SPITSBERGEN EXPLORATION Polar bear lands

Depart Oslo on the flight selected by Exploris to Spitsbergen (approx. 3hrs flight).

Arrival in Longyearbyen, home to over 2,000 inhabitants and the capital of Spitsbergen, which translates as "town of Longyear" (a coal industrialist) and is pronounced - longg-yeur-buenn.

Airport welcome, photo stop at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, then a visit to the remarkable Svalbard Museum or the Polar Expedition Museum, before returning to the port of Longyearbyen.

Boarding ofExploris One.
Longyearbyen offers a perfect transition between the modern world and the wilderness, just like your ship, a cozy cocoon whose decks and balconies offer beautiful panoramic views of Isfjorden

Although wilderness reigns supreme in Spitsbergen, humans are not absent. Teams of scientists are necessary inhabitants of Spitsbergen. Their stations are spread across the archipelago, both at theUniversity of Svalbard and at the national institutes (Norwegian, French, English) in the village of Ny Ålesund.

The Arctic is recognized as a "climate sentinel", where researchers are tracking the impact of global warming on the polar environment. In addition to biologists and glaciologists, astrophysicists also work here, thanks to the absence of light pollution during the polar night. We admire their passion, which keeps them in total darkness for six months, ten degrees from the pole but much lower on the thermometer!

Program as a guide. We've outlined above a possible program, adjusted from day to day to take advantage of any unexpected encounters or changing weather conditions.

Welcome to Baie de la Madeleine, on Norway's Spitsbergen archipelago! This remote and breathtaking site is a true Arctic treasure, offering wild landscapes and incredible biodiversity. When you arrive, you'll be amazed by majestic glaciers, sheer cliffs and vast expanses of tundra.

Take a zodiac excursion to explore the icy waters and get up close to the towering glaciers. You may be lucky enough to spot polar bears, reindeer and a variety of seabirds in their natural habitat. Photography enthusiasts will be delighted by the opportunities to capture these unique moments.

For the adventurous, a guided hike will allow you to explore the surrounding area and discover the local flora and fauna. Spitsbergen's Baie de la Madeleine is an unforgettable stopover, offering total immersion in the raw beauty and tranquility of the Arctic.

Program for guidance only. The above is a possible program, adjusted day by day to take advantage of any unexpected encounters or changing weather conditions.

A day in Spitsbergen is a day of ice. Every fjord has its own glacier, the sheer size of which is breathtaking, even from a distance, from the decks of our ship. It's all the more exhilarating when a zodiac outing brings us close to a glacier front, while keeping us at a safe distance so that such giants can roar and growl without endangering us.

One of these behemoths bears a name that makes us smile: the Monaco Glacier evokes a gentle way of life in mild climates, rather than the harshness of the nature that surrounds us at the moment. The name is a tribute to the fervent oceanographer Albert I, prince of this micro-State. The lucky man made four trips to Svalbard. If only we could match him!

A propitious time for discovery, the polar summer once attracted ships with less peaceful intentions than those ofExploris One.
In Texas Bar, old huts evoke centuries of Spitsbergen's inclination for nature. The expedition team's historians describe how, as early as the 16th century, whalers and trappers decimated cetaceans, walruses and birds for their blubber, ivory and down, respectively. Later, coal became a coveted commodity.

The program is indicative. The above is a possible program, adjusted from day to day to take advantage of any unexpected encounters or changing weather conditions.

The Arctic is a condensation of energy, with only summer available for life to be reborn before the rigors of winter return. What can we do about it? Well, start by limiting growth to the strict minimum. Here, we call plants 5 cm tall trees, because they are, saving on every unnecessary effort. Because growing taller only to fall prey to the icy wind? No, thanks. Oxyria, cochlearia and confused alfalfa do the same, and although they're short, they make up a rich tundra.

Circumnavigating Spitsbergen offers a glimpse of other islands, Nordaustlandet, Barentsøya or Edgeøya. Narrow inlets separate them, sometimes encumbered by sea ice, even in summer.

Such is the case of theHinlopen Strait, between Spitzbergen and Nordaustlandet. The beluga, the famous white whale, can swim in peace, while birds nest in colonies of breathtaking size... and sound: what a stunning effect the 60,000 pairs of thick-billed murres onAlkefjellet, the aptly named "penguin mountain", must produce!

The beaches, whether dark sand or gray pebbles, also have their users: herds of walruses piled in fragrant heaps, or rare but delightful polar foxes frolicking among the driftwood.

Program for guidance only. The above is a possible program, adjusted day by day to take advantage of any unexpected encounters or changing weather conditions.

Freemanbreen Fjord, a marvel of Spitsbergen, Norway! This enchanting fjord, bordered by rugged mountains and imposing glaciers, offers a unique immersion in the heart of the Arctic. Upon arrival, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking beauty and tranquility of this exceptional place.

Sail a zodiac through the icy waters to get up close to the Freemanbreen Glacier, a breathtaking natural spectacle. Nature lovers can observe seals, walruses and a variety of seabirds in their natural habitat.

For an even more immersive adventure, take a guided hike through the wild landscapes of the Arctic tundra, where every step reveals a new facet of this unspoilt region. Freemanbreen Fjord promises a memorable stopover, combining natural discoveries with moments of serenity in the heart of the Arctic.

Program for information only. The above is a possible program, adjusted day by day to take advantage of any unexpected encounters or changing weather conditions.

Welcome to Glacier Storfjorden, a natural gem in the heart of Norway's majestic fjords! This spectacular glacier, surrounded by towering mountains and breathtaking scenery, is a true wonder of nature. When you arrive, you'll be immediately struck by the grandeur and pristine beauty of this site.

Take a boat trip to get up close to the glacier, where you can observe the impressive ice formations and hear the cracking sound of ice breaking off and falling into the water. Photography enthusiasts will find incredible opportunities to capture the splendor of this unique landscape.

For the more adventurous, a guided hike will allow you to explore the surrounding area and learn more about the geology and history of the region. A visit to Glacier Storfjorden is an unforgettable experience, offering a glimpse into the raw power and timeless beauty of nature.

The program is indicative. The above is a possible program, adjusted day by day to take advantage of any unexpected encounters or changing weather conditions.

This spectacular fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and majestic glaciers, offers a unique window on unspoilt wilderness.

Watch for colonies of seals basking on the ice floes and polar bears foraging for food. Seabirds, such as kittiwakes and guillemots, populate the steep cliffs, adding a special charm to this grandiose landscape.

The program is indicative only. The above is a possible program, adjusted day by day to take advantage of any unexpected encounters or changing weather conditions.

The Arctic quickly reveals itself to us as a condensation of life, where living creatures complete their reproductive cycle in just three short months.

How do they do it? For example, by not wasting energy growing too much: trees are content with 5 cm, and that's enough for their annual renewal. As we listen to our naturalists name the different plants of the tundra - oxyria, cochlearia, confused alfalfa - we get a taste of the poetry of this wild world.

And what an adventure it is to come here to nest with over 160 species of birds in massive colonies! In Bellsund, for example, the cliffs are covered with the nests of dwarf mergulas... which are nonetheless capable of forming a giant colony: 2 million of them flock to Svalbard every summer.

Program for guidance only. The above is a possible program, adjusted from day to day to take advantage of any unexpected encounters or changing weather conditions.

Templefjorden, located in Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago, is a spectacular fjord offering a breathtaking panorama of rugged mountains and majestic glaciers. Its name, inspired by the Temple Mountain rock formation, evokes natural architectural grandeur.

In summer, the clear waters and green landscapes attract hikers and kayakers, while in winter the region transforms into an icy paradise, ideal for snowmobile expeditions and sightings of Arctic wildlife such as reindeer and seals. Templefjorden is a popular destination for those seeking to discover the raw, unspoilt beauty of the High Arctic.

The program is indicative only. The above is a possible program, adjusted day by day to take advantage of any unexpected encounters or changing weather conditions.

Disembark after breakfast, and transfer to Longyearbyen airport for your selected EXPLORIS Longyearbyen-Oslo flight in economy class.