Summer nature holidays - 10 -
Ekmanfjordd

Itinerary (1)

Day 1 :
Fly from Paris to Longyearbyen.

Day 2 :
Acclimatisation in Longyearbyen: visit of this very Norwegian town of the Far North. Distribution of/verification of equipment before departure. Evening departure by boat from Longyearbyen.

Days 3 to 9 :
A week of total autonomy in complete freedom in the Arctic. We set up camp initially near the bank opposite the impetuous face of the Svea glacier, where its imposing mass of ice moves into the sea.
On a sea carpeted by thousands of blocks of ice with changing reflections, we try to find our way through this sparkling, jangling mirror.

Sometimes, seals (the permanent residents), sticking out a curious muzzle, approach our craft, as if surprised by our presence.
With care, we approach the face of the glacier, taking in all the grandeur and the power of this river of ice. At around 50 metres high, enormous seracs collapse into the sea with muffled rumblings, sending showers of falling water and creating a disproportionate wave. This transforms quickly into sumptuous undulations, making the sea of ice crystals jangle.

On the following days, we leave Svea bay to go and navigate in the gracious Ekman bay, where we follow the rhythm of the Arctic, alternatively between kayak and day trips. This fjord is a true jewel. Its geology is incomparable thanks to its still human size, sculpted in tormented landscapes, sheer mountains and cliffs of ochre drapery. In this stripped-down environment, with its thin green carpet, is one of the few places of Spitzbergen where we can do daytrips to the discreet summits and secret ridges that overlook the bay and its glaciers.
Thanks to its distance from Longyearbyen, this bay has remained removed from the beaten path.

After a few days of exploring, we go back to our first campsite. Whilst awaiting the return of the boat, we make the most of our last moments of peacefulness to explore the remote, bare expanses of the ridges around the glacier of Svea Bay. Return to Longyearbyen by boat.

Day 10 :
Day of relaxation and comfort in Longyearbyen before departure. All that’s left to do is discover the valley of the bear, Bjørndalen, where you can observe colonies of thousands of Arctic marine birds (little auks). Or you can trek for the day on the high glacial plateaux overlooking Longyearbyen.

Day 11 :
Fly from Longyearbyen to Paris.

(1) For atmospheric reasons, all descriptions are indicative and non-contractual.