Spitsbergen & Franz Josef Land Adventure

Your Arctic adventure begins in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard. Arrive independently and join the included group sightseeing tour of this unique Arctic town, before heading to the port to board your ship. Embarkation will begin in the late afternoon and you can take the time to settle into your new surroundings as the ship sails out of Isfjorden.

Early morning will reveal the spectacular aqua-blue ice cliffs of the 14th July Glacier or perhaps the Waggonway Glacier in Magdalenefjorden. Our itinerary throughout the journey will be dependent on weather, snow and ice conditions, and the presence of wildlife, and your captain will choose the best course each day to make the most of all opportunities. Thanks to the nutrient-rich Gulf Stream, temperatures on the rugged west coast are relatively mild, ideal for the many Atlantic puffins and thick-billed murres that fill the cliffs. We will explore by Zodiac looking for bearded seals and there may be kayaking and diving opportunities here. Areas we may explore include Ny Alesund, a mining town turned polar research centre and Amsterdamoya, where we can hike across the tundra keeping our eyes peeled for reindeer Arctic fox. Expert historians will accompany you as you explore the remains of a 350-year-old Dutch whaling settlement and find out more about life in this sometimes harsh environment.

Rounding Spitsbergen’s northwest coast, your ship will enter the Arctic Ocean and a world of pack ice. A haven for wildlife, watch as the majestic polar bears stalk the ringed, bearded and harp seals, and beluga whales drift below the surface. Likely stops here include Moffen Island, where walrus haul out on the beaches, and beautiful walks across the tundra reveal exquisite flowering plants including purple saxifrage, yellow spider plants and Svalbard poppies. We will visit trapper huts and continue to keep a look out for reindeer and Arctic fox and, if ice conditions allow, your ship will attempt to cross latitude 80° north before turning south to Woodfjorden.

Welcome to the wild side! Frigid Arctic currents sweep around Spitsbergen's northeast corner, lowering air and sea temperatures, and creating a landscape eroded by severe frost. Even in summer, pack ice could bar our way. Your highly experienced captain and crew will take advantage of every opportunity for wildlife sightings and adventures. We will attempt to pass through the narrow Hinlopen Strait, between Spitsbergen and the ice-capped Nordaustlandet.

You will enjoy Zodiac cruising beneath Alkefjellt, sheer basalt cliffs rising more than 250 metres, literally buzzing with some 200,000 nests of Brunnich's guillemots, possibly with Arctic fox scavenging below. On Torrellneset, we could well approach dozens of sleeping walrus. A true polar desert, the east coast offers walks among stunted glaciers, exposed fossil fields, and tundra, where we watch for Arctic fox, eider ducks and the elusive Svalbard ptarmigan. Sailing between Barentsoya and Edgeoya, we cross polar bear migration routes and may visit Sundeneset, a fertile plain covered in green mosses and delicate flowers, including the yellow marsh saxifrage.

This is true expedition cruising, where plans are dictated by ice conditions and our desire to explore. If pack ice allows, we round South Cape, returning to the world of open water and rugged coastal mountains, and sail north toward Hornsund and Bellsund, deep fjords with remarkable glaciers and wildlife. If ice stops us on the east side, we adjust our itinerary, backtrack and delve deeper into the wonders of Spitsbergen's north and west coasts, including a visit to colonies where hundreds of thousands of little auks nest, darkening the sky as they commute to their fishing grounds.

Today your ship will sail back in to Longyearbyen to say goodbye to passengers who have only booked the Spitsbergen element of the tour and say hello to those joining us for the Franz Josef Land adventure. As fellow passengers embark and disembark there will be time for you to leave the ship and join one of the many exciting excursions available in Longyearbyen including dog sledding, sustainable Arctic fishing or fossil hunting, before we board the Greg Mortimer for the second half of our High Arctic adventure.

As your captain steers the ship through the Barents Sea towards the Russian Far East and the Franz Josef Land archipelago there will be excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings. Spend some time in one of the many observation areas to look out for sea birds and whales following the ship and enjoy informative and entertaining talks around the wildlife, history and geology of the remote wilderness areas that you are about to visit.

Day 14 of your adventure marks your arrival in the Russian Arctic wilderness of the Franz Josef Land archipelago. Made up of 191 islands, 85% of the archipelago is dominated by gigantic tidewater glaciers and towering icebergs, so make sure to always have your camera on hand for that perfect ice scenery picture. Exploring by Zodiac we will make landings on the central-most islands including Bell Island and Champ Island where the mysterious stone spheres are a sight to behold. You will be on a constant look out for wildlife including Polar bears and the elusive bowhead whale, as well as sailing below the towering cliffs hosting massive nesting colonies of seabirds such as guillemots, dovekies and kittiwakes. Each day your captain will choose the best areas to visit for scenic and wildlife opportunities and other landings we expect to make include Prince George Land and Alexandra Land.

After your exhilarating time in Franz Josef Land we clear Russian customs and your ship will head back towards Svalbard across the Barents Sea. Spend time on deck watching for more wildlife and enjoy the presentations and lectures from your onboard experts.

As we sail around Svalbard’s stunning northwest coast back towards Longyearbyen there may be time to make some further landings in this pristine Arctic wilderness.

A midnight cruise of beautiful Isfjorden returns us to Longyearbyen, and signals the end of our spectacular voyage. After disembarkation a transfer to the airport for your onward flight will be provided. Or should you wish to spend more time in this unique Arctic town there are many opportunities for extra excursions and adventures.