Exclusive Svalbard Arctic Exhibition – a once in a lifetime experience
Experience the High Arctic on a private Svalbard expedition designed for travellers seeking rare wildlife encounters, expert guidance, and true exploration. This exclusive journey is limited to a small group and led by an expert guide, ensuring an intimate and highly personalised expedition experience.
Set sail aboard the comfortable 12-passenger expedition vessel M/S Sjøveien and explore the remote wilderness of Svalbard, Norway, one of the Arctic’s most dramatic and wildlife-rich regions. Travelling in June, you’ll witness Svalbard at its most magical — a landscape of glittering ice formations, snow-covered mountains, frozen fjords, and the soft pastel light of the Arctic summer.
June is a prime time for Arctic wildlife viewing. Polar bear cubs begin exploring their world, Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer still wear their winter coats, and seals and walruses are frequently seen resting on the fjord ice. As the season progresses, snow slowly recedes, seabird cliffs come alive, and the first signs of summer transform the polar landscape.
The expedition begins with an overnight stay in Longyearbyen, followed by seven unforgettable nights at sea aboard your expedition vessel. From navigating past towering glaciers to going ashore for guided landings, every day offers opportunities to experience Svalbard’s raw beauty up close — always remaining alert for encounters with the Arctic’s iconic wildlife.
This private Svalbard expedition is ideal for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventurous travellers looking for a small-group Arctic journey that prioritises time in the field, flexibility, and expert interpretation.
| Starts in Longyearbyen | Ends in Longyearbyen | Duration: 9 Days | Next departure: 16 June 2027 |
Highlights:
• Longyearbyen: Arctic Gateway- Start your journey in the world’s northernmost town, surrounded by dramatic Arctic landscapes.
• True Expedition Cruising- Explore remote Svalbard by ship and Zodiac, with routes shaped by ice, weather, and wildlife.
• Glaciers & Fjords- Cruise through stunning fjords framed by towering glaciers and ice-covered mountains.
• Arctic Wildlife- Watch for polar bears, walruses, seals, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and seabirds in pristine habitats.
Day to day summary:
| Day 1 | Longyearbyen, Svalbard |
| Day 2-8 | Expedition cruising |
| Day 9 | Longyearbyen |
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1:
Longyearbyen, Svalbard – Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Set against a dramatic backdrop of Arctic mountains and glaciers, Longyearbyen offers a fascinating introduction to life in the High Arctic. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the town at your leisure, visit the Svalbard Museum, or simply soak in the unique atmosphere of this remote frontier community. In the evening you will meet up with the rest of your explorers to have dinner in one of the town’s restaurants and prepare for the expedition ahead. An overnight stay in Longyearbyen allows you to rest and acclimatize before embarking on your Arctic adventure.
Day 2-8:
Expedition cruising – This morning is yours to enjoy at leisure in Longyearbyen before meeting your fellow travellers and expedition team for lunch. In the early afternoon, we board our expedition ship and set sail through the majestic Isfjorden, marking the true beginning of our Arctic adventure.
From this point onward, we enter a remote and ever-changing wilderness where nature sets the agenda. Ice conditions, weather, and wildlife sightings will guide our route, allowing for a flexible and authentic expedition experience. Each day brings new possibilities as we navigate along dramatic coastlines, past towering glaciers, and into ice-filled fjords.
Our goal is to make the most of every opportunity: daily Zodiac cruises to explore the shoreline and ice edge up close, and whenever conditions allow, landings to experience Svalbard’s raw landscapes on foot. Along the way, we remain alert for Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, seals, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and an abundance of seabirds. Your experienced guides will share their knowledge through briefings, lectures, and on-deck interpretation, enriching your understanding of this extraordinary region.
Life on board follows the rhythm of the Arctic—days shaped by light, ice, and discovery—creating an immersive expedition that balances adventure, wildlife encounters, and quiet moments in one of the world’s most pristine environments.
Examples of Places We May Visit:
Prins Karls Forland – This long, narrow island off the west coast of Spitsbergen is dominated by a striking, snow-covered mountain range. Its shores and surrounding waters are rich in wildlife, providing habitat for numerous seabirds, while harbour seals are frequently seen resting along the coast.
Virgohamna, Danskøya – Virgohamna is a site of great polar history, marking the starting point of some of the earliest and most daring attempts to reach the North Pole. Swedish explorer S. A. Andrée launched his ill-fated hydrogen balloon expedition from here, while American journalist Walter Wellman attempted his journey by airship. Remnants of these historic ventures can still be found, offering a fascinating glimpse into the heroic age of Arctic exploration.
Spectacular Fjords – Svalbard is famous for its dramatic fjords, and our expedition aims to explore several of the most beautiful. Liefdefjorden, aptly named “the Fjord of Love,” is framed by snow-covered peaks and offers the opportunity to cruise close to the impressive Monaco Glacier. The area is an important nesting site for common eiders and pink-footed geese, with the chance of spotting the rare king eider.
In Krossfjorden, we admire the sculpted ice face of the 14th of July Glacier, often accompanied by the calls of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is another highlight, known for its pristine scenery, imposing glaciers, lively bird cliffs, and seals frequently resting along the shore.
Kongsfjorden is home to the international research settlement of Ny-Ålesund, a place of great scientific and historical significance. It also served as the departure point for early North Pole expeditions led by Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile.
North of Spitsbergen – Venturing north of Spitsbergen, we may encounter the edge of the drifting pack ice—a remote and rarely visited realm. Here, the silence and vastness of the frozen seascape are truly humbling, and we remain vigilant for iconic Arctic wildlife that depends on the ice.
Southwest Spitsbergen – In the southwest, the magnificent fjords of Hornsund reveal some of Svalbard’s most dramatic scenery. Towering mountain peaks rise above massive glaciers, often piercing the clouds, and on clear days the summit of Hornsundtind (1,431 metres) comes into view. This region is a favoured habitat for polar bears, while bearded seals are frequently seen resting on the fjord ice.
DAY 9:
Longyearbyen – In the early morning, we disembark from our expedition ship upon returning to Longyearbyen. After saying farewell to the crew and expedition team, you will transfer to the airport to begin your journey home. As your Arctic adventure comes to an end, take a final moment to reflect on the remarkable landscapes, wildlife encounters, and unforgettable experiences of Svalbard’s High Arctic wilderness.
Please note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Our exact route will depend on the ice, weather conditions, wildlife and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition