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Holidays

North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer

Arctic, Svalbard, Norway
Available Departures: Jun, Jul

11 days from

US$5,350

without flights
Polar
Guided Group
LEISURELY LEISURELY

Stunning 10 day holiday on a schooner, wildlife watching, easy walking, sailing and visiting historic sights on Svalbard

Trip Code: PSP
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer

Highlights
  • Get the chance to see arctic wildlife such as walrus, arctic fox and polar bears
  • Explore the north of Spitsbergen, and view the impressive Monaco Glacier
  • Sail on a 3 mast schooner, the Rembrandt van Rijn - with a maximum of 33 passengers
  • Fantastic walks in awe inspiring landscapes with expert expedition staff

At a Glance
  • Group Size 1 to 33
  • 9 days sailing and walking and snowshoeing
  • The SV Rembrandt van Rijn
  • Join In Longyearbyen

Accommodation & Meals
  • All meals included
  • 10 nights SV Rembrandt van Rijn
Overview

Experience this awe-inspiring world from the calm of our sailing ship, the beautiful Rembrandt van Rijn, with a maximum of 33 passengers this really does feel like a more personal experience.  The size of our ship allows us to access small remote fjords, rugged peaks and isolated settlements of the Svalbard archipelago.  We start in the small town of Longyearbyen, and make our way slowly north, aiming to reach the wild north Spitzbergen and view the breathtaking Monaco Glacier - Stopping along the way to get out into this stunning scenary and truly breath in these incredible surroundings. Always on the lookout for wildlife we will explore Spitzbergen not only by ship but also up close from small Zodiac boats and on foot. Of course, we are also always on the look out, and if lucky we'll see some polar bears, walruses, and seals.

Is this holiday for you?

Each day we will disembark the ship and have excursions which will involve a short walk. These excursions are rarely on paths or tracks as there are simply not enough visitors to most of the locations to form a ‘path’. 

There will be options for walks each day in the vicinity of the landing sites. You should bring your own sturdy ankle-high hiking boots and gaiters. Snowsh …

Each day we will disembark the ship and have excursions which will involve a short walk. These excursions are rarely on paths or tracks as there are simply not enough visitors to most of the locations to form a ‘path’. 

There will be options for walks each day in the vicinity of the landing sites. You should bring your own sturdy ankle-high hiking boots and gaiters. Snowshoe walking is easy and does not require any technical skills. The snowshoes will fit all boot sizes.

Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. You must be able to get up and down the gangway from the ship to the water level to board the Zodiacs  - effectively a ladder with 4 rungs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats. Ashore it can be slippery and rocky. Also consider that you are travelling in remote areas without quick access to sophisticated medical facilities.

The Rembrandt van Rijn is a sailing ship, with engines for when the weather is not suitable for sailing (based on open sea, water depth, wind, and time); the captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or the other propulsion method. You will not be expected to ‘help out' with the crew on sailing the boat, however you can participate if you wish and it is always appreciated.

The day to day itinerary is for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. No two voyages are alike and flexibility is paramount on expedition cruises.

Why KE?

First hand experience in the KE office - talk to the people that have actually been there and loved it.  


No surprise costs.
All zodiac excursions, landings and all meals on board are included in the price.

Itinerary

This is the land of the midnight sun with 24 hour daylight from mid-April to mid-August. Longyearbyen is the world's most northerly town, and is the largest settlement on Svalbard. Originally a whaling station, coal mining was the main occupation of the inhabitants of Longyearbyen from 1906 until the early 1990's. Today tourism and Arctic wildlife conservation are the principal industries and there is a very friendly and international feel to the town. The transfer to the Rembrandt van Rijn is in the afternoon. Once aboard you have time to settle in to our cabin, before gathering together in the lounge for an initial briefing from the Expedition leader and are introduced to members of the expedition staff and crew. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where we might spot the first minke whale of your voyage. In the evening we sail for Trygghamna, where we see the remains of a 17th-century English whaling station and 18th-century Pomor hunting station, both of which we can visit the next morning.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

D

Each day will be planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Distances are relatively short in the archipelago and, as there are no ocean crossings, the seas are normally calm. An option for today's walk is from from Trygghamna to Alkhornet; a large seabird cliff where the birds are scouting out breeding places. Below these impressive cliffs there are often reindeer grazing on the vegetation which has started to push its way through the snow, and keep your eyes peeled as spotting an arctic fox here is a real possibility.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

B L D

We sail into Fuglefjorden amid views of Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, both breeding areas for great skuas as well as likely spots to see a polar bear. On Birgerbukta we can see 17th-century Basque ovens once used for cooking whale blubber. The aim next is to visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island that served for many years as a Dutch whaling lookout. Here we can still follow the whalers’ tracks to the summit of the island, passing popular bird cliffs on the way. On shore are the remains of more 17th-century blubber ovens, while Arctic skuas and common eiders breed among the graves of some two hundred Dutch whalers.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

B L D

After a fantastic breakfast on board, we aim to spend the day exploring Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, this is a fine place for gazing over the glaciers. It’s also a favorite hangout for ringed and bearded seals, colonies of seabird, and the occasional polar bear and beluga whale. Ermaktangen, at the fjord coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine place for gazing over this incredible land.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

B L D

If ice conditions permit, we may land on the northern side of Reindyrsflya, the largest tundra area of Spitsbergen. This vast and rolling plain is a popular grazing area for reindeer, and wading birds. Similarly, the lakes afford us a good chance of spotting red-throated divers and king eiders.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

B L D

Depending on the weather, we could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long face of the precipitous Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in the season, an alternate route along the west coast of Spitsbergen can be implemented.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

B L D

In the morning you land at Fuglesangen, where you can observe spirited communities of little auks. You then sail south to Magdalenafjorden, one of the glacier-filled highlights of Spitsbergen. A shore visit shows you the remains of 17th-century English whaling, and you can also see more large colonies of little auks.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

B L D

Today we'll spend out time exploring the northernmost community in the world; Ny Alesund, an old coal mining town which is now host to sixteen permanent research stations run by agencies from ten countries. Also just out of town we can visit the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge, which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaska in 1926. We can even post a postcard home; from the world's northernmost post office. Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary here.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

B L D

After a wakeup call at 7:30 (our guides take it in turns to do the wakeup call over the tannoy) and the usual amazing breakfast at 8:00, we layer up our clothing and head out in the zodiacs. the goal is a landing at Fuglehuken. Here there are large seabird colonies and a haul-out spot for harbour seals. Alternatively we might land on the coast of Forlandsundet, at Engelskbukta or Sarstangen. Walruses are occasionally seen here, more often than not walrus don't do very much on land, where movement is an effort with over 1000kg of blubber to haul around. We can watch them for a good hour or so, arguing amongst themselves as they get themselves comfortable and continually scratching with their flippers. The tundra is also a fine place for a walk with this option being more about the arctic wilderness than wildlife spotting; just being and experiencing the remote quiet of this island is enough here.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

B L D

The next stop is Bohemanflya, an expansive tundra with its own avifauna (depending on when spring arrives) and spectacular geological formations along the coast. In Gipsvika you can go on shore near Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from the Upper Carboniferous period - around 290 million years ago.

Accommodation

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Meals

B L D

You disembark in the morning and transfers to the airport are provided. KE Land Only package services end with a transfer to the airport.

Meals

B
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Airport Airport
Point Point
Boat

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • Expert expedition staff and sailing staff
  • All accommodation as described
  • All meals on board the SV Rembrandt Van Rijn
  • Snowshoe hire
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac

  • Travel insurance
  • Visas (if applicable)
  • Tips for staff
  • Meals other than those on board the ship
  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

You will meet at the ship in Longyearbyen at 4pm on day 1 of the land only itinerary.

On day 1 of the itinerary an airport transfer is provided for flights SK4490 (arriving 12:40) and DY396 (arriving 11:55).

On the return an airport transfer is provided for flights SK4491 (departing 13:25) and DY397 (departing 12:40).

If you are purchasing your own flights you must provide the KE office with full details of their flights. Emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

All meals on board the SV Rembrandt van Rijn are included, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 11.

Water from the taps is perfectly drinkable on this holiday - please use this to fill your personal bottles for your daily activities. We do not encourage the purchase of single-use plastic bottles.

On board the ship a diverse range of international dishes are available. Meals are prepared and catered by professional chefs and all meals are included in the holiday price. Special dietary requirements, including vegetarianism, can be accommodated with advance notice (please advise at the time of booking). Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are not included and can be prurchased in the dining room or the lounge areas.

During this trip the group will spend 10 nights on board the SV Rembrandt van Rijn. This is a 3 mast schooner sailing vessel. It was built as a herring lugger early last century. The vessel was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in the Netherlands, with final refurbishments completed in 2011. The ship is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands (due to its size) and offers good open deck viewing areas also when under sail. Two zodiacs enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities. The bow of the vessel is reinforced and is therefore suitable to sail in arctic waters.

The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 49.5m in length, 7m in width and has a draft of 2,5 m. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 twin cabins in 1 Triple Private cabin with porthole which has a double and single bed, 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins with porthole. All cabins have ensuite facilities with a shower & toilet. On board there is also a restaurant and a bar/reading room for use to everyone whilst on board.

Our base price is a cabin with twin berths with no porthole. You can upgrade to a twin with porthole. All cabins and have private en-suite bathrooms.

A carefully chosen professional and qualified team will lead your voyage. Their goal is to provide an informed and balanced interpretation of the destination, accomplished through day-to-day briefings, and informal discussions. The expedition staff will work conscientiously with you, on deck and in the field, to allow you to experience all that the destination has to offer. Their strong sense of ethics and ecological knowledge make for stimulating and mindful conversation whether onshore or at the dinner table.

It is not practical to set a recommended amount for personal spending money on a holiday like this. All meals while on board and the daily Zodiac excursions, are included in the trip price. The main extra spend on board will be on drinks and this will vary greatly from person to person. On board ship, bar bills can be put on a tab and paid at the end of the cruise by credit or debit card or in cash Euros. You will also need some money for any meals taken in Longyearbyen and for tips.

Please note - You will not be able to exchange your foreign money to Norwegian kroner in Svalbard. Many of Longyearbyen’s stores and restaurants will however accept almost any debit or credit card. You will find an ATM in the post and bank building, in the middle of the pedestrian street.

The customary gratuity to the ship's service personnel is made as a blanket contribution in one envelope at the end of the voyage, which is divided among the crew and staff. You will receive detailed guidelines on board. Tipping is a very personal matter and the amount you wish to give is at your discretion. It is better for the crew and staff, if you can give them cash, either US Dollar or Euro.  As a guide, we recommend you allow about $15 per day for tips to your crew and expedition staff.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Your baggage will be kept in your cabin with you and there is a finite amount of space. Please keep the weight of your main luggage to around 15kg. A soft bag is the most suitable as they are easier to store in the cabin - in fact the ship crew discourage the use of hard cases as much as possible, as they simply take up too much space in the cabin.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

The holiday will be conducted in English. Generally on these trips there will be a mix of nationalities but it is not possible to guarantee this.

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

The unit of currency in Norway is the Norwegian Krone.

When on the ship everything is priced is Euros.  If you are paying in cash you will need Euros, if you are paying by card your bank will use their exchange rate.

Please note - You will not be able to exchange your foreign money to Norwegian kroner in Svalbard. Many of Longyearbyen’s stores and restaurants will however accept almost any debit or credit card. You will find an ATM in the post and bank building, in the middle of the pedestrian street.

Svalbard’s location within the Arctic circle is the biggest factor on climate but temperatures especially around the coast are moderated by the influence of the warm North Atlantic Current which keeps the waters navigable for most of the year and average spring / summer temperatures at around 2 to 6°C. However, on deck with a sea breeze, the wind chill can bring the real feel temperature below freezing. Precipitation is most certainly possible at this time of year, although is likely to be in the form of snow.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience!

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. Please restrict your baggage to one main bag and a small daypack.

YOU SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

  • Casual shoes / Trainers or similar for onboard

  • * Rubber boots (Wellington boots) for Zodiac landings and for use with snowshoes

  • Waterproof jacket with hood

  • Waterproof trousers or salopettes

  • Trekking trousers

  • Windproof soft shell

  • Thermal Baselayer top and bottoms

  • Casual shirt and/or T-shirts

  • Fleece jacket or warm jumper

  • Down Jacket

  • Underwear

  • Socks (Warm, high wool or similar socks worn over a thin pair of silk, polypropylene socks should provide enough warmth and insulation for your feet. Bring several pairs of socks, since you will inevitably get your feet wet)

  • Sunhat

  • Warm hat (plus spare)

  • Scarf and/or buff

  • Sun glasses/glacier glasses with sides (plus spare)

  • Waterproof gloves

  • Water bottle 1 Litre (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

  • Rucksack 25 litres

  • Selection of dry bags (to keep rucksack contents dry)

  • Small padlock (to lock trek bag)

  • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

  • Washbag and toiletries

  • Seasickness remedy

  • Plug adapter - On the ship (Rembrandt van Rijn) you will need a plug / adaptor with European 2 pin round holes.

  • Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, and plasters (band-aids).

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE OPTIONAL:

  • Travel clothes
  • Ski goggles
  • Camera (in a dry bag)
  • Binoculars
  • Walking / Trekking poles (highly recommended)
  • USB memory stick (in case you want to swap photos with other travellers)
  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

NOTE: Snowshoes are provided

* Wellington boots should be used instead of walking boots on this holiday to ensure you keep your feet dry, this will be both when hiking with and without the snowshoes. There are several reasons for this: most zodiac landings will be 'wet landings' where it is likely that water depth will be atleast ankle deep / when hiking the snow can be at least ankle deep / when hiking there are often streams to walk through. 

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.

DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

2025

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: PSP /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Sun 8 Jun and ends on Wed 18 Jun
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$1,730
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: PSP /02/25/
  • This trip begins on Wed 18 Jun and ends on Sat 28 Jun
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$1,730
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: PSP /03/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 28 Jun and ends on Tue 8 Jul
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$1,730
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Longyearbyen. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Longyearbyen Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to 'Joining Arrangements and Transfers' for further details.

Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.


UPGRADE PRICE PER PERSON AND CABINS

Our base price for this holiday includes accommodation in a triple berth cabin. You can upgrade to a cabin with or without a porthole. If you are travelling on your own you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Please contact the office for further details on upgrade prices. All cabins and have private en-suite bathrooms.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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