ON THE TRAIL OF THE HOT AIR SHIP ITALIA AND THE GREAT POLAR EXPLORERS
Imagine a land at the edge of the world, where 60% of the territory is covered by ice and the remaining 40% is made up of rocks. The last human outpost before the North Pole. Here, just over 2,500 people and more than 3,000 polar bears live across an area of 61,000 square kilometers.
Welcome to the Svalbard Islands.
Welcome to the edge of the world.
Our journey will begin in Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard and the starting point of our sailing adventure along the western coast of Spitsbergen.
If you want to experience something truly unique aboard a ship and follow the footsteps of the great polar explorers, this is the perfect journey for you.
The expedition includes several shore landings along the route. Some of these involve walks ranging from 500 m to 6 km, with relatively manageable gradients. You may encounter ice, snow, mud, or other natural conditions. Temperatures can vary by several degrees, roughly between 1°C and 12°C, so appropriate clothing is essential. The program may change depending on weather and ice conditions. During landings, Arctic guides will provide all necessary safety and polar bear protection equipment, so it is important to follow their instructions carefully.
Arrival in Longyearbyen, meeting with the FRAMTours guides, and private transfer to the hotel. Introductory briefing for the trip. Overnight at the Radisson Blu Polar (4****s hotel) in a double room, with a light dinner included.
After breakfast, a short tour of Longyearbyen and a visit to the Polar Exploration Museum, followed by free time. At 2:00 PM, transfer to the port and embarkation on the MV Togo, cabin allocation, and safety briefing. Dinner on board while sailing through Isfjorden, with opportunities to spot local wildlife. Late in the evening, arrival at Poolepynten, where, if possible, the first landing will allow observation of the walrus colony. Overnight navigation northward.
The day begins with a wake-up in Magdalenfjorden and a landing on the Gravneset Peninsula to visit the remains of an old Dutch whaling station. In the afternoon, the journey continues north with a visit to Virgohamna, a historic starting point for North Pole expeditions. Late in the evening, the 80th parallel north and Moffen Island are reached to observe a walrus colony, ending the day at Heclahamna. Full board and overnight on board.
The day includes a visit to a small part of the east coast at the entrance to Hinlopen Strait, with possible landings at Crozier Point and Kinnvika, historic sites related to polar expeditions and Pomor hunting. In the late afternoon, the return journey south begins, with a possible approach to the Arctic ice near the 81st parallel north. Full board and overnight on board.
The day is dedicated to Kongsfjorden, starting with a wake-up at Blomstranhavøya and a landing at Ny-London, a historic site of the Northern Exploration Company. This is followed by a glacier cruise and wildlife observation at Ossian-Sarsfjellet, then a visit to the international research center in Ny-Ålesund. In the late afternoon, departure southward, returning to Longyearbyen, followed by the captain’s farewell dinner. Overnight on board.
Arrival in Longyearbyen after the night of navigation, private transfer to the hotel, and check-in. Free morning for relaxation, shopping, or optional excursions. Dinner on your own and overnight at the Radisson Blu Polar (4**** hotel).
After breakfast at the hotel, private transfer according to your flight schedule to Oslo.
The itinerary may change depending on weather conditions. This can include adjustments such as advancing or postponing a landing, altering the route to avoid storms, and, in extreme cases, seeking a safe harbor to wait out the bad weather
Around 3,500 polar bears live in Svalbard; however, spotting them is not as easy as it might seem. The archipelago is vast, and it can happen that no bears are seen for several days. It should also be noted that strict regulations prohibit approaching the animals closer than 500 or 300 meters, depending on the season. Summer is still the period with the highest chances of sightings: as the snow and sea ice melt, the bears tend to come closer to the coast to hunt seals. All that remains is to hope for some luck and always stay alert
Temperatures can range from a few degrees below zero to a few degrees above. It is therefore essential to dress in layers to be prepared for any situation. It is also important to protect extremities with gloves and a hat. For footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended
Landing is one of the most fun activities to do in Svalbard and is definitely the best way to explore the area. The boat is equipped with Zodiacs, small inflatable boats that allow you to reach the shore safely and easily. From there, you can explore abandoned villages, spot wildlife, and discover places that few—or almost no one—has ever visited before.
