Spitsbergen, 8 Night Svalbard in Summer - Under the Midnight Sun ex Oslo, Norway Return

Day 1
Arrive in Longyearbyen
From Oslo to the town at the top of the world  After a flight from Oslo, your adventure begins with an overnight stay in the world’s northernmost town, Longyearbyen.  A colourful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, Longyearbyen is a unique place on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. If you have time, head out to explore this special town, before enjoying a relaxing evening at your leisure.   

Day 2
Longyearbyen adventures
Explore this colourful frontier town  After breakfast it’s time to experience Longyearbyen. The town is perfect for exploring on foot. Stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer saunter by. Although wild, they're curious and tame.   Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic discovery, join an included excursion and get a glimpse of this amazing polar bear–inspired region at the top of the world. And if you’d like to discover even more of Longyearbyen’s special surroundings, why not join our optional Pre-Programme. 

Day 3-4
Hornsund and Bellsund
Majestic glaciers, birds and pioneer history Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Rich, colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers calving into the sea. Then we head to Bellsund, whose cliffs are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars, along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Look out for the early mining settlements here and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper. Our activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions of Hornsund and Bellsund. Your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day. 

Day 5-6
Northwest Spitsbergen National Park
Explore the Arctic wilderness under the Midnight Sun  Making our way to the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, we’ll cruise into Magdelenefjorden and through Sørgattet, the southern entrance to Smeerenburgfjord. The light of the Midnight Sun gives us plenty of time to explore this breathtakingly scenic area. Over the next coming days, we’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park. In the wilderness of steep mountains, stark glaciers and beautiful offshore islands, we’ll scan for some of the animals of the Arctic – seals, walruses and reindeer. At this time of the year much of the shore ice has receded, meaning we can venture into areas that are inaccessible at other times. It’s also peak whale season in the archipelago, so we’ll scan the seas for species such as humpback, blue and sperm whales. There’s a good chance we may spot polar bears too, so look out for these iconic but elusive predators. Marvel at the array of majestic glaciers and get an insight into the area’s whaling past. On the cliffs above, look out for thousands of Arctic birds like Little Auks, Arctic Terns, skuas, Eider Ducks and Barnacle Geese. Each day will be different. From landings to kayaking, be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Leader decide on the best landing sites and activities based on the day’s conditions.  

Day 7
Ice edge attempt 
Experience the opportunity of sailing to the edge of the polar ice cap   If conditions allow, we’ll sail north and cross the 80th parallel to explore the ever-changing ice edge. The transition zone between the ice cap and the sea is a magical yet ephemeral place where the waters are filled with ice floes and drifting pack ice. From the ship there are great opportunities here for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge photogenically on the sparkling ice. And if the conditions are right, we’ll lower our expedition boats into the water and enjoy an unforgettable close-up experience amid the floating ice.The ice edge isn’t a fixed boundary, and it moves depending on the season and conditions, so visiting it will be an attempt rather than a certainty. From May to August, as summer progresses, it retreats further towards the pole, meaning it may be out of reach for us. If this is the case then we’ll instead explore the no-less-impressive deep fjords, mighty glaciers and enchanting scenery of the Svalbard coast. In late July and into August, this is a time when the wildflowers appear, blanketing the landscape with a blaze of beauty and colour.  

Day 8
Peaceful Ny-Ålesund 
Experience science, serenity and epic scenery Today you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighbouring fjords such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. One of the northernmost settlements and a former mining town, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now a hub for global science and climate research, you can still see remnants of the town’s history. You’ll be immersed in rugged, glacial scenery as we explore the fjords around Ny-Ålesund. Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our small expedition boats, go ashore to hike or cruise by majestic glaciers.

Day 9
Return to Longyearbyen
A final day on top of the world Your Arctic adventure comes to an end back in Longyearbyen. A transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Oslo. You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice and climate change than you arrived with – and memories of an incredible experience. If you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet, why not spend some more time in the Arctic and join our optional Post-Programme.

MS Spitsbergen will take you on a voyage beyond the ordinary.

MS Spitsbergen is named after the crown jewel of Arctic Norway – the Svalbard archipelago and its biggest island, Spitsbergen. Hurtigruten has a long history of travelling to Spitsbergen, beginning in 1896 with the `Sports Route´. MS Spitsbergen cruises along the Norwegian coast from September to May, and becomes part of our global Explorer sailings during the rest of the year.

After complete reconstruction, MS Spitsbergen joined the Hurtigruten fleet in 2016. The ship features high technical standards as well as comfortable, modern public areas and cabins. The vessel´s fresh Scandinavian design reflects a colour palette derived from the sea. She is modern and environmentally progressive, and we plan further improvements that will reduce emissions and fuel consumption even more. The new ship’s maneuverability and optimal size make her quite suitable for exploring polar waters.

HX Expeditions is a leading global expedition cruise line offering immersive journeys to the planet's most remote and extraordinary destinations. From the icy wilderness of Antarctica and the Arctic to the unique ecosystems of the Galápagos and Alaska, HX delivers authentic small-ship experiences designed for curious travelers seeking adventure, discovery, and meaningful connections with nature.

Operating a modern fleet of purpose-built, sustainable vessels, HX puts environmental responsibility at the heart of every expedition. Guests explore fragile ecosystems with expert-led guidance from naturalists, scientists, and local specialists, ensuring journeys are both educational and transformative.

With an emphasis on small groups and personalized service, HX provides access to hidden places unreachable by larger ships, delivering comfort, authenticity, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Whether witnessing the Northern Lights or exploring pristine shores, HX Expeditions invites travelers to experience the world’s wildest corners in a responsible and impactful way.