Circumnavigating Svalbard - The Ultimate Expedition (with Overnight in Oslo)
13-night the Arctic expedition · 6 departures · from $11,662 per guest
- 13 nightsDuration
- MS Fram, MS SpitsbergenShips
- Oslo to LongyearbyenRoute
- Jun 14, 2027Next sailing
The Ultimate Expedition
14‑day all‑inclusive Svalbard Expedition Cruise with round-trip flights from Oslo
Go further east than any of our other expeditions in the attempt to circumnavigate the entire Svalbard archipelago during the Arctic summer.
Venture above the 80th parallel and east around Nordaustlandet, sailing through dramatic fjords, past sparkling glaciers, and soaring mountains over several days in the archipelago.
Discover Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, explore the ever-changing ice edge, and look out for Arctic wildlife including whales, reindeer, and the elusive polar bear.
Wild nature, untamed scenery
Venture into Svalbard's wild eastern reaches, where stark landscapes define the frontier. This is our boldest expedition in the region, taking you to places few people ever set foot: Sjuøyane, Nordaustlandet, Kvitøya, and of course, above the 80th parallel to the pack ice edge – all conditions pending.
Land of infinite wonder
Svalbard is the domain of seabirds like Brünnich's guillemots and kittiwakes, as well as reindeer, walruses, and seals. Early in the season, we'll explore close to the northern ice edge, a landscape that becomes dotted with wildflowers as summer arrives. As we sail, we'll be on the lookout for whales and the elusive king of the Arctic: the polar bear.
Upcoming departures
| Sails | Ship | Nights | From (per guest) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 14, 2027 | MS Fram | 13 | $14,432 | Cabins & fares |
| Jun 21, 2027 | MS Spitsbergen | 13 | $14,261 | Cabins & fares |
| Jul 5, 2027 | MS Fram | 13 | $16,262 | Cabins & fares |
| Jul 12, 2027 | MS Spitsbergen | 13 | $11,956 | Cabins & fares |
| Aug 2, 2027 | MS Spitsbergen | 13 | $11,956 | Cabins & fares |
| Aug 23, 2027 | MS Spitsbergen | 13 | $11,662 | Cabins & fares |
Day by day
As planned for the Jun 21, 2027 departure; other departures may differ.
Day 1Oslo
Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard
Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway's fjord-side capital, a city rich in history with a thriving art scene. Wander the Ekebergparken sculpture park, admire the striking Opera House and Munch Museum, relax in a floating sauna on the harbour, or head to Sørenga for urban beach life and New Nordic cuisine, before settling in for the night in an airport hotel.
Day 2Longyearbyen
The town at the top of the world
After an early breakfast, you’ll fly to Longyearbyen.
A short panoramic bus tour offers a first glimpse of the town and its surroundings before lunch. Afterwards, enjoy some free time in Longyearbyen before being transferred to the ship for boarding.
This former coal-mining settlement is small and easy to explore on foot. Wander along the main street, lined with boutique shops, an art gallery, and inviting restaurants. You might even spot a Svalbard reindeer wandering by.
Come evening, we’ll set sail.
Day 3Krossfjord
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.
Day 3Ny-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.
Day 4Gravnesodden
Experience pristine Arctic wilderness
Over the next two days, we’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park where steep mountains, glaciers and beautiful offshore islands form a unique Arctic landscape.
We’ll scout for some of the animals of the Arctic – seals, walruses and reindeer. Early in the season, there’s a good chance we may spot polar bears too, so we’ll always be on the lookout for these iconic but elusive predators.
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 5Monacobreen, Spitsbergen
Day 6Ice Edge Cruising
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 for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge 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 so, we’ll explore the no-less-impressive fjords, glaciers and incredible scenery of the Svalbard coast.
Wildflowers start blooming in July and into August, blanketing the landscape with a blaze of beauty and colour.
Day 7Ice Edge Cruising
Day 8Isflakbukta, Phippsøya
Scouting for polar bears, seabirds and walruses
Over these three days, we attempt to venture far into eastern Svalbard. Be ready for anything. This might include Sjuøyane (Seven Islands), Svalbard's northernmost point, where moss-covered granite peaks are home to thousands of breeding seabirds and walrus haul out on rocky shores. Or Zodiac landings in the ice-capped wilderness of Nordaustlandet, where reindeer and Arctic foxes roam the barren tundra. Or Kvitøya, one of the archipelago's most remote islands: a polar bear stronghold with a haunting history of early polar exploration. These are places few ever see, let alone set foot on.
Day 9Storøya
Day 9Bråsvellsbreen Glacier
Day 10Sundneset Peninsula
Day 11Negribreen Glacier
Day 11Boltodden, Spitsbergen
Day 12Gnålodden
Majestic glaciers, birds and pioneer history
Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. The cliffs here are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers reaching into the sea, and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper to hunt in Svalbard.
Then we head to admire the classic beauty of the snowcapped mountains of Bellsund - a historic area where you can see the evidence of former whaling and mining activity on the shoreline.
Our activities today 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.
Day 12Burgerbukta, Hornsund
Majestic glaciers, birds and pioneer history
Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. The cliffs here are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers reaching into the sea, and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper to hunt in Svalbard.
Then we head to admire the classic beauty of the snowcapped mountains of Bellsund - a historic area where you can see the evidence of former whaling and mining activity on the shoreline.
Our activities today 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.
Day 13Bamsebu
Day 14Longyearbyen
A last day at the top of the world
Your Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen, where you’ll catch your flight back 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.
Gallery
Questions about this trip?
Our polar specialists can compare these departures, cabins and current offers with you.
Email explore@polaradventure.com or call toll-free 1-888-611-7688.
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