Discover the kingdom of the majestic polar bear, frozen landscapes of Arctic desert and towering glaciers. Explore a rugged coastline of spectacular fjords, icebergs and jagged peaks. Remote, mysterious and extreme the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen is the doorway into the high Arctic. Take this magnificent cruise of discovery along the western coast across the 80th parallel and experience some of Norway’s most breathtaking scenery and wildlife.

• Travelling - 1
  

  Fly to Oslo. On arrival you will be met by a local representative who will assist you with your transfer and check in at the hotel. Overnight Oslo.

• To the Svalbard archipelago / Your ship / Russian settlement - 2
  

  Travel by air, via Tromsø, to Longyearbyen. Located on Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, the town sits between two glacier tongues. Join a guided tour and listen as your Specialist Guide takes you back to a time when this was a no-man’s land. Delve into the past at the Svalbard Museum and learn of a history of whaling, expeditions and fur trapping. At the Svalbard Gallery discover the work of artists who have captured the magnificent local landscape on canvas and film. This afternoon join your cruise ship for a journey of discovery.

  Hurtigruten Line’s MS Fram is the newest addition to the fleet. The ship is small enough to come into shore where larger vessels are unable to, yet big enough to offer the right degree of comfort when travelling by sea in Arctic regions. Hurtigruten - literally ‘ express route’ - began life at the end of the 19th century as a quick and easy way of delivering mail, freight and people to towns and villages along Norway’s west coast. These days it’s a cross between a ferry and a cruise, hosting a blend of local and tourists. All meals are included and you will find menus planned around fresh seasonal ingredients. Open seating at breakfast and lunchtime buffets creates a relaxed atmosphere and your table is reserved for dinner. There is no formal dress code on board. Visit one of the panoramic lounges, sip a coffee or something stronger and enjoy the magnificent views. Why not relax in one of the ‘on-deck’ Jacuzzis as you cruise past the quite splendid scenery. Expedition staff will assist you during the cruise ensuring you get the very best from this Arctic experience. There are normally landings once a day dependant on local conditions. At Barentsburg and Ny-Ålesund the ship docks at the quayside. All other landings are by Polarcirkel Boat. Please note that all itineraries are subject to change depending on local weather and ice conditions.

  Set sail this evening for the Russian settlement of Barentsburg. Explore this small mining town and, if you choose, learn more of the history of the area with a visit to the Pomor Museum. A folklore show at the Cultural House is the perfect introduction to the music and dance of this unique community. 263 steps take you back down to the harbour to rejoin the ship. This evening sail out of Isfjord and travel north along the coast of Prins Karls Forland.

• Seven icebergs and Magdalenefjord - 3
  

  Wake up to magnificent glaciers including the stunning ‘seven icebergs’. At the northwest corner of Spitsbergen you reach the Magdalenefjord. Learn about Svalbard’s whaling history and maybe get close up views of the grand Gullybreen Glacier. Expedition team members will keep you informed of any animal sightings; a call of “seal” will take you to the ship railings with your binoculars as you seek out these whiskered creatures and other wildlife. Arctic fox cubs sometimes come out to play on the snowy shoreline and reindeer may traipse across the tundra. There are an estimated 3,000 polar bear inhabiting Spitsbergen; look out for fresh tracks where they may have roamed the landscape in search of food. Females are often sighted sheltering their young in caves and coves along the coast. Have your camera ready and make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to see one of the world’s most endangered species. Raudfjorden is the westernmost fjord of Spitsbergen. Birdlife is abundant; black and white guillemots and glaucus gulls glide above and eider ducks shelter amongst the rocks.

• Monaco glacier, 80th parallel and walrus colonies - 4
  

  In Liefdefjorden cruise to the truly astounding Monaco glacier. A vast white wall of ice stretches over 3 miles and reaches 180 ft at its highest point. The waters are a favourite feeding ground for 1000’s of kittiwake gulls and polar bears are occasionally sighted on the rocks close by. Watch and listen for ‘calving’ glaciers. As thousands of tons of ice crash into the water a thunderous sound echoes across the fjord. Join fellow passengers on the observation deck to watch the ship manoeuvre through the sea ice as you sail across the 80th parallel and ‘off the map’, this is a thrilling moment. Moffen Island is the place to see walruses. With a bearded face and thick blubber these are not the most attractive creatures but looks aren’t everything and their winning personalities and seemingly great sense of fun makes them a favourite with humans. Walruses spend a third of their life on ice or land and are usually found in groups, sometimes up to 2000 in number. They enjoy company and are frequently seen flopped over each other on the icy beach. Tonight the ship turns around and heads south.

• The world's most northerly settlement / In search of whales - 5
  

  This morning cruise past the piercing towers of the ‘Three Crowns’. These craggy ridges slice through the spectacular vistas of Kings Glacier. Disembark at Ny-Ålesund the most northerly permanently inhabited Arctic Research Station on earth. Learn about a mining past and hear tales of historic Arctic exploration. Walk to the anchoring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile for their airships before flights to the North Pole in the 1920s.

  Cruise along the coast of Prins Karls Forland and keep on the lookout for pods of whales. Humpbacks, minkes and belugas are quite common off the west coast of Spitsbergen. The sight of whales surfacing close to the ship will be an unforgettable memory.

• Travelling - 6
  

  The MS Fram arrives into Longyearbyen in the early hours of the morning. Local representatives will be on hand to assist with disembarkation and transfer to the airport. Fly to Oslo to connect with your flight to the UK, arriving on the same day.

Accommodation

• Ms Fram - 4 Nights (3 Nights On 7 Aug, Plus 1 Hotel Night In Longyearbyen)
• Rica Victoria Hotel, Oslo (4-Star) - 1 Night

• Flights are scheduled services of
• Flights depart at 12:00 am and return at 1:15 pm

Includes

Not Included