The Best of Spitsbergen is a classic expedition itinerary sailing aboard the 264-capacity Le Boreal. Throughout your eight day journey you will enjoy an immersive experience in the Norwegian Arctic, including the opportunity to come face to face with its regal king, the polar bear.
The expedition begins in Longyearbyen, which is the most heavily populated territory in the Svalbard archipelago. From here, the ship sails north along Spitsbergen’s western coastline, taking in various highlights which include Fjortende Julibukta; a stunning bay lined with towering cliffs which famed for its huge population of birds and Danskoya; a small island which served as the starting point for North Pole expeditions in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
At the midway point in your itinerary you will head out past the northernmost islands of the Svalbard archipelago towards the Arctic Ocean. Crossing through icebergs and channels of ever-thickening ice, this route towards the top of the world is on few have been fortunate enough to travel.
Following a day at sea, you will then return to Spitsbergen and enjoy three days of exploration before arriving back in Longyearbyen where your expedition will end.
It goes without saying that one of the main attractions of exploring this part of the world is the diverse spectrum of wildlife. Understandably, the majestic polar bear is what many come to see but elsewhere there are opportunities to spot walruses, Arctic foxes and even Beluga whales. Overhead, Arctic Norway also enjoys its fair share of birdlife and sightings of white-tailed eagles, puffins and King Elders are not uncommon.
Throughout your expedition, you will have the opportunity to enjoy landings by Zodiac so that you can explore on foot. Every trip ashore is guided by a team of experts in order to enhance your experience and provide detailed overviews of the region’s history, wildlife and geology.
