If polar bears and beluga whales top your list of must-see Arctic wildlife, choose an expedition to Spitsbergen. This remarkable island - largest in the northern archipelago called Svalbard - hosts an astonishing array of Arctic wildlife, protected within six national parks. The island itself has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This 11-day Spitsbergen Explorer tour is perfect for those who prefer frequent shore landings and Zodiac cruises to longer stretches at sea. Here 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 Explorer tour 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. 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.

The narrow sound near Bourbonhamna is a favored route of beluga whales. Cruise in search for the white whales before going ashore.

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.