Join an extraordinary adventure in the magical wildernesses of Svalbard!
In July and the beginning of August, it is summer in Svalbard. The midnight sun reigns supreme and the purple saxifrage decorates the slopes. The ice is slowly starting to loosen its grip, which offers good opportunities to explore the seldom visited eastern parts of the archipelago. Whales are more frequently seen in the waters and more and more snowfree areas become accessible for longer walks.
Autumn arrive in late August. The tundra is shifting in autumn colours and the midnight sun is getting closer and closer sun is closer to the horizon, preparing for the polar night, giving us beautiful sunsets and a warm light, perfect for photography.
With ten nights on board we have plenty of time for grand nature experiences.
Arctic & Alaska
Expedition Svalbard
Overview
Book by 31st May 2025
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the spectacular fjords lined with snow-covered mountains and beautiful glaciers
- Visit the island of Nordaustlandet and pass through magnificent landscapes, vast tundra and the chance to encounter walruses, arctic foxes and svalbard reindeers.
- Look out for polar bears and bearded seals often resting on the fjord ice in Hornsund
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
- Day 2-11: Expedition Svalbard
- Day 12: Disembark in Longyearbyen
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: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2-11: Expedition Svalbard
We are now in a part of the world where we are totally dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our ambition is to make landings or cruises every day with our Zodiacs. Here are some examples of places we may visit:
Northwest Spitsbergen
The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. Two other courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site.
Magnificent fjords
Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords. During our journey we will explore a few of them such as: Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and here we hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pinkfooted geese nest in the area. In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity.
Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellet
If the ice allows we enter Hinlopen Strait. Here is Alkefjellet, an impressive, basaltic cliff, which is the home to an estimated 200 000 Brünnich’s guillemots. We may also continue into the beautiful bay Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet.
Eastern Svalbard
The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by an enormous ice cap and fascinates naturalists as well as historians. There are huge glacier fronts here, intersected by hundreds of waterfalls. Barentsøya and Edgeøya offer magnificent landscapes and vast tundra. Chances to encounter walruses, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer are good here.
Southwest Spitsbergen
The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day we can see the summit of the highest mountain Hornsundtind, measuring 1431 meters. Hornsund is a favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals are often seen resting on the fjord ice.
Day 12: Disembark in Longyearbyen
Early morning we disembark our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Jul 2025 - 13 Jul 2025 | NZD$16278pp | ||
| Triple Cabin | NZD$16278pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Cabin | NZD$19796pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Plus Cabin | NZD$20907pp | Contact us | |
| Double Cabin | NZD$20907pp | Contact us | |
| Double Superior Cabin | NZD$22759pp | Contact us | |
| Owner's Cabin | NZD$24611pp | Contact us | |
| 12 Jul 2025 - 23 Jul 2025 | NZD$16278pp | ||
| 22 Jul 2025 - 02 Aug 2025 | NZD$16278pp | ||
| 11 Aug 2025 - 22 Aug 2025 | NZD$16278pp | ||
| 21 Aug 2025 - 01 Sep 2025 | NZD$16278pp | ||
| 18 Jun 2026 - 29 Jun 2026 | NZD$16278pp |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple Cabin
Located on deck 3, 2 lower berths, 1 upper berth, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, window, desk, chair, storage space.
Twin Cabin
Located on deck 3, 2 single beds, private bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, window, desk, chair, storage space.
Twin Plus Cabin
Located on deck 3, 2 single beds, private bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, window, desk, chair, storage space.
(no twin plus cabin image available)
Double Cabin
Located on deck 3, double bed, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, window, desk, chair, storage space.
Double Superior Cabin
Located on deck 3 and 4, large double bed, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, window, desk, chair, storage space, TV, DVD player.
Owner's Cabin
Located on deck 3 and 4, large double bed, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, window, desk, armchairs, storage space, TV, DVD-Player, minibar.
Superior - Twin Cabin
Private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, window, desk, chair, storage space.
M/S Quest Deckplan
Specifications
- Built: 1992, refurbished in 2018
- Length: 50m
- Breadth: 11m
- Draft: 3.5m
- Engines: MAN / B & W, 1470 KW
- Ice Class: 1D (1B hull)
- Speed: 10-12 knots
- Displacement: 1,180 tonnes
- Guests: 50
- Registration: Bahamas
Whats included?
- 10 nights on board M/S Quest
- All meals on board
- Coffee and tea
- An experienced Expedition Leader and knowledgeable guides
- Guiding ashore and talks on board
- All excursions and activities
- Comprehensive information material before the expedition
- The trip is climate compensated
What’s not included?
- Flight to/from Longyearbyen
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew
- Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges
Notes
Please note: Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximize your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
Flights
We offer climate compensated group flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen with return (limited availability). Contact us for more information!
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
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