You have the opportunity to visit historical sites on these two islands. Dansk¸ya Island, was the launch site for a failed attempt by Salomon Andrée and two companions to reach the North Pole by hydrogen balloon in 1897. Amsterdam¸ya Island was a Danish and Dutch whaling station in the early 1600s and is now the home to nesting Arctic terns.

You enter this spectacularly scenic fjord and board Zodiacs for a cruise through the ice fields leading up to Monaco Glacier. You should keep your eyes peeled for polar bears that are often seen in this region. Conditions permitting, you will go ashore for a hike on the glacier or along the shoreline. Photographic opportunities abound as you may spy Arctic fox, whales, ringed seals or thousands of kittiwakes during our time in this stunning fjord.

Go ashore on Lågøya Island known for its large walrus haul-out where you can observe these enormous creatures resting on the shoreline. Ever curious, the walrus will often approach the Zodiacs as you cruise by, offering excellent views. In the afternoon, you cruise by Zodiac along the pack ice edge in the hope of encounting polar bears as they hunt for seals and reindeers.

As you come around the northeastern tip of Spitsbergen, ice conditions permitting, you will cruise through the Hinlopen Strait, which separates Spitsbergen from Nordaustlandet. Dotted with icebergs, this scenic strait is a perfect spot for a trip in the tender, and you can hope to spot the seals, polar bears and seabirds that are often seen here. Head ashore to walk amongst the Arctic flowers and take in the incredible beauty of this remarkable part of the world.

The third largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Edgeøya, forms part of the Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve and is home to reindeer as well as their mighty predator, polar bears.

Hornsund is the southernmost fjord on Spitsbergen Island. The coastline features several bays backed by glacial valleys leading to high mountain peaks. A Polish Polar Station has been operating here since 1957, doing research in a number of fields, including meteorology, seismology and glaciology. Arctic fox, abundant seabirds and reindeer are common sights here.