15 Night Arctic cruise sailing from Longyearbyen roundtrip aboard Noorderlicht.

The 'Noorderlicht' was originally built in 1910 in Flensburg, Germany as a three-masted schooner. For most of her existence she served as a light-vessel on the Baltic. In 1991 the present owners purchased the hull and re-rigged and refitted her thoroughly, under the rules of "Register Holland". The 'Noorderlicht' now has a well-balanced two-masted schooner rig and is capable of sailing the seven seas.

The qualified captains have a great experience of the oceans. Together with the rest of the crew, they will do everything possible to ensure that you have a wonderful and unforgettable journey.

Note - All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife.
Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

Day 1 After arriving in Longyearbyen, the 'capital' (actually 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 we sail, setting course for Alkhornet, a seabird cliff with a large colony of Kittiwakes. Below the cliffs is a den with Arctic Foxes which scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. We continue to Trygghamna to visit the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Russian Pomor station.

Day 2 We leave Tryghamna early in the morning and sail through the Forlandsundet. Weather permitting we will go ashore at Fuglehuken where the first Western Europeans (the expedition of Willem Barentsz) set foot on Spitsbergen. Here we can see the graves of whalers and visit colonies of Common Guillemots, Brünnich´s Guillemots, Little Auks and Kittiwakes. Nearby we may be able to visit a haul-out of Harbour Seals and Walruses.

Day 3 Today we visit the remains of Smeerenburg, the largest 17th century whaling settlement on Spitsbergen. We also land on Ytre Norskøya where there are many graves dating from whaling days.

Day 4 to Day 15 Today we sail either to Sorgfjord, where we have a good chance of seeing Walruses, or to Murchison Bay, on the north side of which there is an extensive dry tundra, home to many Reindeer. There is also is a Swedish research station here.

As we continue through Hinlopen Strait we are surrounded by icecaps. We will land in Lomfjord, a beautiful fjord
surrounded by high mountains. Augustabukta is a lovely bay close to a glacier which is crevasse-free, allowing us
to walk without difficulties. On a nearby cliff the rare and beautiful Ivory Gull nests, together with Black
Guillemots. Reindeer, Polar Bears and Walruses are usually seen in this area.
We next sail towards the impressive Brasvell glacier. We may take an excursion on Svartknausflya, a desolate
polar desert almost devoid of vegetation, or visit Wilhelmøya, which has raised beaches littered with sub
fossilised whale skeletons, and where encounters with Polar Bears are likely.
Sailing through the narrow Heleysundet between Spitsbergen and Barentsøya can only be done against the
current, a very spectacular journey. As an alternative if conditions do not favour us we will sail through
Freemansundet. At Kapp Lee, we walk in beautiful Rosenbergdalen to see Reindeer. For walkers it is great hike
from here to Diskobukta. In Diskobukta we visit a large colony of Kittiwakes which nest in a canyon. Arctic Foxes
and Polar Bears with young, often roam through the canyon, scavenging on young, flightless birds which fall from
the ledges. On the raised beaches there are many sub fossilised whale skeletons.
Kong Ludvigøyane are breeding places for Walruses. On the islands there are also many remains of the whaling,
Walrus and Polar Bear hunting periods. Close encounters with Polar Bears are virtually guaranteed here.
Continuing our exploration of southern Spitsbergen, we sail into the labyrinth of side fjords in Hornsund. Behind
Brepollen, a large glacial deposit at the head of the fjord, we will sail along a beautiful glacier front with good
chances of seeing Bearded Seals and Polar Bears. The geological formations in this area are very spectacular and
colourful. We will also pay a visit to the Polish research station at Isbjørnhamna, where the friendly crew will
discuss their scientific programs.
On our way to Longyearbyen we sail into Bell Sund to reach Midterhuken, with its interesting geological
formations and the remains of the 17th century English whaling industry. Bell Sund is a good area for observing
Belugas. If time allows we will pay a visit to Barentsburg, the only inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen, or
to Colesbukta, an abandoned Russian coal mining settlement. From Colesbukta it is possible for good walkers to
walk to Longyearbyen in six hours meeting the ship due to arrive in the evening.

Day 16 Longyearbyen.