Arctic Cruise
Days
6+
Activity Level
Moderate
Host City
Oslo, Norway
From
$5,995 USD
Arctic Adventure
Venture to the top of the world and cross the Arctic Circle for a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. Observe the massive icebergs and glaciers while viewing the abundance of Arctic wildlife including whales, polar bears, puffins, and seals as we cruise through the icy waters in Zodiac boats. Embark on an unforgettable Arctic adventure in Svalbard, an archipelago located between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Renowned for its stunning landscapes, dramatic fjords, and diverse wildlife, Svalbard offers a unique and pristine Arctic experience that captivates travelers from around the globe.
Trip Highlights
Let’s Plan Your Trip Today:
TRIP COST
From $5,995 USD per person
*More info. on pricing
More questions? Read more about pricing here
Duration
From 6 Days / 5 Nights
Accommodations
Relax in comfort & luxury
*Various Options
We work with the world’s top cruise operators to bring a truly exception Arctic Circle experience.
*Read more about your accommodations in the Arctic
max. group size
No minimum or maximum
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate*
Primary activities:
Trekking, Zodiac Cruising, and Kayaking
*Please refer to our Trip Activity Level Guide for more information
Sample Trip Itinerary
Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.
Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!
Day 1: Arrival in Oslo
Welcome to Oslo, the Capital City of Norway! Oslo offers a rare combination of city life with modern architecture. Join us as we tour the city and take you back into time to its rich Viking history!
Day 2: Explore Oslo
Enjoy a city tour of Oslo in the morning and afterwards take advantage of the free time to explore Nordic cuisine and the vibrant and friendly social scene. Perhaps visit the Noble Peace Museum or the FRAM Museum.
Day 3: Arrival in Svalbard
In the morning, we will board a flight to Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Longyearbyen is the capital city of Svalbard. The Svalbard Islands are located in the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Here, you will find untouched arctic wilderness and unique wildlife in a setting that is both rugged and fragile at the same time.
Upon landing, we will trek across the tundra in search of wildlife. This will get us prepared for the adventure that awaits as this afternoon we board our cruise ship. As you travel through the Arctic, observe the picturesque glaciers and rocky isles.
Day 4: Explore Hornsund, SE Spisbergen
Day 5: Storfjorden and Edgeøya
Day 6: Spitsburgen Island Sailing to Kongsfjord
Day 7: Woodfjorden
Embark on an extraordinary journey sailing through Woodfjorden, a vast trifurcated fjord system renowned for its dramatic landscapes. Witness the stunningly eroded mountains, adorned with herringbone patterns of snow-filled valleys, red sandstone, and glaciers. Marvel at the Monacobreen glacier and learn about the significant ice loss from your expedition leader as you navigate toward 80° north latitude. At 80° north, encounter Moffen Island, home to numerous walruses. Watch these impressive creatures, with their tusks and playful young, as they move about on the ice-covered lagoon.
Day 8: Explore the Pack Ice
Today, we venture into the Arctic Circle, a rare and thrilling experience as we approach 80° north latitude, just 700 miles from the North Pole. Start your day with bear sightings announced over the loudspeakers and prepare for an encounter with the pack ice in extreme northern Svalbard. As we navigate through the sea ice, watch for the majestic polar bear, which may come close to inspect our ship. Your trip leaders will provide insights on how you can contribute to environmental change, helping you turn this unforgettable journey into a catalyst for global action.
Day 9: Sail back to Longyearbyen
As we head back to Longyearbyen, we bid farewell to the polar bears and pack ice. Our voyage southward may include one last wildlife search in North Spitsbergen, where we savor the breathtaking nature and magical animals of this fairytale-like environment. Your trip leaders will guide you in developing solutions to climate challenges and help you plan for future action. Conclude your adventure with a film screening and slideshow showcasing the journey.
Day 10: Longyearbyen
As your Arctic adventure concludes, you’ll return with stunning photographs, unforgettable memories, and new friendships, deeply inspired by your experience and the impacts of climate change. Disembark in Longyearbyen and enjoy a short bus ride to Camp Barentz in Advent Valley to immerse yourself in Arctic culture. Explore traditional buildings, including a gamme with an open fire and a Sami lavvo tent. Fly back to Oslo for an overnight stay at the SAS Radisson Blu Airport Hotel.
Day 11: Departing Oslo, Norway
On your final morning, enjoy a last breakfast with your fellow explorers, exchanging emails and reflecting on your magical journey. If you’re staying in Oslo, take time to explore its museums, galleries, theaters, and restaurants. Departure is flexible, allowing you to extend your adventure in the vibrant capital. We bid you farewell and look forward to welcoming you on your next TEP adventure. Safe travels!
Customizing Your Arctic Adventure
Are you interested in another activity or destination in the Arctic? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:
Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Norway!
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5-Star Review Average on TripAdvisor! Read More >
Trip Accommodations
4 Star Accommodations
Clarion Hotel The Hub | Oslo, Norway
With an unbeatable location, just about as central as you can get in Oslo, you’ll be within easy reach of Oslo’s central hub, Oslo Central Station. From Jernbanetorget just outside the hotel, you can also access the tram, metro and bus network to reach Oslo’s various neighbourhoods and suburbs. In other words, you really won’t be able to get closer to the great range of attractions available here in Norway’s capital city. At the Clarion Hotel The Hub, you will be able to enjoy exciting food with local flavours and Norway’s coolest lobby and meeting space. And you’l have plenty of bars, cafés, shops and restaurants just around the corner. Thousands of local residents and tourists pass by here every day, and we look forward to inviting everyone in to our fabulous lobby and unique restaurant and bar offering stunning views of the Oslo Fjord and the city’s skyline. The Clarion Hotel The Hub will be a meeting place, and a natural place to mingle for Oslo’s local residents, visitors and conference guests alike!
Radisson Blu Airport Port Hotel | Oslo, Norway
Linked to the Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL) terminal by a covered walkway, the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel is just steps from bus and train stations. You can reach the vibrant city center in about 20 minutes via Flytoget, the Airport Express train. The 500 soundproof rooms and suites include amenities such as minibars and free high-speed wireless Internet.
Indulge in light, refreshing cuisine and Scandinavian à la carte selections at AfterGate Restaurant. The Lobby Lounge offers an inviting atmosphere where you can relax with a drink while doing some aircraft spotting. Keep up with your fitness regimen at the Fit4Flight wellness center. The hotel offers new, modern Meeting & Events facilities. A total of 31 well-equipped conference rooms are fitted with the newest in audio-visual technology and can accommodate up to 350 delegates.
The Ship
The Explorer
Inaugurated in 2008, The Explorer is the world’s ultimate expedition ship. Her design and equipment is the result of almost 200 years of collective expedition experience.
Originally built for service along Norway’s coast as part of the famed Hurtigruten, or Coastal Express, her excellent maneuverability and just-right size made her a natural choice for addition to our fleet. Drawing on our nearly 50 years of pioneering expedition history and expertise, we completely redesigned and rebuilt her. The Explorer is uniquely equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions; a roster of tools for exploration; and a well-appointed interior with vast expanses of glass for an unprecedented connection to the regions we explore. She provides a peerless expedition cruise trip.
At 367 feet with six decks, she is spacious and modern, with a variety of public rooms that offer startling views of the passing landscape. Friendly and informal, Explorer instantly fosters a welcoming environment where enthused and curious passengers share in exceptional experiences and enrichment.
Her public rooms include a dramatic window-lined library and observation lounge perched at the very top of the ship, plentiful observation decks (including easy access to the bow), and the forward facing chart room, offering a 24-hour beverage station. The spacious lounge is the heart of our expedition community, and is suited for spirited cocktail hours, informative presentations and our nightly tradition of Recap. Our dining room and adjacent bistro easily accommodate all guests at once for open seating dining.
While Explorer’s interiors are certainly elegant, life aboard is always casual, with no need for formal clothing. And you’ll find shipboard services like a state-of-the-art fitness center, laundry and public-area wifi make packing and traveling more convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for something?
Check here for our Frequently Asked Questions for Svalbard, and if you can’t find the answer you are looking for then send us a message.
Click the button below to access our general FAQ section!
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Trip Support
There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.
Personal Attention & Preparation Before Every Trip
We get very involved with our travelers before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from us on preparation, trip experience, and training. It also gives you the platform to ask questions about any aspect of the trip. We also provide comprehensive packing lists, pre-adventure checklists, and other detailed information.
Staff Support & Logistics
We go above and beyond our competitors in handling every aspect of your trip, so that you can focus exclusively on experiencing all that the Arctic has to offer. Our knowledgeable support staff takes care of the details of your in-country ground transportation, lodging, meals, tours, park fees, and activities. We’ve even scheduled a bit of free time for you to explore, relax, shop, or eat on your own.
Additional Trip Information
Check out our detailed educational content on Svalbard, written by our adventure team. These articles provide a complete overview of everything that you need to explore the world with The Explorer’s Passage.
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