks, guillemots, and puffins nest in rocky crevices, spending the brief summer flying back and forth to feed themselves and their chicks before their first flights and plunges.

Keep watch for other iconic species too, such as Arctic terns, common eiders, and the occasional king eider. The sounds are astonishing—an Arctic “silence” feels alive with nature’s calls. Summer offers the chance to step ashore and walk on bare ground – you may hike into foothills, valleys, and Arctic beaches— land shared with polar bears. While sightings are farther inshore, their paw prints in sand or mud tell their story. Additionally, you may see reindeer, as they busily forage on the bountiful summer plant life. Although the weather in midsummer is often cool, it’s possible to enjoy reasonably warm days in Svalbard. As summer warms and sea ice recedes, glaciers come alive—meltwater hastening erosion, tidewater glaciers calving ice with thunderous force. From a Zodiac amid icebergs and brash ice, listen for the crackle of melting ice, the lap of currents, and Arctic terns calling overhead.

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.

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.