Various dates available
Circumnavigation of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway
From £4775 per person
Deposit 25%. Balance due 12 weeks before departure
On this trip you will have the chance to see Svalbard in it’s full variety in all aspects
Suited to
Families, Couples, Individuals, Group
Difficulty
Open to beginner sailors.
Nights onboard
12
Vessel type
70ft steel expedition yacht “Valiente”
Vessel length
70ft
Skipper
Yes
Berth Style
Single + double cabins
Insurance Required
Yes
Book with confidence - see our COVID-19 policy.
Experience Svalbard in a way few have done before you, on this circumnavigation of one of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas
11 nights: Various dates July - August 2021
57,500 NOK / £4,775 per person*
*Trips are priced in the operator’s local currency. The sterling amount shown is a guide only and the amount you pay in sterling will change with currency fluctuations.
Immerse yourself in the stunning scenery of ice and rock from the truly unique vantage point of a steel expedition yacht, as you circumnavigate your way around the 850 nautical miles of the Svalbard coast.
Fjords, mountains and vast wilderness areas are still untouched by human activity here even now. From sea ice to snow, explore the remote terrain of glaciers and frozen tundra sheltering Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes and polar bears. You will be able to hike up mountains and sail through majestic fjords in this stunning arctic landscape, immersing yourself in this ice kingdom as few have done before you.
Sailing under the midnight sun, you will seek out remote harbours and historic places, with the strong possibility of spotting whales and walruses as you weave your way through ice and along inlets in this true bucket list experience.
If these dates don’t work, why not book the whole boat for dates that do? Minimum 5 participants.
Day 1:
Meet the yacht in Longyearbyen harbour at 12pm to get settled on the boat and get to know your crew. You will be given a safety brief before setting sail. In Longyearbyen there is midnight sun this time of year, so you will make the most out of the afternoon and evening and set sail with course towards the world’s northernmost settlement, Ny-Ålesund.
Day 2: The world’s northernmost settlement New Ålesund
Spend the day exploring the most famous and visited fjord in Svalbard. Isfjorden and others in this fjord system are home to the towns of Longyearbyen, Barentsburg and Pyramiden, as well as smaller abandoned places. If you are lucky, you will see a walrus colony in the Forland Strait. A little further north you will get to the inlet of Kongsfjorden where you will find the research town of Ny-Ålesund. Ny-Ålesund is known as the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s journey to the north pole with the airship “Norway”. The Kongsfjord itself is considered one of the most beautiful places on Svalbard so this will be a great time to get your camera out. In the heart of the Kongsfjord there are three pyramidal mountains, Dana, Nora and Svea, named after the Scandinavian countries. The mountains and the majestic glaciers in the area make this fjord a truly beautiful sight!
Day 3-5: Cultural heritage in the desolated north
Continuing to the north-west side of Spitsbergen, you will sail into the Smeerenburgfjord, an area that takes its name from Dutch whalers in the 17th century. All remains from before 1946 are completely protected on Svalbard. Continuing onwards to Virgohamna, the place which was used as the starting point for reaching the north pole for Swedish Salomon August Andrée’s ballooning, and the attempt by Walter Wellman by airship. You will then head east into the fjords on the northern side of Spitsbergen towards Woodfjorden where you will stop at the Mushamna fishing station for bonfires and stories on land.
From here you will sail to approach 80 degrees north. At the northernmost point, you can celebrate with champagne and a suitable ice floe from the pole ice! Then, after your swim, if you’re brave enough, the journey goes south into the Hinlopen Strait, an area with a lot of water flow and sea life, with icebergs drifting from the surrounding glaciers. If weather permits, you can go ashore here and stretch your “sea legs” somewhere in Hinlopen.
Day 6-8:
Sailing south through Freemansundet, an area known for many polar bears, you will pass the inner parts of Storfjorden, a large, shallow fjord that extends all the way down to the southern parts of Spitsbergen. Along the way, you will pass some of the most beautiful, untouched areas in Svalbard. Along the east coast, there are several mountains you can climb, including the Keilhau mountain with its steep ascent. Rounding the Sørkapp (south cape), you will then turn north up the west side and towards Hornsund.
Day 9-12:
Spend the last days in Hornsund, on the way up the coast to Isfjorden and Longyearbyen. Hornsund is an incredibly beautiful area and as it is protected against wind and weather it makes it a more inland-like climate, great for anchoring up for mountain hikes. Experience the incredible sound and sight as four glaciers meet in the fjord here. Passing Isfjord Radio lying at the entrance of the Isfjord, an old radio station which today is an attractive place for accommodation. Inside the Isfjorden, we hopefully have time to a stop at the Russian mining town of Barentsburg; a special place with its own rhythm and atmosphere.
You will sail into Longyearbyen on the last morning after breakfast, we clean and wash the boat, and checking out at 3pm after saying goodbye to your crewmates. You are encouraged to stay until the next day in local accommodation to meet for a farewell dinner in Longyearbyen.
The program
The program may change according to weather and conditions, but the itinerary gives an indication of how the days will be spent. Every day starts with a good breakfast and a packed lunch will be made before going ashore. Some days dinner will be eaten straight after skiing while other days you will eat a little when you return to the boat, and then sail on before eating a late dinner. According to forecast and preference of you and your crew, time can be spent fishing, sailing and exploring.
- Star chef on board. Look forward to unique culinary experiences!
- Trip experience with sailboat – experienced and locally familiar skipper/instructor on board
- Guided trips every day – experienced and locally familiar ski guide
- Small groups – max 6 guests per ski guide
- Food on board during the trip
- Comfort Package: accommodation in a shared double cabin (bunk or double bed) with a ready made bed.
- Use of shared trip-equipment: dinghy, kayaks, fishing equipment etc.
- All boat-related expenses such as diesel, gas, harbour fees etc.
- Personal safety equipment: HH inflatable life vest
- An environmentally friendly, sustainable, unique, exotic and exclusive Norwegian adventure holiday
- A lot of time outdoors
- Travel to and from the boats
- Guided trips every day – experienced and locally familiar ski guide?
- Optional meals at cafés/restaurants
- Ski and avalanche equipment (beacon, shovel, probe)
- Personal snack for excursions on land (so, it’s smart to bring a little extra snack)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Entrance to galleries, museums and other alternative arrangements and activities along the way
- Open to beginner sailors.
- A good level of fitness is recommended.
Travel
Check sas.no or wideoe.no for flights to Svolvær. If you get to Bodø you may take the ferry or fast ferry over to Lofoten. See the public itinerary here: www.177nordland.no. You may also perfectly well take the train to Bodø. Travelling slowly gives another dimension to a journey than flying. If you’re travelling from a city in the north or wish to extend your journey with a day or two, you can consider doing so on Hurtigruten.
Take an internal flight to Svolvær.
Take an internal flight from Svolvær.
Day 1:
Meet the yacht in Longyearbyen harbour at 12pm to get settled on the boat and get to know your crew. You will be given a safety brief before setting sail. In Longyearbyen there is midnight sun this time of year, so you will make the most out of the afternoon and evening and set sail with course towards the world’s northernmost settlement, Ny-Ålesund.
Day 2: The world’s northernmost settlement New Ålesund
Spend the day exploring the most famous and visited fjord in Svalbard. Isfjorden and others in this fjord system are home to the towns of Longyearbyen, Barentsburg and Pyramiden, as well as smaller abandoned places. If you are lucky, you will see a walrus colony in the Forland Strait. A little further north you will get to the inlet of Kongsfjorden where you will find the research town of Ny-Ålesund. Ny-Ålesund is known as the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s journey to the north pole with the airship “Norway”. The Kongsfjord itself is considered one of the most beautiful places on Svalbard so this will be a great time to get your camera out. In the heart of the Kongsfjord there are three pyramidal mountains, Dana, Nora and Svea, named after the Scandinavian countries. The mountains and the majestic glaciers in the area make this fjord a truly beautiful sight!
Day 3-5: Cultural heritage in the desolated north
Continuing to the north-west side of Spitsbergen, you will sail into the Smeerenburgfjord, an area that takes its name from Dutch whalers in the 17th century. All remains from before 1946 are completely protected on Svalbard. Continuing onwards to Virgohamna, the place which was used as the starting point for reaching the north pole for Swedish Salomon August Andrée’s ballooning, and the attempt by Walter Wellman by airship. You will then head east into the fjords on the northern side of Spitsbergen towards Woodfjorden where you will stop at the Mushamna fishing station for bonfires and stories on land.
From here you will sail to approach 80 degrees north. At the northernmost point, you can celebrate with champagne and a suitable ice floe from the pole ice! Then, after your swim, if you’re brave enough, the journey goes south into the Hinlopen Strait, an area with a lot of water flow and sea life, with icebergs drifting from the surrounding glaciers. If weather permits, you can go ashore here and stretch your “sea legs” somewhere in Hinlopen.
Day 6-8:
Sailing south through Freemansundet, an area known for many polar bears, you will pass the inner parts of Storfjorden, a large, shallow fjord that extends all the way down to the southern parts of Spitsbergen. Along the way, you will pass some of the most beautiful, untouched areas in Svalbard. Along the east coast, there are several mountains you can climb, including the Keilhau mountain with its steep ascent. Rounding the Sørkapp (south cape), you will then turn north up the west side and towards Hornsund.
Day 9-12:
Spend the last days in Hornsund, on the way up the coast to Isfjorden and Longyearbyen. Hornsund is an incredibly beautiful area and as it is protected against wind and weather it makes it a more inland-like climate, great for anchoring up for mountain hikes. Experience the incredible sound and sight as four glaciers meet in the fjord here. Passing Isfjord Radio lying at the entrance of the Isfjord, an old radio station which today is an attractive place for accommodation. Inside the Isfjorden, we hopefully have time to a stop at the Russian mining town of Barentsburg; a special place with its own rhythm and atmosphere.
You will sail into Longyearbyen on the last morning after breakfast, we clean and wash the boat, and checking out at 3pm after saying goodbye to your crewmates. You are encouraged to stay until the next day in local accommodation to meet for a farewell dinner in Longyearbyen.
The program
The program may change according to weather and conditions, but the itinerary gives an indication of how the days will be spent. Every day starts with a good breakfast and a packed lunch will be made before going ashore. Some days dinner will be eaten straight after skiing while other days you will eat a little when you return to the boat, and then sail on before eating a late dinner. According to forecast and preference of you and your crew, time can be spent fishing, sailing and exploring.
Ski kit
Skis and boots
Sailing boots
Trainers/ deck shoes (no black soled shoes please – they mark the deck)
Waterproof sailing kit (two sets are recommended. Heavy gear for on-board and lighter kit for trips ashore)
Hat
Balaklava
Sailing gloves – 2 sets
Glove liners
Hand warmers
Hot water bottle
Clothes for on-board and on shore
A small backpack for trips on-shore (30-40 litres)
A water bottle
Thermals, two sets
Thick socks, two sets
Sun glasses (polarized)
Sun cream – SPF50+
Small quick dry towel
Swimming kit
USB cord to charge your phone
Cash
Warm sleeping bag
Head torch
Sailing knife
Passport
Printed out Insurance details
Any medication you require
