Country: Settings: Country:
Currency: Currency:

Svalbard Arctic Lens 2028

With Selar

A Purposeful Expedition Through the High Arctic

Svalbard Arctic Lens is a rare opportunity to explore the remote wilderness of the Spitsbergen archipelago on an expert-led expedition designed for just 30 guests. Travelling aboard the pioneering solar-sailing vessel Selar, this immersive Arctic journey combines wildlife encounters, science, photography and storytelling in one of the most fragile and awe-inspiring environments on Earth.

From drifting sea ice and glacier-lined fjords to remote tundra and polar wildlife, each day offers the chance to engage more deeply with the Arctic through guided excursions, meaningful learning and shared discovery. This is not a traditional cruise, but a considered and low-impact expedition designed to leave you with a far greater understanding of the landscapes, ecosystems and forces shaping Svalbard today.

Why You’ll Love This Trip

Purposeful Arctic Exploration: This is more than a voyage through Svalbard. It is a multi-disciplinary expedition shaped around wildlife, science, photography and storytelling.
Travel Aboard Selar: Explore the Arctic on one of the world’s most innovative expedition vessels, combining low-impact technology with the comfort of a refined small ship.
Exceptional Wildlife Encounters: Search for polar bears, walrus, whales, seals, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer in one of the planet’s most dramatic polar regions.
Learn from Experts: A dedicated team of guides and specialists will share insights into Arctic wildlife, geology, history and the rapidly changing polar environment.
Small Group, Deep Access: With just 30 guests on board, this journey offers a more personal and immersive way to explore Svalbard’s fjords, glaciers and remote shorelines.

Day 1 – Arrive Longyearbyen

On arrival into Longyearbyen, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you can relax and settle in after your journey to the High Arctic. This evening, enjoy a private dinner at the renowned Gruvelageret Restaurant, where a four-course meal is paired with an introduction to Longyearbyen, its history and the remarkable landscapes that surround it.

Overnight: Longyearbyen

Day 2 – Embark Selar

Today you have time to explore Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town, before boarding Selar this afternoon. This pioneering solar-sailing vessel will be your home for the next nine nights as you set out to explore the remote wilderness of Svalbard in comfort and style.

After settling into your cabin and meeting the expedition team, the voyage begins as Selar departs into the Arctic landscape.

Days 3–10 – Exploring Svalbard

This is true Arctic expedition travel, with no fixed itinerary and each day shaped by sea ice, wildlife sightings and weather conditions.

Travelling aboard a low-impact vessel like Selar gives the flexibility to explore where conditions are best, whether that means navigating through ice-filled fjords, landing on remote shores or lingering longer in areas of high wildlife activity. Expect dramatic snow-covered peaks, ancient glaciers, drifting pack ice and the chance to encounter some of the Arctic’s most iconic species, including polar bears, walrus, whales, seals, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer.

Daily excursions by Zodiac and guided shore landings bring you closer to the landscapes and ecosystems of the archipelago, while onboard talks and discussions deepen your understanding of Arctic history, geology, wildlife and conservation. Photography, observation and shared insight are all part of the experience, making this an expedition designed not only to show you the Arctic, but to help you interpret it.

Day 11 – Depart Longyearbyen

Your expedition concludes as Selar returns to Longyearbyen in the early morning. After breakfast, disembark and begin your onward journey home, taking with you a deeper understanding of this extraordinary Arctic wilderness.

As with all polar expeditions, flexibility is essential. Routes and landing sites will depend on sea ice, weather conditions and wildlife opportunities throughout the voyage.

Your Expedition Ship

Selar

Built with purpose, Selar is the first solar-sailing polar expedition vessel of its kind, redefining what responsible exploration can look like in the world’s most fragile environments. Combining pioneering clean technology with warm Scandinavian-inspired interiors, Selar offers a rare balance of innovation, comfort and low-impact travel.

Her 35-metre sails are fitted with more than 2,000 square metres of solar panels and can retract when not in use. When wind conditions are low, silent electric propulsion takes over, helping reduce emissions while creating a quieter experience on the water. Selar also produces fresh water from the sea, uses a pellet-based heating system powered by recycled wood waste and follows a strict zero-waste policy at sea.

Designed for just 36 passengers, with NWS only taking 30, across 18 cabins, Selar offers the atmosphere of a private expedition with the amenities of a much larger ship. On board you will find a sauna, Norwegian bath, fitness room, library, open bridge and generous outside deck space for wildlife viewing and Arctic scenery.

Selar also actively supports scientific research in Svalbard and contributes to environmental initiatives including the Clean Up Svalbard programme.