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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.