Expedition to White Island
Spitsbergen has lured visitors from near and far during the past 400 years. During this journey of exploration we travel in the footsteps of these brave adventurers, hunters, trappers, whalers and miners.
A 10-day expedition around Spitsbergen with M/S Origo >>
The goal on this expedition is to explore Spitsbergen’s cultural heritage and visit historical sites where few people have set foot. We travel in the footsteps of polar explorers such as Andrée, Nordenskiöld, Amundsen and Nobile and every day we do landfalls amongst cultural treasures in spectacular settings. Scientists, whalers, trappers and miners have travelled to Spitsbergen for the past 400 years and have left behind many traces such as buildings and equipment, geographical names and fascinating stories.
Day 1: Longyearbyen
We land in Longyearbyen in the afternoon and embark M/S Origo
Day 2 - 9: Spitsbergen
Our route depends on weather, ice conditions and the wildlife we encounter. Each day we make
several landings with our rigid Zodiac craft and these are a few of the places we hope to visit:
Ny Ålesund
Here Amundsen, Byrd and Nobile started their courageous attempts to reach the North Pole.
Danes’ Island
This was the starting point for Andrée’s hydrogen balloon, the Eagle, which left Danes’ Island on
July 11, 1897. Three days later the balloon crashed on the pack ice north of Spitsbergen.
Northwest Spitsbergen
On Danes’ Island, Amsterdam Island and Yttre Norsköya we see remnants of 17th century
whaling stations.
North Spitsbergen
In beautiful Mossel Bay we visit Polhem, the world’s northernmost house, where Adolf Erik
Nordenskiöld overwintered in 1872-73.
East Spitsbergen
Heading east we may meet the massive pack ice border. We enjoy the silence and grandeur of
this icy landscape. The chances of meeting polar bears increase the further we travel into the ice.
White Island
If ice conditions allow, we land on White Island, where few people have ever set foot. Here Andrée and his men were found 33 years after their unsuccessful attempt to reach the North Pole with balloon.
Nordaustlandet
This island, covered by an enormous ice cap, fascinates naturalists as well as historians. Here you find a huge glacier front intersected by hundreds of melt-waterfalls, an abandoned
German weather station from WWII and the wellkept scientific station at Kinnvika.
Day 10: Longearbyen – Oslo
We fly back to Oslo in the afternoon.
The trip is arranged
in co-operation
with the Polar Centre
in Gränna, Sweden.