Arctic Expedition with National Park After Dark and Tooth & Claw
Jun 9, 2027 - Jun 17, 2027
Adventure
From $9,599 USD
SOLD OUT
Arctic Expedition with National Park After Dark and Tooth & Claw
Jun 9, 2027 - Jun 17, 2027
From $9,599 USD
SOLD OUT
Join National Park After Dark and Tooth & Claw on an extraordinary Arctic expedition into one of the most remote, raw, and wildlife rich regions on the planet. This is a journey to the edge of the map, where towering glaciers meet drifting sea ice, the sun barely sets, and every day brings the possibility of unforgettable encounters with polar bears, walruses, whales, and Arctic foxes.
With a round trip departure from Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town, the expedition navigates the dramatic coastline and far flung islands of the Svalbard archipelago. Days are shaped by nature rather than schedules, with routes and landing sites chosen in real time based on ice conditions, weather, and wildlife movement. This flexible, expedition style approach allows for deeper exploration and maximises opportunities in an environment that is constantly changing.
Your home throughout the journey is Swan Hellenic’s SH Vega, a purpose built expedition vessel designed specifically for polar travel. Featuring a PC5 ice strengthened hull, advanced stabilisation, and refined Scandinavian design, SH Vega offers a rare balance of serious expedition capability and elegant comfort. Expansive observation lounges, open deck viewing areas, a spa and sauna with Arctic views, and welcoming dining spaces create a calm, comfortable base between excursions.
On board, expert expedition guides provide daily briefings and in depth insight into Arctic wildlife, ecology, and polar history, while your hosts from National Park After Dark and Tooth & Claw add rich storytelling and context to the landscapes and encounters you experience. This is not a scripted cruise, but a true polar expedition, where the Arctic sets the pace and every day brings something entirely new.
National Park After Dark and Tooth & Claw have been around the world with hundreds of listeners on dozens of trips on nearly every continent – separately. But now, after much anticipation, they are finally joining forces to create an unforgettable trip that brings the best of both worlds!
📢 IMPORTANT BOOKING INFORMATION:
There are a number of cabin options available. Some will be instantly bookable, and some will be available on request. Due to the limited availability of cabins and anticipated high demand for this trip, it is very important that you carefully consider your preferred cabin options before the trip goes live for bookings. Click here to view a guide to the available cabins and packages, and a guide to our vessel, the SH Vega.
Trip Start: Copenhagen, Denmark - Wednesday June 9th 2027
Trip Finish: Copenhagen, Denmark - Thursday June 17th 2027
Trip Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Accommodation: 1 Night Accommodation at ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hotel in Copenhagen, 7 Nights Accommodation Aboard SH Vega
Included Meals: Breakfast at Hotel in Copenhagen, All Meals Onboard SH Vega from Dinner on Day 2 to Breakfast on Final Day
Swan Hellenic SH Vega: Guest Capacity 152, Staff 117, Staterooms 76
Inclusions
1 Night Accommodation at ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hotel in Copenhagen
7 Nights Accommodation Aboard SH Vega
Breakfast at Hotel in Copenhagen
All Meals Onboard SH Vega from Dinner on Day 2 to Breakfast on Final Day
Expedition Cruise Through the Svalbard Archipelago
Hosted by National Park After Dark and Tooth & Claw
Transfer to Copenhagen Airport for Flight to Longyearbyen
Return Charter Flights Copenhagen Airport to Longyearbyen
Return Transfers Longyearbyen Airport to SH Vega in Port
Expert Expedition Team and Onboard Specialists
Daily Zodiac Landings and Shore Excursions Conditions Permitting
Scenic Arctic Cruising Through Fjords and Ice Filled Waters
Wildlife Spotting Including Polar Bears, Walruses, Seals, and Whales
Educational Lectures and Daily Expedition Briefings
Host Led Storytelling Sessions
Use of Expedition Zodiacs
Access to Basecamp (Pre/Post Expedition Wet Gear Changing Room)
Access to Observation Lounge and Stargazing Deck
Access to Swan Restaurant, Club Lounge, and Room Service
Use of Spa, Sauna With a View, Gym, and Heated Outdoor Pool
Use of Expedition Lab and Shipboard Library
Use of 24/7 Self Service Laundry
24 Hour Room Service
Complimentary Hot & Cold Beverages, Beer, Wine & Spirits Throughout Cruise
Waterproof Backpack & Refillable Water Bottle (Yours to Keep)
Branded Arctic Parka (Yours to Keep)
Memory Package Post-trip
Port Taxes and Marine Fees
Optional Trip Extensions TBC
Exclusions
Arrival/Departure Flights
Airport Transfers
Visa/Entry Requirements
Meals Not Mentioned in Inclusions
Personal Expenses incl Tips
Travel Insurance (Required)
Local City or Tourist Taxes (Where Applicable, Usually Paid Locally)
Your Hosts
National Park After Dark
Hi all! Our names are Cassie and Danielle, and we are the hosts of the outdoor podcast National Park After Dark.
We have been traveling with our community for over three years now and have seen some truly remarkable places. With nearly every continent under our belts (Australia – we’re coming for you!) we have visited dozens of locations with hundreds of listeners turned friends.
We are here to support you and your relationship with adventure. Our hope for our travels together is that you create new memories throughout the world in a safe and exciting way while forming lifelong friendships along the way!
Tooth and Claw
Wes Larson (@grizkid) (a wildlife biologist) Jeff Larson (@jefe_larson) (Wes’s brother) and Mike Smith (@mikey3ds) (their friend) are the creators and hosts of Tooth & Claw (@toothandclawpodcast), an award winning wildlife podcast, where they tell true stories of animal attacks but more importantly, how listeners can avoid dangerous encounters and learn a new appreciation for wildlife in the process.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Copenhagen
Arrive in Copenhagen and make your own way to the hotel. Today is about easing into the journey, adjusting to the time zone, and enjoying one of Europe’s most liveable and stylish cities.
If you arrive early, you might like to wander the colourful harbour of Nyhavn, explore the historic streets of the old town, or enjoy a relaxed meal at one of Copenhagen’s many excellent cafés.
Tomorrow, your Arctic adventure begins!
🏨 Accommodation
-
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hotel in Copenhagen TBC
🍽️ Included Meals
-
None
✅ Activities
- Arrival in Copenhagen
- Free Time to Explore the City
Day 2 Flight to Longyearbyen - The Adventure Begins
This morning, the group will be transferred from the Copenhagen hotel to the airport for a charter flight north to Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town. As the landscape shifts dramatically beneath you, anticipation builds for the expedition ahead.
On arrival, you’ll be transferred to the port to meet Swan Hellenic’s SH Vega cruise ship, your floating Arctic home away from home. Settle into your stateroom, meet the expert expedition team, and gather for a welcome dinner as the ship prepares to cast off and point north, leaving civilisation behind and heading deep into the Arctic for the adventure of a lifetime!
🏨 Accommodation
-
Swan Hellenic SH Vega
🍽️ Included Meals
-
Dinner
✅ Activities
- Embarkation in Longyearbyen
- Welcome Briefing Onboard
Days 2-9 Exploring the Svalbard Archipelago
These days are dedicated to deep exploration of Svalbard’s wild and remote coastline. Each morning begins with expedition briefings as the team assesses conditions and outlines the day’s plan, shaped by ice, weather, and wildlife movement.
You may explore dramatic fjords lined with towering glaciers, land on remote shores by Zodiac, and walk across tundra landscapes dotted with Arctic flora. In areas of sea ice, scanning for polar bears becomes a highlight, while coastal zones often reveal walruses hauled out on beaches and seals resting at the water’s edge. Whales may surface alongside the ship as it navigates icy channels.
Between excursions, enjoy expert talks on Arctic ecology, wildlife behaviour, and polar history, alongside host led storytelling sessions that bring depth and context to the landscapes you are exploring. Optional kayaking may be offered when conditions allow, offering a quiet, immersive way to experience the Arctic from the water.
As the expedition slowly turns back toward Longyearbyen, the final hours in the Arctic are often some of the most memorable. With fewer set plans and a heightened sense of awareness, you’ll spend time scanning the coastline and sea ice for last wildlife encounters, soaking in the vast silence, and absorbing the raw beauty that has defined the journey. It’s a chance to slow down, reflect, and appreciate just how rare this experience truly is.
🏨 Accommodation
-
SH Vega
🍽️ Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
✅ Activities
- Zodiac Landings And Shore Walks
- Wildlife Spotting From Ship And Zodiac
- Glacier And Fjord Scenic Cruising
- Expert Led Lectures And Daily Briefings
- Host Led Storytelling Sessions
- Optional Kayaking Conditions Permitting
🐻❄️ Polar Bears
- Svalbard is one of the best places on Earth to hope for polar bear sightings, and our expert crew will always be on the lookout. That said, polar bears are wild, free roaming, and wonderfully unpredictable. We plan each day to maximise opportunities, but sightings can never be guaranteed. If we’re lucky, it will be unforgettable. If not, the Arctic still delivers jaw dropping landscapes, rich wildlife, and once in a lifetime experiences at every turn. Hope for everything, enjoy every moment, and let the Arctic surprise you.
Trip Photos
Important Notes
ARRIVAL:
You will need to make sure your travel plans allow you to arrive at the meeting point by the scheduled guest meeting time. More information on this will be provided once the trip is confirmed. Your arrival airport is Copenhagen Airport (CPH).
DEPARTURE:
On the final day, you are free to depart once the charter flight arrives in Copenhagen. Your departure airport is Copenhagen Airport (CPH).
AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
Arrival and departure airport transfers are not included as part of this trip, so you will need to make your own arrangements. More specific information on transport options for your arrival and departure airports should be available on the airport websites.
Pre-booked airport transfers are available for most airports via Expedia – please select “Cars” and then “Airport Transportation”: https://bit.ly/expedia-best-in-travel-vip
Airport transfers during the trip are included.
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION:
We are unable to organise additional nights accommodation on your behalf. Our exact hotels will be finalised and advised roughly 2-3 months prior to the trip starting. We will advise guests once that happens, and we then recommend booking accommodation via our affiliate link at https://bit.ly/booking-com-best-in-travel
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Be sure to check entry requirements based on the passport that you will be travelling with. It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport meets minimum requirements, and that you have arranged any required visas before arrival. Visa information is available in the destination guide linked below.
Note that for this trip you will require entry to both Denmark and Norway.
DESTINATION GUIDE:
For detailed destination guides for this trip’s locations, head to
- Norway: https://bestintravelgroup.com/norway-destination-guide/
- Denmark https://bestintravelgroup.com/denmark-destination-guide/
TRIP CONFIRMATION:
A trip is listed as PENDING until the minimum guest numbers are reached, at which point the trip becomes CONFIRMED. Guests will be notified when a trip becomes CONFIRMED.
BOOKING T&Cs:
Please note that this trip carries booking, deposit and cancellation policies that differ from our standard Booking Terms & Conditions. The terms for this trip can be found here: https://bestintravelgroup.com/booking-terms-conditions-arctic-expedition-with-national-park-after-dark-and-tooth-claw-june-2027/
BOOKING FLIGHTS:
We recommend booking flights as soon as your trip is CONFIRMED.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Travel insurance is required, and this will need to organised independently. There are a number of travel insurance comparison websites available. We recommend organising this as soon as your trip is CONFIRMED.
For more information on travel insurance head to https://bestintravelgroup.com/protect-your-adventure-best-in-travels-guide-to-travel-insurance/
Note that for this trip it is especially important that you ensure your insurance covers expedition cruising, remote destinations, Zodiac landings, and any optional activities offered during the voyage. Due to the nature of Arctic travel, guests are responsible for ensuring their policy is suitable for the location, conditions, and activities included.
ISSUES & CONTACTS DURING THE TRIP:
If you experience any issues that you need resolved during this trip, please chat to your host or the ships’ crew or expedition team. Emergency contact details for your local trip operator will be provided prior to the trip starting.
For more information on the correct process for handling issues during a trip, including emergency situations, please read the following guide: https://bestintravelgroup.com/managing-emergencies-other-issues-on-your-best-in-travel-adventure/
INCLUSIVITY:
For information on how Best In Travel creates a welcoming space for all travellers, please head to: https://bestintravelgroup.com/everyones-welcome-inclusivity-on-best-in-travel-group-trips/
TRAVELLER CONDUCT & WELLBEING:
For a quick guide on how to enjoy our group trips safely, respectfully, and with the right balance of fun and wellbeing, head to: https://bestintravelgroup.com/group-trips-great-times-how-to-eat-drink-stay-well-on-the-road/
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