Arctic · From 8 Days
Spitsbergen Highlights
Wildlife Capital of the Arctic
Starts from $9,890 USD
$8,631 USD
- Starting from
- Helsinki, Finland
- Ships
- Ultramarine
- Departures
- 1 Departure between June 2027 to July 2027
From $9,890 USD
$ 8,631 USD
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Expedition Overview
Pack all the excitement of an epic Arctic expedition into one adventure-packed week. This rocky island is crowned with mountains, glaciers, towering cliffs, and fjords that host thriving, diverse ecosystems. Our 8-day Spitsbergen Highlights: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic lets you experience as much of the Svalbard wilderness as possible. Our expert guides will maximize opportunities for you to spot walruses, Arctic birds, reindeer, polar bears and other iconic Arctic creatures while Zodiac cruising, hiking and kayaking.
Highlights
Spot iconic Arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus and reindeer
Enjoy all the adventures of an Arctic expedition in just one week
Cruise in a Zodiac to explore glaciers, fjords, icebergs and more
Hike the colorful tundra with expert guides
Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Arctic with an optional kayaking adventure.
Select Your Season & Itinerary
Select Season
Helsinki, Finland
8 Days · Ultramarine
Starts from $8,631 USD
Select Itinerary
Helsinki, Finland
8 Days · Ultramarine
Starts from $8,631 USD
8 Days – From Helsinki, Finland on Ultramarine (Season 2027)
Itinerary Activities
-
Included Activities
Hiking, Photography, Polar Plunge, Presentations, Science and Discovery, Zodiac Cruising -
Adventure Options
Sea Kayaking, Paddling Excursion
Day By Day & Map
-
Day 1
Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
Arrive in the Finnish capital and make your way to the group hotel located right at Helsinki airport. (The hotel is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.) You will have the rest of the day to explore explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District. If you do plan to visit Helsinki city center, take advantage of the convenient, 40-minute rail service from the airport.
-
Day 2
Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and embark
This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter f light to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement.
-
Day 3 to 6
Exploring Svalbard
You’ll sail around the shores of this magical archipelago, constantly searching for natural wonders. Covering western Spitsbergen, your expedition will afford ample opportunities to view immense glaciers, deep fjords, soaring mountains and unique flora and fauna. Sailing north into Krossfjorden, have your camera handy, ready to capture some of the best glacier calving in Spitsbergen. Deep in the fjord, the highly active Lilliehöök Glacier awaits. Listen in awe to the growling as big chunks break off into the icy waters below. A Zodiac excursion to nearby Ny-London, an abandoned mining settlement, provides an ideal place for a guided walk. Sightings of wildlife, such as the endemic Svalbard reindeer, might be possible here. After cruising overnight, wake up to the stunning sight of the magnificent Monaco Glacier, another prolific iceberg producing glacier. To make this even more thrilling, help your Expedition Team to scan the shorelines and ice edge for marine mammals. Possible landing sites include Texas Bar, Worsleyneset and Alicehamna. At Smeerenburg you can see the remains of an abandoned settlement that was established by Dutch whalers nearly 400 years ago. Here, at what was once one of Europe’s most northerly outposts, you’ll have time to explore ashore and learn about Spitsbergen’s whaling history. Afterwards, cruising to Magdalenefjorden rewards you with panoramic vistas of snow-capped mountains and massive glaciers reflected in the crystal-clear waters. We hope to round out the day in Alkhornet, taking in the towering cliffs teeming with nesting seabirds, such as fulmars and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Sightings of reindeer are possible here too. Later, in the evening, swap stories with your shipmates and crew one last time, at the captain’s farewell dinner.
-
Day 7
Disembark in Longyearbyen and fly to Helsinki
Our adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package. Upon arrival in Helsinki, you’ll transfer to your included hotel for the night.
-
Day 8
Onward flight home
After breakfast, you can make your way to the airport for your onward f light home, or stay to explore Finland’s culturally-rich capital on your own if you’ve made prior arrangements.
Details for Selected Itinerary
-
Included Activities
Hiking, Photography, Polar Plunge, Presentations, Science and Discovery, Zodiac Cruising -
Adventure Options
Sea Kayaking, Paddling Excursion
What’s Included & Excluded
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible.)
- Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
- Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data-intensive applications.) Note: Internet access in the polar regions is subject to geography, climate, and other factors beyond our control.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Transfers between Longyearbyen town center, port, and airport on embarkation and disembarkation day.
- Charter Flight & Hotel Package*
- International airfare
- Arrival and departure transfers in Helsinki
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, spa and other personal charges unless specified
- Phone charges may vary by location • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
Charter Flight and Hotel Package
Package valued at $1,495 USD is included in the expedition
- Pre- and post-expedition hotel nights at Helsinki airport hotel, with breakfast
- Charter flight from Helsinki to Longyearbyen
- Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen
- Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Helsinki
8 Days – From Helsinki, Finland on Ultramarine (Season 2027)
8 Days – From Helsinki, Finland on Ultramarine (Season 2027)
-
Day 1
Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
Arrive in the Finnish capital and make your way to the group hotel located right at Helsinki airport. (The hotel is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.) You will have the rest of the day to explore explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District. If you do plan to visit Helsinki city center, take advantage of the convenient, 40-minute rail service from the airport.
-
Day 2
Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and embark
This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter f light to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement.
-
Day 3 to 6
Exploring Svalbard
You’ll sail around the shores of this magical archipelago, constantly searching for natural wonders. Covering western Spitsbergen, your expedition will afford ample opportunities to view immense glaciers, deep fjords, soaring mountains and unique flora and fauna. Sailing north into Krossfjorden, have your camera handy, ready to capture some of the best glacier calving in Spitsbergen. Deep in the fjord, the highly active Lilliehöök Glacier awaits. Listen in awe to the growling as big chunks break off into the icy waters below. A Zodiac excursion to nearby Ny-London, an abandoned mining settlement, provides an ideal place for a guided walk. Sightings of wildlife, such as the endemic Svalbard reindeer, might be possible here. After cruising overnight, wake up to the stunning sight of the magnificent Monaco Glacier, another prolific iceberg producing glacier. To make this even more thrilling, help your Expedition Team to scan the shorelines and ice edge for marine mammals. Possible landing sites include Texas Bar, Worsleyneset and Alicehamna. At Smeerenburg you can see the remains of an abandoned settlement that was established by Dutch whalers nearly 400 years ago. Here, at what was once one of Europe’s most northerly outposts, you’ll have time to explore ashore and learn about Spitsbergen’s whaling history. Afterwards, cruising to Magdalenefjorden rewards you with panoramic vistas of snow-capped mountains and massive glaciers reflected in the crystal-clear waters. We hope to round out the day in Alkhornet, taking in the towering cliffs teeming with nesting seabirds, such as fulmars and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Sightings of reindeer are possible here too. Later, in the evening, swap stories with your shipmates and crew one last time, at the captain’s farewell dinner.
-
Day 7
Disembark in Longyearbyen and fly to Helsinki
Our adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package. Upon arrival in Helsinki, you’ll transfer to your included hotel for the night.
-
Day 8
Onward flight home
After breakfast, you can make your way to the airport for your onward f light home, or stay to explore Finland’s culturally-rich capital on your own if you’ve made prior arrangements.
Explore Activities
Activities vary by itinerary, ship, destination and are subject to weather conditions. Checkout our Itineraries to explore what’s included in each voyage.
Expedition Ships
Possible Excursions
When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. The following sites are a sample of what you may experience on your expedition, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, helicopter, or shore landing.
Svalbard
Svalbard
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Lilliehöök Glacier
In 2005, nearly 100 years after his great- great-grandfather conducted scientific investigations here, Prince Albert II of Monaco returned to Lilliehöök Glacier to further our understanding of the Arctic clam, a species that lives for more than a century. Here, you can take a Zodiac cruise amid labyrinths of sparkling icebergs, and witness breathtaking panoramas of ice. You may even spot bearded seals hauled out on the floes.
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Longyearbyen
Home to 2,400 people, the administrative capital of Svalbard is situated on the southern side of Adventfjord.The settlement was founded in 1905 by John Munroe Longyear, the majority owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. Today as much as ever, this is a true frontier town.
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Monaco Glacier
Prince Albert I of Monaco, a pioneer of oceanography, led an expedition to Svalbard in 1906. His team used sophisticated photographic techniques to understand the shape and position of several glacier fronts. Monaco Glacier honors the expedition, the prince and the principality over which he reigned. While touring the glacier front by Zodiac cruise, listen to the crackle and pop of the brash ice, search for seals and have a chance to admire a natural sculpture gallery.
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Moffen Island
This island is designated as a protected sanctuary for walrus, which are best viewed from the water—have your cameras ready!
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Worsleyneset
Worsleyneset is a colorful tundra- covered island with flora boasting such unique names as moss campion (a bright green cushion plant dappled in pink flowers), saxifrage and Arctic mouse- eared chickweed. The island is a pleasure to explore.
Your Life Onboard
This is polar exploration at its finest. Our ships are intimate, luxurious floating hotels, packed with exciting experiences.
Enjoy panoramic views while you mingle in our comfy lounges, or head outside and chat with fellow adventurers on the wraparound deck. Our social spaces foster connections & shared experiences.
Engage with world-class experts in our auditorium. Presentations cover wildlife, history, marine biology, ecology, & geology, to enhance your polar knowledge & excitement for exploration.
Enjoy onboard amenities, attend lectures, or watch for wildlife from our observation decks. Sea days offer a perfect blend of education, relaxation, and anticipation.
Find tranquility in our well-stocked library, perfect for reading or quiet contemplation. The glass-domed Observation Lounge offers a peaceful retreat to reflect & enjoy awe-inspiring polar views.
Prepare for off-ship excursions in our spacious mudroom. Kayak, paddleboard, or take a plunge in polar waters. Stay active onboard with our gym, outdoor track, and pool facilities.
Know Before You Go
For your personal safety—and to ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your polar adventure—please assess your mobility and medical requirements before booking. It is essential that guests have a high level of mobility to get in and out of Zodiac boats, and for off-ship activities such as hiking on uneven terrain. Our destinations are remote. Apart from our basic ship infirmary, it could take up to 72 hours to reach adequate medical facilities. For more details to help you assess your mobility and medical requirements before booking your voyage, please review Health & Safety.
Some of our expeditions have included transfers and these will be detailed in your Invoice and Trip Brochure.
Please note that if you have an airport transfer included in your trip, it is only available if you arrive on Day 1 of the itinerary. Please ensure your flight information on your Passenger Forms is up to date so our ground crew know when to expect you. There will be someone with a sign in Arrivals waiting for you. Please look for them and they will direct you to our group shuttle.
If you do not have included transfers, or you are arriving before Day 1, you will need to make your own way to the hotel. Most airports we travel in and out of have good taxi ranks in the Arrivals area, or you can often prebook a transfer online.
Packing is an exciting part of the trip for many of us. You will find a handy packing list towards the end of your Trip Brochure. You will have received a copy of this when you first booked. We also have two excellent videos, which you can check out here: What to Pack
Our Protection Promise allows you to make a purchase decision that will leave you worry-free in the event your plans change down the road. Please review details for each term in our Quark Expeditions Protection Promise.
Whether you are thinking of an expedition, or you’ve booked the trip of a lifetime with Quark Expeditions, review all our FAQs for comprehensive tips to help you prepare for the Polar Regions and how to make the most out of your voyage with the most experienced expedition team in the industry. If your specific question isn’t covered below, please reach out to your Polar Travel Advisor or helpful Client Experience Team at guest@quarkexpeditions.com.