Polar Bear Express - Antarctic Cruise

Arrive in Longyearbyen in Svalbard, Norway by plane. It's the northernmost... absolutely everything in the world! The world's most northern town (excluding the small research community of Ny-Alesund on Svalbard, which is slightly farther north) also has the world’s northernmost civil airport, school, bank, and supermarket. This rugged edge of the town hides a heart full of warmth and comfort - or hyggligt as they say in Denmark - that is typified by Nordic hospitality.

You are immediately immersed in another world after arriving in Longyearbyen. As soon as the plane touches down, you can feel the cold Arctic air. The famous signboard outside the terminal also reminds passengers how far they are from home and to be on the lookout for bears. Hjorthfjellet, a snow-capped peak on the other side of Adventfjorden that towers above the airport and the languid glaciers in northern Spitzbergen can be seen off to the distance.

After arriving, the expedition ship will be waiting for you. You will receive a mandatory safety briefing, followed by a lifeboat exercise. Then head to the outer decks for a champagne toast as you watch your vessel depart civilisation and set course for adventure.

Your expedition ship will move away from Svalbard's last remnants of civilization during the night and into the wilderness of this legendary land. The southern half is roughly triangular and includes the lower half the island Spitsbergen and the edgeoya island, as well as countless fjords and islets.

This region might appear barren at first. Look closer, and you'll see that saxifrages and Svalbard poppy, as well as other tundra flowers, are able to withstand the harsh weather. Their jewel-like blooms reach for the weak Arctic sun. While perfectly camouflaged sandpipers scramble along the shore, tiny calico snowbuntings fly between crags. Greyish-white 'boulders" move up the slopes and transform into the Svalbard-native subspecies of reindeer. The Arctic Fox, Svalbard's only land-based predator, is heralded by a flash of blueish black and screeches from nearby birds.

Svalbard is a land of sea creatures. Even the land animals, such as reindeer and Arctic Foxes, rely on moisture from the Arctic water to survive. Svalbard is rich in biodiversity because it has a marine ecosystem. The walruses rest on flat, sandy beaches where they snuggle up together to stay warm and protected. Belugas gather in large pods to harvest fish, crustaceans, and other sea life from the ocean floor. Baleen whales, on the other hand, feed upon small copepods, as well as fish.

Southern Svalbard was probably the first area of the island that humans exploited. The walrus and beluga were slaughtered in large numbers at industrial scale on Edgeoya. Early humans (mostly English, Dutch, and Russian Pomor whalers) on the islands had no regard for conservation and were only interested in profit. This continued into the nineteenth century. Svalbard's wildlife is protected under law and large tracts are now designated as National Parks and Nature Reserves.

Wind, sea, and ice conditions will determine the exact landing site we visit in south Svalbard. These can vary greatly from day to day, and even year to year. This far north, human activity is at the mercy of Mother Nature. South Spitzbergen offers the chance to visit the Bellsund and Hornsund fjords, with their bird colonies on high cliffs. Reindeer are grazing on fertile slopes while drifting icebergs from large glaciers. On Edgeoya to the east, you can visit the walrus colony of Andreetangen, Kapp Lee and Sundneset, as well as the stunning raised shorelines with bird colonies.

The expedition ship returns to Longyearbyen in the evening. After a day of exploring the wilderness, even this tiny town will seem like a city!

Longyearbyen offers visitors a wealth of amenities and is an interesting town to visit. The Svalbard Museum is a must-see for those who want to see the relics from the whaling age, preserved perfectly in the permafrost. It also has exhibits about the history of the archipelago. You can find souvenirs in local boutiques that sell artwork, homewares and other items. Or, you can relax in a cafe and enjoy the sights and sounds of this amazing little town.

Return to Svalbard Airport after exploring Longyearbyen and board your flight to Norway's mainland. Your memories will last you a life time.