Trip Highlights

fly into the most northerly city in the world, longyearbyen, and experience the land of the midnight sun

Explore the epic glacial landscapes of Svalbard and the frozen beauty of the arctic ocean

wake up each day in europe’s largest wilderness and search for elusive wildlife, guided by expert naturalists and historians

Join an intimate group of just 12 passengers as you discover the wild coasts of the svalbard Archipelago

Traveling in a Polar Wilderness

A trip to the Svalbard Archipelago is likely to be very different from any experience you've had before. It is a true polar wilderness, kingdom of the largest land predator on planet earth - the Polar bear.

Polar bears are not the only denizens of the rocky fells of Svalbard. A voyage around the archipelago's rich coastline will reveal the boisterous bedlam of migratory bird colonies, rippling haul-outs of the stately Atlantic walrus, and, if luck prevails, some of the Svalbard’s recovering population of whales. Though there are no guarantees during a trip through one of earth's last great wildernesses, here is what we can assure you of on a trip with Arctic Tern Expeditions:

1. Comfortable berthings on a sound expedition-style vessel that is well-equipped for the icy waters of Svalbard

2. Professional and knowledgeable guides who are passionate about this incredible wilderness

3. Carefully managed operations both on the ship and on shore, with safety as our first priority

4. Focus on putting you in the best possible places to view wildlife

5. A personable small-group experience in which you can expect the utmost consideration as our guest

Specialist Leader: Jorge Cervera Hauser

Underwater and wildlife photographer, award-winning film producer, and eco-tourism activist, Jorge has been sharing his love for the ocean and its creatures for the past decade. He has worked hand in hand with fishing communities in Baja to develop open ocean tourism as an alternative to fishing and produced the award-winning documentary film México Pelágico. Jorge founded a major liveaboard and ocean safari operation where he also envisioned & designed one of the top liveaboard vessels in the world.

As an underwater photographer, Jorge has documented unique, never before seen marine behavior. Swimming along orcas while they hunt pelagic rays in the Sea of Cortez, lurking amongst crocodiles and anacondas alike, or freediving with great white sharks in Guadalupe Island are only some of the moments that Jorge captures in his images. His work has been featured by National Geographic, Wired, Ocean Geographic, Apple and Samsung, among many others.

A two-time TED speaker, Jorge has been an ambassador for Discovery Channel, Nauticam, The Outdoor Journal, Blancpain, and KIA. Founding Board Member when the Revillagigedo National Park was created in 2017 and a former Advisory Board Member at the Guadalupe Island Biosphere Reserve.

In his most recent venture, Jorge founded the adventure travel firm Sherpa GX in 2023 with the purpose of sharing his love for the natural world through world class expeditions to the wildest places on Earth.

MV Villa Available Dates

July 20 - July 31, 2024 (SOLD OUT)

Cabin Options

NANSEN SUITE: Category a Suite (BOOKED)

AMUNDSEN SUITE: Category B Suite (BOOKED)

ANDREE, ARNESEN, BOYD, SHACKLETON SUITES: CAtegory C SUITEs (BOOKED)

Trip Itinerary

20 July - 31 July, 2024

12 days/11 nights

DAY 1 [July 20, 2024]: TOUR LONGYEARBYEN AND BOARD MV VILLA

Take the morning to explore Longyearbyen. Participate in optional excursions with local vendors or take in the the world’s most northerly town at your own pace. Meet at the Radisson Blu hotel in Longyearbyen at 16:00 for the initial expedition welcome. We will then join the MV Villa via an arranged shuttle in the afternoon to meet your crew onboard. In the evening, sail through Isfjord, an area known for its spectacular mountain scenery, in search of towering glacier fronts and the abundant wildlife that thrives here in the polar summer.

Overnight: MV Villa

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DAYS 2-11: EXPLORING SVALBARD

You will spend the next six days exploring the icy peaks and polar deserts of of Svalbard aboard the MV Villa. You will see an archipelago that offers an incredible diversity of landscapes as Arctic Tern Expeditions leads you from a verdant arctic tundra to desolate polar deserts, to the sweeping polar ice that covers huge swaths of the archipelago. At this time of year, we will likely encounter fast ice still frozen into the deep fjords that punctuate Svalbard’s coastline. Expect to scout out the coastlines around these areas and stay on the lookout for wildlife, as these are often hotspots for encounters with the marine mammals of the high Arctic.

Keep in mind that the ice, weather, and wildlife conditions can vary widely from year to year in Svalbard. Upon evaluating the conditions at the start date of your trip, the expedition team onboard along with the captain will make decisions about the best locations for the expedition to spend time. Finding and viewing the stunning wildlife of Svalbard is always our priority, but we plan to make the most of opportunities to hike, highlight the vibrant polar vegetation, and discuss the intriguing human history of this high arctic destination.

You may encounter polar bears at any point in this journey, curious whale pods feeding in these rich polar seas, and seals and walruses lounging on the shores of this polar archipelago. There is no telling what you may find from day to day as you explore the rich coastlines of Spitsbergen and surrounding islands. MV Villa is flexible in the scope of its operations, allowing you to make the very best of each opportunity to see and experience the wild beauty of Svalbard. The ship is a wonderful platform in of itself, and may allow for opportunities for exceptional photography from the spacious outer decks. All the while, your guides and crew will be on the constant lookout for intriguing wildlife and you will have the opportunity to venture out on Zodiac excursions and shore landings. Finish the day’s adventures in the well-appointed accommodations of the Villa and enjoy fantastic meals catered by the ship’s chef in the land of the midnight sun.

Overnight: MV Villa

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DAY 12 [July 31, 2024]: DISEMBARK MV Villa

You will bid farewell to your expedition team and ship’s crew in the morning and disembark in Longyearbyen. Transfer to the airport in time for your international flight going home or on to your next adventure.

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