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

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

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Now From $ 11,871 AUD
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Description

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!

Trip Name
Norway's Wild North: Lofoten to Svalbard (Ocean Albatros)
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
10
Capacity
175
Highlights
  • 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.

Itinerary

No two Polar voyages are the same and this is part of the excitement of travelling in these remote regions. Weather, ice conditions and wildlife will all affect where your ship is able to access, and most importantly, where your Expedition Team think you will get the best possible experience from your trip. Onboard, daily updates are given to advise what the specific itinerary will be for the next day based on local conditions. Published itineraries cannot be guaranteed but an amazing voyage full of adventure and once-in-a-lifetime experiences is.

Day 1 - Bodo
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!
Day 2 - Reine to Leknes
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.
Day 3 - Tromso
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.
Day 4 - Gjesvaerstappan to Skarsvag
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.
Day 5 - Bear Island
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.
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.
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.
Day 8 - Arctic Sea Ice
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.
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.
Day 10 - Longyearbyen to Oslo
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 12,730-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 22,546-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 12,591-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 20,987-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 15,228-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 18,707-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 16,070-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 15,467-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 13,669-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 14,268-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 13,191-
10-05-202819-05-2028AUD $ 11,871-

Accommodation

Expedition cruise ship (9 nights)

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, zodiac, plane

Map