Spitsbergen in a Nutshell

The price includes:
accommodation in a 2/3-bed cabin
cruise on a fully equipped expedition yacht
yacht navigation and the care of an experienced captain
yacht insurance and search and rescue insurance
individual participant’s insurance against personal accidents, costs of medical treatment and luggage
contributions to the Tourist Guarantee Fund and the Tourist Assistance Fund
port fees and yacht fuel
sailing knowledge training

The common contribution includes:
food and drinks for the participants
administrative fees
the cost of firearms transport and rental

Additionally we provide:
assistance in finding the most favourable flight options
advice on preparing for the trip

The price does not include:
transport to and from the cruise
additional expenses ashore, such as shopping or restaurants
additional personal fees in ports

Payment schedule:
20% – at the time of booking
40% – 5 months before the beginning of the trip
40% – 3 months before the beginning of the trip
If any of the dates falls later than three months before the trip starts, the payment should be made at the time of booking or three months before the trip starts.

Embarkation begins at 16:00. We then meet the crew, assign cabins, hold a safety briefing and prepare for the expedition. In the evening, we take a walk around Longyearbyen or go on a trek to Sverdruphamaren, which offers a beautiful panoramic view over Longyearbyen and Adventfjorden. Dinner on board and overnight in the marina.

We begin the sea-going part of our expedition and head deeper into Isfjorden – the largest fjord in central Spitsbergen. Over the following days, we will sail through its wild branches, enter bays ending in glaciers, look for Arctic wildlife, go ashore and set out on treks.
This is an intensive expedition-style journey – we want to make the most of every day. However, we do not follow a rigid schedule. Weather, ice conditions and wildlife sightings will determine the order in which we visit different places.
Our first destination is Borebukta, home to two of Svalbard’s most beautiful glaciers: Borebreen and Nansenbreen. They are known for their long, high glacier fronts, creating spectacular scenery. These glaciers have been very active in recent years, so there is a chance we may witness glacier calving, when enormous blocks of ice break away from the glacier front and crash into the sea with a thunderous roar and huge splashes of water.
Here we should see ice in almost every form – from icebergs and floating growlers to small crackling fragments forming what we call “ice porridge”.
Where there is ice, there is often wildlife. We have a chance of seeing seals, and in recent years walruses have also been appearing here frequently, either swimming in search of food or resting together in colonies on the beach. If we spot such a colony on shore, we will try to approach it, provided the ice allows us to do so. If conditions are suitable, we may also go ashore and observe these extraordinary animals in their natural environment.

If time allows, we will continue towards Nordfjorden and Yoldibukta, where another two beautiful glaciers await us, together with further opportunities to encounter Arctic wildlife.
We will spend the so-called “night” – although during the polar day there is hardly any visible difference between day and night – at anchor in a sheltered place close to shore, where we can continue watching Svalbard’s wildlife.

We head towards Billefjorden, keeping a close watch for whales that regularly appear in these waters. We sail close to the dramatic mountainous coastline, constantly looking for wildlife. Belugas and fin whales frequently enter this area, making it one of the best places for whale encounters, including sightings of the remarkable Arctic beluga.

We enter Billefjorden, a long and narrow fjord surrounded by distinctive mountain landscapes. Billefjorden is another area where wildlife tends to gather. There are many birds here, including puffins with their unmistakable orange beaks. Groups of Arctic belugas enter the fjord in search of food, and because we will be sailing relatively close to shore, we also have a better chance of spotting the King of the North – the polar bear – walking along the coastline. Of course, we first have to distinguish it from the herds of reindeer grazing on the slopes.

Along the way, we stop in Skansbukta – one of the most unusual bays in this part of Spitsbergen. On shore, we can see the remains of a former gypsum mine and traces of Svalbard’s industrial history. Monumental cliffs, fascinating geology and vast open landscapes make this an excellent trekking area. There are also glacial waterfalls, and walruses sometimes rest on the shore. We will try to make a 2–3 hour trek to the most interesting locations.
After lunch, we continue deeper into the fjord, which ends with another glacier, beautiful small bays and the abandoned Russian mining settlement of Pyramiden, where we plan to spend the night.

If ice conditions prevent us from reaching Pyramiden itself – unlikely at this time of year, but in the Arctic anything can happen – we will follow an alternative route towards Sassenfjorden.

In the morning, we enter a completely different world. We explore Pyramiden – an abandoned Soviet mining settlement and one of the most extraordinary places in all of Svalbard.

Walking among the deserted buildings, the mine, the cultural centre and the Lenin monument feels like travelling back in time. Pyramiden has a surreal atmosphere – somewhere between a post-Soviet ghost town, Chernobyl and a film set. If possible, we will also stop at the local bar, where you can try some Russian specialities. For those interested, we can additionally arrange a paid guided tour with local guides, including access to the interiors of some of the most fascinating buildings.
After sightseeing, we sail towards Adolfbukta, home to the mighty Nordenskiöldbreen glacier. We approach its front by yacht as closely as conditions safely allow, observing blue crevasses, ice towers and formations resembling frozen caves.
This is also a place where it pays to keep your eyes wide open. Polar bears sometimes appear along the nearby shores and rocky slopes, so we continuously scan the surrounding terrain from the deck.

We then begin our return voyage across Isfjorden towards Longyearbyen. This time, we sail close to the opposite shore of the fjord, once again observing the land from close range and searching for wildlife moving along the coastline.

After breakfast, we pack our belongings and leave the yacht at 10:00. Your luggage can remain on board, allowing you to use the remaining time to explore Longyearbyen – for example, visit the fascinating Svalbard Museum – or do some last-minute souvenir shopping. This final day is a time for one last walk, farewells and the journey home.