Svalbard Autumn Light with Christian Nørgaard

In the middle of September, we set out into the untamed wilderness of Svalbard. With 10 nights on board, you’ll have countless extraordinary photo opportunities. Zodiac excursions in the soft autumn light bring you up close to Svalbard's incredible landscapes, while onshore hikes invite you to capture its essence from every angle.

The Arctic foxes have begun changing into their beautiful white winter coats, and the Svalbard reindeer are photogenic with their full-grown antlers.

The ice has receded, allowing for exploration further east. We also have excellent opportunities to reach Bråsvellbreen, a magnificent glacier front stretching 45 kilometers. By this time of year, the first snow may have fallen, beautifully dusting the mountain peaks and the landscapes.

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to your hotel, where we will spend the night before embarking on our great adventure.

Day 2 - 11: Expedition cruising

Explore Longyearbyen on your own before meeting your fellow travelers and guides for lunch. In the afternoon, we embark on the expedition ship and sail through the spectacular Isfjorden—our Arctic adventure has begun! We are now in a part of the world where we are entirely dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary will be shaped by these factors and by the wildlife we encounter. Our goal is to go on Zodiac cruises every day and go ashore whenever possible. Here are some examples of places we may visit:

Northwest Spitsbergen

With its high, pointed mountain peaks (hence the name), Northwestern Spitsbergen offers stunning vistas and exceptional opportunities for landscape photography. Whether capturing the dramatic play of light on the mountains or the serene reflections in the fjords, the region is a paradise for photographers. 

The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile launched their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. Two other daring attempts to reach the North Pole also began on the island of Danskøya. The Swedish explorer Andrée attempted it with a hydrogen balloon, while the American journalist Wellman used an airship. Fascinating remnants of these expeditions can still be seen today .

The magnificent fjords of Svalbard

Svalbard offers countless spectacular fjords, home to an abundance of wildlife. Below are some fjords and glaciers we may explore by ship or Zodiac during our journey:

In Krossfjorden, we find one of the largest glaciers in northwestern Spitsbergen, Lilliehööksbreen, which stretches around 22 km. The beautifully sculpted front of this incredible glacier is best enjoyed during a Zodiac cruise.  

Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love,” is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks, and here we hope to cruise along the face of the stunning Monaco Glacier, which is a popular spot for bearded seals. 

Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty, dominated by striking glaciers.

North of Spitsbergen

Depending on the weather and ice conditions, we hope to reach the pack ice north of Spitsbergen. This floating, ever-changing habitat offers a fascinating and powerful experience. Few ships venture here, allowing us to enjoy the tranquillity of this magnificent icy landscape. We remain on the lookout for exciting Arctic wildlife, including polar bears and seals. The pack ice around Svalbard plays a crucial role in the archipelago’s ecosystem and climate, serving as a vital component of life in the Arctic. 

Eastern Svalbard

The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by a huge ice cap and has fascinated naturalists and historians alike. Here the giant glacier Bråsvellbreen stretches for 180 kilometres! The 15-20 metre high ice edge is punctuated by hundreds of by hundreds of waterfalls.  Barentsøya and Edgeøya offer magnificent scenery and vast tundra. There is a good chance of seeing walrus, arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer.

Isfjorden

At the entrance of Isfjorden stands the scenic cliff of Alkhornet, inviting refreshing hikes across the tundra. Here, we hope to encounter Svalbard reindeer grazing in their natural habitat. Arctic foxes are sometimes seen in the rock crevices around the mountain and with a bit of luck we might see these lovely little animals scurrying around, frantically looking for food. 

Day 12: Longyearbyen

In the early morning, we disembark from our expedition ship and begin our journey home.

Please note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Our exact route will depend on the ice, weather conditions, wildlife and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

Important!

To ensure responsible tourism and protection of the environment, new regulations come into force in Svalbard on 1 January 2025. Read more about the regulations and PolarQuest's comments about these changes.