This 11 day Spitsbergen expedition is a rare chance to explore the Arctic as it comes fully alive when plant life and wildflowers are at their maximum numbers. It’s also possible during the Arctic summer to observe polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, and potentially belugas. With warmer temperatures, endless daylight, and snow cover receding, you’ll have plenty of chances to explore onshore by foot and by Zodiac to completely immerse yourself in the Arctic environment.
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.
After breakfast, the group will transfer to the Helsinki airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. 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. We land in Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s largest settlement, and transfer to the harbor where we will embark on our ship.
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.
The time to say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontierstyle settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, and hotel night. Both are included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.
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.
This expedition includes:
Charter Flight and Hotel Package
This expedition excludes
