North Spitsbergen , Arctic Summer – Birding - Antarctic Cruise

Longyearbyen is the administrative centre of Spitsbergen - the largest of the Svalbard islands. This former mining city is a fascinating place to stroll around. The parish church and Svalbard Museum are both interesting attractions. The landscape may appear barren, but it is home to more than 100 species of plants. Early evening, the ship leaves Isfjorden. You might see the first minke of the voyage. You sail to Trygghamna in the evening, and you will see the remains from a 17th century English whaling base, as well as an 18th century Pomor hunting camp, which you may visit the following morning.

You can walk from Trygghamna to Alkhornet. This is a seabird cliff that the birds use for scouting breeding sites. You can often see Arctic foxes below the cliffs. If there is not much snow, you might also be able to observe reindeer feeding on lush vegetation.

Svitjodbreen, a breeding area for great skuas and Birgerbukta are visible as you sail through Fuglefjorden. These two areas also offer the best chance of seeing a polar-bear. Birgerbukta is home to 17th century Basque ovens that were once used to cook whale blubber. Next, we will visit Ytre Norskoya - a small Island that was used for years by the Dutch as a whaling watchtower. You can follow the tracks of whalers to the top of the island and pass popular bird cliffs along the way. The remains of 17th century blubber-ovens can be found on the shore, and Arctic skuas or common eiders nest amongst the graves.

Raudfjorden is located on the northern coast of Spitsbergen and offers a great place to gaze at the glaciers. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including ringed, bearded, and seabird colonies, as well as the occasional beluga and polar bear. Ermaktangen is located on the Spitsbergen fjord coast and offers a great view of the surrounding landscape.

You can land at the north side of Reindyrsflya - the largest area of tundra in Spitsbergen if ice conditions allow. Reindeer and waders breed in this vast, rolling area. The lakes are also a great place to see red-throated diver and king Eiders.

You land in the morning at Fuglesangen where you will be able to observe live communities of auks. Then you sail to Magdalenafjorden - one of Spitsbergen's glacier-filled highlights. You can see the remnants of English whaling from 17th century, as well as more colonies of small auks.

You head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. It is possible to see signs of winter in the landscape, with crags or slopes covered by snow. Visit historic sites such as Ny London where the remains from the early 20th century marble mining can be seen, or Ny Alesund which is the most northern community on earth. The research stations, the anchor mast from the Norge dirigible, and other historical sites are all located in the vicinity. Krossfjorden is a place where you can see colossal mountains and glaciers, but the fjord's ice determines your itinerary.

We will sail today to the 14th July Glacier, and pass by an impressive bird mountain. You can watch breeding birds in Zodiacs or from the ship. In Krossfjorden we will sail past a puffin nesting site and onto Lillehook Glacier. This is the largest glacier in Spitsbergen. You can observe kittiwakes foraging. Signehamna is another possible landing site, as the German Kriegsmarine used a weather station there during World War II. Ebeltofthamna, the area's first whaling base on land, is also of historic interest. It contains graves of English Whalers dating back to the early 17th Century. The extent of the fjord-ice determines this itinerary.

The goal of your trip south is to land at Fuglehuken. You can see the remains of the great age of hunting polar bears. You can also find large colonies of seabirds and an area where harbour seals rest. You can also land at the shores of Forlandsundet or Sarstangen. The tundra makes a great place to walk and you can sometimes see walruses.

Bohemanflya is the next destination, a vast tundra that has its own birdlife (depending when spring comes) and stunning geological formations on the coast. You can walk on the shore of Gipsvika near Templet. This mountainous area is eroded sedimentary rocks from the Upper Carboniferous Period - approximately 290 million year ago.

All adventures must come to an ending. As you disembark from the ship in Longyearbyen and head home, your memories will follow you to wherever your next journey takes.