Svalbard Summer Solstice: Micro Cruise
Highlights
- Explore Ny-Ålesund, the world’s northernmost settlement, and marvel at Kongsfjorden’s twin glaciers, Kronebreen and Kongsbreen.
- Encounter Arctic wildlife—from walrus and nesting guillemots to elusive polar bears prowling the shimmering ice edge.
- Venture to Svalbard’s remote Seven Islands and behold Austfonna, a colossal ice cap among Europe’s largest glaciers.
Embark on this 12-day high-Arctic voyage deep into the wild heart of Svalbard, a land sculpted by ice, wind, and time. Departing from Longyearbyen, you’ll trace the dramatic coastlines of Spitsbergen and its outlying islands, venturing north toward the very limits of human exploration. This is a rare opportunity to explore one of the planet’s most remote and captivating archipelagos, where the raw forces of nature reign supreme and every day brings a new horizon of wonder.
Sailing beneath the summer’s endless daylight, you’ll witness the Arctic at its most alive—when walrus bask on shingle beaches, reindeer graze the tundra slopes, and millions of seabirds fill the cliffs with sound and motion. The retreating sea ice opens a gateway to the far north, offering the chance to follow the ice edge in search of seals, whales, and the Arctic’s apex predator—the polar bear. The sheer abundance of wildlife is matched only by the grandeur of the landscapes: immense glaciers like Bråsvellbreen and Lilliehöökbreen calve into mirrored fjords, while the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet teem with Brünnich’s guillemots in a living tapestry of life.
Every day offers fresh adventure—Zodiac cruises beneath towering ice fronts, landings on beaches dotted with walrus, hikes to historic trappers’ huts and remote bird colonies, and tranquil moments soaking in the ethereal glow of the midnight sun. Along the way, expert naturalists and historians enrich your journey with insights into Svalbard’s geology, wildlife, and human history, from pioneering polar expeditions to today’s cutting-edge Arctic research at Ny-Ålesund.
To reach the remote northern outposts of Sjuøyane and Kvitøya is to join a select few who have ventured this far into the Arctic wilderness. This is more than a voyage—it’s a personal expedition into the realm of ice and light, where you’ll feel the humbling beauty of our planet’s extremes and return home forever ...
Ships
MV Freya
Vikingfjord
Standard Activities
About the Svalbard Summer Solstice: Micro Cruise
Embark on this 12-day high-Arctic voyage deep into the wild heart of Svalbard, a land sculpted by ice, wind, and time. Departing from Longyearbyen, you’ll trace the dramatic coastlines of Spitsbergen and its outlying islands, venturing north toward the very limits of human exploration. This is a rare opportunity to explore one of the planet’s most remote and captivating archipelagos, where the raw forces of nature reign supreme and every day brings a new horizon of wonder.
Sailing beneath the summer’s endless daylight, you’ll witness the Arctic at its most alive—when walrus bask on shingle beaches, reindeer graze the tundra slopes, and millions of seabirds fill the cliffs with sound and motion. The retreating sea ice opens a gateway to the far north, offering the chance to follow the ice edge in search of seals, whales, and the Arctic’s apex predator—the polar bear. The sheer abundance of wildlife is matched only by the grandeur of the landscapes: immense glaciers like Bråsvellbreen and Lilliehöökbreen calve into mirrored fjords, while the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet teem with Brünnich’s guillemots in a living tapestry of life.
Every day offers fresh adventure—Zodiac cruises beneath towering ice fronts, landings on beaches dotted with walrus, hikes to historic trappers’ huts and remote bird colonies, and tranquil moments soaking in the ethereal glow of the midnight sun. Along the way, expert naturalists and historians enrich your journey with insights into Svalbard’s geology, wildlife, and human history, from pioneering polar expeditions to today’s cutting-edge Arctic research at Ny-Ålesund.
To reach the remote northern outposts of Sjuøyane and Kvitøya is to join a select few who have ventured this far into the Arctic wilderness. This is more than a voyage—it’s a personal expedition into the realm of ice and light, where you’ll feel the humbling beauty of our planet’s extremes and return home forever changed, carrying with you the indelible memory of standing at the top of the world.
Perfect for adventurous spirits, photographers, and nature enthusiasts alike, this journey combines the thrill of discovery with the serenity of the Arctic’s untouched grandeur—a true exploration of the wild frontier of the north.
Itinerary Day to Day
Longyearbyen
Depart Longyearbyen at 4pm.
Sail past striking Fuglefjella (Bird Mountain), a fine example of plateau mountainous landscape, as we leave Longyearbyen.
Alkhornet, at the opening of Isfjorden, showcases the change in geology from plateau to edge-dominated, alpine mountainous landscape.
Poolepynten
Exploration
Sjuøyane
Exploration
Longyearbyen
Route Map
We prefer to embrace spontaneity and make the most of every opportunity nature presents to us. This is how we believe a true, authentic expedition should run. After all, the thrill of adventuring into the unknown is more rewarding than a journey that runs on tracks!
So this itinerary is for guidance only. The day-to-day activities may vary depending on the ice, the weather, and the wildlife. Landings are subject to site availability and permissions, and always in line with AECO regulations.
For even more flexibility, get in touch about making this a private yacht charter.
What's Included
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Expert guide team.
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Lectures and tutorials.
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Use of Zodiacs (dinghies) for shore landings and photography opportunities.
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Polar bear protection guides for shore landings.
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Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner + alcoholic drinks with evening meal).
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Bedding and towels.
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Highly experienced captain and cook.
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Rubber boots for shore landings.
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Transfers from hotel to vessel for embarkation and vessel to airport/hotel after disembarkation.
What's Excluded
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Flights and transfers from airport to hotel.
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Travel and cancellation insurance.
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Any additional expenses such as museum entry.