A once-in-a-lifetime polar journey — this voyage takes you to one of the planet’s true frontiers as you attempt a full circumnavigation of Svalbard.

Set out on a 10-day expedition into the raw, elemental beauty of the High Arctic. Aboard Ocean Albatros, you’ll travel through a world where ice, ocean, and sky stretch seamlessly into the horizon, sharing the waterways with whales, walruses, polar bears, and millions of seabirds drifting through the endless summer light.

As we push north of 80° latitude, we venture toward the polar bear’s summer realm and the glittering pack ice that crowns the top of the world. The route shifts with the ever-changing Arctic ice, but the Gulf Stream’s warmth keeps many of Svalbard’s dramatic coastlines open for exploration. Each day brings a new chapter—remote fjords, weather-carved islands, and wild shores that few travellers ever set eyes on.

In this short, brilliant Arctic summer, the tundra wakes in a burst of life. Reindeer wander beneath the midnight sun, cliffs thrum with nesting birds, and the air feels charged with energy. Keep an eye out for arctic guillemots and razorbills skimming the water, walruses dozing on sandy spits, and whales surfacing in the deep, cold blue.

The fleet of Zodiacs opens the door to the wild—getting you close to wildlife, glaciers, and rarely visited landing sites that reveal the true spirit of this extraordinary region.

Join this Arctic journey that stays with you long after you’ve left the ice—where the sun refuses to set, the wilderness never pauses, and every horizon invites discovery.

Day 1 – Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Arrive in Longyearbyen – the northernmost town in the world. Nestled amid snowy peaks and icy fjords, this frontier town greets you with Arctic charm and a hint of adventure. After boarding the Ocean Albatros and a safety briefing, toast your voyage as you set sail into the polar wilds.

Day 2 – Kongsfjorden & Ny-Ålesund
Sail past jagged mountains into stunning Kongsfjorden, ringed by glaciers and crowned by the “Three Crowns.” Visit Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost civilian settlement, once a hub for polar exploration. Walk among relics of historic expeditions in this breathtaking scientific outpost.

Day 3 – Northwest Spitsbergen & Smeerenburg
Enter one of Europe’s largest wilderness reserves. Explore the historic whaling station of Smeerenburg, where 17th-century ovens and graves whisper of a brutal past. Today, Arctic flowers bloom and walrus haul out on quiet beaches—nature is reclaiming this wild corner.

Day 4 – Into the Ice
Push into the drifting pack ice north of Svalbard. This surreal landscape of endless white is home to seals, whales, and the elusive polar bear. As the ship navigates narrow leads, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife in the kingdom of ice.

Day 5 – Hinlopen Strait & Nordaustlandet
Cruise along the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet, alive with thousands of nesting guillemots. On land, explore the stark beauty of Nordaustlandet’s polar desert and look for walrus, beluga pods, and seabirds in this rarely visited wilderness.

Day 6 – Edgeøya & Freemansundet
Navigate through Freemansundet to Edgeøya, a landscape steeped in history. Once the site of large-scale walrus hunting, today it’s a peaceful reserve home to walrus colonies and seabird cliffs. Experience the raw beauty of one of Svalbard’s most remote islands.

Day 7–8 – Hornsund & Bellsund
Arrive in Svalbard’s warmer southwest fjords, a haven for Arctic wildlife. Explore glaciers, bird cliffs, and tundra slopes where reindeer and Arctic fox roam. Weather permitting, visit historical sites and stunning bays tucked between dramatic peaks.

Day 9 – Poolepynten & Forlandsundet
Visit Poolepynten, where walrus lounge on the shore and snowy peaks rise above tundra plains. Enjoy final moments in the Arctic wilderness before returning toward Longyearbyen.

Day 10 – Longyearbyen & Departure
Disembark in Longyearbyen for your return flight to mainland Norway—leaving behind the ice, silence, and surreal beauty of the High Arctic.

From NZ$17184 per person, twin share, for a 28 June and 7 July 2026 departure. Price is subject to change.

Flights and travel insurance are additional.