Svalbard Express - (Ocean Albatros)

Duration

7 days

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodations

Comfortable

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Set out on a seven-day adventure to the archipelago of Svalbard – home to the northernmost city on Earth, teeming with wildlife.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (6), Lunch (5), Dinner (6)
Accommodation: Expedition cruise ship (6 nights)

Highlights

Sail aboard one of the world’s only expedition ships built to navigate the Arctic ice pack during the summer – the best time to see polar bears!
Visit a 17th-century whaling station at Smeerenburg in northwest Svalbard – part of the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, where you'll also find Arctic flora and fauna like walruses and seabirds.
Explore Ny-Alesund, the northernmost settlement in the world that was once a base for polar explorers like Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen.
Witness polar desert landscapes on the islands of Nordaustlandet and Sjuoyane, where few plants grow in the harsh conditions, but birdlife flourishes – see skuas, terns and Atlantic puffins.
Take advantage of a flexible voyage itinerary and embrace the spontaneity of an Arctic expedition as your expert polar team maximises wildlife spotting opportunities each day based on the weather conditions.

Trip Details

Duration

7 days

Transportation

Expedition cruise ship, zodiac

Guide Language

English

Starts

Longyearbyen, Norway

Finishes

Longyearbyen, Norway

Accommodations

Comfortable

Travel Style

Polar, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Longyearbyen

Hei! Welcome to Oslo. Your adventure begins with an included flight from Oslo Airport to Longyearbyen, Svalbard – the northernmost city on Earth. Here in Longyearbyen, you’ll be greeted by warm Nordic hospitality, dramatic mountain scenery, crisp polar air and the occasional polar bear warning sign to remind you just how far from home you are. When you arrive at Svalbard Airport, you’ll be transferred to your ship, the Ocean Albatros. When you’ve boarded, you’ll settle into your cabin and have a safety and orientation meeting. Toast to the journey ahead as you set sail into the Arctic wilderness!

Accommodation:

Expedition Ship (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Northwest Svalbard

Today, you’ll explore the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Established in 1973, this region has a rich history of early Arctic exploration and whaling – it became a hub for Dutch and English whalers in the early 17th century. You'll see echoes of this history in the ruins of blubber ovens and graves of sailors at the Smeerenburg whaling station (AKA ‘Blubber Town’). This protected park is home to Arctic flowers such as the vibrant purple saxifrage and the Svalbard poppy. You’ll also spot wildlife like walruses, polar bears and seabirds.

Accommodation:

Expedition Ship (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Northeast Svalbard

This morning, travel into the polar desert of northeast Svalbard. Here, huge glaciers tower over landscapes full of wildlife and you may see Arctic foxes prowling the icy shores with hundreds of thousands of seabirds nesting on the cliffs above. The cold coastal waters here are full of shellfish, attracting walruses – a common sight in this area. Be prepared to be spontaneous, the weather conditions today will influence the kind of exploring on the agenda. This is all part of the thrill of true polar expedition travel!

Accommodation:

Expedition Ship (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: North Svalbard

Venture to some of the northernmost land on the planet. Weather permitting, you might reach the polar desert island of Nordaustlandet or the islands of Sjuoyane (AKA the ‘Seven Islands’). These islands sit around 1000 km further north than the popular Nordkapp (North Cape) on Norway’s mainland. When you arrive, explore these islands by foot. Here in the high Arctic, these rocky islands are almost completely lacking in vegetation – you’ll mostly find moss and lichen covering the rocks. However, the birdlife here is abundant. Have your binoculars handy to watch Atltantic puffins, flocks of grazing geese and nesting terns and skuas. Later today, you’ll start cruising towards the Arctic ice pack, which stretches from Svalbard to the North Pole and beyond.

Accommodation:

Expedition Ship (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Arctic Ice Pack

Journey further into the Arctic ice pack. This vast wilderness is home to seabirds, seals, beluga whales, bowhead whales and polar bears – the region’s apex predator. As your ship navigates narrow ice channels, sharpen your wildlife photography skills and soak in the feeling of being immersed in this incredible ecosystem.

Accommodation:

Expedition Ship (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Kongsfjorden

Sail to Kongsfjord – a historic fishing village set in a vast fjord system, framed by glaciers and the imposing Three Crowns mountain. Today, you'll visit Ny-Alesund, the northernmost settlement in the world. This settlement is made up of scientific research stations and was historically a base for polar explorers like Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen.

Accommodation:

Expedition Ship (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Longyearbyen

This morning, arrive back in Longyearbyen. You’ll bid farewell to the crew and have some time to explore Longyearbyen, then you’ll be transferred to Svalbard Airport for your included flight back to Oslo. Here, your Arctic adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Oslo, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $15100

AUD $13,137

(Tour only)

Offer ends 08 Jun, 2027 Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 7 days

Trip Type: Group Tour

Activity Level: Light

Set out on a seven-day adventure to the archipelago of Svalbard – home to the northernmost city on Earth, teeming with wildlife.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 08 Jun 2027

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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