August
SVALBARD – NORTHWESTERN NAVIGATION BEYOND 80°N
ON THE TRAIL OF THE AIRSHIP ITALIA AND THE GREAT POLAR EXPLORERSImagine a land at the edge of t...
ON THE TRAIL OF THE AIRSHIP 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 in 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.
The ship M/S Balto is named after the lead sled dog of the 1925 Nome serum run. Built to the highest ice class standards in Rauma, Finland, she originally served as a government service ship in the Baltic Sea. In recent years, she has undergone a complete refurbishment and is now one of the most spacious and elegant small polar expedition ships in service. M/S Balto offers relaxed, luxurious accommodation for 12 guests in seven spacious cabins, all with private facilities and lower beds. The cabins include one Owner’s Cabin, one Superior Cabin, one Double Cabin, two Twin Cabins, and two Single Cabins.
Both the Owner’s Cabin and the Superior Cabin also offer a separate seating area. All cabins are equipped with a desk, a chair, and a wardrobe for storage. On the guest deck, there is a small sauna with a cold shower. The richly appointed saloon and beautiful dining messroom feature crotch-mahogany panelling, a bar, a library, and coffee and tea stations. There are several open and semi-enclosed deck spaces where you can enjoy the stunning Arctic scenery. You are welcomed by an international crew, and the bridge is open to visitors. With our two Zodiacs, we will explore the wilderness and go ashore in settlements and breathtaking natural landscapes. M/S Balto is truly one of a kind among small polar expedition ships. Travelling aboard this unique 12-passenger ship offers a completely different and much more intimate experience of Svalbard compared to a larger ship. A small group of just 12 passengers allows for greater flexibility, unique itineraries, and more time ashore. Moreover, the environmental footprint we leave behind is significantly smaller.
Arrival in Longyearbyen, meeting with the FRAMTours guides, and private transfer to the port for embarkation onboard the MS Balto.
Before the departure our experienced crew will give you all the safety information about the ship and how to act in case of emergency. Later on our expedition team will give you a short introduction about our incredible journey in the high Arctic.
Adventure starts in 3, 2, 1...
Later the first day you will get a welcome dinner.
If the conditions allow us, we will kick off our expedition with a short hike over a glacier.
Night onboard in your private cabin
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, we will try to go further north over the 80th parallel north. Our main goal is to reach the ice shelf where we will be scouting for arctic wildlife in a scenario that doesn't belong to this world.
Overnight onboard while cruising far north.
Today will mark an important day for our expedition.
According to the ice conditions and the weather, we will try to reach the fast ice beyond the 81° North while we are scouting for wildlife and unreal landscape and surreal light conditions.
If every condition allows us, we will try to anchor on the ice and have a step ashore the ice pack where we planned to have an unforgettable barbeque.
In the early afternoon it will be time to head back south. We will be cruising most of the time.
Overnight onboard.
Today we will wake up in the beautiful Krossfjorden which is one of the most striking fjords in northwest Svalbard, opening into the larger Kongsfjorden. It’s a place where the Arctic feels vast, silent, and completely untouched. Steep mountains rise straight from the sea, and massive glaciers spill into the water in slow motion.
At its heart lies the impressive Lilliehöökbreen, a wide, dramatic glacier front that constantly calves ice into the fjord, creating a landscape of floating ice and deep, echoing cracks. The light here, especially in summer, can feel surreal, shifting across blues, whites, and soft pastels.
In the afternoon we will landing in 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 evening we will cruise more south where we are confident to reach St. Johns fjorden where, in calm waters, we'll drop our anchors for a safe and calm night.
After our breakfast onboard we will make a short landing in Poolepynten which is a well-known walrus haul-out. Our plan is to make an unforgettable morning for our Guests.
In the late afternoon we will make our last landing for this expedition in Vårsolbukta in Van Mijenfjorden where the old Camp Miller and Camp Bell are located, before returning to Longyearbyen.
In the evening we'll head towards Longyearbyen and civilization.
After an early breakfast on the ship, you will disembark and you will be transferred to the city center (to the hotel if included in your package) or to the Airport, on time for your flight.
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.
