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From Tromsøe, the “Gateway to the Arctic,” our Svalbard polar bear expedition makes for the North Cape, where we’ll stand on the northernmost tip of the European continent. With such heady beginnings, this trip is one you’re sure to treasure for years to come. Our home for this Svalbard tour, the comfortable 110-passenger Clipper Adventurer, whisks us to the former whaling station of Bear Island, now home to thousands of breeding seabirds, and into the Svalbard Archipelago, where we’ll come face to face with immense glaciers and black basaltic islands as well as our ultimate goal—polar bears. Zodiac excursions bring us even closer to these magnificent creatures.

Polar Bear Quest Expedition highlights include:

• Time in Tromsøe, the jumping-off point for our polar bear tour; ride the cable car up 1,800-foot Mount Storsteinen and visit the unique Arctic Cathdral.
• Ample time for Svalbard adventure travel, with seven days in the archipelago; see remains of North Pole expeditions on Danskøya Island.
• Whales, seals, and kittiwakes in Liefdefjorden, where the Monaco Glacier spills into the sea at the deepest part of the waterway.
• Huge herds of reindeer and a healthy population of mighty polar bears on Edgeøya Island, the third largest in the Svalbard Archipelago.
• A look at local life in the brightly colored village of Longyearbyen, a former Arctic mining town and capital of Svalbard.

What to Expect:

Svalbard polar bear adventure travel requires a relatively moderate level of exertion. During our voyage, you will need to climb into and out of Zodiacs for shore excursions, and walk moderate distances over rough terrain, rocky beaches, ice, and snow. Waterproof boots with a good tread are advised. While the temperatures on the water will feel cooler, the general temperatures will range from the low 40°sF to the high 50°sF. We will mail a complete list of recommended clothing and suggested reading about five months prior to your departure for your polar bear expedition.