Land of the Polar Bears

11 Days From $12,830

Maximum Group Size: 126

Trip Type: Expedition Cruise

Activity Level: Light or Moderate

• Seek out majestic polar bears and other Arctic wildlife amid the ice floes of Svalbard.

• Discover unusual flora and tidewater glaciers by Zodiac and on foot with our naturalists.

• Photograph wildlife under the midnight sun with a National Geographic Photography Expert.

Polar bears, walruses, seals, arctic foxes, reindeer, seabirds, and more.

Depart on an overnight flight to Oslo and check in to our hotel upon arrival. In the afternoon, set out on a tour of Norway’s sophisticated capital city. Stroll in a terraced park among the famed Vigeland sculptures— hundreds of life-size human figures by native sculptor Gustav Vigeland. Then visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to the wooden ship sailed by Norwegian pole explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Choose to explore the stunning waterfront around the Oslo Opera House or walk atop the imposing walls of the Akershus Fortress, originally constructed in the 13th century.

Accommodations: Hotel Bristol

Meals: 1 lunch

Depart Oslo on a private charter flight and enjoy breathtaking vistas en route to Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in Svalbard. On arrival, visit the Svalbard Museum to learn about the natural and cultural history of Svalbard and the Arctic, from 17th-century whaling to modern scientific research. Longyearbyen is home to a diverse community of scientists from Russia, Germany, Thailand, and beyond, stationed on the island to study the Arctic environment or employed in nearby mining operations. Explore the Gallery Svalbard, home to permanent collections, as well as exhibitions of local artists; and stroll down streets lined with colorful houses. Later, settle into comfortable accommodations aboard the ship, our floating base for exploration over the next six days.

Accommodations: National Geographic Endurance or National Geographic Resolution through Day 9

Meals: 1 bedroom, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

A high Arctic archipelago situated between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard is a place of deep fjords, snowcapped mountains, and massive sheets of ice. Our travel in the Svalbard Archipelago is exploratory by design; we make the most of our days, keeping a flexible schedule to take advantage of the opportunities that arise. Our ice-class ship— purpose-built for polar exploration—features a rooftop observation deck and state-of-the-art Zodiac loading bays for rapid response to wildlife sightings. Set out from the ship to search for Svalbard’s amazing wildlife in the water and on the ice. Alongside our National Geographic Photography Expert, capture walruses, bearded and ringed seals, and the legendary creature of the north: the polar bear. Curious polar bears have been known to approach our ship, offering exceptional opportunities to observe and photograph these magnificent denizens of the ice. Explore serene fjords in Zodiacs, gliding beneath tidewater glaciers and cruising around beautiful icebergs.

As we travel north of the Arctic Circle, our team of experts will bring exceptional depth and insight to the experience. With our seasoned captain, crew, and Expedition Leader at the helm, we navigate local ice and weather conditions with expertise. Learn about glaciers in conversation with a geologist. Our undersea specialist brings back images of the deep, revealing the marine life beneath the ice, and our experts are always on the lookout for wildlife that may be observed from the deck of the ship.

Meals: 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners

Disembark in Longyearbyen and enjoy time at leisure to glimpse life above the Arctic Circle. Visit a nearby wilderness camp, where we will enjoy local refreshments and meet some of the friendly sled dogs that reside here. Fly back to Oslo this afternoon and relax at our hotel.

Accommodations: Radisson Blu Airport Hotel

Meals: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Oslo for your return flight home.

Meals: 1 breakfast

Documentary photographer Esther Horvath specializes in scientific polar stories. Her work appeared in National Geographic’s September 2019 Arctic issue, and has covered scientific stations in Greenland, the largest Arctic Ocean science expedition in history, and more.

Find the departure(s) Esther will join on our website.

This trip is operated in collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions.

This expedition is offered in May and June.

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and vary by cabin category. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. Internal flights are an additional cost. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice.

Call 1-888-966-8687 or your professional travel advisor

Find details and dates for all our expeditions at natgeoexpeditions.com/wildlife