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The Norwegian name for this archipelago including Bear Island and Jan Mayen is Spitsbergen, also called Svalbard. Spitsbergen is the largest of Norway’s Arctic islands in the Svalbard archipelago. Covering an area almost as big as the Republic of Ireland, Spitsbergen with its population of 3,500 in five settlements is still today virtually unspoiled wilderness. With its rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice caps and glaciers, it is a true High Arctic archipelago, and only 600 miles from the North Pole. Its abundant wildlife was once a huge draw for whalers and trappers, but now discerning visitors are discovering the attractions of huge Arctic seabird colonies and the chance to enjoy and photograph species like walrus, reindeer, arctic fox and, of course, polar bear.

Day 1 - Longyearbyen

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting, while in the surrounds of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plant have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.

Accommodations: Plancius, Ortelius, Sea Spirit or Noorderlicht
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Krossfjorden - Ny Alesund

Heading north along the west coast, arrive by morning in Krossfjorden, to take to the Zodiacs for an exhilarating cruise along the sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. On the surprisingly green slopes near the glacier, a colorful variety of flowers bloom, while large numbers of Kittiwakes and Brünnich’s Guillemots nest on the nearby cliffs. There is also a good chance of spotting opportunistic arctic foxes, who patrol the base of the cliffs in case a hapless chick falls from its nest, and bearded seals, who cruise this scenic fjord. In the afternoon we sail to Ny Ålesund, the world’s most northerly settlement. Once a mining village - served by the world’s most northerly railway, which can still be seen - Ny Ålesund is now a research center. Close to the village is a breeding ground for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese and arctic terns. Visitors interested in the history of Arctic exploration will want to walk to the anchoring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile in the airship Norge in 1926 and Nobile in the airship Italia in 1928 before their flights to the North Pole.

Accommodations: Plancius, Ortelius, Sea Spirit or Noorderlicht
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Liefdefjorden

Near the mouth of Liefdefjorden, go ashore for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many common eiders and pink-footed geese nest here, and the more rare king eider may also be seen. Sailing into Liefdefjorden, cruise near the face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes and occasionally polar bears are seen on the glacier.

Accommodations: Plancius, Ortelius, Sea Spirit or Noorderlicht
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Phippsoya - 81 degrees north!

Visit Laagöya today, a low island with a big lagoon where a big herd of walrus tends to congregate. Sabine’s gulls nest on the island, as well. At Sorg Fjord you may find another herd of walruses not far from the graves of 17th century whalers. On a nature walk, look for families of ptarmigans.

Accommodations: Plancius, Ortelius, Sea Spirit or Noorderlicht
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Laagoya

Visit Laagöya today, a low island with a big lagoon where a big herd of walrus tends to congregate. Sabine’s gulls nest on the island, as well. At Sorg Fjord you may find another herd of walruses not far from the graves of 17th century whalers. On a nature walk, look for families of ptarmigans.

Accommodations: Plancius, Ortelius, Sea Spirit or Noorderlicht
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Hinlopen Strait

Sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, polar bears and ivory gulls. Navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopenstrait, attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, pink-footed geese, breeding ivory gulls and walruses.

Accommodations: Plancius, Ortelius, Sea Spirit or Noorderlicht
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Barentsoya Island: Freemansundet - Diskobukta

In Freemansundet the ship plans to land at Sundneset on the island of Barentsøya to allow for a visit to an old trapper´s hut and a brisk walk across the tundra in search of Spitsbergen reindeer and barnacle geese. Later cruise south to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya. After a Zodiac cruise through the shallow bay, land on a beach littered with whale bones and tree trunks, which have drifted here from Siberia. You can also climb to the rim of a narrow gully which is inhabited by thousands of kitttiwakes, together with black guillemots and piratical glaucous gulls. During the breeding season, the base of the cliffs is patrolled by arctic foxes and polar bears, especially females with young cubs, searching for young birds that have fallen from the nesting ledges.

Accommodations: Plancius, Ortelius, Sea Spirit or Noorderlicht
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Hornsund area of Southern Spitsbergen

Start the day quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of towering mountain peaks. Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name ‘Spitsbergen’ - pointed mountains - to the island. There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very good chances of encounters with seals and polar bears. A visit to the Polish research station may be in order, where the friendly staff gives insight into their research projects. Behind the station the mountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little Auks.

Accommodations: Plancius, Ortelius, Sea Spirit or Noorderlicht
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Ahlstrandhalvoya

Land on Ahlstrandhalvøya at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden. Here piles of beluga skeletons (the beluga is a small white whale), the remains of 19th century slaughter, are yet another reminder of the consequences of thoughtless exploitation. Fortunately, belugas were not hunted to the edge of extinction and may still be seen locally. Indeed, there is a good chance to come across a pod. Cruising into Recherchefjorden during the afternoon, explore an area of tundra at the head of the fjord where many reindeer feed.

Accommodations: Plancius, Ortelius, Sea Spirit or Noorderlicht
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Longyearbyen

Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

11 Day Short Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Longyearbyen
Day 2 - Ytre Norskøya
Day 3- Phippsøya
Day 4 - Nordaustlandet
Day 5 - Kvitøya
Day 6 - Isispynten a Nunatak
Day 7 - Kong Karls Land
Day 8 - Barentsøya
Day 9 - Hornsund Area
Day 10 - Ahlstrandhalvøya
Day 11 - Disembark Longyearbyen

16 Day Short Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Longyearbyen
Day 2 - Fuglehuken
Day 3 - Smeerenburg
Days 4-15 - Exploring Spitsbergen's spectacular islands
Day 16 - Depart Longyearbyen

Sailing Schedule
Jul 03 - Jul 12, 2013 Plancius
Jul 08 - Jul 17, 2013 Ortelius
Jul 12 - Jul 21, 2013 Plancius
Jul 13 - Jul 28, 2013 Noorderlicht - 16 day
Jul 17 - Jul 26, 2013 Ortelius
Jul 21 - Jul 30, 2013 Plancius
Jul 26 - Aug 04, 2013 Ortelius
Jul 28 - Aug 12, 2013 Noorderlicht - 16 day
Jul 30 - Aug 08, 2013 Plancius
Aug 04 - Aug 13, 2013 Ortelius
Aug 08 - Aug 18, 2013 Plancius - 11 day to Kvitoya
Aug 12 - Aug 27, 2013 Noorderlicht - 16 day
Aug 13 - Aug 23, 2013 Ortelius - 11 day to Kvitoya
Aug 27 - Sep 11, 2013 Noorderlicht - 16 day

Itinerary Notes: Read this itinerary as a guide only. As this is an expedition to a remote part of the world, the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife, availability of anchorages, political conditions and other factors beyond our control. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Included: Shipboard accommodation, meals, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced Expedition Leaders and staff, including shore landings; Zodiac cruising and transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Comprehensive pre-departure information kit; Hair dryer in every cabin; Group transfers and baggage handling as per itinerary; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges.

Exclusions: Airfares to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point; Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance, including mandatory emergency evacuation insurance; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; hotel accommodations; Rubber boots on all other vessels not specifically listed above; excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges/tips. Possible fuel surcharges; It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 120 per Barrel Brent, 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US $ 25 per passenger per night.

Room Configurations: Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a quadruple, triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth or berths goes unsold, you will not be penalized. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the twin rate.

Families & Children: Children under 16 years old in Superior, Family Triple and/or Family Quadruple cabins receive a 40% discount. Parents are entirely responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board; there is no onboard day care or nursery facility.

Arrival & Departure: The Around Spitsbergen cruise begins and ends in Longyerbygen. Embarkation time is between 4:00 – 5:00pm on day of departure. Transfers in Longyearbyen (LYR) are provided on specified group flights. If passengers are arriving on different fights they should make their own way to the port on day of embarkation and to the airport upon disembarkation. The ship sails around 6:00pm on day of departure. Disembarkation is after breakfast on final day between 8:30 – 9:00am.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 20% the trip total is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 60 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 90 days - 20% of total trip cost
89 to 60 days - 50% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 per person. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: Around Spitsbergen will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join any off-vessel excursions, passengers must be able to navigate the steep, 30-stair, gang-way, un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. You are traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.


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