Intro

Join us on an unforgettable Arctic voyage through the realm of the polar bear and the midnight sun — Svalbard! In May, the archipelago reveals a striking purity and breathtaking scenery, with a fairytale winter landscape of shimmering ice formations, snow-dusted peaks, frozen fjords, and softly tinted skies. Travel aboard the M/S Quest, which carries a maximum of only 50 people.

As spring awakens across Svalbard, the sense of renewal is truly magical. Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer still don their thick winter coats, while walruses can often be seen lounging on drifting ice floes. With a little luck, we may even encounter the Arctic’s most iconic resident — the majestic polar bear — roaming silently across the ice. Birdlife is also returning, offering excellent opportunities to spot king eiders and rock ptarmigans.

Embark on this unforgettable Svalbard expedition and witness the Arctic coming to life!

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ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Arrive in Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost settlement, and transfer to your hotel. Take some time to settle in and enjoy your first taste of the Arctic atmosphere.

Days 2–8: Expedition Cruising
Our Svalbard adventure begins with time to explore Longyearbyen before we board our expedition vessel, M/S Quest, in the afternoon. As we set sail through Isfjorden, our Arctic journey truly begins.

From here, we enter a realm where ice and weather dictate our course. Each day’s itinerary will be shaped by the conditions and wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is key to making the most of this pristine wilderness, and the following are examples of the places we may explore during our voyage:

Alkhornet
At the entrance to Isfjorden rises the distinctive cliff of Alkhornet. We go ashore to discover the tundra, alive with birdlife such as barnacle geese, Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow buntings and thousands of kittiwakes. Arctic foxes are sometimes seen darting among the rocks, searching for food.

Prins Karls Forland
This narrow island is crowned by a dramatic snow-clad mountain range and is home to a variety of seabirds and harbour seals.

Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden
In Kongsfjorden, we visit the scientific settlement of Ny-Ålesund — once the launch site for Amundsen and Nobile’s legendary North Pole expeditions. Nearby, Krossfjorden offers the striking 14th of July Glacier, whose sculpted front is alive with the calls of nesting kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots.

Raudfjorden
An area of outstanding natural beauty, Raudfjorden is dominated by towering glaciers and often frequented by seals. Its bustling bird cliffs make this a haven for Arctic wildlife.

Virgohamna, Danskøya
Danskøya was the launching point for two of the most daring attempts to reach the North Pole. Here, the Swedish explorer Andrée set off in a hydrogen balloon, and American journalist Wellman attempted the journey by airship. Remnants of these historic expeditions can still be seen today.

Bellsund In the picturesque Vårsolbukta bay, tens of thousands of little auks nest in the cliffs. We go ashore and walk across the tundra for a closer look at these endearing birds.

Hornsund
Majestic Hornsund, on the west coast of Spitsbergen, is a maze of fjords framed by vast glaciers calving brilliant blue ice into the sea. This area is a favourite haunt of polar bears — with luck, we may spot one roaming across the fjord ice.

Day 9: Longyearbyen and Departure
This morning we disembark in Longyearbyen, where our Arctic adventure concludes. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey home.

Important Information
This itinerary serves as a guide only. The actual route will depend on weather, ice conditions, wildlife activity, and government regulations. The locations listed are just some of the many extraordinary sites we may visit. Flexibility and a spirit of adventure are essential for a truly rewarding expedition.

Flights
Group flights between Oslo and Longyearbyen are available (limited seats). Please contact us for further details.

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INCLUSIONS

1 night in a hotel in Longyearbyen

7 nights on board M/S Quest

Lunch day 2

Visit to Svalbard Museum day 2

All meals on board

Coffee and tea

Experienced Expedition Leader and knowledgeable guides

Guiding ashore and talks on board

All excursions and activities

Slideshow from the trip

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ABOUT THE SHIP

The M/S Quest accommodates up to 50 passengers in 24 comfortable outside cabins, each with private en suite facilities.

Between landings, guests can enjoy freshly prepared meals in the inviting dining room, while the panorama lounge provides spectacular views of the Arctic landscape. This lounge also serves as the setting for engaging presentations on the region’s wildlife, plant life, and history.

Spacious observation decks offer the perfect vantage point for admiring the dramatic scenery, and the bridge is open to visitors at all hours — there’s always something to spot or discover out on the ice. The vessel is equipped with five Zodiacs and accompanied by five experienced guides, ensuring both flexibility and exceptional opportunities for exploration.