Highlights

Journey to the edge of the world, where mountains plunge into crystal fjords and glaciers gleam beneath the endless summer sun. Here, light lingers long past midnight, washing the tundra in silver, rose, and gold.

This is Svalbard, the crown jewel of the Arctic, where you can sail deep into one of the planet’s great frontiers. Led by expert naturalist guides, explore breathtaking Arctic landscapes in search of polar bears roaming the pack ice, walruses basking on remote shores, and colonies of puffins and guillemots filling the cliffs with life. Glide by kayak beneath towering glaciers and head out on zodiacs to trace the icy edges of fjords such as Liefdefjorden and Raudfjord.

Between adventures, enjoy world-class comfort, refined cuisine, and intimate small-ship exploration. Embark on an unparalleled Arctic journey where immersive discovery meets luxury.

Search for polar bears in drifting pack ice
Encounter walruses, puffins, and guillemots
Explore Liefdefjorden and Raudfjord
Kayak beneath towering glaciers

Map/Itinerary

Day 1Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen

We begin our expedition in Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world. Soak in the stark beauty of the surrounding mountains before boarding Aqua Lares and setting sail into the frozen wilderness.

Day 2Gravneset & Smeerenburg

We begin the day at Gravneset, a headland surrounded by glaciers and mountains, where a historic whaling cemetery tells tales of early Arctic explorers. In the afternoon, our adventure continues to Smeerenburg Fjord and Sorgattet, once the center of 17th-century Dutch whaling. Step ashore at the historic site, surrounded by Arctic terns, geese, and the stark beauty of the high Arctic coast.

Day 3Pack Ice

After an overnight voyage from Smeerenburg, we venture into the drifting pack ice, a silent expanse stretching toward the horizon. Head out on a tender excursion in search of polar bears, bearded seals, and ivory gulls in their natural habitat — some of the rarest wildlife encounters on the planet. In the afternoon, take part in a polar plunge and immerse yourself in the frigid Arctic waters.

Day 4Alkefjellet & Bråsvellbreen

Start the day exploring one of Svalbard’s most famous bird cliffs. Its basalt walls rise steeply from the sea and are home to over 60,000 pairs of Brünnich’s guillemots during the summer breeding season. The cliffs provide nesting ledges for the birds, while Arctic foxes and glaucous gulls are often seen below, preying on eggs or chicks. Later in the day, sail along the Bråsvellbreen glacier front, an outlet of the Austfonna ice cap. Stretching nearly 180 kilometers, this is one of the longest glacier fronts of the northern hemisphere. During summer, meltwater streams pour down its face in striking seasonal waterfalls, a distinctive feature of this vast ice wall.

Day 5Hinlopenstretet & Torellneset

In the morning, we navigate Hinlopenstretet, the strait separating Spitsbergen from Nordaustlandet. The passage is bordered by steep cliffs and several tidewater glaciers, an important summer habitat for Brünnich’s guillemots, which nest on the cliffs, and the waters may hold bearded seals and drifting pack ice. Polar bears are often sighted in this region, particularly along the ice edge. In the afternoon we land at Torellneset, this gravel spit is a well-known walrus haul-out site, where groups of Atlantic walrus rest on the beach between feeding bouts in the surrounding shallow waters.

Day 6Sorgfjorden

We arrive at Sorgfjorden, located at the northwestern tip of Spitsbergen. The fjord is famous for its dramatic historical events, most notably the naval battle of 1693, when French warships clashed with Dutch whalers. Along its shores, traces of the whaling era remain visible, including graves and blubber ovens from the 17th century. Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes are sometimes spotted along the shoreline, while walrus may gather at haul-outs near the fjord entrance. In summer, Arctic terns, geese, and other migratory birds add to the seasonal life of the high Arctic coast.

Day 7Krossfjorden & Kongsfjorden

In the morning, we explore Krossfjorden, where the immense Lilliehöökbreen Glacier stretches for more than 12 kilometers. Seals often haul out on the drifting ice, and flocks of kittiwakes soar above. Later in the day, we head onwards to Kongsfjorden, one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks and sweeping glaciers, the fjord has long drawn explorers and scientists, its dramatic landscapes offering some of the most striking scenery in the archipelago.

Day 8Longyearbyen

We return to Longyearbyen as the ship replenishes itself for the next leg of the journey. Take the day to unwind on board Aqua Lares. Enjoy the social spaces at your leisure, whether it be sipping cocktails in the lounge, a workout in the open air, or a soothing spa treatment. Later in the day, we greet the new guests joining the expeditions onwards.

Day 9Calypsobyen, Bellsund

We arrive in Bellsund to explore Calypsobyen, a former coal mining settlement and beluga hunting station that operated in the early 20th century. Here, scattered ruins and weathered structures stand as silent witnesses to the industrial era that once brought life to this remote corner of Svalbard, creating a stark contrast between natural beauty and manmade history.

Day 10Gnålodden, Hornsund & Sørkapp

In the morning, we explore Gnålodden, home to one of Svalbard’s best-known trapper’s cabins, set beneath towering cliffs alive with seabirds. The site offers a vivid glimpse into the lives of those who endured the harsh Arctic wilderness. After lunch, we arrive at Sørkapp, the southernmost point of Spitsbergen. This remote and rarely visited cape reveals stark Arctic landscapes where glaciers meet the sea and seabirds such as kittiwakes nest along coastal cliffs.

Day 11Bear Island

Today, we head out on excursions along the remote cliffs of Bear Island, home to vast colonies of puffins, guillemots, and fulmars. Enjoy close encounters with the destination’s remarkable population of seabirds while out on a tender exploration. Learn more about the island’s unique ecology from our naturalist guides.

Day 12Bleik

Step ashore at Bleik, a fishing village set along one of Norway’s longest white-sand beaches. Keep your eyes peeled for sperm whales attracted to the surrounding waters’ rich feeding grounds, while just offshore, the triangle-shaped island of Bleiksøya hosts one of Norway’s largest puffin colonies.

Day 13Tromsø

Savor a final breakfast on board before bidding farewell to Aqua Lares and the crew in Tromsø.

Inclusions/Exclusions

This itinerary includes:

All onboard meals
House wines and beer, non-alcoholic drinks
Twice-daily excursions with expert local guides
Kayaking and paddleboarding equipment
Unlimited access to high-speed WiFi

This itinerary excludes:

International flights.
Visa expenses, where applicable.
Airport transfers.
Travel insurance (cancelation evacuation )
Premium alcoholic beverages, cocktails, and spirits.
Spa treatments and massage services.
Boutique purchases and personal expenses.

Prices

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