Think of this as our “Realm of the Polar Bear in Depth” with a twist — starting in Norway and including remote Bear Island for a fresh take on the Arctic. Over 11 unforgettable days, you’ll cruise through the magical landscapes of the Norwegian Sea, Greenland, and Svalbard, exploring glacier-lined coasts, UNESCO-listed sites, and ancient Viking history. Perfect for travellers big on adventure but short on time, this expedition packs in wildlife sightings, jaw-dropping fjords, and endless Arctic wonder. Keep your eyes peeled for polar bears prowling the ice, seals lounging on the shore, reindeer grazing the tundra, and birds soaring under the midnight sun. It’s wild, remote, and unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
Travel Style
Marine
Physical Grading
2 - Light
What's Included
10 nts aboard the Expedition. Arrival transfer. Zodiac excursions with our expert expedition team. Lectures and educational programs. Insulated, waterproof boots supplied for USA sizes 4 - 16. Expedition parka.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Cruise through Norway’s iconic fjords framed by towering cliffs and glacial beauty, Stroll through quiet fishing villages and soak up the unhurried coastal lifestyle, Take in breathtaking views along Svalbard’s ice-sculpted shoreline, Hop into a Zodiac to explore the edges of remote Arctic ice floes, Walk the tundra in search of birdlife and scan the ice for a glimpse of polar bears, Gain deeper insight into the Arctic through expert-led lectures and field briefings
How large will the group be?
Max 128 aboard the Expedition.
What meals are included in this trip?
10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Expedition, Zodiac, local bus, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Aboard the Expedition in triple-, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window, 10 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen-size bed.
Itinerary
Tromsø
Embark aboard the Expedition in the afternoon and depart Tromsø in the late afternoon. Arrival transfer included. Please make sure you drop your checked luggage off at the meeting point between 9am - 12pm. A local representative will be in the luggage storage room. They can provide general information about the town or your embarkation process.
All passengers will be transferred to the ship as a group for embarkation at 4pm. Please ensure that for embarkation you have your passport accessible (not in your luggage which is being transferred separately to the ship).
Bear Island
Sail northward from Tromsø spending a day at sea to travel to Bear Island, an untouched beauty of the Arctic. Think rugged coastlines, steep cliffs, and very dramatic landscapes. The island is home to millions of seabirds, including black-legged kittiwakes, puffins, and little auks. Bear Island is a remote and often overlooked part of the Svalbard Archipelago, allowing those who do visit an off-the-beaten-path adventure and epic wildlife.
Bear Island
Sail northward from Tromsø spending a day at sea to travel to Bear Island, an untouched beauty of the Arctic. Think rugged coastlines, steep cliffs, and very dramatic landscapes. The island is home to millions of seabirds, including black-legged kittiwakes, puffins, and little auks. Bear Island is a remote and often overlooked part of the Svalbard Archipelago, allowing those who do visit an off-the-beaten-path adventure and epic wildlife.
Svalbard
Continue sailing along the coast of Svalbard and explore near South Spitsbergen National Park. The fjords are characterized by dramatic landscapes, including snow-covered mountains, glaciers, and icy seas, offering stunning views. Start by seeing the Hornsundtind massif where you can enjoy the Arctic landscape and potentially view wildlife. The fjord cuts deep into the island creating a memorable visual experience. Search for bearded seals and maybe polar bears. The group will also visit Bellsund for other interesting historical sites and wildlife viewing.
Svalbard
Continue sailing along the coast of Svalbard and explore near South Spitsbergen National Park. The fjords are characterized by dramatic landscapes, including snow-covered mountains, glaciers, and icy seas, offering stunning views. Start by seeing the Hornsundtind massif where you can enjoy the Arctic landscape and potentially view wildlife. The fjord cuts deep into the island creating a memorable visual experience. Search for bearded seals and maybe polar bears. The group will also visit Bellsund for other interesting historical sites and wildlife viewing.
Svalbard/Greenland Sea
This voyage is spent travelling in the world in which the polar bear survives. Your wildlife viewing opportunities are enhanced by exploring as many remote areas as possible. Spotting wildlife like the Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer, and land or sea birds can be difficult, but well worth the effort. Ice and weather conditions permitting we can explore near sea ice, through fjords that lead to glaciers and icebergs, and discover bird nesting colonies, all from the platform of the ship. Alternatively, hop in a Zodiac to explore more closely, or be brought to land to visit historical sites and experience the tundra. Always be on the lookout for wildlife, ranging from endangered and rare polar species to sea mammals and birds. And, of course, have your eyes peeled for polar bears - they can be found all throughout this region, but finding them can require patience and persistence. Come join us in the search! Early-season voyages often provide the greatest opportunity to see large ice floes in the Arctic pack ice, which usually means excellent wildlife viewing. Later in the season, the group can cover more territory, which may allow the chance to explore more of the archipelago. This can lead into the less explored regions, or the continental edges where large whales are attracted by nutrient rich upwellings.
Each day will be planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Distances are relatively short in the Archipelago and as there are no ocean crossings, the seas are normally calm. During these six days visit ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea.
Possibility to cruise in Zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs.
Svalbard/Greenland Sea
This voyage is spent travelling in the world in which the polar bear survives. Your wildlife viewing opportunities are enhanced by exploring as many remote areas as possible. Spotting wildlife like the Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer, and land or sea birds can be difficult, but well worth the effort. Ice and weather conditions permitting we can explore near sea ice, through fjords that lead to glaciers and icebergs, and discover bird nesting colonies, all from the platform of the ship. Alternatively, hop in a Zodiac to explore more closely, or be brought to land to visit historical sites and experience the tundra. Always be on the lookout for wildlife, ranging from endangered and rare polar species to sea mammals and birds. And, of course, have your eyes peeled for polar bears - they can be found all throughout this region, but finding them can require patience and persistence. Come join us in the search! Early-season voyages often provide the greatest opportunity to see large ice floes in the Arctic pack ice, which usually means excellent wildlife viewing. Later in the season, the group can cover more territory, which may allow the chance to explore more of the archipelago. This can lead into the less explored regions, or the continental edges where large whales are attracted by nutrient rich upwellings.
Each day will be planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Distances are relatively short in the Archipelago and as there are no ocean crossings, the seas are normally calm. During these six days visit ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea.
Possibility to cruise in Zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs.
Svalbard/Greenland Sea
This voyage is spent travelling in the world in which the polar bear survives. Your wildlife viewing opportunities are enhanced by exploring as many remote areas as possible. Spotting wildlife like the Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer, and land or sea birds can be difficult, but well worth the effort. Ice and weather conditions permitting we can explore near sea ice, through fjords that lead to glaciers and icebergs, and discover bird nesting colonies, all from the platform of the ship. Alternatively, hop in a Zodiac to explore more closely, or be brought to land to visit historical sites and experience the tundra. Always be on the lookout for wildlife, ranging from endangered and rare polar species to sea mammals and birds. And, of course, have your eyes peeled for polar bears - they can be found all throughout this region, but finding them can require patience and persistence. Come join us in the search! Early-season voyages often provide the greatest opportunity to see large ice floes in the Arctic pack ice, which usually means excellent wildlife viewing. Later in the season, the group can cover more territory, which may allow the chance to explore more of the archipelago. This can lead into the less explored regions, or the continental edges where large whales are attracted by nutrient rich upwellings.
Each day will be planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Distances are relatively short in the Archipelago and as there are no ocean crossings, the seas are normally calm. During these six days visit ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea.
Possibility to cruise in Zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs.
Greenland Sea/Svalbard
Taking advantage of local ice and weather conditions, explore more of Svalbard, one of those rare places on Earth blessed with both awe-inspiring landscape and compelling history. Enjoy the coast of Svalbard. Spend these days in search of the elusive polar bears as they hunt seals. Look out for Svalbard's unique subspecies of reindeer. Although much smaller than their southern relatives, they still carry impressive antlers. Keep a sharp lookout for Arctic foxes.
By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer.
Greenland Sea/Svalbard
Taking advantage of local ice and weather conditions, explore more of Svalbard, one of those rare places on Earth blessed with both awe-inspiring landscape and compelling history. Enjoy the coast of Svalbard. Spend these days in search of the elusive polar bears as they hunt seals. Look out for Svalbard's unique subspecies of reindeer. Although much smaller than their southern relatives, they still carry impressive antlers. Keep a sharp lookout for Arctic foxes.
By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer.
Svalbard/Longyearbyen
On the departure day, there will be transfers available to the Longyearbyen airport for all passengers with flights scheduled.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
