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Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage

14 days • No reviews yet

14 days

Start

Helsinki, Finland

Finish

Helsinki, Finland

Trip Code

BQMC

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - null

Physical Rating

Meals

12 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 12 dinners

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, Zodiac

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Expedition cruise ship (12 nights)

From £12,436(14 days)

Trip Informations

Why you’ll love this trip

Uncover the incredible landscape of Spitsbergen, from the quirky northernmost city of Longyearbyen to stunning fjords, towering mountains and impressive glaciers.

Scour sheets of ice and be rewarded with sightings of Arctic foxes, reindeer and the ruler of the Arctic – the polar bear.

Did someone say midnight snack? Because of the time of year, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight, allowing for sightseeing any time of the day, or night!

With a flexible voyage itinerary, you’ll only hit the places which are worthwhile and have the best conditions, as your expert polar team maximises wildlife spotting opportunities each day.

Choose to get even closer to this amazing environment with optional activities like hiking and gliding along pristine waters between icebergs in a sea kayak.

Is this trip right for you?

As you’d expect, temperatures in the Arctic are very cold. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the Essential Trip Information for further important details about what to bring.

Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships also have a lot of stairs.

The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area.

This trip takes places during the time of year that Spitsbergen enjoys 24-hour daylight. Just one of the benefits of this is that incredible wildlife can be seen at any time of the day – be prepared to be woken at any time so as to not miss out on exciting animal sightings.

Polar bears are one of the most incredible and appealing animals on the planet, but they are also powerful predators with little fear of humans. Therefore, it’s necessary to be aware of the guidelines surrounding any contact with Polar bears. Follow your leader’s instructions and do not stray from your group.

Itinerary

DAY 1
Day 1 • Helsinki, Finland
Tervetuloa! Welcome to Helsinki, Finland. Your Arctic adventure begins in Finland’s modern capital, where you may arrive at any time. Once settled in, why not head out and explore the city’s endless array of options? You could visit one (or more) of the many museums, galleries and restaurants on offer, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander through the vibrant Design District. For dinner, perhaps head out in the evening to sample some local, traditional dishes.
Accommodation
(1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Embark
This morning, transfer to the airport and board your private charter flight to Longyearbyen – Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. You may want to visit the Svalbard or North Pole museums to learn more about the local history, or perhaps grab a beer at the Svalbard Brewery if you have time. After boarding the ship, head out on deck to enjoy the great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic town.
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (1 night)
Meals
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 3
Day 3-13 • Exploring Spitsbergen
Your expedition begins by sailing north, exploring Spitsbergen’s coastal fjords and smaller, outlying islands. The plan is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, but if conditions are favourable, you'll also attempt a larger circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago. Each day will be a surprise, treating you to spectacular new sightings and experiences. There are a range of excursions you might embark on, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, helicopter or shore landing.
Accommodation
Expedition Cruise Ship (11 nights)
Meals
Breakfast (11)
Lunch (11)
Dinner (11)
Special information
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.
DAY 4
Day 14 • Disembark in Longyearbyen and Fly to Helsinki
Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, you’ll transfer to the airport for a return group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the transfer package. Your tour ends on arrival at Helsinki airport.
Meals
Breakfast
Special information
This trip will finish at Helsinki Airport. We recommend staying an additional night in Helsinki in case of any flight delays. If you are wanting to book onward flights from Helsinki on this day, please contact your sales agent for further information about the included charter flights arrival time.

Inclusions

Meals

12 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 12 dinners

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, Zodiac

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Expedition cruise ship (12 nights)

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Wednesday Jun 25, 2025

Tuesday Jul 08, 2025

Trip size max: - 1790 spaces left

£14,630£12,436

Tuesday Jun 30, 2026

Tuesday Jul 14, 2026

Trip size max: - 1791 spaces left

£15,615£13,272

Thursday Jul 09, 2026

Thursday Jul 23, 2026

Trip size max: - 1104 spaces left

£19,135£16,264

Important notes

This trip starts and finishes in Helsinki, Finland.

In 2025 this trip is onboard the Ultramarine ship. The duration of the trip is 14 days and the trip will finish at Helsinki Airport.We recommend staying an additional night in Helsinki in case of any flight delays. If you are wanting to book onward flights from Helsinki on this day please contact your sales agent for further information about the included charter flights arrival time.

In 2026 this trip is onboard the Ultramarine ship or the Ocean Explorer ship. The duration of the trip is 15 days including a hotel night in Helsinki on day 14. The "departure and availability" section lists which ship operates each departure.

Your voyage is operated by our polar partner, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

To confirm your reservation, a deposit of 25% (unless indicated otherwise at time of booking) of the total invoice amount is required at time of booking. Balances are due 120 days prior to departure.

Please refer to the "Booking terms and conditions" page on our website for all Quark Expedition terms and conditions,

ADVENTURE OPTIONS

Kayaking and day paddle are available to book on this voyage. Both activities must be booked prior to departure and incurs an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. Some previous, recent experience is essential. Hiking is also offered on some itineraries. This activity is at no additional cost and do not need to be pre-booked. See the itinerary for Adventure options available on this voyage.

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