Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard (Southbound)

Arrive in Oslo and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the day discovering this lively city at your leisure. Visit the hospitality desk in the afternoon to confirm final details for your charter flight the next day.

Depart Oslo on the recommended group flight to Longyearbyen, with transfers and luggage assistance provided for a seamless journey. Soak in stunning views of icy fjords and the Barents Sea along the way. Upon arrival in this remote Arctic outpost, discover the world’s northernmost settlement, transformed from a former coal mining town into a vibrant center for exploration and scientific research. Experience local life and uncover its rich history before embarking on your adventure.

The crew operates in true expedition style, letting nature dictate the ship’s day-to-day movements within an immense Arctic wonderland. The fully stabilized, ice-class expedition ship probes deep into the ice where the polar bears forage, walrus sun, and the Svalbard reindeer roam. Join spotters on the bridge as you scan the floes and islands for these iconic creatures, along with bearded and ringed seals, Arctic foxes, beluga, fin, and minke whales. 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 1,000 feet below the surface during recaps with your multi-talented field staff.

Sitting at the Norwegian and Barents Seas confluence, Bear Island is ironically known as a birdwatcher’s paradise. The island also houses one remote meteorological station. With conditions permitting, enjoy a Zodiac cruise around the southernmost member of the Svalbard archipelago and revel at the bird cliffs, home to countless thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, and guillemots.

Arrive in Tromso, known as the “gateway to the Arctic,” for numerous Arctic expeditions from here. Explore this charming coastal city and its surrounding area: choose a visit to a local husky farm—known for its beautiful setting, friendly dogs, and world-caliber dog musher—or decide to stay in town and visit the waterfront museums, which offer a range of local food tastings and historical insights into the variable aspects of this dynamic region.

The nimble ship enters Tysfjorden, where mile after mile of near-vertical walls ascend above you, and a few villages 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.

The Lofoten archipelago boasts an enchanting landscape of picturesque villages ringed by jagged granite peaks. Enjoy village walks and island explorations as you venture through an area known for its dramatic landscapes and cod fishing traditions throughout the centuries. A bit later, admire one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords from the deck as the ship navigates through Trollfjorden.

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 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 with your naturalist staff to hike. Visit local island communities protecting their cultural and natural heritage and walk with resident guides who have grown up surrounded by the ocean and these remote coastal islands.

Arrive at the spectacular glacial mountain landscape of Nordfjord, a haven for adventurers and photographers. Travel up the Loen Valley by coach 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 you sail back out of the fjord in the afternoon.

Disembark in Bergen and transfer to the airport for flights home