Arctic Odyssey Norway to Svalbard

0
8 days / 7 nights
Dates : May
Tromso / Longyearbyen
Highlights

Embark on an exceptional journey from Norway’s Arctic capital of Tromsø, and leave Europe behind as you sail to Svalbard, the realm of the polar bear!

Embark on a thrilling journey into the wilds of northern Europe, sailing from mainland Norway to the high Arctic islands of Svalbard.

This exciting voyage begins in the Captial of the Arctic, the Norwegian city of Tromsø. Bathed in the midnight sun throughout the brief Arctic summer, Tromsø is a vibrant metropolis in miniature, and has been the gateway to the Scandinavian Arctic for generations of explorers. 

From Tromsø, we will sail to Norway’s northernmost point, where we will spend time searching for wildife at the islands of Gjesværstappan, and stand at the end of the European mainland at legendary Nordkapp. Leaving civilisation behind, we will venture even further north to Bjørnøya (Bear Island), a lonely isle between Svalbard and mainland Norway, home to some of the most spectacular bird colonies on Earth. 

Our next stop will be the majestic islands of Svalbard, the kingdom of the polar bear. Experience jaw-dropping natural beauty, keep watch for charismatic Arctic wildlife, and discover the fascinating history of this incredible archipelago. Exploring on land, we will aim to experience the Arctic up close and personal, while our fleet of Zodiacs also allow us to explore on the water. 

During the short summer, wildlife such as reindeer and polar foxes are busy amassing energy for the icy polar winter. The cliffs shimmer with life as every surface is populated with countless birds, and in a few months, a new generation of Arctic sea birds are ready to leave their nests. Arctic guillemots, black guillemots and razorbills can be observed fishing in our ship’s wake. On the sandy shores, huge walruses enjoy the short Arctic summer, and many whales and seals forage along the edge of the pack ice and the coasts. 

Please note that exact landing sites in Svalbard will be determined by wind, sea and ice conditions. 

Map/Itinerary

Day 1TROMSØ, NORWAY - EMBARKATION

Arrive in Tromsø, the majestic ‘Capital of the Arctic’. Situated deep in the maze of fjords for which Norway is famous, Tromsø sits on an island surrounded by steep mountains and plunging seas. 

Known worldwide as Norway’s Arctic capital, Tromsø is the largest city in the European Arctic with around 80,000 residents, and is the hub for transport, industry and tourism throughout the region. Visitors from all ober the world come to experience this vibrant city, as well as explore the stunning nature which surrounds it, or to simply bask in the midnight summer sun. 

Ocean Albatros awaits in the calm waters of the city harbour, ready to take our guests on a spectacular journey, leaving Europe behind and heading into the wild north beyond. After the mandatory safety drill, relax on the outer decks sipping a carefully crafted cocktail as Ocean Albatros sets sail through the fjords of northern Norway. 

Day 2GJESVÆRSTAPPAN, SKARSVÅG AND THE NORTH CAPE

In the early morning of the first full day of our expedition, we will arrive at Gjesværstappan, a maze of rugged islands and skerries off the coast of the small village of Gjesvær. These islands were designated a nature reserve in 1983, and exploring on the nearby waters cleary shows why! These islands hold an incredible amount of life, with vast colonies of kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, puffins and gannets all nesting in the area – one of Norway’s greatest natural wonders! 

Ocean Albatros will reposition over lunchtime to the tiny village of Skarsvåg. Skarsvåg holds the distinction of being the most northerly fishing village in the world, and many residents work harvesting the rich chilly waters at the top of Scandinavia. From Skarsvåg, we will join an excursion to Nordkapp, the monument which marks the northernmost tip of mainland Norway and the European continent. This famed landmark beckons us to the next part of our journey, as we leave civilisation behind in the evening, and strike out towards the wild Arctic islands of Svalbard. 

Day 3BJØRNØYA/BEAR ISLAND

Situated in the middle of the Barents Sea between northern Norway and southern Svalbard lies Bjønøya, known in English as Bear Island. This rugged island marks the start of the High Arctic, as the peaks of the island loom on the horizon. 

Small, isolated and rarely visited, Bear Island was once heavily exploited by whalers and sealers, who flocked to the island from across Europe to harvest oil-bearing marine mammals. Thankfully, the island and surrounding waters are now protected as a nature reserve, and the island is returning to natural abundance. Despite the name, polar bears are almost unknown here, but whales and seals are common in these rich waters, and the steep cliffs of the isalnd are home to literally millions of seabirds. Guillemots, razorbills, puffins and gannets all crowd for space on tiny rock ledges, while hungry gulls and skuas cruise overhead in a never-ending search for prey. 

If conditions permit, we will aim to offer a Zodiac cruise with our expert expedition team to experience the incredible wildife of this remote island – a true bucket-list experience! 

Day 4SOUTHWEST SVALBARD

The southwest coast of Svalbard is washed by warmer water coming up through the Atlantic, so winter ice generally retreats first from this reagion. This allows us to enter the southern fjords of the area, even at the start of the summer – easily some of the most spectacular regions of this stunning archipelago. Throughout this maze of fjords and islands, birds cluster together on high cliffs and reindeer graze on the fertile slopes below, while icebergs drift by from the various large glaciers in the area. Tiny calico snow buntings flit between crags, while perfectly camouflaged purple sandpipers scamper along the shore. Look higher up on the vegetated slopes, and there – greyish white ‘boulders’ move and resolve themselves into sheep-sized reindeer: the unique subspecies native to Svalbard. A flash of bluish-black, and the screeches of nearby birds herald the arrival of the Arctic fox, the only native land predator on Svalbard (the polar bear being classified as a marine mammal). 

The mountaintops are most often covered by dense clouds and the East-Spitsbergen current often leads pack ice into the mouths of the fjords. With a huge variety of landing sites to explore, this region is without doubt one of the most exciting and diverse regions of Svallbard! Options to explore in the area include the huge bird cliffs of Alkhjornet and Vårsolbukta, and the historical sites of Calypsobyen and Bambsebu, where prospectors, trappers and a range of other adventurers attempted to make their fortunes. 

Day 5AT SEA, EN ROUTE TO JAN MAYEN

Leaving the Faroe Islands behind, Ocean Albatros will spend a day at sea en route to Jan Mayen, an isolated volcanic island roughly equidistant between Greenland, Svalbard and Iceland. Here, warmer water from the Atlantic meets the cold waters of East Greenland, often producing murky foggy conditions. However, the mixing of currents produces rich waters which nourish the wildlife of the area – from the vast shoals of herring so important to towns like Tórshavn, to the whales which grow more common as we approach the shores of Jan Mayen. 

Day 5-7NORTHWEST SVALBARD

One of the largest protected wilderness areas in Europe, North West Svalbard was declared a national park in 1973. The area is famed for its history, which documents some of the earliest human arrivals on Svalbard. While Norse explorers may have sighted these icy shores during the Viking Age, the first definite arrival was the expedition of William Barents, the legendary Dutch explorer for whom the Barents Sea is named. While now protected from human distruption, when Barents arrived in 1596, he noted the vast numbers of whales and seals which were soon prey to English and Dutch whalers, who arrived within a decade of Barents to pillage the area’s wildlife. The area occupies the triple point between land, sea and ice, and as such was the perfect location from which to harvest the gentle giants of the oceans. Sites used to dismember whale carcasses and render them for their precious oil include the Dutch settlement of Smeerenburg, where the remains of 16th Century blubber ovens and building foundations can still be seen. Other sites such as nearby Ytre Norskøya record the darker side of this industrialised slaughter, where hundreds of young men who hoped to make their fortunes are buried thousands of miles from home. 

Today, all that remains from this period of history are bones and the scant remnants of human habitation. Slowly reclaimed by creeping Arctic nature, the region is now a nature lovers paradise. Tiny Arctic poppies and purple saxifrage defy the brutal conditions to flower in the brief summer, while geese, eider ducks and other seabirds return to the island to raise their young. Walrus can be found hauled out on beaches, and we must always be on careful lookout for wandering polar bears in this now again wild region. 

A haven of wildlife, fascinating history and jaw-dropping scenery, northwest Svalbard is surely one of the most spectacular areas of the Arctic, if not the world! 

Day 8LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD - DISEMBARKATION

On the final morning of our expedition, we arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard – the world’s northernmost… everything! This remarkable little city is not only the northernmost town in the world (if one excludes the tiny research community of Ny-Ålesund, slightly further north on Svalbard), but also hosts the world’s northernmost civilian airport, schools, bank and supermarket.

The town’s rugged frontier edge belies a core of warm Nordic hospitality and coziness, with comfy cafes, excellent restaurants and boutique shops all within walking distance. Even this small town will feel like a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic! 

After enjoying exploring Longyearbyen and a fond farewell to the crew and fellow guests of Ocean Albatros, guest will be transported to Svalbard Airport to flyy back to the Norwegian mainland- with memories to last a lifetime. 

Inclusions/Exclusions

This expedition includes:

  • Local transport in Longyearbyen on day 8
  • English-speaking expedition staff
  • Guided walks with the expedition team
  • Nature hikes and Zodiac cruises per itinerary
  • Information briefings and lectures by the expedition team
  • Special photo workshop
  • Full board on the ship
  • Dinner drink package
  • Free coffee, tea, and afternoon snacks on the ship
  • Welcome and farewell cocktails
  • Taxes, tariffs, and landing fees
  • Digital visual journal link after the voyage, including voyage log, gallery, species list, and more

This expedition excludes

  • Extra excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Single room supplement and cabin upgrades
  • Meals not on board the ship
  • Beverages (other than coffee and tea and dinner-drink package)
  • Tips for the crew (we recommend USD 16 per person per day)
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel, cancellation, and senior insurance
  • Anything not mentioned under ’Inclusions’

Prices

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Arctic Odyssey Norway to Svalbard

Start : 30 May, 2025  End : 6 Jun, 2025
Departure : Tromso   Arrival : Longyearbyen
8 Days
From $7,195
$3,598
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TRIPLE STATERROOM F
$7,195 $3,598
TWIN PORTHOLE D
$8,395 $4,198
FRENCH BALCONY E
$8,895 $4,448
BALCONY STATEROOM C
$9,195 $4,598
SINGLE PORTHOLE G
$10,595 $5,298
BALCONY SUITE B
$11,995 $5,998
JUNIOR SUITE A
$15,395 $7,698

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