Arctic
78° 13′ N 15° 37′ E
Land Of The Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration of Arctic Svalbard
Highlights
Search for polar bears and walrus alongside our veteran spotters
Explore under the midnight sun and take advantage of spectacular photo ops with tips from a National Geographic Photography Expert
Sail up to rock-wall rookeries teeming with thousands of birds, see pelagic birds from the ship’s rail when we’re underway, and Zodiac cruise near a cloud of feeding arctic terns
Actively explore––kayak, Zodiac cruise, hike, and walk
Hike the spongy tundra in search of reindeer, Arctic fox, and a variety of endemic plants
Day by Day
Multiple routes available
Some departures follow a modified itinerary. Please refer to departure dates for exact routing of your departure.
2023 Expedition
Longyearbyen, Norway
Longyearbyen, Norway
Days 1-2
U.S. / Oslo, Norway
Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight. Arrive in Oslo, the capital city, where each year the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in the presence of the King of Norway. Check in to the Hotel Bristol (or similar). After lunch, our introduction to Oslo begins with a stroll among the famed Vigeland sculptures—hundreds of life-size human figures set in terraced Frogner Park. Next we visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to Norwegian explorers Nansen and Amundsen. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.
Days 1-2
U.S. / Oslo, NorwayDepart the U.S. on an overnight flight. Arrive in Oslo, the capital city, where each year the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in the presence of the King of Norway. Check in to the Hotel Bristol (or similar). After lunch, our introduction to Oslo begins with a stroll among the famed Vigeland sculptures—hundreds of life-size human figures set in terraced Frogner Park. Next we visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to Norwegian explorers Nansen and Amundsen. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.
Day 3
Oslo / Longyearbyen / Embark Ship
Depart Oslo on a charter flight and enjoy breathtaking vistas enroute to Longyearbyen. On arrival, visit the Svalbard Museum to learn the story of Svalbard and its context in Norway and the Arctic, from 17th-century whaling to modern mining, research and tourism. Embark National Geographic Endurance or National Geographic Resolution, your base for the next six days.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Oslo / Longyearbyen / Embark ShipDepart Oslo on a charter flight and enjoy breathtaking vistas enroute to Longyearbyen. On arrival, visit the Svalbard Museum to learn the story of Svalbard and its context in Norway and the Arctic, from 17th-century whaling to modern mining, research and tourism. Embark National Geographic Endurance or National Geographic Resolution, your base for the next six days.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 4-9
Exploring Svalbard
Our travel in the archipelago is truly exploratory by design, and our exact day-to-day movements will remain flexible, depending on local conditions.
Our main focus is the search for Svalbard’s amazing wildlife: polar bear, reindeer and walrus. Observe seals and arctic foxes and search for the very symbol of the Arctic—majestic polar bears. Cruise in Svalbard’s fjords, venture to the foot of stunning tidewater glaciers. We take our Zodiacs and kayaks among beautiful icebergs, and experience the geology, wildlife and wildflowers that give color and vitality to the High Arctic.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 4-9
Exploring SvalbardOur travel in the archipelago is truly exploratory by design, and our exact day-to-day movements will remain flexible, depending on local conditions.
Our main focus is the search for Svalbard’s amazing wildlife: polar bear, reindeer and walrus. Observe seals and arctic foxes and search for the very symbol of the Arctic—majestic polar bears. Cruise in Svalbard’s fjords, venture to the foot of stunning tidewater glaciers. We take our Zodiacs and kayaks among beautiful icebergs, and experience the geology, wildlife and wildflowers that give color and vitality to the High Arctic.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10
Longyearbyen / Disembark Ship / Oslo
Disembark in Longyearbyen, meet up with a local guide and take a short bus ride to Camp Barentz in the nearby Advent Valley for a taste of Arctic culture. Here, you’ll discover a unique collection of buildings including an authentic gamme, a traditional round building with an open fire in the center, and a lavvo, the traditional tent of the Sami people. Enjoy refreshments and meet some of the friendly sled dog huskies that reside at camp. Fly back to Oslo and overnight at the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10
Longyearbyen / Disembark Ship / OsloDisembark in Longyearbyen, meet up with a local guide and take a short bus ride to Camp Barentz in the nearby Advent Valley for a taste of Arctic culture. Here, you’ll discover a unique collection of buildings including an authentic gamme, a traditional round building with an open fire in the center, and a lavvo, the traditional tent of the Sami people. Enjoy refreshments and meet some of the friendly sled dog huskies that reside at camp. Fly back to Oslo and overnight at the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11
Oslo
After breakfast, proceed to the airport for flights home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 11
OsloAfter breakfast, proceed to the airport for flights home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
Dates & Rates
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Ships
National Geographic Endurance
Guests
138
Cabins
76
The most advanced ice-class expedition ship afloat offering unprecedented access to polar regions
The first new polar build in Lindblad’s 50-year history, National Geographic Endurance is named to honor explorer Ernest Shackleton and his legendary Transantarctic Expedition. A fully-stabilized vessel of ice class PC5 Category A, she will enable adventurous guests to go where few have or can. National Geographic Endurance’s most striking exterior feature is her distinctive profile, the patented X-Bow®, a game-changing design that guarantees the smoothest, most comfortable ride in all kinds of conditions; and since it eliminates bow impact, a quieter ride, as well.
National Geographic Resolution
Guests
138
Cabins
76
The sister ship to National Geographic Endurance, she explores polar & temperate regions
One of two new ships expressly built for polar waters, National Geographic Resolution is named to honor the second voyage of the legendary Captain James Cook. A fully-stabilized vessel with ice class PC5, Category A, she will enable adventurous guests to go where few have or can. National Geographic Resolution’s most striking exterior feature is her distinctive profile, the patented X-Bow®, a game-changing design that guarantees the smoothest, most comfortable ride in all kinds of conditions—and, since it eliminates bow impact, a quieter ride as well.
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Expedition Team
Over 50+ years of exploring, Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff and the quality companionship they provide has established the company’s reputation. From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff.
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Sail to the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, one of the best places on the planet to see polar bears in their native habitat. Over the past 50+ years, our ace spotters have given our guests multiple opportunities to experience close sightings. In addition to the bears, we’ll be on the lookout for walrus, reindeer, elusive arctic foxes, fur seals, and numerous species of birds. The archipelago offers unique hikes, with artful, sculptural arrangements of whale bones on pebbled beaches and the ghostly remains of trapper’s huts.
From
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/ per person
Does not include flight
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View our brochures for more details
Breathtaking photos and details on expeditions—view online or by mail for free
Talk to an Expedition Specialist
+1.800.397.3348From
$12,350
/ per person
View our brochures for more details
Breathtaking photos and details on expeditions—view online or by mail for free
From
$12,350
/ per person
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
View our brochures for more details
Breathtaking photos and details on expeditions—view online or by mail for free