The obvious start is an Introduction to Svalbard’s geology: Main tectonic episodes, paleogeography and paleoclimate through time. Why the geological map looks like it does: Precambrian, Snowball Earth, “Cambro-Silurian” tropic seas, Caledonian orogeny, Devonian old red, Carboniferous coal, deserts, Permian carbonate platform, Triassic changes between marine and the world history’s biggest delta, Jurassic and Cretaceos marine, the transpression collision with Greenland and the fold and thrust belt, Cenozoic deep marine clinforms, coal, Quaternary glaciations, and volcanism.
Svalbard as an analogue to oil exploration in the Barents Sea. We will take a look at source rocks and reservoirs in the field. If of interest to the group, we will look more into the oil exploration in the Barents sea, and the relationship with Russia.
Svalbard’s human history: From first Viking discovery of “sval bard” – “the cold coast” to today’s tourist and research industry. From “no man’s land” to the Svalbard Treaty. The importance of coal for settlement and during the cold war. Geology is a very important part of Svalbard’s human history. Without coal, Svalbard would likely still be pristine frontier area, like Antarctica today. The history of Pyramiden, Barentsburg, Longyearbyen. (Longyearbyen got its name from the founder, the American industrialist John Longyear, not from the year feeling long!).
Glaciers and climate change will be covered either in lecture, on on-site.
Each of these topics would then be explored in more detail in lectures when we are in the relevant areas.

Contact us for the latest pricing information.

Our mostly-inclusive 13 day excursion includes:

While on the boat:

• 11-night stay in a double-occupancy cabin accommodation with private bathroom and sink
• 3 daily chef-prepared hot meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• All-day access to coffee/tea/hot water
• Freshly baked afternoon “sweet treats”
• Daily morning and afternoon zodiac adventures (weather and location permitting)
• Shore landings provided by experienced and certified Arctic guides
• Nightly lectures presented by a professional Arctic-focused geologist and researcher

While on land:

• Two-night stay in Longyearbyen hotel (pre- and post-voyage) with shared accommodation and shared bathroom; breakfast included
• 2 social receptions (Meet & Greet/Farwell) with beverages
• Adventure Geology Tours – Arctic Circle long sleeved t-shirt, fancy logo water bottle, and stickers
• Map of Spitzbergen to track route

*per double occupancy; airfare not included

After booking through the contact form, you can use this PayPal link to securely submit your deposit or full payment. Please add 5% to your balance for money transferred by PayPal. If you’d rather avoid this fee, a check can be mailed.

The airfare to and from Longyearbyan, Svalbard, Norway is not included. Additionally, you will have the cost of lunch/dinner in Longyearbyen on August 29 and dinner on September 29. You will have a free morning on August 30 pre-departure where you may want to visit a museum or go shopping. While you are on the ship you will have access to a bar for wine, beer, and spirits. You will keep a tab with the bartender and pay in cash (USD, Euro) upon departure.

The content of the trip can be altered for school or university groups who are interested in learning advanced concepts. Contact us for other educational opportunities.

Nope. These tours are intended for people who are interested in learning about the formation of the unique landscapes found around Slavbard. A background in geology is not necessary to participate.

To enjoy the trip we recommend that you be in good physical condition. Ideally, you should be able to walk 100 yards on uneven surfaces and have the ability to move your own luggage if needed. Additionally, you must be able to walk up ladder-style stairs to access the hull of the ship where the accommodations are located. There is also a ladder that must be accessed to get in and out of the zodiacs. Also, please remember that ships can be unstable if the water is unsteady.

Discounts may apply according to group size and needs. We can accommodate groups of 13 easily, but can alter our transport (and schedule in some cases) to meet the needs of a larger group.

Yes, we pride ourselves on being a service-based company and we strive to accommodate all needs with advanced notice.

Due to the rigor of the trip we do not recommend that children under the age of 12 participate in this tour.

Each cabin has a sink, toilet and shower. Additionally, there is a bathroom on the main level near the dining area. Our land and sea excursions generally last 3 hours or less.

If you cancel within a month of your trip departure date we are only able to return 25% of your total booking cost. If you cancel within 6-weeks we are able to return 50% of your total booking cost.

Upon trip payment we will send a detailed itinerary and a recommended packing list.

Adventure Geology Tours will follow in-country CDC mandates unless the group majority request otherwise. If a person contracts Covid while on the trip, they will need to quarantine from the group at their own expense.

Temperatures will range between 46°F and 31°F with an average temperature around 38.5°F. Remember, that this is the Arctic. Svalbard is sitting between latitudes 74 and 81 degrees North and is bordered by the Arctic Ocean, the Barents’s Sea, and the North Atlantic.  Rest assured that we will provide you with a detailed packing list of essential gear to keep you warm.

While August and September are higher precipitation months in Svalbard, the total rainfall per month averages 0.7 inches. In fact, most of Svalbard is an Arctic tundra whereby receiving less rainfall per year than most of the world’s largest deserts.

Late-August and Early-September are referred to as the season of the polar-sunset.  On August 29th there is nearly 20 hours of daylight with the sun setting around 11:00 p.m. By September 9th, the sun will set around 9:00 p.m. allowing for 16 hours of daylight.  The first zodiac expedition usually departs after breakfast and debriefing (~ 9:00 a.m.). The second zodiac expedition usually departs after lunch (~1:00 p.m.). We are always back to the ship by 6:00 p.m. to get ready for dinner at 7:00 p.m. Thus, we will have daylight to hike on land and explore. While not full-sun, the beauty of sailing during late-August is being able to witness a sky in perpetual sunset. (Beautiful pictures!)

Yes, the Antigua has shared cabins for 32-passengers and 8-crew members. The cabins are in the hull of the ship (see below diagram, bottom). Each room has a sink, and a bathroom compartment with a shower and toilet. The Antigua has been reserved through a family-owned Netherland company called The Tallship Company that has been in business for 30-years.

Antigua ship layout with Adventure Geology Tours Arctic Circle

The ship is equipped to safely sail internationally. The Dutch Shipping Inspectorate inspects the equipment on board and the ships’ seaworthiness annually. The ship sails in accordance with the International Safety Management (ISM) to ensure that all necessary procedures on board are implemented.

You can find out more about their safety standards on their website www.tallship-company.com or email them directly info@tallship-company.com When you board the Antigua the Captain will provide you with a life jacket and safety instructions.

The stats and facts about the Antigua are listed below. These come from the Tall Ship Company website.

The chef will prepare three hot meals per day and an afternoon “sweet treat”.  As not to become redundant, the chef will make a variety of cuisines. The chef happily accommodates all dietary restrictions.

This largely depends on your comfort-level of being in an ocean vessel. Typically, the ship is close to shore so that we can avoid harsh wave patterns. Most of the time we moore over-night in a fjord that is sheltered.

All wildlife on Svalbard are active from May-September. Thus, the chances to see polar bear, walruses, seals, Arctic fox, and whales is possible. Svalbard is thought to have the largest polar bear population in the world. This is why the guides are expertly trained in polar bear safety and make the landings first before allowing guests.

Yes, all of the land-guides are trained naturalists. Additionally, my friend and colleague, Dr. Karsten Eig, will be providing us with 8 lectures following dinner. Other lectures and interpretation will be provided by Beth Hitchcock. Bios to follow.