Overview:
Under the Midnight Sun, enjoy 24 hours of daylight, ideal for wildlife watching with our expert guides. From the ship or small expedition boats, you'll have the chance to spot polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, and a variety of Arctic birds, all thriving in their natural habitat.
2025 Departure Dates:
| Departure |
Return |
| 27 Jun |
09 Jul |
| 04 Jul |
16 Jul |
| 18 Jul |
30 Jul |
| 25 Jul |
06 Aug |
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival In Oslo
Arrival at Oslo Airport and take the airport express train to central Oslo. Afternoon free to explore Oslo. There is airport express train which will take you to the city centre in about 20 minutes.
The Norwegian capital is beautifully situated at the head of the Oslo Fjord and surrounded by forested ridges. Arable fields, vast forests and the untouched nature areas surrounding the city are only twenty minutes from the centre. They provide recreational opportunities that are frequently taken advantage of by the city’s inhabitants, as well as increasingly by visitors.
Oslo offers many well know sights such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park, National Museum, Opera House, Munch Museum, Deichman Bjørvika - Oslo Public Library, Viking Planet – the first digital Viking Museum and Holmenkollen Ski Jump.
Accommodation in a Standard Double Room at Clarion Hotel Hub incl. breakfast.
Arrival at Oslo Airport and take the airport express train to central Oslo. Afternoon free to explore Oslo. There is airport express train which will take you to the city centre in about 20 minutes.
The Norwegian capital is beautifully situated at the head of the Oslo Fjord and surrounded by forested ridges. Arable fields, vast forests and the untouched nature areas surrounding the city are only twenty minutes from the centre. They provide recreational opportunities that are frequently taken advantage of by the city’s inhabitants, as well as increasingly by visitors.
Oslo offers many well know sights such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park, National Museum, Opera House, Munch Museum, Deichman Bjørvika - Oslo Public Library, Viking Planet – the first digital Viking Museum and Holmenkollen Ski Jump.
Accommodation in a Standard Double Room at Oslo hotel incl. breakfast.
Day 2: Arrive In Longyearbyen
Breakfast at the hotel, make your way to the airport.
FLIGHT: Oslo – Longyearbyen
After a flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen airport, a transfer brings you to the town itself, nestled on the banks of a large, sweeping fjord. Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in the world’s northernmost town, Longyearbyen. A colourful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, Longyearbyen is a unique place on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. If you have time, head out to explore this special town, before enjoying a relaxing evening at your leisure.
You will be accommodated in a Standard Room at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen or Funken Lodge with breakfast and light dinner.
Day 3 – Longyearbyen Adventures
After breakfast, it’s time to experience Longyearbyen.
The town is perfect for exploring on foot. Stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer saunter by. Although wild, they're curious and tame.
Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic discovery, join an included excursion and get a glimpse of this amazing polar bear–inspired region at the top of the world.
Accommodation onboard Hurtigruten Cruise in a cabin of your choice incl. full board.
Day 4: Peaceful Ny-ålesund
Experience science, serenity and epic scenery
Today you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighbouring fjords such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
One of the northernmost settlements and a former mining town, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now a hub for global science and climate research, you can still see remnants of the town’s history.
You’ll be immersed in rugged, glacial scenery as we explore the fjords around Ny-Ålesund. Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our small expedition boats, go ashore to hike or cruise by majestic glaciers.
Days 5-6: Expedition Days
Experience pristine Arctic wilderness
Over the next three days, you'll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. In this wilderness of steep mountains, stark glaciers and beautiful offshore islands, we’ll scan for animals of the Arctic – whales, seals, walruses and reindeer. If we’re really lucky, we might even see the elusive polar bear from the Observation Deck of the ship. In stunning Kongsfjord, you may see impressive glaciers calving into the sea.
Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our kayaks or use our small expedition boats and go ashore to hike or participate in a beach clean up.
Day 7: Ice Edge Attempt
Experience the opportunity of sailing to the edge of the polar ice cap
If conditions allow, we’ll sail north and cross the 80th parallel to explore the ever-changing ice edge. The transition zone between the ice cap and the sea is a magical yet ephemeral place where the waters are filled with ice floes and drifting pack ice. From the ship there are great opportunities here for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge photogenically on the sparkling ice. And if the conditions are right, we’ll lower our expedition boats into the water and enjoy an unforgettable close-up experience amid the floating ice.
The ice edge isn’t a fixed boundary, and it moves depending on the season and conditions, so visiting it will be an attempt rather than a certainty. From May to August, as summer progresses, it retreats further towards the pole, meaning it may be out of reach for us. If this is the case then we’ll instead explore the no-less-impressive deep fjords, mighty glaciers and enchanting scenery of the Svalbard coast. In late July and into August, this is a time when the wildflowers appear, blanketing the landscape with a blaze of beauty and colour.
Days 8-9: Eastern Spitsbergen
Scouting for polar bears, seabirds and walruses
Be ready for anything as this stage of your voyage continues to be truly adventurous. If sea ice permits, we’ll venture to the frozen seascape of Eastern Spitsbergen.
We have high hopes you’ll see the elusive polar bear over the next two days. We'll also scout for walrus and colonies of Brünnich’s Guillemots and other seabirds in the Hinlopen Strait. We may head south to Freemansundet and Kapp Lee or take our small expedition boats to Edgeøya or Barentsøya.
In true expedition style, exactly where we’ll go will depend on the conditions on the day. Channel your inner explorer on exhilarating landings, hikes and kayak trips.
And if the ice doesn’t allow us to pass through Hinlopen Strait, you’ll experience just as much adventure as we delve deeper into the wonders of western Svalbard. We’ll take a flexible route through deep fjords and by calving glaciers, seeking out remarkable Arctic wildlife.
Days 10-11: Hornsund And Bellsund
Majestic glaciers, birds and pioneer history
Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Rich, colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers calving into the sea.
Then we head to snowcapped mountains of 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 the early mining settlements here and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper.
Our activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions of Hornsund and Bellsund. Your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day.
Days 12: Departure From Longyearbyen
A final day on top of the world
Your Arctic adventure comes to an end back in Longyearbyen. A transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Oslo. You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice and climate change than you arrived with – and memories of an incredible experience.
Arrival back in Oslo and take the airport express train to central Oslo.
Accommodation in a Standard Double Room in Oslo hotel incl. breakfast.
Package Includes:
- Return flights as given above from London Heathrow with SAS (other UK airports on request)
- Flights between Oslo and Longyearbyen
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 23 kg)
- 2 night’s accommodation in Oslo
- Shuttle transfers in Longyearbyen including excursion and lunch before expedition cruise
- 1 night’s accommodation in Longyearbyen before your voyage including light dinner and breakfast
- Full board as per the program (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with complimentary tea and coffee.
- Onboard Activities
- In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
- Full access to the ship's Science Centre
- Citizen Science Programme allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research‚
- Professional onboard photographer gives tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
- Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings
- Landing Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boats
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
- Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
- 24-hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
2 night’s accommodation at Clarion Hotel Hub, Oslo
Shuttle transfers in Longyearbyen including excursion and lunch before expedition cruise
1 night’s accommodation in Longyearbyen before your voyage including light dinner and breakfast
Full board as per the program (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with complimentary tea and coffee.
Onboard Activities
In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
Full access to the ship's Science Centre
Citizen Science Programme allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research‚
Professional onboard photographer gives tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings
Landing Activities
Escorted landing with small expedition boats
Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
24-hour emergency service
ATOL protection
All ta
Expedition Cruise
- A stay in a cabin of your choice
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws, excludes premium drinks)
- All day coffee, tea and soft drinks
- Fine dining in restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
- A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
- A polar expedition jacket, a backpack, or another piece of HX kit
- Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
- Complimentary Wi-Fi. Please note, streaming is not supported
- Use of sauna, hot tubs, fitness room, lounges and more
- Gratuities included. If you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated
- Range of included activities
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