7 Days Arctic Expedition – Svalbard, Pack Ice and Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters
- Anna & Tom
- Sep 24
- 4 min read
We spent 7 days on board the expedition ship Ortelius with Oceanwide Expeditions and experienced an adventure we will never forget. The journey took us from Svalbard towards the pack ice and even close to the North Pole.
In this blog post, we’ll take you along our route, share our excursions, wildlife highlights, and give you tips on preparation, costs, and the best time to go on an Arctic expedition.
Table of Contents
1. Preparing for an Arctic Expedition
An expedition to the Arctic is not just a vacation – you’re venturing into one of the most remote and fascinating regions of the planet. Important things to keep in mind before your trip:
Warm and weatherproof clothing (layering is a must)
Camera gear with a telephoto lens for wildlife photography
Binoculars for spotting wildlife
Sturdy waterproof shoes
Travel insurance including medical evacuation
Book early – spots are very limited
👉 Here’s our Arctic Packing List
2. On Board the Ortelius – The Expedition Ship
The Ortelius is a former research vessel, now used for expedition cruises. With around 100 passengers, it’s small enough to stay flexible and get close to nature. Highlights on board:
Comfortable cabins
Lectures from scientists and experts
Observation lounge with panoramic windows
Polar bear and wildlife spotting from the deck
👉 Learn more about the Ortelius with Oceanwide Expeditions
3. Our Route: From Svalbard to the Pack Ice
Our journey started in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, heading north with several stops along the way for hikes and Zodiac excursions.
Some of our stops on the way to the pack ice included:
Ny London
Ny Alesund
Ytre Norskøya
Monaco Breen
Hamburgbukta
Ymerbukta
...of course, the exact stops depend on weather and ice conditions. The crew carefully selects locations to make the most of each expedition.
Eventually, we reached the pack ice near the 82nd parallel, bringing us very close to the geographic North Pole. This was a magical moment – we were woken up by the expedition leader and from our cabin window we could already see the ice. Naturally, we rushed straight out on deck!
4. Zodiac Excursions and Landings
The Zodiacs are small inflatable boats used for every excursion – whether it’s landings or exploring glaciers and coastlines from the water.
Some of our amazing outings included:
Cruising along glacier fronts
Landings on remote beaches
Hikes through Arctic tundra
Visiting the world’s northernmost research station
Stopping at the world’s northernmost mailbox
Guided kayaking tour
5. Wildlife Encounters in the Arctic
The wildlife was the absolute highlight of our trip. With some patience and a bit of luck, we were able to spot:
Large walrus colonies
A polar bear
Whales surfacing
Curious seals around our Zodiacs
An arctic fox passing close by
Reindeer
Many seabird species
These moments are hard to put into words – truly magical.
6. The Highlights of Our Expedition
If we had to sum up the best moments, it would be these:
The first sight of the endless pack ice
Encountering a polar bear in the wild
Zodiac cruising through floating ice
Visiting the northernmost mailbox in the world
7. Best Time to Visit Svalbard & Join an Arctic Expedition
The best time for an Arctic expedition to Svalbard is May to September. During this period, the ice is navigable, wildlife is active, and in summer the sun never sets.
May/June: lots of sea ice, good chance of polar bears
July/August: warmer weather, many birds and whales
September: beautiful light, chance to see northern lights
Our expedition took place between June and July – we had fantastic weather and saw plenty of wildlife.
8. Costs & Tips for Your Trip
An Arctic expedition is not a cheap adventure, but it’s worth every cent. For a 7-day trip with Oceanwide Expeditions, expect to pay around €4,500 – €6,000 per person depending on the cabin category.
Additional tips:
Book early to secure your preferred cabin type
Budget extra for flights to Longyearbyen and possible overnight stays
Start preparing your gear well in advance
👉 Book your Arctic Expedition with Oceanwide Expeditions here
Final Thoughts: An Adventure to Remember Forever
Our 7 days on the Ortelius were beyond words. The mix of stunning nature, exciting excursions, and unforgettable wildlife encounters left a deep impression on us.
If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing the Arctic up close, we can only recommend taking the plunge and joining such an expedition.
👉 Inspired? Find all details about Oceanwide Expeditions’ Arctic trips here
Want more behind-the-scenes impressions from our journeys?
Check out our Instagram: tom_rbg_ and anna_rbg_ – feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the routes!
*This post contains affiliate links. You won’t pay anything extra when booking through these links, but you’ll be supporting our work.
