Spitsbergen, the jewel of the high Arctic, is a large island situated between the north coast of Norway and the North Pole. Our journey is a ship-based, full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen and its off-lying islands, taking us within 600 nautical miles of the Pole. This polar wonderland is the breeding home for walruses, polar bears, reindeer and millions upon millions of migratory land and sea birds. Sixty per cent of the land mass is covered by a crevassed ice plateau and sparkling glaciers, yet more than 165 species of plants somehow survive in the great expanses of tundra. The land is a bewitching combination of towering mountains in the west and fossil-rich polar desert in the east. And almost everywhere we visit there is the chance of seeing polar bears, as Spitsbergen supports one of the world's densest populations of these magnificent animals.

Today we will have time to explore the bustling village community of Longyearbyen, "capital" of Spitsbergen. In the afternoon we board our ship, Polar Pioneer, and commence our circumnavigation, cruising out of the beautiful Isfjorden.

Polar Pioneer is not a luxury ship, she is homely and strong, built to be a working vessel and refitted to a comfortable passenger standard. The mood on board is definitely casual. At sea we are totally self-sufficient. The days flow by whilst we travel snugly in our cocoon. A favourite pastime on board is to stand at the stern watching for seabirds, including the graceful Ivory Gull, Kittiwakes, Auks and Guillemots. They will rise and fall skilfully, using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.

We cruise northwards along the west coast of Spitsbergen stopping at intriguing places like Ny Alsesund (arguably the world's most northerly village and definitely the most northerly post office) in King Fjord. We spend long periods ashore walking on the lush tundra amongst the summer flowers and observing the remarkable bird cliffs near the 14th July Glacier. We get a sense of the history at the 350 year old remains of Dutch whaling settlements on Amsterdam Island and the 100 year old remnants of the famous Swedish Andree ballooning expedition.

Along the east coast of Spitsbergen we enter a different world - a polar desert. If ice conditions allow we will try to pass south through the narrow Hinlopen Strait. The strait is flanked by creamy coloured slabs of rock which are rich in fossils, as we discover for ourselves when we go ashore. Elsewhere we can seek out Eider Ducks, and hope to spot Arctic foxes and beautiful Ivory Gulls. As Polar Pioneer passes between Spitsbergen and the smaller Barents and Edge Islands we also cross the main polar bear migration routes. We then round South Cape, Spitsbergen's most southerly point.

During the early morning we should cruise into Isfjorden before docking in Longyearbyen.

Warm sunshine, biting cold, freezing winds, swirling waves, mirrored seas, spray in your face, salt in your mouth and all felt so intensely when you are six inches from the water. What sights we have seen: inquisitive seals and walruses quickly appearing in our path; the beautiful guillemots gliding past our kayaks; the watchful eyes of a silently swimming polar bear. All this against the backdrop of majestic snow-and ice-covered mountain peaks and set amongst intricate formations of pack ice and icebergs of ingenious colour and design.

This itinerary will give you a brief idea of what you may encounter on this voyage. Our emphasis is on wildlife encounters, personal contact with the environs and visiting sites of historical interest. However we stress that this is an expedition style cruise. Our actual program will vary to take best advantage of local conditions, spontaneous opportunities and wildlife. No two voyages are the same; there is always an element of the unexpected.