Highlights

Wildlife encounters and pristine landscapes across Svalbard and the Norwegian fjords

Discover the Arctic’s breathtaking wilderness aboard Aqua Lares, the region’s first icebreaker superyacht open to both charter and cabin bookings. Sail through dramatic fjords, towering glaciers, and endless summer daylight while searching for polar bears, walruses, puffins, and other iconic Arctic wildlife alongside expert naturalist guides.

Explore remote landscapes by Zodiac and kayak, visit historic sites such as Smeerenburg and Gravneset, and experience the rich natural and cultural heritage of Svalbard. Between adventures, unwind in the comfort of Aqua Lares’ elegant suites, exceptional cuisine, and personalized service—where immersive exploration meets small-ship luxury.

Map/Itinerary

Day 1Longyearbyen & Alkehornet

Longyearbyen & Alkehornet

Board Aqua Lares in Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world, and settle into your luxurious cabin. In the afternoon, we visit Alkehornet, a dramatic bird cliff where thousands of guillemots and kittiwakes nest. The tundra below often attracts grazing reindeer and, with luck, Arctic foxes on the prowl.

Day 2Gravneset & Smeerenburg

Gravneset & 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

Pack 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

Alkefjellet & 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

Hinlopenstretet & 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

Sorgfjorden

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

Krossfjorden & 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

Longyearbyen

Bid farewell to Aqua Lares and the crew after a hearty breakfast on board.

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 WiF

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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