Sail through the icy hunting grounds of the king of the Arctic
Is the spectacular archipelago of Svalbard the jewel in the Arctic crown? Travel to Svalbard with the experts to discover the beauty and wilderness of the arctic ocean.
This is a place where polar bears outnumber people, their presence taken so seriously that no-one is allowed to leave the town of Longyearbyen without a gun. Arctic fox, reindeer and various species of seal flourish here too, joined by whales, walrus and, come summer, some 230 species of bird, which flock here to breed.
For the active traveller, options abound, from hiking and snowshoeing to kayaking, skiing and snowmobiling. You will also discover ancient whaling stations, abandoned trappers’ huts and groovy lodges, such as the Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel, a former radio station that comes complete with a sauna on the edge of the tundra and uses local produce to create fabulous Arctic-inspired cuisine.
While it is possible to visit at any time of the year, the most common time to explore Svalbard falls between May and September, when the archipelago becomes accessible to expedition ships and the famous midnight sun illuminates the landscape 24-hours a day.
For the latest travel update on this destination, please contact us to speak to one of our experts.
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VOYAGE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
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LET THIS PHOTO JOURNAL INSPIRE YOUR JOURNEY TO THE ICE
Created by our experts as an introduction to specialist travel to the polar regions with cazenove+loyd
Read MoreNy-Ålesund
Area In Focus
The most northerly, permanently occupied settlement on earth, Ny-Ålesund is now a research base but for many years was the departure point for attempts at the North Pole. It was from here that Roald Amundsen set out to rescue the Italian explorer Nobile: neither was ever seen again.
Svalbard Key Features
Whales
It was the hunt for whales that brought many early settlers to Svalbard. Today, numbers are on the rise, with beluga, fin, minke, humpback and blue whales drawn to feed on the summer bloom of plankton and krill.
The Isfjord Radio Hotel
The Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel is a groovy former radio station that comes complete with a sauna on the edge of the tundra, with views across the water. The hotel uses local produce to create fabulous Arctic-inspired cuisine.
Polar Bears
Polar bears are built for hunting on ice and can smell a seal from a kilometre away. Marine mammals, they are as adept in water as they are on land, so spotting them in the sea is not uncommon.
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We work in some of the most ecologically and culturally sensitive parts of the world, so have always been conscious of operating in a way that has a positive impact on both the environment and the people.
When you travel with us, we will make a contribution on your behalf to one of the following charities: All About the Light Foundation in Africa, ABOUTAsia Travel & Schools in Cambodia, the Alalay Foundation in Bolivia and Scott Polar Research Institute in the Polar Regions.
If clients are interested, we are always keen to get them involved in local projects and conservation efforts. Whether it be whale counting in Antarctica or rhino relocation in Kenya, you will leave knowing your actions have made a difference.
Our service includes booking and managing all your international and domestic flights. However, you can also book your own international flights if you would prefer. We can also organise private charters and private jet travel for both international and domestic flights.
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