Svalbard: North to the Midnight Sun (Ocean Albatros)

The adventure

Explore the northernmost regions of the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard by foot, kayak and Zodiac on this eight-day trip aboard the Ocean Albatros. Visit Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, where vibrant Arctic flowers are scattered across icy mountains, see Arctic foxes and walruses in northeast Svalbard and go birdwatching in the rocky islands of north Svalbard. Sail into the Arctic ice pack and witness wildlife thriving in some of Earth’s harshest conditions, then learn about the history of polar exploration on a visit to Kongsfjord. With the midnight sun above you, immerse yourself in true Arctic exploration.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Denmark

Day 1Oslo, Norway - Embarkation in LongyearbyenHei! Welcome to Oslo. Your adventure begins with an included flight from Oslo Airport to Longyearbyen, Svalbard – the northernmost city on Earth. In this remote Arctic city, you’ll be met with warm Nordic hospitality, crisp polar air, dramatic mountain views and the occasional polar bear warning sign to remind you how far from home you really are. When you arrive at Svalbard Airport, you’ll be transferred to your ship – the Ocean Albatros. Board the ship and settle into your cabin, then you’ll have a safety and orientation meeting. Toast as you set sail on your Arctic adventure!

Oslo

Hei! Welcome to Oslo. Your adventure begins with an included flight from Oslo Airport to Longyearbyen, Svalbard – the northernmost city on Earth. In this remote Arctic city, you’ll be met with warm Nordic hospitality, crisp polar air, dramatic mountain views and the occasional polar bear warning sign to remind you how far from home you really are. When you arrive at Svalbard Airport, you’ll be transferred to your ship – the Ocean Albatros. Board the ship and settle into your cabin, then you’ll have a safety and orientation meeting. Toast as you set sail on your Arctic adventure!

Day 2Northwest SvalbardSpend two days exploring the wildlife-rich Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Established in 1973, this region was once a hub for Dutch and English whalers. The park flourishes with Arctic flora like the Svalbard poppy, purple saxifrage and white mountain avens. In terms of wildlife, you might spot walruses, seabirds and polar bears. See the ruins of blubber ovens and the graves of sailors at Smeerenburg – a 17th-century whaling station also known as ‘Blubber Town’ – and explore the Arctic wilderness under the light of the midnight sun. This Arctic phenomenon means there are even more opportunities for expeditions throughout your journey!

Northwest Svalbard

Spend two days exploring the wildlife-rich Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Established in 1973, this region was once a hub for Dutch and English whalers. The park flourishes with Arctic flora like the Svalbard poppy, purple saxifrage and white mountain avens. In terms of wildlife, you might spot walruses, seabirds and polar bears. See the ruins of blubber ovens and the graves of sailors at Smeerenburg – a 17th-century whaling station also known as ‘Blubber Town’ – and explore the Arctic wilderness under the light of the midnight sun. This Arctic phenomenon means there are even more opportunities for expeditions throughout your journey!

Day 3Northwest Svalbard

Northwest Svalbard

Northwest Svalbard

Day 4Northeast SvalbardThis morning, venture into the icy wilderness of northeast Svalbard, where the absence of warming ocean currents forms a stark polar desert. Witness Arctic foxes prowling the shores and seabirds nesting on the cliffs against a backdrop of huge glaciers. These cold coastal waters are rich in shellfish, which attracts walruses – a common sight in the area. Your expedition plans for today will depend on the rapidly changing sea, wind and ice conditions. Trust that your expert Expedition Team will maximise the exploration opportunities for today based on these conditions and embrace the spontaneity of a true polar adventure!

Northeast Svalbard

This morning, venture into the icy wilderness of northeast Svalbard, where the absence of warming ocean currents forms a stark polar desert. Witness Arctic foxes prowling the shores and seabirds nesting on the cliffs against a backdrop of huge glaciers. These cold coastal waters are rich in shellfish, which attracts walruses – a common sight in the area. Your expedition plans for today will depend on the rapidly changing sea, wind and ice conditions. Trust that your expert Expedition Team will maximise the exploration opportunities for today based on these conditions and embrace the spontaneity of a true polar adventure!

Day 5North SvalbardToday, you’ll travel to some of the northernmost land on Earth. These stark landscapes are almost entirely covered by large ice caps. You might visit Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in Svalbard, or the smaller islands of Sjuoyane. These rocky islands are largely barren of vegetation – you’ll mostly see moss and lichen – but the birdlife here is abundant. Watch geese grazing, terns nesting and skuas soaring. Be sure to have your binoculars and camera handy for plenty of birdwatching. Later today, you’ll start cruising towards the Arctic ice pack, travelling deeper into the icy wilderness.

North Svalbard

Today, you’ll travel to some of the northernmost land on Earth. These stark landscapes are almost entirely covered by large ice caps. You might visit Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in Svalbard, or the smaller islands of Sjuoyane. These rocky islands are largely barren of vegetation – you’ll mostly see moss and lichen – but the birdlife here is abundant. Watch geese grazing, terns nesting and skuas soaring. Be sure to have your binoculars and camera handy for plenty of birdwatching. Later today, you’ll start cruising towards the Arctic ice pack, travelling deeper into the icy wilderness.

Day 6At Sea - Arctic Ice PackCruise towards the Arctic ice pack – this icy realm stretches from Svalbard to the North Pole. In this rich ecosystem, you’ll see rare seabirds, seals, beluga and bowhead whales and maybe even the elusive polar bear – the region’s apex predator. As your ship navigates narrow ice channels, gaze up at towering glaciers that appear even more brilliant under the midnight sun.

Cruise towards the Arctic ice pack – this icy realm stretches from Svalbard to the North Pole. In this rich ecosystem, you’ll see rare seabirds, seals, beluga and bowhead whales and maybe even the elusive polar bear – the region’s apex predator. As your ship navigates narrow ice channels, gaze up at towering glaciers that appear even more brilliant under the midnight sun.

Day 7KongsfjordenSail into Kongsfjord – a fjord framed by glaciers and the Three Crowns mountain. Here, you’ll explore Ny-Alesund, the world’s northernmost settlement. Historically, this area was a base for polar explorers like Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen. Today, it’s a scientific research base conducting important research into climate change.

Kongsfjorden

Sail into Kongsfjord – a fjord framed by glaciers and the Three Crowns mountain. Here, you’ll explore Ny-Alesund, the world’s northernmost settlement. Historically, this area was a base for polar explorers like Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen. Today, it’s a scientific research base conducting important research into climate change.

Your journey through

Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Day 8Disembarkation in Longyearbyen - Oslo, NorwayAfter breakfast, disembark from the Ocean Albatros. You’ll be transferred to Svalbard Airport for your included flight to Oslo, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Oslo, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Disembarkation in Longyearbyen

After breakfast, disembark from the Ocean Albatros. You’ll be transferred to Svalbard Airport for your included flight to Oslo, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Oslo, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

What's included

Discover Norway

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

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