Svalbard: In Search of Iconic Arctic Wildlife

Upon arrival in Oslo, check in to our hotel in Norway's lively, sophisticated coastal capital. Time permitting, you may wish to explore some of the city on your own. Highlights include the famed Vigeland sculptures—hundreds of life-size human figures set in rolling parkland, and the Fram Museum, named for the restored 19th-century ship on display and dedicated to Norwegian polar explorers Fritjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. The evening is free to try one of the harborside restaurants, or turn in early to rest up after a long stretch of travel.

Depart Oslo on our private chartered flight to Longyearbyen. Located on the island of Spitsbergen, which is the largest in the Svalbard archipelago, Longyearbyen is the administrative center and largest settlement in Svalbard, with about 2,100 residents. A visit to the Svalbard Museum is included to learn more about Svalbard and its context in Norway and the Arctic, from 17th-century whaling to modern mining, research and tourism. Then transfer to the pier to embark one of our two sister ships, the National Geographic Endurance or National Geographic Resolution, which will be our floating base for the next week as we go in search of polar bears and other Arctic wildlife so abundant in Svalbard.

The itinerary for our Arctic adventure is exploratory by design, and our exact day-to-day movements will remain flexible in order to accommodate local conditions and pursue the best wildlife watching in the best locations. We'll spend six exhilarating days cruising among the icebergs that drift along Svalbard's rugged coast, utilizing our onboard fleet of Zodiacs for closer observation along the shoreline, and access land for guided hikes. In spring, conditions may permit us to set foot on the frozen ice directly off the ship.

Our focus each day is polar wildlife, as we cruise among locations where walruses sun themselves, Svalbard reindeer roam, and polar bears forage in the distance. Join spotters on the bridge as you scan the ice floes and islands for these Arctic icons, along with bearded and ringed seals, Arctic fox, and whales at home in these frigid waters, including beluga, fin and minke. There’s no greater thrill than a sighting that brings everyone rushing to the bow for a close-up view.

Cruising in Svalbard's sheltered bays and dramatic fjords, our nimble ship gets close to the face of tidewater glaciers, and we wait for the telltale rumble and crack that signals an explosive calving. Via Zodiac and kayak, examine glittering icebergs at eye level, admiring the blue tones reflected in the ice crystals. Ashore, learn about Svalbard's geology and hardy plant life, including the miniature wildflowers that bloom here later in the summer, providing dots of color in this otherwise monochrome landscape. Throughout this early-season journey, we take advantage of the ever-changing light that creates mesmerizing photography opportunities. Video from the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) carried on board gives a glimpse into the mysterious world that exists a thousand feet below the surface, which we learn about during daily recaps with the ship's multi-talented field staff.

Our Arctic expedition concludes as the National Geographic Endurance or National Geographic Resolution returns to port in Longyearbyen today. From here, fly back to Oslo and transfer to our hotel near the airport.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departing flights.