NORWAY’S FJORDS & ARCTIC SVALBARD

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16 DAYS

Follow Norway’s fjord-carved coast, from the charming town of Bergen, past the North Cape to the ice and wildness of the Svalbard archipelago, for a perfect balance between the charmingly scenic and the spectacularly wild. Explore Tromso and Bear Island on the way to Svalbard in the high arctic, where polar bears prowl and walruses haul out on rocky shores.

ITINERARY SUMMARY
DayPlaceHighlights
Day 1Bergen, NorwayExplore this beautiful city
Day 2NordfjordOlden Valley, Briksdal Glacier
Day 3SmølaFishing community of Smøla
Days 4 & 5Fjords of Norway Zodiac cruising, hiking, waterfalls
Day 6Lofoten IslandsBirdlife: atlantic puffins, razorbills and guillemots. Trollfjorden fjord
Day 7TysfjordanExplore Hellemobotn
Day 8TromsøPolar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral
Day 9Bjørnøya (Bear Island) Zodiac cruising through inlets. Birdlife: fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots
Days 10 - 14Exploring Svalbard Polar Bears, walruses, seals, reindeer, arctic foxes
Day 15Longyearbyen Svalbard Art Gallery and Svalbard Museum, Flight to Oslo, Norway
Day 16Oslo, NorwayTransfer to the Airport.

SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

National Geographic Endurance
National Geographic Endurance

Launching in 2020, the National Geographic Endurance is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose built for polar navigation. The Category A vessel is a fully stabilized, highly strengthened ship designed to navigate polar-passages and uncharted waters all year round. Designed to provide an extremely smooth ride in even the most adverse of conditions, reduced spray on deck and wave-splicing action making for superior observation.

Day 1 Bergen, Norway

Bergen, Norway
Overview:

Arrive in Bergen, Norway. Surrounded by hills, this beautiful city was once an important Hanseatic trading center. Take a guided walk of Bryggen, A UNESCO World Heritage site before embarking on the National Geographic Endurance.

Day 2 Nordfjord

Njordfjord Olden Valley Norway

Sail through Nordfjord past the jagged peaks and turquoise lake of Olden Valley. You have the opportunity to hike through the glacially carved valleys to the Briksdal Glacier.

Days 3-5 Exploring Smøla and the Fjords of Norway

Fjords of Norway

Smøla is a small fishing community of 2,100. Here you can explore the wetlands, fishing villages and the coast by foot or by bike. You may prefer to take a kayaking trip through protected bays. The Remote Operated Underwater Vehicle will be sent out to take images of underwater wrecks in the area dating back hundreds of years.

 

Cruise down the coast of Norway taking Zodiac rides and kayak trips past rock cliffs and waterfalls. Take a hike with the naturalist guides to learn more about your surroundings and witness spectacular views. Explore the seldom visit to Melfjorden, a narrow channel that cuts through high granite cliffs.

Day 6 Lofoten Islands

Lofoten Islands Norway

Travel through inlets by Zodiac and view the variety of bird life including: Atlantic puffins, razorbills and guillemots. Visit the fishing village of Aa and wander around by foot then take a cruise to Trollfjorden, one of the most famous fjords in Norway.

Day 7 Tysfjorden

Tysfjorden Norway

In the morning the ship will enter the fjord of Tysfjorden where there are only a few small villages dotted along the rocky shores. Explore Hellemobotn and the area’s side channels by Zodiac or kayak and you might also have the opportunity to do some hiking.

Day 8 Tromsø

Tromso

Also known as ‘the gateway to the Arctic’ due to many Arctic expeditions originating here, Tromsø has a population of just over 14,000. Visit the Polar museum and the Arctic cathedral.

Day 9 Bjørnøya (Bear Island)

Bear Island Norway

As the ship prepares to enter the high Arctic you will have another stop at Bear Island. Cruise around the coves and inlets by Zodiac viewing the bird life such as: fulmars, kittiwakes and guillemots.

Days 10-14 Exploring Svalbard

Polar bear and cub Spitsbergen

As with all polar expeditions the itinerary is kept flexible as it is determined heavily on weather. Our main focus is to find Svalbard’s amazing wildlife: polar bears, reindeer, walrus, seals, arctic foxes and sea birds. Spend your days on board Zodiacs cruising around icebergs or on kayaking getting an up-close view of hard to access areas of the region. Visit untouched landscapse and see the wildflowers that give colour to this remote region in the High Arctic.

Days 15-16 Longyearbyen to Oslo, Norway

Longyearbyen Spitsbergen Svalbard

Disembark the National Geographic Endurance and enjoy some time to explore Longyearbyen before the flight to Oslo. Spend the night at the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel.

 

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.

To book this cruise contact us on 1300 784 794 or email: contact@arctictravelcentre.com.au

We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.