Welcome to the roof of the world! From Longyearbyen airport, a transfer brings you to the town itself, nestled on the banks of a large, sweeping fjord. Longyearbyen is the largest settlement in Svalbard, though the 2,000 inhabitants here are outnumbered by snowmobiles. 

Originally a coal mining colony, today it is a hub for adventure travellers, as well as scientists and engineers attached to local research projects, like the famous Global Seed Vault.   

Depending on when you arrive in Longyearbyen and check in to your hotel, you might have time to head to the aptly named North Pole Expedition Museum. There, you can immerse yourself in Svalbard’s polar exploration history with old newspapers, photos, postcards, several hours of original expedition film footage, and quirky historical artefacts. You could also visit the Svalbard Brewery and enjoy a tasting session of beers brewed in the Arctic. 

In the evening, you’ll enjoy a light dinner at a local restaurant before spending the night at your hotel, which offers modern comforts in historical surroundings.   

Leaving behind what little civilisation there is, we now enter full exploration mode. In these beautiful yet remote areas, there is no internet, nor are there telephone masts to provide a mobile phone signal. Free from emails and text messages, you can enjoy a rare opportunity to disconnect and detox from the modern world. It’s time to really get back in sync with what truly matters.   

The North West Corner of Spitsbergen embodies Arctic beauty in all its rugged, untouched glory. This is a wilderness of steep mountains, stark glaciers, and eerily beautiful offshore islands. It’s also one of those rare spots in the world where natural beauty and fascinating history combine. A birdwatching mecca in the summer months, if we’re lucky may spot a polar bear searching for bird eggs nearby.  

If there’s one place that represents the essence of what Svalbard has to offer, it’s Magdalenefjord. Framed by spectacular views of jagged mountain peaks and glaciers, this breathtaking fjord has an Alpine feel to it, despite its remote location in the far north-west.   

Magdalenefjord’s beautiful beach is peppered with evidence of a whaling station from the 17th Century. You’ll be able to see remains of blubber ovens, a cemetery of 130 graves, and a memorial to the whalers.   

If the conditions are favourable, we plan to sail above 80° North, bringing you within 600 nautical miles of the North Pole. This high up, the sun is visible for 24 hours. Bask under the glorious Midnight Sun as you scan for wildlife on deck.   

Directly above 80° North is Moffen, a intriguing little island known for its walrus population. Large numbers of them usually gather at the southern tip of the island. Our approach to the island will adhere to the 300m exclusion zone to avoid disturbing this vulnerable animal.  

This morning we sail into the Isfjord, which means “ice fjord” in Norwegian. This is the most prominent fjord system in the Svalbard archipelago. Branching out to many smaller fjords, it forms a lush and beautiful system rich in wildlife and vegetation. Prepare to see immense U-shaped valleys carved out of the mountains by giant glaciers some 10,000 years ago.         

To the north of the fjord, Alkhornet is a prominent landmark, an imposing example of carbonate rock, with a horn-shaped mount at its peak. Naturally, the surrounding wildlife has conquered it. This region is home to Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer, and colonies of guillemots and kittiwakes.   

Your voyage comes to an end back where it started in Longyearbyen. Why not take advantage of another opportunity to get to know this frontier town even further?  

Get a taste of what it feels to live this far north. You’ll find that many places here hold the record for being the most north anything. The world’s northernmost cinema, church, library, high school, supermarket – they’re all here.  

Browse the local shops for some souvenirs to take home, like a toasty Svalbard sweater or a box of local handmade chocolates. Svalbard is a duty-free zone and Longyearbyen has a selection of sports and outdoor clothing shops, so you can stock up on supplies for your next adventure!   

Art lovers will definitely want to make time to visit Galleri Svalbard to admire diverse works of art inspired by the High Arctic.  

In the evening, you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel and say goodbye to your new-found friends.