Expedition Details
A high Arctic archipelago situated between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard is a place of deep fjords, snow-capped mountains, massive sheets of ice, and magnificent polar bears. Travel under the midnight sun aboard the National Geographic Explorer and experience nature in its purest form.Trip Highlights
- Search for the very symbol of the Arctic — the polar bear — and observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
- Take naturalist-led shore walks, and cruise among beautiful passing icebergs in a Zodiac or a kayak.
- Experience the legendary midnight sun: the ethereal light of the northern summer, when the sun never sets.
- Watch for huge walruses, bearded and ringed seals, arctic foxes, and reindeer along the edge of the pack ice.
Itinerary - 11 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Oslo, Norway
Depart on an overnight flight to Oslo. Upon arrival, check into our hotel. On an afternoon tour of this charming city, stroll among the famed Vigeland sculptures—hundreds of life-size human figures set in parklands. Visit the polar ship Fram museum, dedicated to one of the first wooden vessels to navigate the Arctic Sea. This evening is free to explore Oslo on your own.
Continental Hotel (B)
Day 3 — Oslo/Longyearbyen
Depart Oslo on a private charter flight, and enjoy breathtaking vistas en route to Longyearbyen. Embark the National Geographic Explorer, your base for the next six days.
(B,L,D)
Days 4 through 9 — Exploring Svalbard
This voyage is undertaken in the spirit of discovery, and our travel in the archipelago is exploratory by design. In a region ruled not by humans but by polar bears, we let nature guide our course. Svalbard lies north of the Arctic Circle, where the summer midnight sun never sets. With our fully stabilized ice-class expedition ship, we are able to probe the ice in search of wildlife, and our exact day-to-day itinerary will remain flexible, depending on local ice and weather conditions. Zodiacs and kayaks take us closer to experience the geology, wildlife, and wildflowers that teem during the summer months. Venture to the foot of stunning tidewater glaciers, kayak among sparkling icebergs, and explore fjords that split the rugged coastlines. Hike through miniature gardens blooming on the tundra; and search the edge of the pack ice for polar bears, walruses, seals, reindeer, and arctic foxes. Nowhere can the polar bear be seen more reliably in its natural environment than here.
(B,L,D)
Day 10 — Longyearbyen/Oslo
In Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in Svalbard, disembark and enjoy time to explore. Founded by an American coal executive in 1906, this is one of the northernmost human settlements on Earth. Fly back to Oslo this afternoon.
Radisson SAS Airport Hotel (B,L)
Day 11 — Oslo/U.S.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight home.
(B)
Optional Extensions
- Norway's Fjords - Pre-Trip Extension, 6 Days
- Iceland - Post-Trip Extension, 5 Days
Related Trip
View LargerExpedition Team
Accompanying each expedition is a diverse team of experts — from naturalists to regional specialists — who will share their knowledge and insights on the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.
Børge Ousland
Polar explorer Børge Ousland was the first person to ski alone and unsupported to both the North and South Poles. Børge is the author of five National Geographic magazine articles about his many adventures, including "Chasing Nansen's Ghost," which appeared in the January 2009 issue and chronicles his trek across the Arctic. A native Norwegian, Børge considers Svalbard his backyard and looks forward to sharing its natural wonders.
"Børge Ousland, is arguably the most accomplished polar explorer alive!" - National Geographic Adventure, February 2006.
Børge will join the following departure:
Jul 31 - Aug 10, 2009
This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
Expedition Costs
Round-trip airfare between Oslo and Longyearbyen is included in the expedition cost. Round-trip economy airfare between Newark and Oslo is not included and is estimated at $1,195.
- July 03 - 13, 2009
National Geographic Explorer - July 10 - 20, 2009
National Geographic Explorer - July 17 - 27, 2009
National Geographic Explorer - July 24 - August 03, 2009
National Geographic Explorer - July 31 - August 10, 2009
National Geographic Explorer - June 15 - 25, 2010
National Geographic Explorer - June 22 - July 02, 2010
National Geographic Explorer - June 29 - July 09, 2010
National Geographic Explorer - July 06 - 16, 2010
National Geographic Explorer - July 13 - 23, 2010
National Geographic Explorer - July 20 - 30, 2010
National Geographic Explorer - July 27 - August 06, 2010
National Geographic Explorer
