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Peregrine Travel Centre

Norway’s Wild North: Lofoten to Svalbard Expedition Cruise

Norway’s Wild North: Lofoten to Svalbard Expedition Cruise

From USD $8,095

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Description

This carefully crafted voyage begins in the bustling Arctic city of Bodø before entering the legendary Lofoten Archipelago, after which we will sail through the magnificent fjords of Norway to arrive at Tromsø, capital of the Arctic. Next, we explore the incredible bird colonies of Gjesværstappan before visiting legendary Nordkapp from the charming village of Skarsvåg.
Our adventure continues as we strike out into the Arctic Ocean, exploring the wildlife-rich cliffs of Bear Island before arriving on Svalbard, Norway’s High Arctic nature paradise. Our voyage concludes with four full, jaw-dropping days exploring this Arctic jewel before finishing in Longyearbyen, one of Earth’s northernmost communities. From the fjords and fells of Norway to the glaciers and tundra of Svalbard, this is our most comprehensive Scandinavian itinerary ever!

Trip Name
Norway’s Wild North: Lofoten to Svalbard Expedition Cruise
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Passenger Capacity: 169 (95 cabins) Length: 104.4 m Built: 2022 Ocean Albatros is built for serious Polar travel, pairing long-honed expedition capability with a modern, stabilised design. Its X-BOW structure delivers a markedly smoother ride and enables confident movement through deeper ice, giving passengers access to remote regions that traditional vessels cannot approach. Spacious staterooms with wide views, extensive observation areas, near-water hydraulic platforms and a fast, heated mudroom support uninterrupted exploration. The atmosphere on board remains streamlined and functional, with amenities such as Jacuzzis, sauna, spa, gym, library and a generous lounge layout arranged to maximise comfort without distracting from the environment outside. Efficiency and sustainability are embedded into the ship’s operations. Dual diesel–electric engines reduce emissions significantly while maintaining reliable range and power, enabling the vessel to operate with a carbon footprint roughly half that of older expedition ships. Most cabins include private balconies, communal areas are deliberately generous, and dining spans both a full restaurant and a bistro. Expedition logistics - zodiacs, science activities, photographic support and medical readiness - are built into the core offering, ensuring a consistent, competent experience from the Arctic to Antarctica.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Embarkation
Gateway to the Arctic and surrounded by dramatic peaks, Bodø is a lively coastal city where modern Norwegian life meets the edge of the wilderness. Just outside town lies Saltstraumen, one of the strongest tidal currents in the world, drawing seabirds and marine life to its churning waters.Your expedition vessel awaits in the harbor. After embarkation and a mandatory safety briefing and drill, join your Expedition Team on deck as we set sail north toward Norway’s legendary Lofoten Archipelago, where your Arctic adventure begins.
Day 2 - Day 2: Lofoten (Reine & Leknes), Norway
Wake to the dramatic landscapes of Norway’s legendary Lofoten Archipelago, where towering granite peaks rise straight from crystal-clear fjords and colorful fishing villages cling to the shoreline. Our first stop is Reine, often regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in Norway, its postcard-perfect setting framed by jagged mountains and tranquil water. We continue to Leknes, the vibrant heart of the archipelago, offering a taste of local culture and coastal tradition, with white-sand beaches and incredible hiking waiting to be explored beyond the edge of town.
Day 3 - Day 3: Tromsø
The largest city in the Scandinavian Arctic, Tromsø is the unofficial capital of North Norway, a hub for transport, industry, education, and tourism alike. The city sits on an island, and majestic bridges cross the fjord to the suburbs on the surrounding hillsides, which hold attractions such as the Fjellheisen Cable Car and the Arctic Cathedral. The city has been the jumping-off point for many Arctic expeditions—a heritage visitors can discover at the Polar Museum, a stone’s throw from the city’s charming main square. With vast tracts of wilderness just outside town, rugged enough for even the most seasoned hiker, visitors are spoiled for choice!
Day 4 - Day 4: Gjesværstappan and Skarsvåg
Near the fishing village of Gjesvær is a collection of rocky skerries and islets famed throughout the world for their incredible birdlife. Grab your binoculars and join local boat captains to explore these incredible islands, home to everything from guillemots to white-tailed eagles. In the afternoon, we will come ashore at the tiny fishing village of Skarsvåg, the northernmost fishing village on Earth and gateway to the world-famous Nordkapp plateau—next stop, Svalbard!
Day 5 - Day 5: Bjørnøya/Bear Island
Despite its name, polar bears are only rare visitors to Bear Island (Bjørnøya in Norwegian)—but don’t let that put you off! The precipitous sea cliffs on the island are home to enormous colonies of seabirds, especially fulmars, kittiwakes, and guillemots. Prowling Arctic foxes patrol the flatter areas of the island, so these birds cluster on the rocky cliffs, carefully tending their precious eggs and jostling for space. Join your Expedition Team aboard the Zodiacs to explore this magnificent sight from the water.
Day 6 - Day 6: South Svalbard
Our first landfall in the magnificent archipelago of Svalbard will be amid the lush green fjords of the south. This area is incredibly rich in wildlife and holds numerous historical sites, such as Bamsebu and Calypsobyen. Grassy tundra meadows, such as those found at Vårsolbukta, offer food for herds of diminutive Svalbard reindeer and other grazers, such as barnacle geese. With a variety of destinations to visit, our knowledgeable Expedition Leader and Captain will ensure that wherever we visit offers a breathtaking introduction to the High Arctic.
Day 7 - Day 7: Northwest Svalbard
Comprising the mountainous northwestern coast of the island of Spitsbergen and countless fjords, islands, and skerries, this region seems almost purpose-made for exploring! Incredibly, this wild coast was once among the most degraded environments on Earth—English and Dutch whalers and Russian and Norwegian trappers once ran rampant here, slaughtering whales, walruses, bears, and foxes at sites such as Smeerenburg to make their fortune—often not surviving long enough to collect. Thankfully, nature has rebounded, and the whole region is now protected within Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, making it one of the most stunning, wildlife-rich regions in the Arctic.
Day 8 - Day 8: Into the Ice
To the north of Svalbard lies the enormous, ever-shifting Arctic sea ice, one of Earth’s largest habitats, which stretches from Svalbard to Siberia and Alaska. It may seem barren and empty at first glance, but look closer and the wonders of this shifting seascape reveal themselves—from tiny cod-like fish flickering between flakes of ice to flocks of fulmars, eiders, and guillemots, all the way up to snoozing seals and maybe even the King of the Arctic—the legendary polar bear. Bundle up, grab your camera, and join your Expedition Team on deck as we venture into the ice at the top of the world.
Day 9 - Day 9: Kongsfjorden Region
With the midnight sun high in the morning sky, we sail into breathtaking Kongsfjorden—a vast and dramatic fjord system backed by the Three Crowns mountains. The only settlement in this region is the research town of Ny-Ålesund, one of the world’s northernmost year-round communities. Once a coal-mining settlement, Ny-Ålesund has been the base for legendary polar explorers, including Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile, and the research carried out here today by international scientific stations is critical to understanding the changing face of the polar regions in the modern world.
Day 10 - Day 10: Longyearbyen, Disembarkation
On the final morning of our expedition, we arrive in the charmingly unusual town of Longyearbyen, one of Earth’s northernmost communities. Everything here feels superlative—including the excellent local shops, cafés, and restaurants. After a fond farewell to the Expedition Staff, Officers, and Crew of Ocean Albatros, spend some time exploring this remarkable town with your fellow explorers before returning to the airport and the Norwegian mainland with memories of the Arctic adventure of a lifetime.
Day 11 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-05-202819-05-2028USD $0Triple Stateroom
10-05-202819-05-2028USD $0Porthole Stateroom
10-05-202819-05-2028USD $0French Balcony Stateroom
10-05-202819-05-2028USD $0Superior Balcony Stateroom
10-05-202819-05-2028USD $0Grand Balcony Stateroom
10-05-202819-05-2028USD $0Balcony Suite
10-05-202819-05-2028USD $0Junior Suite
10-05-202819-05-2028USD $0Brynhilde Suite
10-05-202819-05-2028USD $0Freydis Suite

Inclusions

    • Explore Norway’s dramatic Lofoten Archipelago, Arctic Tromsø, the bird-rich cliffs of Gjesværstappan and legendary Nordkapp.
    • Venture deep into Svalbard, from Bear Island and wildlife-rich fjords to glaciers, tundra and the ever-shifting Arctic sea ice.
    • Spend four full days exploring Svalbard’s remote wilderness by Zodiac, kayak and on foot, with opportunities to encounter seabirds, Arctic foxes, seals, reindeer and polar bears.

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