Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway (2026)
Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway (2026)
Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway (2026)
11 Days Starting and ending in Helsinki, Finland
Visiting: Helsinki, Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Tour operator:
Tour code:
POW6
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 199
Age range:
18-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on the Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway tour in 2026, a thrilling adventure that takes you beyond the Arctic Circle to 80° north. Begin your journey in Helsinki, Finland, before flying to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, where you'll board a small expedition vessel. Accompanied by expert Expedition Staff, you'll explore the icy wilderness through Zodiac and shore excursions, witnessing the majestic landscapes of western Spitsbergen and the Svalbard Archipelago. This region is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering sightings of Arctic foxes, whales, walruses, and vast colonies of Little auks. Keep your camera ready for the iconic polar bears hunting on ice floes. Enjoy the comfort of Polar Adventure Ships, the Ultramarine and Ocean Explorer, with all meals, beer, and house wine during dinner included. This unforgettable journey concludes back in Helsinki, offering a perfect blend of adventure and natural beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start In Helsinki, Finland
Location: Helsinki
Accommodation Name: hotel
Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.
Day 2 : Embarkation Day In Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Location: Longyearbyen
Accommodation Name: Ultramarine or Ocean Explorer
Meals Included: Dinner
This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As theship sets sail, enjoy your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from icy waters.
Day 3 - 9 : Exploring Spitsbergen And The Svalbard Archipelago
Location: Spitsbergen
Accommodation Name: Ultramarine or Ocean Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore western Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords and outlying islands to the north. From polar deserts to immense glaciers, the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife. As we cruise around this magical island located above the Arctic Circle, the Expedition Team will constantly be searching for wildlife. Each expedition presents new opportunities and different weather and ice, so we have no fixed itinerary; however, some of the places we may visit include the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, Phippsøya, Alkhornet and the Hinlopen Strait. The destinations visited will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing with an appreciation of the history and geology of Spitsbergen. The island offers multiple opportunities for wildlife photography. Spotting Polar bears is more likely here than almost anywhere else, as the Svalbard archipelago is one of their preferred hunting areas. The towering cliffs of Alkefjellet provide homes to thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t soon forget. These giant pinnipeds of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline. In Spitsbergen, there is no shortage of natural beauty. The tundra can be surprisingly colourful in summer, with wildflowers bursting for a taste of sunshine. Each day, you’ll see something interesting, whether it is unique Arctic wildlife, a Polar bear resting between hunts, or abandoned sites from centuries ago.
Day 10 : Disembark In Longyearbyen And Fly To Helsinki
Location: Longyearbyen
Meals Included: Breakfast
The time to say goodbye to your Expedition Team and shipmates has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the historic frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your included return group charter flight to Helsinki.
Day 11 : End Helsinki
Location: Helsinki
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you can make your way to the airport for your onward flight home or stay to explore Finland’s culturally rich capital on your own if you’ve made prior arrangements.
What's Included
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All meals while on the ship
All meals are provided while on the ship.
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Beer and house wine during dinner
Beer and house wine are included during dinner.
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All accommodation
All accommodation is included in the tour.
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All transport and listed activities
All transport and listed activities are included in the tour.
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Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
A tour leader and qualified Expedition Staff will accompany you throughout the journey.
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Mandatory transfer package including return flights between Helsinki and Longyearbyen
The mandatory transfer package includes return flights between Helsinki and Longyearbyen.
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Flights from the UK
Flights from the UK can be included upon request.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Single accommodation
Single accommodation is not included but is available on request.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas or vaccinations are not included and must be arranged separately.
Accommodation
The Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway voyage is offered on the Ultramarine and the Ocean Explorer, which are Polar Adventure Ships. These small ice-rated vessels are well qualified for Polar waters, offering intimate adventures with flexible itineraries and activities like Zodiac excursions, trekking, and kayaking.
Food
All meals while on the ship included. Typical Meals The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale. Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal. Lunch: Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ. Dinner: Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes a mandatory transfer package with return flights between Helsinki and Longyearbyen. The journey is aboard small expedition vessels, the Ultramarine and the Ocean Explorer, designed for navigating Polar waters, ensuring a unique and intimate travel experience.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the Svalbard Explorer tour?
During the Svalbard Explorer tour, you can expect to see a variety of Arctic wildlife including polar bears, Arctic foxes, whales, walruses, and large colonies of Little auks. The towering cliffs of Alkefjellet are home to thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots, and the Svalbard archipelago is one of the preferred hunting areas for polar bears.
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What activities are included in the Svalbard Explorer tour?
The Svalbard Explorer tour includes a range of activities such as frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking, and many hours on deck for wildlife viewing and photography. The itinerary is flexible to maximize wildlife sightings and explore the natural beauty of the Arctic.
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What is the accommodation like on the Svalbard Explorer tour?
Accommodation on the Svalbard Explorer tour is provided on the Ultramarine and the Ocean Explorer, which are small ice-rated Polar Adventure Ships. These ships offer intimate adventures with flexible itineraries and activities, and they are equipped with superb food and staff to enhance the travel experience.
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Are meals included during the Svalbard Explorer tour?
Yes, all meals are included while on the ship during the Svalbard Explorer tour. The ship's galley offers a variety of international menus, including vegetarian options, with buffet-style breakfasts, three-course lunches, and three or four-course dinners.
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Is there a possibility to see polar bears during the tour?
Yes, there is a high likelihood of spotting polar bears during the Svalbard Explorer tour, as the Svalbard archipelago is one of their preferred hunting areas.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Terms and Conditions