Noorderlicht

Day 1: Longyearbyen - Tryghamna

Arrive in Longyearbyen, known as the capital due to its title as the administrative centre of Spitsbergen. You may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the afternoon set sail, setting course for Alkhornet, a seabird cliff with a large colony of kittiwakes. Below the cliffs is a den, home to arctic foxes which scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. Continue to Tryghamna to visit the remains of a 17th Century English whaling station and an 18th Century Russian Pomor station.

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Day 2: Fuglehuken

Leave Tryghamna early in the morning and sail through the Forlandsundet. Weather permitting you will go ashore at Fuglehuken where the first Western Europeans (the expedition of Willem Barentsz) set foot on Spitsbergen. Here you can see the graves of whalers and visit colonies of common guillemots, brünnich's guillemots, little auks and kittiwakes. Nearby you may be able to visit a haul-out of harbour seals and walruses.

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Day 3: Ny Ålesund

Today you will visit Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanently inhabited village in the world, a centre for polar research and a former starting point for many North Pole expeditions, such as those of Amundsen and Nobile. The local bird life has adapted itself to human presence and is exceptionally tame. Barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, common eiders, arctic terns and several species of wader can be seen at close quarters. The reindeer here are smaller than their mainland relatives and do not form large herds.

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Day 4: 14th July Glacier

In the morning sail from Ny Ålesund to the 14th July Glacier, where you may take a cruise in zodiacs. Not far from the glacier you will visit an accessible breeding site for brünnich's guillemots, auks and puffins. The guano of these bird colonies, the southward exposure and the sheltered environment give rise to a relatively rich vegetation with many species of flowering plants.

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Day 5: Magdalenafjord

Sailing northwards stop for a visit to the Magdalenafjord, one of the most beautiful places on Spitsbergen, with many impressive glacier fronts. During a shore visit you will witness the legacy of 17th century English whaling activities. You may also visit some big seabird colonies particularly noteworthy for their little auks.

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Day 6: Ytre Norskøya

Today it may be possible to visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island which was used for many years as a lookout point for Dutch whalers. You can still follow their tracks to the summit of the island, passing excellent bird cliffs on the way. On shore the remains of 17th century blubber ovens can be found, while arctic skuas and common eiders breed among the graves of 200 Dutch whalers.

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Day 7: Raudfjord

Raudfjord on the north coast of Spitsbergen is a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is also a favourite with ringed and bearded seals, has good seabird colonies and offers good chances of spotting polar bear and belugas. Jermaktangen, at the fjord's eastern entrance, is a geography lesson in the erosion of the land by the sea.

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Day 8: Reindyrfla

If sea-ice conditions allow, your captain may be able to land on the northern-side of Reindyrfla, the largest tundra area of Spitsbergen. The vast undulating plain is a good grazing area for reindeer and several species of waders also breed here. The area's lakes offer good chances of spotting red-throated divers and king eiders.

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Day 9: Smeerenburg - Danskøya

Visit the remains of Smeerenburg, the largest 17th century whaling settlement on Spitsbergen, and, depending upon permission being granted, call at Danskøya where many historical remains of the 19th century expedition by the Swedish explorer Andree may be seen. Andree attempted to reach the North Pole in a balloon.

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Days 10 - 11: Engelsbukta - Sarstangen - Poolepynten

On your way south, it may be possible to make a landing on the coast of the Forlandsundet at Engelsbukta, Sarstangen or Poolepynten, where walruses are often hauled out. From there head straight for Longyearbyen, and, if time allows, you may also be able to call at Colesbukta, from where good walkers may walk to Longyearbyen in six hours, with some stunning scenery along the way.

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Day 12: Longyearbyen

Disembark in Longyearbyen after enjoying your final breakfast on board the Noorderlicht.

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