Svalbard Express

Arrival takes place in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, the northernmost town in the world. Located deep within the Arctic, Longyearbyen is a small settlement set among steep mountains and polar landscapes, with visible reminders of its remote setting, including polar bear warning signs. After arrival, guests transfer to the expedition ship Ocean Albatros in the harbor and depart Longyearbyen, beginning the voyage into Arctic waters.

Northwest Svalbard has been protected as a national park since 1973 and contains many sites linked to early Arctic exploration and whaling. First recorded by William Barents in 1596, the region later became an important base for Dutch and English whalers. Remains from this period, including blubber ovens and sailors’ graves at places such as Smeerenburg, can still be seen. Today, the area is strictly protected and largely shaped by natural processes, supporting Arctic plants, seabirds, walrus, and polar bears.

In the morning, the expedition enters the icy wilderness of northeastern Svalbard, a stark polar desert shaped by the absence of warming ocean currents. Here, vast glaciers descend into ice-choked waters, surrounding rugged landscapes which appear barren, yet teem with life. Arctic foxes prowl the chilly shores, while hundreds of thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs above. These cold coastal waters are rich in shellfish, attracting the walrus, which are common in the area. The exploration plans depend on rapidly changing sea, wind, and ice conditions, embodying the dynamic and unpredictable essence of true polar adventure.

Next, you strive for some of the northernmost pieces of land on Earth – stark landscapes almost permanently beset by ice. With luck, you may reach the polar desert island of Nordaustlandet, or the smaller islands of Sjuøyane in the far north of Svalbard. The almost vegetation-free, rocky islands are located around 1000 km further north than mainland Norway’s famous Nordkapp. Weather permitting, you land and walk upon these most northern landmasses. These high Arctic islands are quite barren, and only moss, hardy tundra plants and lichens cover the stones. The birdlife is rich in this area, with flocks of grazing geese and nesting terns and skuas – keep your binoculars handy! At the end of the day, you start cruising towards the Arctic ice pack, which stretches from Svalbard to the North Pole and beyond.

The Arctic ice pack north of Svalbard is a vast, ever-changing wilderness stretching to the North Pole and beyond to Alaska and Siberia, forming one of Earth’s largest and most dynamic habitats. Though it appears empty at first, this icy realm conceals abundant wildlife—from tiny cod-like fish to seabirds and seals, belugas, bowhead whales, and the elusive polar bear, the region’s apex predator. Ocean Albatros can navigate these narrow ice channels, offering a rare glimpse into this mysterious, shifting environment where nature’s secrets unfold with patience and careful observation.

During the Arctic “night,” you sail into the stunning Kongsfjord, a vast fjord system framed by glaciers and the dramatic Three Crowns mountains. Here you visit Ny-Ålesund, Earth’s northernmost settlement, known for its scientific stations and historic role as a base for legendary polar explorers such as Amundsen and Nansen. This remote outpost continues to support vital research amid its breathtaking surroundings, blending the frontiers of science and exploration.

On the final morning of the expedition, you arrive back in Longyearbyen. Even this small town feels like a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic! After exploring Longyearbyen and bidding a fond farewell to the crew and fellow Arctic explorers, return to Svalbard Airport and join your flight back to the Norwegian mainland- with memories to last a lifetime.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark today. Then, head to the airport for your flight home.