Spitsbergen Svalbard Cruise Adventure

For those interested in kayaking most things are on offer at the Northwestern coast of Spitsbergen. The coast line is part of the worlds most northerly ice free area and has an abundant wildlife both on land and in the sea.

Join us - and enjoy exciting days with kayaking on one of Spitsbergen`s most beautiful fjords areas, Kongsfjord and Krossfjord. The Kayak Camp is combined with Spitsbergen Adventure Cruise on the coastal steamer MS Nordstjernen.

We leave Longyearbyen with the MS Nordstjernen, joining the cruise along the northwestern coast of Spitsbergen, and up to the 80º parallel. After three days on board, we disembark the ship at the Blomstrand camp. Here the glacier Blomstrandbreen will be our immediate neighbour during our stay.

Blomstrandhamna is located on the northern side of Kongsfjorden, and here we have the base camp that will be our home during this adventurous journey. Spectacular peaks and glaciers are surrounding the base camp.

The Blomstrand peninsula - that actually now has become an island - is located right south of the camp. Until a few years ago, this island was connected to the mainland of Spitsbergen by the eastern arm of the Blomstrand glacier. The glacier has now retreated, and has left open sea where one earlier could walk dry shod.

The camp is a good starting point for nice kayak tours. The first day at the camp we aim for a daytrip with several exiting landings around this very island. We visit old huts where the hunters and trappers used to be wintering. Not least, we'll also visit the former settlement Ny-London where a marble mine was established in the beginning of the 19th century. The area gives us a fantastic view of Kongsbreen and the surrounding mountains.

The next two days we aim for an overnight stay outside the camp. We are packing the equipment that is needed for this trip, before heading for Krossfjorden and the glacier named 14. Julibreen. We settle a simple camp and enjoy the midnight sun before crawling down into our sleeping bags.

The day after we keep on paddling further on into Krossfjorden before turning and going back home to the Blomstrand camp.

Krossfjorden, surrounded by high peaks and huge glaciers, is a fantastic place for kayaking. Glaciers are calving, and icebergs are floating in the sea. All the time we're surrounded by seals and thousands of birds.

If the weather conditions turn out to be against us, we have an alternative program on land, with trekking and glacier hikes in the spectacular area next to our camp.

Participants are expected to assist with setting up camp and meal preparation while on land.

There is a morning flight available from Oslo or Tromso. Transfer to Spitsbergen Guesthouse. Informational meeting in the afternoon followed by dinner.

After breafast there is an optional guided walk to the "Plateau Mountain", 425 meters above sea level. Following lunch, we invite you on a guided tour of Longyearbyen and a visit to the Svalbard Museum. We embark the ship at 5:00 PM and set sail for Barentsburg. After arrival, you will have 2-3 hours to explore. Perhaps a folklore show at the Cultural House? We leave at 11:30 PM and during the night sail out of the icefjord, then along the coast of the Prins Karls Forland passing the Kongsfjord on our way north.

At night we sail out of the Icefjord, then along the coast of the Prins Karls Forland passing the Kongsfjord heading north.

At night/early morning we pass "The seven Icebergs" before reaching Spitsbergens northwest corner. Arrival in the Magdalenefjord in the morning.

Late afternoon we're cruising further north along the north west coast of Spitsbergen.

Depending on the weather and ice conditions we sail to the Woodfjord area. In the Liefdefjord we can see the astonishing front of the Monaco glacier. Landings by zodiacs in the afternoon.When having good ice-conditions we cross the 800 parallel and sail up to the Moffen Island.Cruising southwards at night.

We plan to arrive in Ny Alesund in the morning and take a guided walk around town. Here you will be introduced to the history of coal mining and exploration in this are. There will be time to explore on your own, visit the museum and do some souvenir shopping. We re-board and cross the Kongsfjord to Blomstrand where we disembark for our camp. We will spend some time reviewing our kayak safety measure and take a kayak trip to the glacier front, looking for wildlife, icebergs and quiet beauty.

Over the next two days we will explore the Blomstrand island. We will prepare for an overnight trip to the glacier named 14 Julibreen in Krossfjorden.

We return to camp this afternoon to re-board our ship. At night we continue southward along the coast of Prins Karls Forland, returning to the Icefjord.

We arrive in Longyearbyen in the morning. Transfer provided to airport for afternoon flight to Oslo or Tromso.

Notes