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Day1: Embarkation in Longyearbyen
You will arrive at the small airport of Longyearbyen, located about 15 minutes drive from the centre of the small town. Our sailing ship Noorderlicht will be waiting for you at the so-called ‘floating pier’ where you can embark from 16:00.
Day 2: Glacier Fridtjofbreen and the historic sights in the Bellsund
In the Bellsund we will hopefully organize a landing at Midterhuken, where we have a fantastic view of the youngest mountain chain (65 million years) of Spitsbergen. A collision of continental plates has created the fold and break lines that we can see on the mountain. During lunch we will sail to Kapp Toscane, where we will be dropped off near 3 old row boats. From there we walk to Kvitfiskstranda (‘white whale beach’) where there is a hut called Bamsebu. At this location, a massacre of whales took place in the 19th century and the bones of the unfortunate animals are still to be seen on the beach as a grim reminder of the past.
In the Forlandsundet, as in the Isfjord, a lot of floating sea ice has probably accumulated. If the entrance of the fjord is free of ice, at nightime we will sail into the St. John Fjord. This beautiful and sheltered fjord system contains multiple glaciers and is one of the favorite spots of the captain. If we are lucky, we can enjoy the singing of the bearded seals at night.
Day 3-4: Around the South Cape towards the east of Spitsbergen
If the weather – and ice conditions are favourable to us, we will visit the Hornsund, one of the most inhospitable and icy fjords of Svalbard. In this fjord we will find many steep glacier fronts and we have a high chance of encountering seals and belugas.
We then sail in northerly direction to the island EdgeØya, named after the English merchant and whaler Thomas Edge who claims to have discovered the island in 1616. This island is known for its large reindeer population as well as for its polar bears.
Due to the flat and accessible island we have the possibility of a landing at Kapp Lee near Dolerittneset (‘Dolerite point’). The wide tundra is dotted with reindeer antlers and whale bones and you can often find arctic foxes and large colonies of kittiwakes here. The hut on display at Kapp Lee was built in 1968 for a Dutch scientific expedition and has been the Arctic home for 4 Dutch researchers for 14 months.
Day 5: Visit the impressive Negribreen, Heleysunet & 'Noorderlichtbukta'
Today a visit to the 15 km long Negribreen, one of the largest and most impressive glaciers in Spitsbergen, is planned.
After taking plenty of time for the Negribeen, we will attempt to sail through the Heleysundet, a narrow channel notorious for its strong currents. Here we have the possibility of a nice walk under and on top of the cliffs of Straumslandet.
Day 6: The famous bird cliff Alkefjellet
Depending on the tide we leave the Heleysundet to set sail in the direction of the spectacular bird cliff Alkefjellet. This bird cliff overlooking the Hinlopenstraat is literally translated as “the mountain of the guillemots”. We will take our time at this natural wonder viewing the 60,000 short-billed guillemots breeding here.
We will spend the rest of the day sailing in a northerly direction through the Hinlopenstraat.
Day 7: Nordaustlandet - The most Northeastern point of our trip
Nordaustlandet is largely covered by the two large ice caps Austfonna and Vestfonna. From a distance the landscape seems inaccessible, cold and inhospitable, but many places are unexpectedly open and lush.
Day 8-9: 80 degrees North towards the 'Zeeuwse Uitkijck'
During the next two days we celebrate passing the most northerly point of our journey at a latitude of 80 degrees north. We sail along the island of Moffen, a walrus and bird sanctuary, where we keep a good lookout to see groups of walruses.
Possibly during one of these days we will find an anchorage close to Ytre NorkskØya where we hopefully can land at the' Zeeuwsche Uitkijck.
Day 10: Whaling history at Smeerenburg
Sailing further on to the West, we proceed to AmsterdamØya, where we can get a good insight into the 17th century whaling. Here you will find Smeerenburg, a former settlement of Dutch whalers that grew into the center of Dutch whaling in the period from 1617 - 1646.
Day 11-12: The glaciers of Kongsfjord and Krossfjord
From now on we sail South, and may be able to land at the breathtaking blue-green bay of the Magdalenafjord. With rugged and pointed mountain peaks and impressive glaciers you find yourself here in a small Arctic paradise.
We sail onwards to the beautiful Kongsfjord and Krossfjord where we will be greeted by the towering face of the “14th July” glacier. Bearded seals often lie to rest on the broken ice floes, and near the glacier we may find breeding colonies of black-billed guillemots, kittiwakes and puffins.
Day 13: Walruses and panoramic view on the Prins Karls Forlandet
Today we will start early, sailing a southerly course towards the St. Johnsfjord. To get there we will navigate the Forlandsundet strait.
If we can complete this passage, we will make a landing at Murraypynten, named after a Scottish oceanographer, where we can see walruses at close quarters. Also, from the hills, you have a beautiful panoramic view of the rugged mountain and glacial landscape of Spitsbergen and the flat landscape at the foot of the mountain makes for wonderful easy walking.
Day 14: Ghost Town in Soviet style: Barentsburg
Depending on the availability of a berth in Barentsburg, we will sail towards the Russian mining settlement where we will arrive towards the end of the afternoon.
Day 15: Sailing towards Longyearbyen
In the morning we hope to make a final landing in Colesbukta, a former port used for transporting coal to the Soviet settlement Grumantbyen. We will see the remains of the once thriving coal industry and will visit the abandoned hut of the Russian geologist Vladimir Rusanov. Weather permitting, we will spend the rest of the day sailing back to Longyearbyen. Upon arrival in the Arctic town, enjoy some free time buying your last souvenirs or simply take a walk to soak up all the impressions of the week. Around dinner time you are expected back on board. The remainder of the evening is yours to share with the crew and your fellow travelers.
Day 16: Goodbye Noorderlicht
Unfortunately, our adventure through the Arctic landscape of Spitsbergen has come to an end. After a hearty breakfast, you are kindly requested to disembark by 09:00. We hope that we have been able to show you the variety and beauty of Spitsbergen and that you enjoyed an unforgettable experience on board the Noorderlicht.
