Spitsbergen Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway (2025)

Spitsbergen Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway (2025)

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10 Days From

$11390

$8841

Spitsbergen Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway (2025)

10 Days Starting and ending in Helsinki, Finland

Visiting: Helsinki, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Longyearbyen

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

POW10

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

0 - 199

Physical rating:

Easy

Age range:

18-99

Activities:

Trekking

From: $11390 $8841 Operator discount: -$2549 -22%

NB: Prices correct on 25-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on the Spitsbergen Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway tour in 2025 for an unforgettable adventure beyond the Arctic Circle. This expedition takes you to 80° north, where you'll explore the icy wilderness of Spitsbergen and the Svalbard Archipelago aboard small, ice-rated vessels. Enjoy Zodiac and shore excursions led by highly qualified Expedition Staff, offering opportunities to witness Arctic foxes, whales, walruses, and vast colonies of Little auks. Keep an eye out for polar bears hunting on ice floes. The journey begins and ends in Helsinki, with a mandatory transfer package including return flights to Longyearbyen. Experience the stunning landscapes, from polar deserts to immense glaciers, and capture incredible wildlife photography. With full board accommodation and all meals included, this intimate adventure promises flexible itineraries and a chance to explore areas that larger ships cannot access.

Highlights

  • Sail beyond the Arctic Circle to 80° north

  • Zodiac and shore excursions to discover the icy wilderness

  • Arctic fox, whales, walrus, and huge colonies of Little auk

  • Polar bears often seen hunting on ice floes

  • Explore western Spitsbergen and stunning fjords

  • Visit the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, and Hinlopen Strait

  • Spotting opportunities for Polar bears and Brunnich’s guillemots

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start In Helsinki, Finland

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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, Svalbard

Accommodation Name: ship

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: ship

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.

What's Included

  • Meals
    2 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 2 dinners.

  • All meals while on the ship

    All meals are included while on the ship, offering a variety of international menus including vegetarian options.

  • Beer and house wine during dinner

    Beer and house wine are provided during dinner.

  • All accommodation

    All accommodation is included, with one night in a standard hotel in Helsinki and full board accommodation on the ship.

  • All transport and listed activities

    All transport and listed activities are included in the tour.

  • Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff

    A tour leader and qualified Expedition Staff will accompany you throughout the journey.

  • Mandatory transfer package including return flights between Helsinki and Longyearbyen

    The tour includes a mandatory transfer package with return flights between Helsinki and Longyearbyen.

  • Flights from the UK

    Flights from the UK can be included upon request.

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.

  • Single accommodation

    Single accommodation is not included but is available on request.

  • Visas or vaccinations

    Visas or vaccinations are not included and must be arranged separately.

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.

Accommodation

The Spitsbergen Explorer voyage is offered on the Ocean Adventurer, Ocean Explorer, and Ultramarine, which are Polar Adventure Ships. One night in a standard hotel in Helsinki is included. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on the Spitsbergen Explorer tour?

    During the Spitsbergen 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 Svalbard archipelago is a preferred hunting area for polar bears, making sightings more likely.

  • What activities are included in the Spitsbergen Explorer tour?

    The tour includes a range of activities such as Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking, and wildlife photography opportunities. The itinerary is flexible to maximize wildlife viewing and to appreciate the history and geology of Spitsbergen.

  • What type of accommodation is provided on the Spitsbergen Explorer tour?

    Accommodation is provided on Polar Adventure Ships, which are small ice-rated vessels suitable for polar waters. The ships offer full board accommodation, generally on a twin share basis with en suite facilities. One night in a standard hotel in Helsinki is also included.

  • Are meals included during the Spitsbergen Explorer tour?

    Yes, all meals while on the ship are included. The ship's galley offers a variety of international menus, including vegetarian options. Meals include buffet-style breakfasts, three-course lunches or buffets, and three or four-course dinners.

  • Is there a transfer package included in the Spitsbergen Explorer tour?

    Yes, the tour includes a mandatory transfer package with return flights between Helsinki and Longyearbyen.

  • 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.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Reviews of this operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

paul green (Google Reviewer)  

Went on a tour of...

14-Jan-2022

Went on a tour of morocco in October and loved it ,mohamed the tour guide was excellent, probably go with exodus to India next year

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
Ann B (Google Reviewer)  

We had a week walking...

08-Oct-2024

We had a week walking and wine in the Duro valley with two local guides Louis and Theresa. They were both exceptional, knowledgeable, professional and funny. Our group of 11 had a great time. This was a premium tour. Our 4 star hotels were both well located clean and with great views. We had several local meals arranged by our guides with local people cooking for us. We did not meet any other walkers during our hikes only two shepherds. I would certainly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the local produce and wine. We both felt as we had learnt a lot about Portugal during this tour. We will use Exodus again. One of our group had done 30 tours with Exodus over the years. Quite an endorsement.

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

David (Google Reviewer)  

Exodus are generally a good...

21-Aug-2024

Exodus are generally a good travel company. Things tend to run smoothly and trips well organised. Their customers tend to be at retirement age. Trips are a bit overpriced. I would also avoid trips in Europe, as these often focus on more coffee stops and meals, rather than walking. I would also recommend making sure your guide records any accidents you have, hopefully not applicable. I had one on Sierra de Aitana which the guide saw and knew about, but he and Exodus said it never happened when I followed up after the trip. I wasn’t putting in a claim, just suggested a safety improvement. They have since apologised and acknowledged this as an error. They are a good reliable option for outside of Europe trips.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

1 Select your preferred date

Wednesday - Friday

May 07, 2025 - May 16, 2025
$11990 $9291

Operator discount: -$2699

Sunday - Tuesday

May 11, 2025 - May 20, 2025
$11390 $8841

Operator discount: -$2549

Thursday - Saturday

May 15, 2025 - May 24, 2025
$13990 $10791

Operator discount: -$3199

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Operator discount: -$2539

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Operator discount: -$2549

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Operator discount: -$3399

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Operator discount: -$2039

Sunday - Tuesday

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Operator discount: -$680

Monday - Wednesday

Jun 09, 2025 - Jun 18, 2025
$11390 $8841

Operator discount: -$2549

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$14790 $12071

Operator discount: -$2719

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$11890 $9216

Operator discount: -$2674

Tuesday - Thursday

Jun 24, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025
$14790 $11391

Operator discount: -$3399

Wednesday - Friday

Jul 02, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025
$14790 $12071

Operator discount: -$2719

Thursday - Saturday

Jul 10, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025
$14790 $12071

Operator discount: -$2719

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Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025
$13190

Saturday - Monday

Jul 26, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025
$13590

Sunday - Tuesday

Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 12, 2025
$14490

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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