Land of the Polar Bears

TRAVELER FAVORITE

11 DAYS FROM $11,990

• Experience the legendary midnight sun: the ethereal light when the sun never sets. • Discover unusual flora and tidewater glaciers by Zodiac and on foot with our naturalists. • Alongside a National Geographic photographer, document wildlife beneath the midnight sun.

Expedition Cruise Light or Moderate

DAYS 1–2 I U.S./OSLO, NORWAY 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. Hotel Bristol | Meals: 1L

DAY 3 I LONGYEARBYEN 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. National Geographic Endurance or National Geographic Resolution through Day 9 Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

A pair of Svalbard reindeer stare into the photographer’s lens.

DAYS 4–9 I SVALBARD A high Arctic archipelago situated between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard is a place of deep fjords, snow-capped 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 photographer, capture images of 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. 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: 6B, 6L, 6D

DAY 10 I LONGYEARBYEN/OSLO 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 in our hotel. Radisson Blu Airport Hotel | Meals: 1B, 1L

DAY 11 I OSLO/U.S. After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Oslo for your return flight home. Meals: 1B

A diverse expedition team, including an Expedition Leader, a photo instructor, and local naturalists will accompany this trip.

Nick Cobbing National Geographic Photographer Nick Cobbing focuses on the intersection of science and personal stories in the Arctic region. He has accompanied many polar research expeditions, and his story on the future of Arctic sea ice appeared in the January 2016 issue of National Geographic. His work has been shown worldwide, including to the U.S. Congress and the Stockholm Parliament.

INFORMATION

This trip is operated in collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions. Dates: 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 website. Airfare is not included in the price. Internal flights are an additional $930 per person. 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.

EXPEDITIONS BY PRIVATE JET

On our private jet trips, you'll be whisked from one fantastic destination to the next, venturing to far-flung places—from Machu Picchu to the Serengeti Plain—with ease. Whether you circumnavigate the globe or experience the wonders of an entire continent, you’ll explore alongside a team of top-notch experts and meet with National Geographic's grantees and researchers in the field wherever possible. Travel in exceptional comfort aboard a VIP-configured jet, enjoying the personalized care of our expedition staff and flight crew, and stay in world-class accommodations at each destination.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S ICONIC YELLOW BORDER TAKES TO THE SKIES.