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Svalbard Circumnavigation: The Ultimate Arctic Quest (Ocean Albatros)

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Svalbard Circumnavigation: The Ultimate Arctic Quest (Ocean Albatros)

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Now From $ 15,407 AUD
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Description

Set out aboard an expedition ship for a true Arctic adventure in a land of magnificent extremes. Gape at the mountainous fjords of Svalbard’s south and marvel at wildlife in the northwest that thrives despite harsh conditions. Explore the polar deserts of Hinlopen Strait and, conditions permitting, the edge of the north polar pack ice. Venture by land and sea into one of the largest protected areas in the Arctic to reach remote beaches, glacier fronts and historic sites. Keep watch for reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals, whales and polar bears and hundreds of species of seabird. Aboard a ship that can easily navigate areas of Svalbard others can’t, and with a fleet of Zodiacs at the ready, exploration is guaranteed – although your exact route will be shaped by the whims of Mother Nature!

Trip Name
Svalbard Circumnavigation: The Ultimate Arctic Quest (Ocean Albatros)
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
10
Capacity
175
Highlights
  • Explore Svalbard on an in-depth expedition through the archipelago – see the fjords of the northwest, see one of the world's largest seabird colonies in Hinlopen Strait, then move on to the greener landscapes of the south.
  • Visit Ny-Alesund, one of the world’s northernmost settlements, and learn about its role in polar exploration and international scientific research.
  • Search for Svalbard’s charismatic wildlife like bulky walruses, leggy reindeers, sly Arctic foxes, beluga whales and polar bears.
  • Venture into the Arctic pack ice north of Svalbard – next stop, Alaska, across the top of the world!
  • Experience Svalbard from multiple perspectives, heading ashore on into the tundra and on remote beaches and cruising by Zodiac to glacier fronts and into wildlife-rich fjords.

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 - Oslo to Longyearbyen
Hallo! Welcome to Norway. Your journey begins at the airport in Oslo, Norway. From here, you’ll fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard – the northernmost town on Earth – where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the port, where your expedition ship, Ocean Albatros, awaits you. Despite its remote Arctic location, Longyearbyen offers warm Nordic hospitality. Breathe in that crisp polar air, take in the dramatic mountain views and heed the polar bear warning sign – a strong reminder that you're in a truly wild place. This evening, toast your departure from civilisation as you sail into the Arctic wilderness, on course for adventure.
Day 2 - Kongsfjorden Region
During the Arctic 'night,' sail past Prins Karls Forland and into Kongsfjord, where glaciers tumble down to the sea beneath the distinctive Three Crowns mountains. Your final stop is Ny-Alesund – a remote research settlement with a long connection to Arctic exploration, including as a base for legendary polar explorers like Amundsen and Nansen. Explore one of Earth's northernmost settlements, which still contributes to vital research in these glaciated surroundings.
Day 3 - Northwest Svalbard
Explore Northwest Spitsbergen National Park today – a protected corner of Svalbard that preserves a long history of Arctic exploration and whaling. First recorded by Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz in 1596, the region later became an important base for Dutch and English whalers. Their haunting remnants, such as the blubber ovens, and graves of young sailors at Smeerenburg, remain visible. Nature has reclaimed much of that history and created a haven for flora and fauna, with Arctic flowers, seabirds, walrus and polar bears reclaiming the coastal landscape.
Day 4 - Arctic Sea Ice
Head into the Arctic ice pack north of Svalbard today – a vast, ever-changing wilderness that shifts seasonally and stretches beyond the North Pole to Alaska and Siberia. Though the landscape may look stark, these icy waters support diverse wildlife like fish, seabirds, seals, belugas and bowhead whales and is a preferred hunting ground of polar bears. Navigate through ice channels to explore this remote environment, then continue towards the Hinlopen Strait between Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet.
Day 5 - Northeast Svalbard
Watch out for wildlife on land and in the skies today as you move from the Arctic ice into Hinlopen Strait, where towering cliffs host some of the world’s largest seabird colonies, including guillemots and fulmars, predatory skuas and gulls. Keep your binoculars trained on the polar deserts and iceberg-studded waters, where you might glimpse a walrus resting on the beach, pods of belugas frolicking in the water and baleen whales feeding offshore.
Day 6 - East Svalbard
Today, you'll explore eastern Svalbard, where cold polar waters keep the seas icy even beneath the midnight sun. On Edgeoya, traces of historic walrus and beluga hunting stand in contrast to today's strict wildlife protections and the extensive nature reserves. Depending on the weather and sea conditions, you may visit the distinctive geological formations and walrus colonies of Andreetangen and Kapp Lee, or the vast seabird colonies at Sundneset. Later, sail back towards Spitsbergen via Sorkapp.
Day 7 - South Svalbard
Spend the day exploring the greener, warmer fjords of Bellsund and Hornsund. These fertile valleys are abundant with reindeer and Arctic foxes. Watch seabirds nesting and icebergs drifting from glaciers. Have your binoculars ready for birdwatching at the towering Alkefjellet Bird Cliffs, where tens of thousands of birds nest on every ledge and crevice on the cliff faces. See (and hear) guillemots, kittiwakes and Arctic skuas. You’ll also visit the historic mining settlement of Calypsobyen and the ruins of a hunter's cabin at Bamsebu.
Day 8 - South Svalbard
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Day 9 - West/Central Spitzbergen
Sail through the night to Forlandssundet, the strait between Prins Karls Forland and Spitsbergen. Today, you may stop at Poolepynten (Poole Point) – a small headland named after British whaler Jonas Poole. Today, the area is better known for its walrus haul-outs – you may be able to see (and smell!) them from a distance as they flaunt their tusks and whiskers on the beach. While you're here, explore remote beaches and tundra plains, all in view of rugged mountain scenery, then head south into Isfjorden. Along the way, maybe get some last glimpses of Arctic wildlife and capture a few more photos of the wide Arctic views as you return to civilization.
Day 10 - Longyearbyen to Oslo
Arrive back in Longyearbyen this morning, which may seem like a booming metropolis after days spent exploring the Arctic's remote wilderness. You'll have some time to take a look around before saying goodbye to your Expedition Team and fellow travellers. Then transfer to Svalbard Airport for your flight back to mainland Norway. Your trip will finish at Oslo Airport upon your arrival.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 15,545-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 28,651-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 16,168-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 30,945-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 22,505-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 23,809-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 20,627-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 19,862-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 17,441-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 18,206-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 16,933-
12-08-202821-08-2028AUD $ 15,407-

Accommodation

Expedition cruise ship (9 nights)

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, zodiac, plane

Map