Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
- Be one of the first guests to travel aboard the state-of-the-art National Geographic Resolution, exploring Svalbard in springtime as the archipelago comes to life.
- Search for wildlife including walruses, bearded and ringed seals, and the legendary creature of the north—the polar bear.
- Glide in a Zodiac beneath tidewater glaciers, and conditions permitting, step on the frozen sea.
- Capture the extended and exceptional golden hour light with expert guidance from a National Geographic photography expert.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Traveling aboard the state-of-the-art National Geographic Resolution, voyage to the far-flung archipelago of Svalbard, where fantastic formations of snow and ice set the stage for a remarkable adventure. As the spring sun rises higher in the Arctic sky each day, we let nature guide our course during this spectacular season. Watch for polar bears return to the spring hunting grounds to coincide with the seals pupping. Capture it all beside National Geographic photography experts or view it from our exclusive polar igloos.
This trip is operated in collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions.
Arrive in Oslo and transfer to our centrally located hotel. In the afternoon, our introduction to Norway begins with a tour of Oslo, including a visit to the Fram Museum, dedicated to the wooden ship sailed by Norwegian pole explorers such as Nansen and Amundsen. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception, followed by dinner at your leisure.
Depart Oslo on a private charter flight and enjoy breathtaking vistas en route to Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in Svalbard. On arrival, visit the Svalbard Museum to learn about the natural and cultural history of Svalbard and the Arctic, from 17th-century whaling to modern scientific research. Longyearbyen is home to a diverse community of scientists from Russia, Germany, Thailand, and beyond, stationed on the island to study the Arctic environment or employed in nearby mining operations. Explore the Gallery Svalbard, home to permanent collections as well as exhibitions of local artists, and stroll down streets lined with colorful houses. Later, settle into comfortable accommodations aboard the National Geographic Resolution.
National Geographic Resolution through Day 9
A high Arctic archipelago between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard is a place of deep fjords, snow-capped mountains, and massive sheets of ice. Our travel in the Svalbard archipelago is exploratory by design; we make the most of our days, keeping a flexible schedule to take advantage of the opportunities that arise. We'll travel aboard the National Geographic Resolution, purpose-built for polar exploration, featuring a panoramic rooftop observation deck and an expedition base with state-of-the-art Zodiac loading bays for rapid response to wildlife sightings. Set out from the ship to search for Svalbard’s amazing wildlife in the water and on the ice. Spot walruses, bearded and ringed seals, and hopefully, the legendary creature of the north—the polar bear. We explore serene fjords in Zodiacs, gliding beneath tidewater glaciers and cruising around beautiful icebergs, and we step right off the ship onto the frozen sea, conditions permitting. Don snowshoes to explore snow-blanketed landscapes in the tradition of history's most intrepid explorers.
As we travel north of the Arctic Circle, our team of experts will bring depth and insight to the experience. Alongside our National Geographic photographer, we take advantage of the incredible, ever-changing light of spring and the exceptional photographic conditions. View the spectacular, extended golden hour inside our exclusive polar igloos. With our seasoned captain, crew, and expedition leader at the helm, we navigate local ice and weather conditions with expertise. Our undersea specialist brings back images of the deep, revealing the marine life beneath the ice, and our experts are always on the lookout for wildlife that may be observed from the deck of the ship
Disembark in Longyearbyen and have a photo op outside the Seed Vault before transferring to the airport. Fly back to Oslo and stay overnight at the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. The next day, walk across the street to the airport for flights home.