Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief
Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief
Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief
7 Days Starting and ending in Helsinki, Finland
Visiting: Oslo, Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Tour operator:
Tour code:
POD
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 199
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief" for an unforgettable Arctic adventure in Norway. This compact expedition offers the thrill of Arctic exploration in less than a week, aboard small, ice-rated Polar Adventure Ships. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Spitsbergen as you cruise through fjords and get up close to glaciers and icebergs on Zodiac excursions. Witness the majestic Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, walrus, and reindeer, and hike the vibrant tundra. The journey begins and ends in Helsinki, with a charter flight to Longyearbyen, Svalbard's largest settlement. Accompanied by expert Expedition Staff, you'll explore historic sites, such as abandoned mining settlements and whaling outposts, and enjoy the stunning vistas of snow-capped mountains and massive glaciers. With all meals, accommodation, and activities included, this expedition promises an intimate and enriching experience in the Arctic wilderness.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Helsinki, Finland
Location: Oslo
Accommodation Name: airport hotel
Your Arctic voyage begins in Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital city. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and green spaces to keep you busy before retiring at your included airport hotel.
Day 2 : Embarkation Day In Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Location: Longyearbyen
Meals Included: Breakfast, 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 the ship sets sail, enjoy great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic town.
Day 3 - 6 : Exploring Spitsbergen
Location: Spitsbergen
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You’ll sail around the shores of this magical island, constantly searching for Polar bears and other natural wonders. Covering western Spitsbergen, your expedition will afford ample opportunities to view immense glaciers, deep fjords, soaring mountains and unique flora and fauna.
Sailing north into Krossfjord, have your camera handy, ready to capture some of the best glacier calving in Spitsbergen. Deep in the fjord, the highly active Lilliehook Glacier awaits. Listen in awe to the growling as big chunks break off into the icy waters below. A Zodiac excursion to nearby Ny London, an abandoned mining settlement, provides an ideal place for a guided walk. Encounters with wildlife, such as the indigenous Svalbard reindeer, are possible here.
Day 7 : Disembark In Longyearbyen And Fly To Helsinki
Location: Longyearbyen
Meals Included: Breakfast
The time to say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Oslo.
What's Included
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Meals
3 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 2 dinners. -
All meals while on the ship
All meals are provided while you are on the ship.
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Beer and house wine during dinner
Beer and house wine are included during dinner.
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All accommodation
All accommodation is included in the tour package.
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All transport and listed activities
All transport and activities listed in the itinerary are included.
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Full complement of qualified Expedition Staff
The tour is accompanied by a full complement of qualified Expedition Staff.
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Mandatory transfer package including return flights from Longyearbyen to Helsinki
The mandatory transfer package includes return flights from Longyearbyen to Helsinki.
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Flights from the UK
Flights from the UK can be included upon request.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Single accommodation
Single accommodation is not included but is available on request.
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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 Highlights: Expedition in Brief voyage is offered on the Ocean Adventurer and the Ultramarine, which are small ice-rated Polar Adventure Ships. These vessels provide intimate adventures with flexible itineraries, superb food, and excellent staff, ensuring a memorable experience in Polar waters.
Mode of Transport
Travel on a small expedition vessel, with mandatory transfer packages including return flights from Longyearbyen to Helsinki. The tour includes frequent Zodiac excursions, allowing close encounters with glaciers, fjords, and icebergs, enhancing the Arctic expedition experience.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on the Spitsbergen Highlights expedition?
During the expedition, you can expect to see a variety of Arctic wildlife, including Polar bears, walrus, and reindeer. The tour also offers opportunities to observe marine mammals and a range of bird species.
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What activities are included in the Spitsbergen Highlights expedition?
The expedition includes activities such as Zodiac excursions to get up close to glaciers, fjords, and icebergs, as well as guided walks in places like the abandoned mining settlement of Ny London. There are also opportunities for wildlife watching and exploring historical sites like Smeerenburg.
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What is the accommodation like on the Spitsbergen Highlights expedition?
Accommodation is provided on the Ocean Adventurer and the Ultramarine, which are small, ice-rated Polar Adventure Ships. These ships offer intimate adventures with flexible itineraries, superb food, and excellent staff, ensuring a comfortable and engaging experience in Polar waters.
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Are meals included during the Spitsbergen Highlights expedition?
Yes, all meals are included while on the ship. The ship's galley offers a variety of international menus, including vegetarian options, with meals served buffet style for breakfast and as set meals or buffets for lunch and dinner.
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What is the starting and ending point of the Spitsbergen Highlights expedition?
The expedition begins and ends in Helsinki, Finland. Participants will fly from Helsinki to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, where the ship embarkation takes place, and return to Helsinki at the end of the journey.
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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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.
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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.
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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.
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May 19, 2025 - May 25, 2025Book with Confidence
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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.
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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.
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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.