The Journey

Welcome to the Arctic Expedition of a lifetime.  The polar wilderness of Svalbard is less than three hours of flight time from Oslo. Travelling on an expedition vessel with 12 guests you will go on a journey to witness the Arctic silence at the end of the world. We will explore places that are seldom visited and spend time hiking in the untamed nature. It’s one of the best places in the world to see an abundance of polar wildlife, including the ‘King of the Arctic’ – the polar bear, as well as walruses, reindeer, and whales.

In 2022 lower numbers of international visitors are anticipated making it the ideal time for Norwegians to explore their own backcountry. All our adventures are protected by our booking promise in the event travel restrictions apply.

The Authentic Way To Experience Svalbard

Welcome to Longyearbyen, the most northerly town on Earth. Here you will join expedition vessel MV Villa to set out and explore Svalbard. On your expedition, you will witness Svalbard’s majestic frozen mountains, sprawling fjords, varied wildlife and huge glaciers up close.

Accompanied by a highly experienced expedition team we will make daily shore landings to explore the coast and hike in the wild nature. We will follow in the footsteps of famous explorers such as Roald Amundsen and visit remote hard to get to places.

The true luxury of our Arctic expeditions is that we take just 12 guests per voyage, so you can experience the nature and wild beauty free from the crowds of large expedition vessels.

polar bear tours in Svalbard by Chase Teron
svalbard expedition cruise
shore landing by zodiac in svalbard
svalbard scenery by chase teron
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longyearbyen cruise to svalbard expedition
Secret Atlas Offer 250

Unique Artic Expeditions

We offer 3 unique expeditions ranging from 8 – 15 days from May – September.

svalbard cruise map secret atlas

Frozen Svalbard

An 8-day cruise to explore the frozen coasts of Svalbard early in the season as it emerges from the long winter.

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svalbard photo tour

Natural Wonders of Svalbard

A 9-day cruise to explore the rugged north-west coast of Spitsbergen in search of wildlife, sea ice and glaciers.

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svalbard circumnavigation map

Svalbard Pioneer

A 15-day in-depth expedition to circumnavigate Spitsbergen and reach seldom visited places including the Austfonna ice cap.

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svalbard photo tour with chase teron
micro cruise in the arctic

Your Vessel

Expedition Motor Vessel Villa

expedition vessel villa

Step aboard M/V Villa an adventurous expedition vessel.

Join an adventure on a real expedition vessel. Villa is a former research vessel with an ice-strengthened hull that has been recently converted into a passenger ship that can accommodate 12 guests in tasteful cabins.

There is a large viewing area located on the bridge level which is perfect for viewing Svalbard’s stunning scenery from the warm. She features a large dining saloon, small library, wine cellar and a reading room.

Crewed by a team of experts with decades of experience navigating Arctic waters, she is a the ideal vessel for guests looking to go on a real expedition to hard to get to polar regions.

There is accommodation for 12 guests across 6 comfortable cabins with ensuite and shared facilities located next to the cabins. She is equipped with Zodiacs for shore landings and exploring.

  • Fast and capable ice strengthened expedition vessel

  • Small group size of 12 guests ensures an intimate experience

  • Former research vessel built for the polar environments

  • Refurbished to a high standard with warm, comfortable cabins

  • Equipped with 2 x zodiacs for shore landings

  • Large open deck space and raised areas for photography

  • Expert team of crew and guides

  • Full safety gear

See Vessel

Arctic Expeditions in Svalbard

See All Voyages

Join a Real Arctic Expedition Adventure

Although there is incredible scenery to see from the comfort of the vessel, an expedition is also an opportunity to explore Svalbard’s remote coastlines, hike through untamed wilderness, and see polar bears in their natural habitat. A part of any Svalbard expedition is the shore landings. With daily shore landings by Zodiac craft to experience the Arctic’s raw natural splendour, and flexible itineraries to maximise our chances of wildlife sightings and attempting to reach the sea ice – this is a real adventure.

Exploring Svalbard on an expedition vessel with just 12 guests is the chance for an enriching, and active escape from crowds and over-tourism. Gear up to hike across rugged terrain, and explore rarely-visited places, led by veteran expedition leaders with deep knowledge of this extraordinary Arctic environment.

Smaller ships are far better at accessing remote locations than larger expeditions. Small vessels can travel to places larger ships can’t reach. So you can see more, do more, and get closer to the incredible natural wonder you came to witness. A micro-expedition cruise with only 12 guests is a more sustainable way to visit Svalbard too – and we follow strict rules laid out by The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) for wildlife viewing, so our expeditions don’t have a negative effect on wildlife.

Why 2021 Is Your Year to Witness Svalbard

There will be lower numbers of international travellers expected to visit Svalbard in 2021 making it the perfect choice for Norwegians looking to visit their own country. Flights depart daily from Oslo and Tromsø, so take the opportunity to explore Arctic wilderness and vast unspoilt landscapes without international travel concerns. We also offer peace of mind and flexibility. All our expeditions are Covid-19 secure vessels with just 12 guests – the smallest expedition vessel in the industry, and there is free cancellation in the event of a postponement.

Our Svalbard expeditions run from April to August, taking advantage of the 24-hr daylight during the summer months, with better conditions and visibility to get closer to glaciers, settlements, and wildlife including polar bears, walruses, and possibly even the mighty blue whale.