Meet & Greet with your expert Tour Director for the New Delhi International Airport journey. The Tour Director will guide you through immigration procedures before boarding our Oslo flight. Welcome to Norway, famously known as the land of the Midnight Sun. After completing immigration customs and freshening up, you'll embark on a guided tour of Oslo, Norway's captivating capital. An English-speaking Norwegian guide will lead you on a coach tour, showcasing Oslo's unique setting at the Oslo Fjord's head, surrounded by forested ridges, offering the city an unexpected charm and a diverse cultural life. Your Oslo tour includes the renowned Vigeland Sculpture Park, showcasing over 200 works by the famous Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. Additionally, you'll enjoy an orientation tour highlighting the Royal Palace and the picturesque Oslo harbour. The Royal Palace, constructed in the early 19th century, is the Norwegian Monarch's official residence. The day concludes with dinner and check-in at your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will take our flight to Longyearbyen in Svalbard, renowned as the world's northernmost city. As you arrive, the crisp Arctic air and a signpost alerting you about polar bears immediately immerse you in this unique setting. The striking view of the snow-covered Hjorthfjellet mountain and the serene glaciers of northern Spitsbergen create a breathtaking backdrop. Upon landing, board the MV Ocean Albatros Cruise ship. You can step onto the deck following a necessary safety briefing and lifeboat drill. Here, celebrate the commencement of your Arctic expedition with a glass of champagne as you set sail from the rugged landscape of Longyearbyen towards new adventures.

On Day 3, our expedition ships into Northwest Svalbard, a sprawling protected wilderness in Europe, designated as a national park in 1973. As we explore this historically rich area, we delve into the stories of early human explorations. This region, first recorded by Dutch explorer William Barents in 1596, was once a hub for whaling, evident in the remnants of the 16th-century Dutch settlement of Smeerenburg. As we sail through, we'll witness the stark yet beautiful landscapes where traces of past human activity are fading under the relentless Arctic forces. Despite the harsh environment, the brief summer season brings bursts of life, with Arctic poppies and purple saxifrage blooming. The region is a haven for wildlife; seabirds, geese, and eider ducks return here to breed, while walruses lounge on the beaches. Most thrillingly, the presence of wandering polar bears in this rewilded area adds an element of excitement to our expedition, reminding us of the untamed nature of the high Arctic. Our journey through Northwest Svalbard promises a blend of historical intrigue and natural wonder, set against the backdrop of one of Earth's most remote and untouched regions.

In the morning, we cruise into northeastern Svalbard's icy wilderness, a stark, polar desert with glaciers and seas often frozen even in summer. Despite its harsh appearance, the region teems with life—Arctic foxes, seabirds nesting on cliffs, and walruses feeding abundant shellfish. Our route depends on the changing sea, wind, and ice conditions, capturing the essence of polar exploration—adapting to nature’s rhythms and seizing every opportunity.

Today, our expedition ship enters the mesmerizing Arctic Ice Pack, stretching from Svalbard to the North Pole, and further across the Arctic Ocean towards Chukotka and Alaska. This vast and dynamic ice habitat, one of Earth's largest, transforms seasonally, expanding in winter and retreating in summer.

We will encounter its hidden wonders. The Arctic Ice Pack, at first a seemingly barren white expanse, gradually reveals a vibrant ecosystem beneath its frosty surface. As the Ocean Albatros maneuvers through the ice's narrow channels, small fish dart through the clear waters beneath us. Kittiwakes and Glaucous Gulls follow in our wake, while seals bask on the ice under the Arctic sun. Keep an eye out for water spouts that could signal the presence of majestic belugas or even the colossal bowhead whale.Amidst this icy landscape, the highlight awaits – the polar bear. This solitary, majestic creature, the King of the Arctic, roams the ice, a stark yellowish figure against the white. Its presence epitomizes the raw beauty and essence of this extreme environment, the ultimate objective of our Arctic expedition.

During the ‘night’ (when the sun never sets), the Ocean Albatros will have sailed past the jagged peaks of Prins Karls Forland and arrived at the breathtaking Kongsfjord. Surrounded by rugged mountains, the stunning Kongsbreen and Kongvegen glaciers, and crowned by the iconic Three Crowns—symbolizing the monarchies of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark—this tranquil fjord is one of the world’s most beautiful corners. Our first landing will be at Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on Earth. More a collection of research stations, a post office, and a shop, it holds a rich legacy. Over the centuries, it has been a key stop for polar expeditions, hosting pioneers like Nobile, Amundsen, Nansen, and Nordenskiöld. The remnants of their expeditions, including the mooring mast of the Norge, still stand today, offering a glimpse into the town’s historic role in the push to explore the farthest reaches of the globe.

In the evening, the Ocean Albatros will head back to Longyearbyen. This town will feel lively after days in the secluded sea ice. We'll take a short walking tour of Longyearbyen and visit the Svalbard Museum to see artefacts from the whaling era and exhibits on the archipelago's natural history. Enjoy shopping in local boutiques for unique souvenirs and relax at a café, soaking in the town's atmosphere. We'll explore the Svalbard Church, the northernmost church on Earth, a unique symbol of faith and community in one of the world’s most remote locations. After exploring, we’ll stay in Longyearbyen, soaking in the unique Arctic atmosphere of the world’s northernmost town.

We’ll have to get up early in the morning and transfer to the airport for our flight back to Oslo. We'll reflect on our Arctic journey's incredible landscapes and experiences.

As we arrive in India, we carry with us memories that will linger forever, inspiring us to dream bigger and embrace the adventures that lie ahead.