For a short time between spring and summer, conditions are perfect for exploring Spitsbergen on snowshoes. Snowshoes offer fantastic access to landscapes that cannot be reached solely on foot. You can explore pristine, snow-covered areas of selected landing sites that would have only been touched by paws and hooves. You will receive a full induction and can choose to join excursions of varying degrees of difficulty. No previous experience is required.

The tour is perfect for those who prefer frequent shore landings and Zodiac cruises to longer stretches at sea. In Spitsbergen you'll find polar bears, reindeer, walrus and belugas, and add a bounty of sea-bird sightings to your field book - including Arctic Terns and Skua, Barnacle Geese and Snow Buntings

Your Spitsbergen adventure begins when you board your ship in Longyearbyen, the island's largest settlement. Enjoy your first view of Spitsbergen's rugged glacier topped mountains, rising majestically from icy Arctic waters.

Zodiac-cruise past the spectacular ice cliffs of the 14th of July Glacier, keeping an eye out for Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese, Arctic Terns and more. Later visit Ny Alesund, once a remote coal-mining town, now a unique international research station. You may spot the indigenous Svalbard reindeer, so keep your cameras handy!

At Smeerenburg, explore Svalbard's whaling past and visit an authentic blubber oven. This low-lying site is perfect for donning snowshoes to trek from the landing beach across to a memorial erected in 1906. This history site remembers the whalers who lost their lives in the 17th and 18th centuries while working in the area. Next, head for the island of Phippsoya, a well-known polar bear and walrus haunt. At Tusenoyane (Thousand Islands) you'll go ashore to seek Red-throated Divers, and view the beached skeleton of an ancient whale.

Alkefjellet is simply stunning. Zodiac cruise this imposing cliff face while thousands upon thousands of auks fly overhead. These igneous intrusive cliffs are truly a one-of-a-kind geological formation, and provide a fine nesting habitat during the spring and summer months. Keep an eye out for Arctic fox and polar bears scavenging for eggs below. Afterwards we sail over to Torellneset, which provides a great opportunity to snowshoe. Heading northeast from the landing site, it is possible to gain elevation and reach the heights of the Vegafonna, the southeast dome of the Austfonna icecap.

Poolepynten is a very popular haul-out site for Walrus. Get your camera equipment ready to capture this majestic creature. Afterwards we sail to Alkhornet, a site which has it all. A spectacular pyramid of rock plays host to nesting auks and kittiwakes. Arctic foxes build their dens close by to take advantage of this food source, whilst Svalbard reindeer will be picking through the snow at the lush tundra underneath.

Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here we'll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.