Included: Experienced expedition guides with extensive knowledge of the area 10-day Svalbard cruise expedition Accommodation for the first night at a hotel in Longyearbyen (double occupancy) Accommodation for 8 nights aboard M/S Quest (triple occupancy) Zodiac shore excursions from the ship Active hikes in Svalbard 3-5 kayak outings Meals as indicated in the itinerary A welcome toast and captain’s drinks Airport pick-up and drop-off Transfer from the hotel to the ship Lectures, videos, slides and film shows Port taxes and port charges Medical services (resident doctor and well-equipped clinic on board) Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout): Extra kayaking (available at checkout) Expert tuition photographic package Upgrades to twin or double cabins Not included: Flights to Norway Accommodations and meals not indicated in the itinerary Optional excursions not listed in the itinerary Personal expenses (laundry, medical expenses, bar charges, phone/email charges) Alcohol Airport departure taxes and visa, passport, and vaccination charges Emergency evacuation charges Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

To enjoy this Svalbard cruise, you’ll need to be in good health, relatively fit and active, and adventurous . The shore landings and zodiac cruises in Svalbard are suitable for anyone with the ability to descend and ascend the ship’s gangway (a steep set of stairs with a handrail) and enter the zodiac with assistance from the expedition team. The active hikes on the Svalbard cruise will involve up to 5 km (3 miles) of hiking on varied terrain, from gentle tundra to steep slopes on a mix of uneven, rocky ground, with 180 to 210 m (600 to 700 m) elevation on average. The hikes may involve some scrambling. The kayaking program on this Svalbard cruise requires good fitness levels and being comfortable in water. You’ll go kayaking between 3 and 5 times on the cruise, depending on the weather. Kayaking requires basic upper body strength and endurance to navigate the icy waters. While prior paddling experience is helpful, beginners are welcome! If you’re an enthusiastic kayaker and have the stamina to paddle for extended periods, consider adding extra kayaking sessions to your booking (available at checkout). You will get a dedicated kayak and gear so you can maximize your time on the water in Svalbard with 6 to 10 outings, depending on the weather.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Zodiacs & landings Long-sleeve tops (Merino wool or polypropylene) — pack 3-4 Leggings (Merino wool or polypropylene) — pack 2-3 Polar fleece top or lightweight wool jumper Polar fleece or warm tracksuit bottoms Polar fleece or down zip-up jacket or vest Waterproof outer jacket Waterproof pants durable and wide enough to fit over the muck boots provided by the guides Sheepskin wool insoles — optional, but recommended Thick wool or synthetic socks — pack several pairs Polypropylene or wool inner gloves — pack 2 Waterproof outer gloves — pack 2 Neck gaiter large enough to cover your mouth Fleece or wool beanie that covers your ears On board Comfortable casual clothes (onboard temperature is approx. 20°C) Warm comfortable flat shoes with good grip or moccasins Other recommended items Personal medication Sea sickness medication Moisturizer for face and hands Lip balm/chapstick Sunscreen Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, and conditioner are supplied in all bathrooms) Earplugs and eye mask Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses Polarized sunglasses Glasses cord for glasses/sunglasses Waterproof bag for landings Dry bags or Ziplock plastic bag for your camera Camera and accessories, spare batteries and memory cards Binoculars Adaptor (the plugs aboard are European 2 prong) Water bottle Collapsible adjustable walking poles Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season and activities.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this Svalbard cruise, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. The boat can accommodate up to 50 participants. A Svalbard cruise can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 16 may be permitted to join the Svalbard cruise on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has adventurers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Svalbard cruise is Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway. To get there, most people fly into Svalbard Airport (LYR) . From there, an airport transfer will take you to the hotel in Longyearbyen for your overnight stay. Once you’re there, you will meet your expedition leaders and the rest of the group in the evening of Day 1. More details will be provided before your departure.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

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Svalbard Cruise: Hike and Kayak Arctic Expedition

SVALBARD | NORWAY

Expedition Cruise in Remote Svalbard: Hike and Kayak

10 days | Easy to Moderate | 5.00

From $9,590 ()

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There’s a place where the world feels untouched, raw, and completely alive—and it’s calling us north. In Svalbard, nature is in charge. Glaciers stretch like frozen rivers, the sun refuses to set, and reindeer wander the streets of Longyearbyen like they own the place. Over 10 days, this Svalbard cruise will take us deep into the Arctic wilderness. We’ll explore icy fjords in zodiacs, hike across open tundra, and paddle through crystal-clear waters. Each day is a new journey into the wild, with our trusty ship as both a basecamp and a warm retreat. Here, on the edge of the world, adventure isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.

Adventure Highlights

Into the wild—seriously: Explore the Arctic wilderness on hikes and kayak straight into Svalbard’s wild heart
Wildlife up close: Spot polar bears, reindeer, seals, and more—up close in their natural Arctic home
Cozy expedition: Kick back with delicious meals and cozy comforts on board

Duration

10 days

Season

July

Group size

Up to 50 people

The adventure, day by day

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Ready to explore the edge of the world? On this 10-day Svalbard cruise aboard the M/S Quest, we’ll go on daily zodiac excursions, scenic hikes and kayaking sessions, encountering wildlife up close along the way. With expert expedition guides leading the way, we’ll explore glaciers, fjords, and remote shores. Aboard the M/S quest, we’ll enjoy comfortable cabin accommodation and all meals, and we’ll spend a cozy night in Longyearbyen before we set sail. All the little details are taken care of, from airport transfers to port charges, so we can focus on the journey ahead. The Arctic is waiting—are you ready?

Day 1: Arrival in Longyearbyen

Vedute of the town of Longyearbyen in Svalbard, Norway.

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel for your overnight stay. In the evening, you’ll meet the expedition leaders and the rest of the group for a trip briefing.

Accommodation: Hotel in Longyearbyen

Day 2: Longyearbyen — M/S Quest

Colorful coal mining houses in Longyearbyen

You’ll have most of the day to explore Longyearbyen. Consider exploring The North Pole Expedition Museum, visiting the local brewery, and enjoying a reindeer burger in one of the local restaurants. We’ll board the M/S Quest in the late afternoon. Cruising out of the beautiful Isfjorden, we’ll be escorted by gliding fulmars and perhaps the occasional puffin. There will be a briefing to distribute dry suits, poggies (paddling mitts for our hands), lifejackets and dry bags.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: M/S Quest

Day 3-9: Exploring Svalbard

Adventurers exploring Svalbard with a view of the sea and mountains

Over the next days we will explore the amazing wilderness of Svalbard! We’ll spend as much time as possible outside, be it zodiac cruising, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing, or all four! Our experienced Arctic team will use their know-how to design a day-to-day itinerary that makes the best use of the weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. We’ll aim for at least two outings per day and explore wonderful landing sites in small groups.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: M/S Quest

Day 10: Departure

The polar arctic Northern lights aurora borealis sky star in Norway Svalbard in Longyearbyen city the moon mountains

As our Svalbard cruise comes to an end, we’ll disembark the ship around 9am and transfer to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

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Photo gallery

Kayakers paddle among icebergs near a large glacier

Svalbard cruise guided Arctic expedition

Life on board

M/S Quest

A big part of the magic of this Svalbard cruise is the M/S Quest, a vessel originally designed to master the ice-choked waters of Greenland. With room for 53 passengers and a comfortable panoramic lounge with 300-degree views, the Quest is the perfect ship for exploring Svalbard and the spectacular Arctic scenery.

The M/S Quest‘s high ice class rating makes it the perfect platform for encountering majestic polar bears amidst the pack ice. With highly experienced expedition staff with deep knowledge of the region, our cruise in Svalbard is sure to be both exciting and safe.

Cabins

After days full of adventure on our Svalbard cruise, we’ll retreat to comfortable and well-proportioned triple cabins. All the cabins on the M/S Quest feature a compact bathroom, ample storage for our belongings, and a large window with views of the scenery. all with windows, a compact bathroom, and ample storage space for our belongings.

If you’d like more comfort on the cruise, upgrades to twin and double cabins are available for an additional fee. These cabins come in different sizes (8.8 to 10.9 sqm), with some offering additional amenities such as a seating area, a TV and a DVD player.

Adventure, packed to go

Expedition Cruise in Remote Svalbard: Hike and Kayak

Adventure Brochure

Brochure and video trailer

Download the trip brochure and cinematic trailer—everything you need to plan, share, or start dreaming.

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What others say about this adventure

5.00 (1 review)

Paul D

Excellent trip, Well organised , great guides, Wonderful experience. The local were very friendly and helpful

Show all reviews

Things to know

Included:
- - Experienced expedition guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 10-day Svalbard cruise expedition
  - Accommodation for the first night at a hotel in Longyearbyen (double occupancy)
  - Accommodation for 8 nights aboard M/S Quest (triple occupancy)
  - Zodiac shore excursions from the ship
  - Active hikes in Svalbard
  - 3-5 kayak outings
  - Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  - A welcome toast and captain’s drinks
  - Airport pick-up and drop-off
  - Transfer from the hotel to the ship
  - Lectures, videos, slides and film shows
  - Port taxes and port charges
  - Medical services (resident doctor and well-equipped clinic on board)
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
- - Extra kayaking (available at checkout)
  - Expert tuition photographic package
  - Upgrades to twin or double cabins
Not included:
- - Flights to Norway
  - Accommodations and meals not indicated in the itinerary
  - Optional excursions not listed in the itinerary
  - Personal expenses (laundry, medical expenses, bar charges, phone/email charges)
  - Alcohol
  - Airport departure taxes and visa, passport, and vaccination charges
  - Emergency evacuation charges
  - Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional
To enjoy this Svalbard cruise, you’ll need to be in good health, relatively fit and active, and adventurous. The shore landings and zodiac cruises in Svalbard are suitable for anyone with the ability to descend and ascend the ship’s gangway (a steep set of stairs with a handrail) and enter the zodiac with assistance from the expedition team.

The active hikes on the Svalbard cruise will involve up to 5 km (3 miles) of hiking on varied terrain, from gentle tundra to steep slopes on a mix of uneven, rocky ground, with 180 to 210 m (600 to 700 m) elevation on average. The hikes may involve some scrambling.

The kayaking program on this Svalbard cruise requires good fitness levels and being comfortable in water. You’ll go kayaking between 3 and 5 times on the cruise, depending on the weather. Kayaking requires basic upper body strength and endurance to navigate the icy waters. While prior paddling experience is helpful, beginners are welcome!

If you’re an enthusiastic kayaker and have the stamina to paddle for extended periods, consider adding extra kayaking sessions to your booking (available at checkout). You will get a dedicated kayak and gear so you can maximize your time on the water in Svalbard with 6 to 10 outings, depending on the weather.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

Zodiacs & landings
- - Long-sleeve tops (Merino wool or polypropylene) — pack 3-4
  - Leggings (Merino wool or polypropylene) — pack 2-3
  - Polar fleece top or lightweight wool jumper
  - Polar fleece or warm tracksuit bottoms
  - Polar fleece or down zip-up jacket or vest
  - Waterproof outer jacket
  - Waterproof pants durable and wide enough to fit over the muck boots provided by the guides
  - Sheepskin wool insoles — optional, but recommended
  - Thick wool or synthetic socks — pack several pairs
  - Polypropylene or wool inner gloves — pack 2
  - Waterproof outer gloves — pack 2
  - Neck gaiter large enough to cover your mouth
  - Fleece or wool beanie that covers your ears
On board
- - Comfortable casual clothes (onboard temperature is approx. 20°C)
  - Warm comfortable flat shoes with good grip or moccasins
Other recommended items
- - Personal medication
  - Sea sickness medication
  - Moisturizer for face and hands
  - Lip balm/chapstick
  - Sunscreen
  - Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, and conditioner are supplied in all bathrooms)
  - Earplugs and eye mask
  - Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses
  - Polarized sunglasses
  - Glasses cord for glasses/sunglasses
  - Waterproof bag for landings
  - Dry bags or Ziplock plastic bag for your camera
  - Camera and accessories, spare batteries and memory cards
  - Binoculars
  - Adaptor (the plugs aboard are European 2 prong)
  - Water bottle
  - Collapsible adjustable walking poles
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season and activities.

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Group sizes and pricing
- - For this Svalbard cruise, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
  - The boat can accommodate up to 50 participants.
A Svalbard cruise can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 16 may be permitted to join the Svalbard cruise on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has adventurers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Svalbard cruise is Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway. To get there, most people fly into Svalbard Airport (LYR). From there, an airport transfer will take you to the hotel in Longyearbyen for your overnight stay.

Once you’re there, you will meet your expedition leaders and the rest of the group in the evening of Day 1. More details will be provided before your departure.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits

You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Super Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

Have more questions?

Our team is here to answer your questions and plan with you.

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