Day 1 - Thursday - May 2, 2024
Arrive in the colorful port town of Bergen, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords. Stroll historic Bryggen Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before embarkation.
Day 2 - Friday - May 3, 2024
Arrive at the spectacular glacial mountain landscape of Nordfjord, a haven for adventurers and photographers. Travel up the Loen Valley by motorcoach amidst picture-book beauty, surrounded by a turquoise lake and craggy peaks. Consider hiking a trail through the valley carved by the Briksdal Glacier. Alternatively, take a scenic boat ride across Kjenndal lake to catch a glimpse of this retreating glacier and the striking geography of the region. Capture these scenic peaks and valleys from the railing as we sail back out of the fjord in the afternoon.
Day 3 - Saturday - May 4, 2024
Spend three days exploring the central Norway coast, revered by travelers worldwide for its mountainous islands and steep-walled fjords. Your expedition leader and captain will consult with local Norwegian pilots on landing spots offering optimal adventure options. Zodiac under vertical rock faces, paddle serenely in a deep fjord surrounded by cascading waterfalls, or venture ashore for hikes with the naturalist staff. Visit local island communities protecting their cultural and natural heritage and go for walks with resident guides that have grown up surrounded by the ocean and these remote coastal islands.
Day 4 - Sunday - May 5, 2024
Day 5 - Monday - May 6, 2024
Day 6 - Tuesday - May 7, 2024
The Lofoten archipelago boasts an enchanting landscape of picturesque villages ringed by jagged granite peaks. Enjoy village walks and island explorations as we venture through an area known for its dramatic landscapes and its cod fishing traditions throughout the centuries. A bit later, admire one of Norway's most dramatic fjords from the deck as we glide through Trollfjorden.
Day 7 - Wednesday - May 8, 2024
| Cruising Tysfjorden, Norway |
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Our nimble ship enters Tysfjorden, where mile after mile of near-vertical walls ascend above us and a scant few villages manage to cling to the rocky shores. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise or kayak within this magical place alive with birch forests and tumbling waterfalls. Explore a hiking trail through Hellemobotn Valley that reaches almost to the Swedish border.
Day 8 - Thursday - May 9, 2024
Arrive in Tromso, known as the "gateway to the Arctic" for the numerous Arctic expeditions that originated from here. Explore this charming coastal city through visits to either the Polar Museum, housed in a harbor warehouse dating from 1830, or the Arctic University Museum, which offers an overview of life in the Arctic regions, including an in-depth introduction to the Sami culture.
Day 9 - Friday - May 10, 2024
| Cruising Bear Island, Norway |
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Zodiac-cruise around mist-shrouded Bear Island, a remote birdwatcher's paradise housing one lonely meteorological station and countless thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, and gulls. It's the southernmost member of the Svalbard archipelago and sits at the confluence of the Norwegian and Barents Seas.
Day 10 - Saturday - May 11, 2024
We operate in true expedition style, letting nature dictate our day-to-day movements within an immense Arctic wonderland. Our fully stabilized, ice-class expedition ship probes deep into the ice where the polar bears forage, walrus sun themselves, and the Svalbard reindeer roam. Join the spotters on the Bridge as we scan the floes and islands for these iconic creatures, along with bearded and ringed seals; Arctic fox; and whales that call these waters home, like beluga, fin, and minke. There's no greater thrill than a sighting that brings everyone rushing to the bow or Bridge for a close-up view. Sail deep into protected bays and fjords, where even a novice kayaker can comfortably paddle surrounded by sparkling bergs and dramatic mountains. Video from the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) allows you to peer into the mysterious world that exists 1,000 feet below us during Recaps with the multi-talented onboard field staff.
Day 11 - Sunday - May 12, 2024
Day 12 - Monday - May 13, 2024
Day 13 - Tuesday - May 14, 2024
Day 14 - Wednesday - May 15, 2024
Day 15 - Thursday - May 16, 2024
Disembark in Longyearbyen for a taste of civilization in this northern frontier. Fly back to Oslo on a private charter flight and overnight at the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel.
Day 16 - Friday - May 17, 2024
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to the airport for flights home.
