Day 1 We make our way to Oslo, where we spend the night in a hotel near the airport. 

Day 2 Our morning flight takes us from Oslo up across the Arctic Circle to Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Svalbard archipelago. Here we have a couple of hours to explore, getting our first taste of the Arctic. In the afternoon we board the MV Plancius, our home for the holiday, and set sail.

Days 3-10 As we head out of Isfjorden, the boat will pass over some deeper water, and we will keep our eyes open for our first whales of the trip.

Heading north along the west coast, we expect to sail to Ny Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on earth: Close to the community is a breeding ground for Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese and Arctic Terns.

Depending on the weather we may now sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the 5km long face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwake, and the base of the ice is a popular hunting ground for Polar Bears, providing wonderful opportunities for photography.

The northernmost point of our voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands, at 80 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear inhabit this region, followed by Ivory Gulls, keen to scavenge from the bears’ kill, while Harp Seals and the elusive Bowhead Whale may be found along the edge of the ice.

Heading south into Hinlopen Strait, we’ll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemot. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, we’ll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to Reindeer, Pink-footed Goose, breeding Ivory Gull, and Walrus.

The plan is to sail through Freemansundet, the strait between Barentsøya and Edgeøya, before landing at the mouth of the valley Skjolddalen on West Spitsbergen, four kilometers from an Ivory Gull colony.

Cruising the side fjords of the Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, we will take in the spire-like peaks that give Spitsbergen, ‘the pointed mountains’ its name. There are 14 sizeable glaciers in this area, as well as more opportunities for spotting seals, Polar Bears and perhaps even Beluga Whales.

In the evening of Day 10 we arrive in Longyearbyen.

Day 11 We disembark in Longyearbyen, and have some time in the morning to explore the town and its surroundings, before our transfer to the airport and the flight back to Oslo and, after another night in the airport hotel, return to the UK (Day 12).

Please note that the itinerary may be changed to suit the weather or other practicalities at the discretion of the leaders.

For our Svalbard cruise, we will be travelling aboard the m/v ’Plancius’, a former oceanographic research vessel which was completely rebuilt as a 108-passenger vessel in 2009.

Our accommodation is in twin rooms, en-suite, with a window. Double superior cabins are also available, at a higher price, and there may be single spaces in 4-berth cabins, at a reduced cost: speak to us about the various options/costs.

All meals onboard are included: special diets can be catered for.

Excursions are taken in Zodiacs, small, open, rigid inflatables. Warm rubber boots are provided for the excursions, and it is possible to rent suitable waterproof clothing for the period of the cruise.

In Oslo we will spend two nights in a comfortable hotel close to the airport.

Group flights

Group flights are with with Scandinavian Airlines from London Heathrow to Longyearbyen, with connecting flights in Oslo.

Flight times for 2026 aren’t yet available, but are likely to be similar to 2025:

6th July depart London Heathrow 15.35, arrive Oslo Gardermoen 18.50
7th July depart Oslo Gardermoen 07.05, arrive Longyearbyen 10.00
16th July depart Longyearbyen 16.40, arrive Oslo Gardermoen 19.35
17th July depart Oslo Gardermoen 13.15, arrive London Heathrow 14.35

Overland travel

You can reach Norway by train from the UK, with some route options also involving a ferry. From London you can reach Oslo in one to two nights. There is no regular boat service to Svalbard. Contact us to find out more, and to make your holiday flight-free.

Time zone

Norway is one hour ahead of UK time.

Entry requirements

If you hold a British passport you can travel to countries in the Schengen area (including Norway) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Your passport must be issued less than ten years before the date you enter the country and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.

Starting in 2026 British passport holders will need to apply for the ETIAS European Travel Authorisation to visit Schengen countries. This must be applied for online prior to travel, at a cost of €7 (free for over 70s). Once granted, your ETIAS will be valid for three years.

There may be some rain or snow flurries and it can be windy, although the weather is generally calm and surprisingly mild, with average summer temperatures between –5° and +5° Celsius. You will need good water/wind proofs and warm weather clothing, including thermals for this trip. There is 24 hour daylight in the Arctic summer.

Excursions will be by ‘zodiac’ inflatables, accessed from the ship by a steep gangway, with a step down into the inflatable: landings will be ‘wet landings’, stepping directly from the zodiac onto the beach.

Most walking will be at a slow pace to give us the time to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. To see the best of the wildlife, it will be necessary to walk on rough, slippery terrain, with snow and ice, and up/down slopes, sometimes quite steep. You need to be steady on your feet, able to climb stairs and hold onto hand rails whilst moving about the ship.

The sun can be very strong and sun protection is essential.

We are travelling in remote areas, with the nearest medical facilities a considerable distance away.