This expedition trip with M / S Nordstjerne is the optimal Svalbard adventure. You spend two nights on land and the rest of the time at sea to explore the unusual Arctic landscape with glaciers and fjords. The price includes flights from Scandinavia to Svalbard round trip, all overnight stays, most meals and excursions.
The journey goes with the expedition ship M / S Nordstjerne, which on this trip will cross the 80th parallel and also take you ashore to explore the Arctic wilderness. Both on board the ship and on the various landings, you will be guided by a professional, English-speaking expedition team – an international, hand-picked team of highly trained experts. There will even be in-depth scientific lectures on history, biology, geography, geology and culture during the cruise. On the guided landings you will get many exciting and inspiring stories about Svalbard’s history and culture. In addition, you can enjoy the fantastic landscape and the various wildlife that is native here such as polar bears, walruses, seals, birds and whales. Know about Norway on necessaryhome.
The trip includes flights to and from Svalbard, 2 nights in Longyearbyen, city tour in Longyearbyen and its surroundings, 6-day expedition cruise with M / S Nordstjerne including lectures, landings and meals.
This expedition focuses on experiencing the Arctic wilderness. This means that you must bring clothes for all weather and temperature conditions.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia
By plane you arrive at Longyearbyen, the capital of Spitsbergen, which is Svalbard’s largest island. Here you are picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day you have time to walk around on your own and discover this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum provide fascinating insights into Svalbard’s history and culture. If you need to supplement your equipment and clothes for upcoming day trips on scooters and dog sleds, there are plenty of cool and well-equipped outdoor shops in Longyearbyen. End the day with a tasty dinner at one of the city’s fantastic restaurants – if you want a truly outstanding gourmet experience, then book a table at the restaurants “Huset” or “Gruvelageret”.
Day 2: City tour of Longyearbyen and the Russian mining town of Barentsburg
After breakfast and check-out from your hotel, you will be picked up for an exciting, guided sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen with a visit to the Svalbard Museum and Camp Barentz located just outside the city. Here you get a deeper insight into Svalbard’s history, culture and wildlife. Then the adventure begins on M / S Nordstjerne. The ship sails south to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, which is still Russian territory. The majority of the residents are Russian miners and coal is still mined in the old mines. In the city you can experience something of a Russian time pocket, with an exotic collection of ancient Russian artifacts and architecture, as well as enjoy the real Russian atmosphere at the local bar. ( F , L , M )
Day 3: Magdalenefjorden, Moffen and the 80th degree of latitude
Today the ship arrives at Nordvärstra Spitsbergen National Park; a stunningly beautiful area characterized by rocky islands, fjords and glaciers. In the Magdalenefjord you can visit a whaling station from the 16th century. The ship arrives in the morning and during the day there is the opportunity for landings with the help of RIB boats to discover the wonderful Arctic wilderness. In the beautiful fjord you can be lucky enough to see polar bears, arctic humpback whales and great seals. If the conditions are right, the 80th latitude is crossed at the island of Moffen, which among other things houses large colonies of walruses. ( F , L , M )
Day 4: Krossfjord, Kongsfjord and Ny-Ålesund
The day is spent exploring Krossfjord by disembarking by RIB boat. The landscape varies from large tundra plains to alpine mountain peaks with dramatic glaciers. Maybe you are lucky on your side and can see when the mighty glacier calves in the sea. At the bottom of the deep fjord you see the majestic Kongsbreen glacier. Later, the ship arrives at Ny-Ålesund, which is located at 78 degrees latitude and is one of the world’s northernmost year-round communities. In Ny-Ålesund there are several international research stations, and the famous anchor mast that helped the airship “N1 Norway”, with Roald Amundsen at the helm, on the first flight over the North Pole to Alaska in 1926. ( F , L , M )
Day 5: On an adventure in Isfjorden and back to Longyearbyen
The Icefjord is Svalbard’s most impressive fjord system. Here you sail to an area in the fjord where thousands of seabirds have their nesting places and where you can enjoy the view of the beautiful valleys. Upon arrival at Longyearbyen, you will say goodbye to the crew and drive to your hotel in the city. There is time to explore the city a little more on your own, or relax in the hotel before enjoying a farewell dinner at the hotel in the evening. ( F , L , M )
Day 6: Departure from Svalbard and arrival in Denmark
Every adventure, no matter how magnificent, has an end. Full of memories of fantastic experiences, you drive to the airport in Longyearbyen and begin your journey home. ( F )
Overnight stays
Two nights at Coal Miners Inn in Longyearbyen
Three nights on the expedition ship M / S Nordstjerne in own cabin with toilet and shower (lower deck)
It is possible to upgrade the hotel in Longyearbyen and the cabin on M / S Nordstjerne
M / S Nordstjerne is named after the North Star (Stella Polaris), known for helping Viking-era sailors navigate north. The ship was built for the coastal fleet in 1956 and renovated and modernized in 2000 to instead serve in Arctic sailing. Now she takes explorers on cool adventures in the waters around Spitsbergen / Svalbard. Despite the modernization, she has preserved the aura of the old Atlantic ship. The classic wooden interior, combined with modern comforts, creates its very own cozy atmosphere. With new brass and new wood, she has been taken back to her former splendor, and she still has all her original artwork on board. Out on the deck you get extra close to the untouched nature. Much of the outer deck space is covered, so you can enjoy being outside, even in inclement weather.
M / S Nordstjerne holds 149 passengers and has a dining room and bar, a café, a panoramic lounge and a library. You can choose between cozy inside and outside cabins, most of which have upper and lower sleepers. Both cabins and decks boast surfaces of beautiful, old wood.
