Introduction
Join us on an adventurous expedition vessel cruise from Tromso in Norway to explore the rarely visited Bear Island and the southern coast of Spitsbergen. After crossing the Barents Sea we will spend a full 3 days exploring the remote coast of Bear Island, the most southern of Svalbard’s Islands famed for its sheer bird cliffs and untamed scenery. After crossing to Spitsbergen, we will spend another full 3 days exploring the southern coast as it emerges from the winter. All this with just 12 fellow explorers.
The Voyage
Day 1 Welcome aboard! Depart Tromso
Day 2 Crossing the Barents Sea
Day 3-5 Exploring Bear Island
Day 6 Sailing north to Svalbard
Day 7-9 Exploring southern Svalbard
Day 10 Arrive Longyearbyen am
Day by Day
Days 1
Tromso, Norway
The voyage casts off from the city of Tromso, situated at the top of mainland Norway above the Arctic circle. Tromso is served with good air connections making it the perfect departure place for a cruise from Norway to Svalbard. Depending on the weather we will either spend a day exploring the fjords close to Tromso or if we have a favourable weather window head straight north towards Bear Island.
Days 2
Crossing the Barents Sea
With the compass pointing north, we will say goodbye to mainland Norway as we head across the Barents Sea. Our expedition leader will do a lecture on Bear Island so you learn about its history, wildlife, and some of the places we plan to land. This is a good day to do some relaxing for the adventure ahead. Spend some time out on the deck watching out for wildlife or read a book in the comfortable saloon.
Days 3 to 5
Exploring Bear Island
After a day at sea, we will make our first sighting of the seldom visited Bear Island, first discovered in 1596 by Dutch explorers William Barentz and Jacob van Heemskerck. We will have 3 full days to explore the island and make landings at different sites including the remains of a whaling station. The island is also home to an abundance of birdlife and if conditions allow we will explore the bird cliffs by Zodiac landing craft. We plan to do some hikes ashore. As it is early in the season the shores will likely still be snow-covered and we will supply snowshoes for walking.
Days 6 – 9
Exploring Southern Spitsbergen
After spending another day at sea will reach the southern coast of Spitsbergen, the largest of Svalbard’s Islands. We have a full three days to explore the coast with the plan on doing shore landings each day to experience the frozen wilderness of Svalbard as it emerges from the winter months. We will visit the area around Hornsund and use the opportunity for some short hikes ashore. As we sail towards our final destination we will enter the Isfjord where we plan to visit a glacier.
Day 10
Longyearbyen
After an exciting voyage, we have our final breakfast together before we say our goodbyes. We disembark in the morning at the port of Longyearbyen after making new friends and sharing an exciting adventure together. Longyearbyen is well served by domestic airlines that connect to Oslo in Norway. Longyearbyen is also a great place to spend a few additional days. Please see our Longyearbyen guide for some suggestions of places to stay and things to do.
The above itinerary is a guide only. A part of any Arctic adventure is the flexibility to take advantage of the weather and ice conditions. Our expedition leader will make sure you see as much a possible.
Inside This trip
Our trips are aimed at anyone with a passion for exploring the Arctic with a small group of like minded individuals on a comfortable small ship cruise and include :
Amazing Wildlife
We will visit areas where walruses haul out, encounter reindeer and Arctic foxes on land, observe whales and other marine life and explore coasts where polar bears are known to roam.
Stunning Scenery
We will encounter mighty glaciers, cruise tranquil steep-sided fjords and spend time outside exploring the beautiful untouched wilderness.
Expedition Vessel With 12 Guests
We believe the best way to experience an environmentally sensitive place such as the Arctic is with a small group of travellers. With the average expedition cruise ship now taking over 300 passengers, we believe smaller is better.
Expedition Leader and Guide
An aspect of our journeys is to learn about the place you are visiting. Our onboard guides are the core of what we do and will share their passion and knowledge of Svalbard throughout the trip. We offer the best guide to guest ratio available.
Zodiac landing craft for shore landings
Shore landings are the essence of every expedition and your guides will take you exploring on a daily basis. The vessel is equipped with landing craft that can be used to reach remote beaches so you can experience the wilderness firsthand.
Climate Compensated
Caring for the environment is what we do. For every trip we run we plant trees in Greenland to offset the emissions.
Your Vessel
Expedition Motor Vessel Togo
Step aboard M/V Togo a classic expedition vessel.
Togo is a 102ft /31m motor yacht, custom built in 1965 by legendary Dunston Shipyard and last refitted in 2018. Originally built as North Sea trawler she was converted into Lloyd’s safety vessel in 1980s, then into a Yacht with extensive refit 2012 and upgraded to expedition yacht in 2018.
Togo has a well-appointed galley and mess room, elegant and comfortable mahogany paneled salon with bar and kitchenette. Her deck areas are spacious with semi-enclosed sides. She is a sturdy vessel with elegant sheer, sails with abundant intimacy from the bygone era of tramp steamers.
- Accommodation in twin cabins and double cabins with private shower and w/c (mostly en-suite).
- Small group size of 12 guests ensures an intimate experience
- Hot Showers
- Equipped with 2 x zodiacs for shore landings
- Large deck space for photography
- Large saloon with bar.
- Ice-strengthened hull for travel in the polar regions
- Full safety gear
Dates and Prices
Prices quoted are per person. Twin and double cabins are based on double occupancy.
Early Bird booking offer save €500. Book before 1st September 2020.
2020
|
Date
|
Trip Name
|
Duration
|
Cabin A
|
Cabin B
|
Cabin C
|
Cabin D
|
|
|
1st August - 9th August 2020
|
Natural Wonders
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Trip Name
|
Duration
|
Cabin A
|
Cabin B
|
Cabin C
|
Cabin D
|
|
|
1st August - 9th August 2020
|
Natural Wonders
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Trip Name
|
Duration
|
Cabin A
|
Cabin B
|
Cabin C
|
Cabin D
|
|
|
1st August - 9th August 2020
|
Natural Wonders
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
Date
|
Trip Name
|
Duration
|
Cabin A
|
Cabin B
|
Cabin C
|
Cabin D
|
|
|
13th - 23rd April 2021
|
Bear Island and Svalbard Cruise
|
10 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25th April - 2nd May 2021
|
Frozen Svalbard Photo Tour
|
8 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10th - 17th May 2021
|
Frozen Svalbard Cruise
|
8 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27th May - 4th June 2021
|
Natural Wonders Photo Tour
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th - 12th June 2021
|
Natural Wonders Cruise
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th - 12th July 2021
|
Natural Wonders Cruise
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12th - 26th July 2021
|
Svalbard Pioneer Cruise
|
14 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5th - 13th August 2021
|
Natural Wonders Cruise
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Trip Name
|
Duration
|
Cabin A
|
Cabin B
|
Cabin C
|
Cabin D
|
|
|
13th - 23rd April 2021
|
Bear Island
|
10 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25th April - 2nd May 2021
|
Frozen Svalbard Photo
|
8 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10th - 17th May 2021
|
Frozen Svalbard
|
8 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27th May - 4th June 2021
|
Natural Wonders Photo
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th - 12th June 2021
|
Natural Wonders Cruise
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th - 12th July 2021
|
Natural Wonders Cruise
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12th - 26th July 2021
|
Svalbard Pioneer
|
14 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5th - 13th August 2021
|
Natural Wonders Cruise
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Trip Name
|
Duration
|
Cabin A
|
Cabin B
|
Cabin C
|
Cabin D
|
|
|
13th - 23rd April 2021
|
Bear Island
|
10 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25th April - 2nd May 2021
|
Frozen Svalbard Photo
|
8 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10th - 17th May 2021
|
Frozen Svalbard
|
8 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27th May - 4th June 2021
|
Natural Wonders Photo
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th - 12th June 2021
|
Natural Wonders Cruise
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th - 12th July 2021
|
Natural Wonders Cruise
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12th - 26th July 2021
|
Svalbard Pioneer
|
14 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5th - 13th August 2021
|
Natural Wonders Cruise
|
9 Days
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Cabins
Cabin A – Double with Ensuite
A comfortable cabin that sleeps 2 in a double bed with an en-suite toilet and shower situated on the lower deck.
Cabin B – Twin with Ensuite
A comfortable cabin that sleeps 2 in 2 single beds with an en-suite toilet and shower situated on the lower deck.
Cabin C – Twin with Shared
A twin cabin that sleeps 2 in 2 single beds with a shared toilet and shower situated directly opposite the cabin on the upper deck.
Cabin D – Single with Shared
A single cabin on the lower deck with a shared toilet and shower accessed via a staircase on the deck above.
Peace Of Mind Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
We understand that there is a lot of uncertainty with travel due to the coronavirus so we have added a peace of mind guarantee for all bookings made for 2021. If your trip is interrupted due to coronavirus travel restrictions you will be able to move your trip to a future booking free of charge. At this point, we believe that all our trips will be able to operate normally in 2021, and we have put this in place as an added reassurance so you can have full confidence when booking.
Payment Options & Information
We offer payment via the following methods:
- Credit card
- Payment by bank transfer
- Monthly installments to spread the cost of payments
Please let us know at the time of booking your preferred method.
A 30% deposit is taken at the time of booking with the final 70% payable 90 days prior to departure.
We highly recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking that also covers cancellation.
Single Travelers
Single travellers are welcome on all our voyages. We often host single travellers, particularly on our photo voyages so the chances are you won’t be the only single traveller. We offer the following accommodation options for single travellers:
- 2 x single cabins
- Option to share a twin cabin with another traveller of the same sex.
- Option to have your own cabin for an additional supplement. Please contact us for this option as the price varies depending on trip and availability.
Booking terms
This trip is operated by Secret Atlas and is subject to the Secret Atlas terms and conditions of travel. You can read the full booking terms here.
Trip notes and what’s included / excluded
| Departure Location | Tromso |
|---|---|
| Arrival Location | Longyearbyen |
| Trip Style | Exploration |
| Physical Rating | Easy |
| Maximum Group Size | 12 |
| Accommodation | 3 x Twins and 1 x Double with en-suite, 1 x Twin and 2 x Singles with shared bathroom |
| Duration | 10 Days |
| Time of Year | April |
| Included |
|
| Not Included |
|
