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Norway's Wild North: Lofoten to Svalbard (Ocean Albatros)

10 days

Start

Start:

Finish

End:

Trip Code

BXML

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 175

Physical Rating

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, zodiac, plane

Accommodation

Expedition cruise ship (9 nights)

From 0 (10 days)

Trip Informations

Jump on board for a 10-day adventure into the Arctic archipelagos of Lofoten and Svalbard. Journey to small, colourful fishing villages, visit the world’s northernmost settlement at Ny-Alesund and explore Tromso – the largest city in the Scandinavian Arctic. Soak up the unforgettable vistas of fjords, granite peaks, clear waters and rocky islets as you sail, with plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings along the way. Go on a Zodiac excursion to see the seabird cliffs on Bear Island, spot guillemots and white-tailed eagles on Gjesvaerstappan and look out for seals and whales as you sail towards the Arctic ice pack – this is a true Arctic adventure!

Why you’ll love this trip

Sail through the dramatic fjords of the Lofoten archipelago. Visit the colourful villages of Reine and Leknes, where bright fisherman’s cabins line the coast, surrounded by jagged granite peaks.

Stand at the northernmost point of Europe at the legendary Nordkapp. Plus, visit the small Skarsvag – the northernmost fishing village on earth.

Encounter the diversity of birdlife on Bjornoya, AKA Bear Island. Hop on a Zodiac to see the island’s sea cliffs teeming with huge colonies of seabirds like fulmars, kittiwakes and guillemots.

Explore the Arctic ice pack – the icy cover over the Arctic ocean, home to an abundance of wildlife including seabirds, seals and beluga and bowhead whales. Navigate through narrow, icy channels with an expert Expedition Team.

Behold the glacial wilderness of Svalbard – home to the northernmost city on earth, lush Arctic flora and wildlife like walruses and reindeer.

Is this trip right for you?

The Ocean Albatros is an ice-strengthened ship – large, sturdy and suited to the unpredictable Arctic waters. Some people may experience seasickness in occasional rough seas. We have a doctor on board should you need assistance. Over-the-counter seasickness medication is usually an easy fix.

Temperatures in the Arctic can get very cold, but it also can get surprisingly warm when the sun comes out. We recommend dressing in layers when you journey outside. We’ll loan you waterproof boots that are sturdy and warm, plus we’ll provide you with a waterproof jacket that is yours to keep. Please see the Essential Trip Information for a packing list.

Depending on the weather, you’ll be travelling in a Zodiac boat quite regularly to explore the areas and search for wildlife. It can get cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you dress appropriately and keep your camera safe and dry. A fair level of mobility is needed for wet and dry landings from the boat, as well as on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Elevators may be closed in rough seas, requiring the use of stairs for meals, presentations and activities.

The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and, although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially in an area as remote as the Arctic. The experienced expedition team and captain will always have alternative landing sites planned if the first option is no longer available due to weather.

We may be confined to the ship during rough weather, but there are plenty of onboard resources and activities. The ship’s library and educational lectures are ideal ways to stay entertained, while the spa and gym will keep you fresh for when the weather clears.

Itinerary

Be surrounded by the raw, icy beauty of the Arctic on an expedition to Lofoten and Svalbard

DAY 1
Day 1 • Bodo, Norway
Hei! Welcome to Bodo, your gateway to the Arctic. In this lively coastal city, you’ll encounter a distinctive blend of modern Norwegian life and the Arctic wilderness. This afternoon, you’ll board your ship – the Ocean Albatros. Settle into your cabin, then you’ll have a safety and orientation meeting. After, join your Expedition Team on deck as you set sail north towards the Lofoten archipelago. Here’s to the start of your Arctic adventure!
Accommodation
Expedition ship (1 night)
Meals
Dinner
Special information
Your Final Travel Documents, sent approximately four weeks before departure, will include the most accurate schedule and detailed instructions.
Embarkation typically takes place between 2 pm and 4 pm.
A transfer is available from a central location in Bodo or from the airport at approximately 1.30 pm. Exact pick-up times will be advised four weeks prior to departure.
It's highly recommended you book a flight that arrives in Bodo no later than 12 pm. This will allow ample time for baggage collection, transfers and any unexpected travel delays.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Lofoten (Reine and Leknes), Norway
Wake up for your first full day at sea, taking in views of the dramatic granite peaks of the Lofoten Islands. Look out at the colourful fishing villages that scatter the shorelines between mighty fjords. Your first stop today is Reine, widely considered one of Norway’s most beautiful villages. Framed by jagged mountains, red fisherman’s cabins line the rocky shoreline, overlooking the tranquil water. Next, head to Leknes, known for its thriving local culture, beaches and excellent hiking trails.
Accommodation
Expedition ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 3
Day 3 • Tromso, Norway
Spend today exploring Tromso – the largest city in the Scandinavian Arctic. Considered north Norway’s unofficial capital, Tromso has plenty of local history and coastal culture to discover. You might visit the Arctic Cathedral – built in 1965, this cathedral has a distinctive triangular design that was inspired by the Arctic mountains as well as a remarkable glass mosaic that dominates the eastern wall. For a view over the city, you can take the Fjellheisen Cable Car up to Storsteinen, 421 m above sea level. If you’re keen to learn about the rich local expedition history, head to the Polar Museum.
Accommodation
Expedition ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 4
Day 4 • Gjesvaerstappan and Skarsvag, Norway
Make sure you have your binoculars handy today as you head out to explore Gjesvaerstappan. This group of rocky skerries and islets is located north of the village of Gjesvaer and is famous for its incredible birdlife. Join local boat captains for an adventure through these remarkably biodiverse islands. You might see guillemots, white-tailed eagles or little auks. This afternoon, visit the small fishing village of Skarsvag – the northernmost fishing village on earth and the gateway to the Nordkapp plateau.
Accommodation
Expedition ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 5
Day 5 • Bear Island (Bjornoya), Svalbard
Despite its name, polar bears are very rarely seen on Bear Island, but there’s no shortage of other incredible wildlife and vistas to see today. The island’s sea cliffs are home to huge colonies of seabirds like fulmars, kittiwakes and guillemots. The birds cling to the cliffs while they nest, away from the Arctic foxes that prowl along the flatter parts of the island. Hop aboard Zodiacs with your Expedition Team to get a look at these teeming sea cliffs from the water.
Accommodation
Expedition ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 6
Day 6 • South Svalbard
Explore the lush green fjords of south Svalbard. Rich in wildlife and history, this region of the archipelago is scattered with vestiges of the past including Calypsobyen – a 20th-century mining settlement now used as a research station. You might see Svalbard reindeers and barnacle geese grazing on the grassy tundra meadows. Embrace the spontaneity of a true polar adventure – your knowledgeable Expedition Team will choose from the variety of possible landing sites to give you a memorable introduction to the High Arctic.
Accommodation
Expedition ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 7
Day 7 • Northwest Svalbard
Cruise towards the rugged northwestern coast of Spitsbergen – the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Pass the towering fjords, islands and skerries that make up this region that was once a hunting ground for English and Dutch whalers and Russian and Norwegian trappers who hunted whales, walruses, bears and foxes. Since 1973, this region has been protected as Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. See Arctic flora like the Svalbard poppy, purple saxifrage and white mountain avens and wildlife like walruses, seabirds and maybe even the elusive polar bear.
Accommodation
Expedition ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 8
Day 8 • Arctic Sea Ice (North Svalbard)
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, if you’re lucky, polar bears – the region’s apex predator. As your ship navigates narrow ice channels, grab your camera and join your Expedition Team on deck to gaze up at the towering glaciers.
Accommodation
Expedition ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 9
Day 9 • Kongsfjorden Region
Sail into Kongsfjorden – a fjord framed by glaciers and the Three Crowns mountain. Here, you’ll find 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.
Accommodation
Expedition ship (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
DAY 10
Day 10 • Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard – Oslo, Norway
Disembark from your ship in Longyearbyen today. You’ll be transferred from your ship to the 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.
Meals
Breakfast
Special information
We recommend booking your onward flight from Oslo for the day after your flight from Longyearbyen as a safeguard in case of travel delays.
The schedule for your included flight is usually available 8 months prior to departure.
Your flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo will be unaccompanied.

Inclusions

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, zodiac, plane

Accommodation

Expedition cruise ship (9 nights)

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Important notes

Your voyage is on board the Ocean Albatros Ship

SPECIAL BOOKING CONDITIONS

This voyage is operated by our Polar partner Polar Latitudes. You are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of 20% of the voyage cost per person per Cruise for your booking to be confirmed. If your booking is made within 120 days of the departure date, then the full amount is payable at the time of booking. Please refer to the "booking conditions" on our website under Polar Latitudes.

ADVENTURE OPTIONS

A range of Paid Adventure Options is available on selected voyages, subject to availability. Your sales agent can assist with availability and pricing.

Discover Kayaking - One-off excursion available on all voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent and then pay for the activity once onboard the ship.

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