Cruise along the pack-ice of North Spitsbergen for a great chance of spotting Polar Bears. You'll sail into beautiful fjords found on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a fantastically beautiful fjord crested with spectacular glaciers and home to Ringed and Bearded Seals. The shorelines and cliffs support thriving seabird colonies that in turn provide fertilizer that supports a surprisingly rich array of vegetation.
Arctic & Alaska
North Spitsbergen – Arctic Spring
8 Days aboard Rembrandt Van Rijn. From USD $3,750pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- A chance to spot polar bears, bearded seals, seabird colonies
- Discover the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration
- Explore the majestic cliff of Tempet with spectacular mountains
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen and embark ship
- Day 2: Visit Alkhornet
- Day 3-4: Sail north towards Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden
- Day 5: Cutting south between West Spitsbergen and Prins Karls Forland
- Day 6-7: Venture into Ymerbukta and go on shore near the cliff of Tempet
- Day 8: Disembark in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen
After arriving in Longyearbyen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration In the evening we sail, setting course for Trygghamna where we will see the remains of a 17th century English whaling station.
Day 2: Visit Alkhornet
From Trygghamna we walk to Alkhornet a large seabird cliff, where the birds are prospecting their breeding places. Below the cliffs is a den of Arctic Fox, and Reindeer graze on the lush vegetation. In Forlandsundet we visit a haul out place of Walrus at Poolepynten if sea conditions allows, or at Sarstangen.
Day 3-4: Sail north towards Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden
This morning the ship will head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the crags and slopes still blanketed with snow. Here there are rich opportunities for snowshoeing – we provide the snowshoes – and visiting places of historic interest: Ny London, where you can see the remains of early 20th century marble mining, and Ny Ålesund, the northernmost community in the world.
There are also research stations and the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge, which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaska in 1926. Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary here.
Day 5: Cutting south between West Spitsbergen and Prins Karls Forland
Cutting south between the main island of west Spitsbergen and Prins Karls Forland, you may encounter walruses at Poolepynten, a common haul-out site. You also have views of St. Johnsfjorden, near Gaffelbreen. The winter ice may not have loosened its grip on the water here, and seals (ringed and bearded) could be numerous in the area.
Day 6-7: Venture into Ymerbukta and go on shore near the cliff of Tempet
Re-enter Isfjorden today and venture into Ymerbukta, possibly embarking on a walk in this mountainous area. Here you will find an expansive tundra with its own avifauna (depending on when spring arrives) as well as spectacular geological formations along the coast. Further northeast, near Ekmanfjorden, there is a chance for another hike. Common to this area are myriad glaciers that terminate near or in the sea. In Gipsvika , you can go on shore near the cliff of Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from the Upper Carboniferous period – around 290 million years ago.
Day 8: Disembark in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport
The ship will arrive in Longyearbyen this morning where where you will disembark and transfer to the airport for your outbound flight.
- Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen
- Day 2: Visit Alkhornet
- Day 3-4: Sail north towards Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden
- Day 5: Cutting south between West Spitsbergen and Prins Karls Forland
- Day 6-7: Venture into Ymerbukta and go on shore near the cliff of Tempet
- Day 8: Disembark in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport
Next Departure Date: 22 May 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 May 2025 - 29 May 2025 | USD$3750pp | ||
| Triple Private Porthole | USD$3750pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Private Inside Cabin | USD$4000pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Private Porthole Cabin | USD$4700pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple Private Porthole
One porthole window, one upper/lower berth, one lower berth, private shower and toilet, and ample storage space.
Twin Private Inside Cabin
One upper/lower berth, private shower and toilet, and ample storage space.
Twin Private Porthole Cabin
One porthole window, one upper/lower berth, private shower and toilet, and ample storage space.
Rembrandt Van Rijn Deckplan
Specifications
- Registered: Vanuatu
- Length: 49.5 metres
- Breadth: 6.65 metres
- Draft: 2.8 metres
- Ice Class: Enforced bow
- Displacement: 435 tons
- Propulsion: 2 Cummins / 550KW
- Average cruising speed: 6.5 knots
- Passengers: 33 in 16 cabins
- Crew: 10 + 2 guides
- Refurbished: 2011
Whats included?
- On-board accommodation
- Port taxes
- Transfers for passengers on group flights to/from Longyearbyen
- Activities/shore excursions as specified
- Lectures and presentations by expedition leaders and naturalist staff
- All meals during the voyage
- Free internet: daily allowance of 1.5 GB of free internet connectivity
What’s not included?
- International and internal airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Arctic
Viking history, Inuit villages and an abundance of wildlife are just some of the wonders you’ll discover in the Arctic. You’ll be amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds you. Search for Polar Bears while cruising through breathtaking fjords or around the nature lovers dream, Spitsbergen.
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