On Top of the World in Svalbard, Norway
Lying only 600 miles from the North Pole, this region of Arctic Norway is not as cold in summer as you might expect. In June and September temperatures hover around zero; July and August average at 3 - 7 °C.
The islands have a rugged beauty and offer unforgettable wildlife encounters; Svalbard remains simply the best spot on the planet for viewing polar bears in their natural habitat. The long days of Arctic summer are a time of intense activity, as these icebound lands come alive with birds, flowers and animals at a few key locations. Onboard a private yacht is the very best way to explore this wilderness in complete comfort and safety.
DAY 1 LONGYEARBYEN
Meet your yacht in colourful Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s main town. Your crew will collect you for embarkation and host a warm welcome onboard with refreshments, a tour and a safety briefing. Let your voyage commence! A cruise westward takes you to a walrus colony. Once there, our tender will be launched to take guests ashore for a closer look at these, the most characterful of the Arctic’s mammals.
Enjoy dining onboard as you take advantage of the all-night sun and enjoy spectacular scenery.
An overnight (8hr) passage takes you to your next stop.
DAY 2 KONGSFJORDEN
Awake in Kongsfjorden, a glacial fjord in the north west of Spitsbergen, which is home to a vast array of wildlife. Warmer Atlantic waters flow into the fjord and mix with cold Arctic water, creating unrivalled biodiversity. In midsummer you can see spot ringed seals, walruses and white whales.
DAY 3 DANES ISLAND
Continuing up the west coast you cruise north to Danes Island (Danskøya), an uninhabited island on the northwest corner of the archipelago. It is famous for the North Pole expeditions launched by August Andrée and Walter Wellman. Special permission is needed to land at Virgohamna Bay. Harbour seals, a rare and unusual seal species in the High Arctic, are often seen along the shoreline; purple sandpipers are also abundant, looking for food in the tidal zone. Arctic foxes and polar bears are regularly seen roaming the island.
DAY 4 LEIFDEFJORDEN
Enter this spectacularly beautiful fjord by tender and cruise through the ice fields leading up to Monaco Glacier, named after the first Prince Albert of Monaco. This glacier is one of Svalbard’s most majestic. Keep your eyes peeled for polar bears that are often seen in this region. If conditions permit, go ashore for a hike on the glacier or along the shoreline. Be sure to have your camera ready; Arctic foxes, whales, ringed seals and kittiwakes are often seen here.
DAY 5 LÅGØYA ISLAND
As its name – which translates as ‘low island’ – implies, Lågøya island is a flat land mass, making it perfect for walruses to haul themselves out and rest on its shore. The island offers typical Arctic scenery – long, low, snow-covered tundra; a rocky beach dotted with driftwood; ice floes and the shimmering of Arctic light on the water and, of course, herds of walrus.
DAY 6 HINLOPEN STRAIT
As you cruise the northeastern tip ofSpitsbergen, ice conditions permitting, your captain will attempt to cruise through the Hinlopen Strait, which separates Spitsbergen from Nordaustlandet. Dotted with icebergs, this scenic strait is a perfect spot for a tender cruise, and as you head out you may spot the ringed, harp and bearded seals, polar bears and seabirds that are often seen here. Go ashore to walk amongst the Arctic flowers and take in the incredible beauty of this remarkable part of the world.
DAY 7 EDGEØYA ISLAND
Edgeøya, occasionally anglicised as Edge Island, is the third largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago and part of the Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve. It’s known for its sizeable reindeer population and their mighty predator, polar bears. Going ashore here you stand the chance of seeing some of the prime characteristics that define the Arctic Archipelago, from its striking geology to the unique wildlife.
DAY 8 HORNSUND
Hornsund is a fjord on the western side of the southernmost tip of Spitsbergen island. This old whaling area is one of the most spectacular glacier-filled corners of the west coast. The coastline features several bays backed by glacial valleys leading to high mountain peaks. Between the glaciers, several mountains add to the dramatic scenery – the mighty and wild Hornsundtind, which rises directly from the shore to its peak of 1,431m, much higher than any other mountain within 100km. Other remarkable elements of the scenery are the gigantic rock wall of Sophiakammen and the pointed needle of Bautaen. A Polish Polar Station has been operating here since 1957, carrying out important research in a number of fields including glaciology, meteorology and seismology. Arctic foxes, abundant seabirds and reindeer are common sights here.
DAY 9 LONGYEARBYEN
After a final breakfast on board, it’s time to say farewell to your yacht, crew and the land of the midnight sun. Disembarkation is around midday, or as required for your onward journey back to civilisation.
For more information, contact
the charter team on:
charter@cecilwright.com
or call +44 20 7408 1001 |
+377 97 98 76 60
