WILD NORWAY & SVALBARD

Transcription

1 WILD NORWAY & SVALBARD Dramatic scenery, abundant wildlife, and charming villages are the hallmarks of Norway adventure travel. The long days of Arctic summer allow ample time for exploration of magnificent landscapes by ship, during expeditionary Zodiac cruises, and on foot. Meet the hearty residents of timeless fishing villages and towns steeped in the history of maritime trade and exploration. On our Svalbard tour, wildlife is plentiful and the focus of our time, as the area is home to a wealth of species including polar bears. ITINERARY Day 1: Bergen, Norway Arrive in Bergen this afternoon and transfer to the local group hotel to have with dinner and stay overnight.

2 Day 2: Bergen / Embark Sea Adventurer After a leisurely morning and lunch at the hotel, set out to explore Norway s second largest city. Pass by venerable King Haakon s Hall, the Rosenkranz Tower, and the old wharf of Bryggen a World Heritage Site whose picturesque medieval gable houses date back to the time of the Hanseatic League. After a drive past gracious suburban homes and gardens, and a stroll in the fresh air, visit the Troldsal concert hall for a short performance by a Norwegian pianist. Embark the Sea Adventurer this evening. Day 3: Geiranger Fjord / Geiranger The serpentine route through the 12-mile-long Geiranger Fjord is one of Norway s premier scenic wonders. Mountains laced with numerous breathtaking waterfalls tower on both sides. Take a short tour of the tiny village of Geiranger, then board coaches and climb the road to Flydalsjuvet Gorge for breathtaking views. Go ashore in Reine on Moskenesøy Island, one of the four main Lofoten Islands. Often hailed as the most scenic spot in Norway, the town sits on the shores of a blue-green lagoon surrounded by pinnacled mountain peaks. On an adjacent island visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, built at the site of an ancient Viking farm discovered in the early 1980s. This evening, as the ship cruises along the shores of Nordland and Trollfjord, watch for orca, minke, and pilot whales. Day 8: Tromsø This morning disembark in Tromsø, known as the Gateway to the Arctic. A cable-car ride up 1,800-foot Mount Storsteinen offers amazing views. Visit the unique Arctic Cathedral, built in 1965 and famous for its dazzling wall of blue and gold stained glass. At the Tromsø Museum, exhibits offer a look at the fascinating Sami culture, a northern people whose livelihood depends on reindeer herding. Day 9: Skarsvaag / North Cape Day 4: Runde The island of Runde has a mere 160 human inhabitants, but it is home to more than half a million seabirds representing more than 230 different species puffins, kittiwakes, gannets, fulmars, storm petrels, razorbills, shags, and guillemots. From Zodiacs look for the seals that rest on some of the smaller offshore islands. This afternoon we sail the western coast of Norway, weaving among the dramatic fjords with their verdant slopes and towering cliffs. Day 5: Expedition Stop (TBC) Weather permitting, board Zodiacs to explore the intriguing inlets, rocky shorelines, and deserted coves of this wildly rugged and pristine coast. Day 6: Kjerringøy / Røst, Lofoten Islands Officially north of the Arctic Circle, the 19th-century trading station of Kjerringøy lies on a sleepy peninsula bathed by turquoise seas and backdropped by soaring granite peaks. Tour the historic district, most of which has been preserved as an open-air museum. This afternoon the Sea Adventurer arrives at Røst, one of the 356 islands and rocky outcrops that make up the southern edge of Lofoten. By Zodiac explore the shores of this northern oasis that basks in the heart of the Gulf Stream, its mild climate attracting two million nesting seabirds to the cliffs of the outer islands. Day 7: Reine / Stamsund / Trollfjord This morning go ashore in Skarsvaag and board a coach for the drive up to the 1,000-foot-high plateau that rises from the Barents Sea. The community of North Cape (Nordkapp) is commonly referred to as the northernmost point of the European continent. Here an impressive edge-of-the-world Visitors Center features historical exhibits and a film about the region. Return to the Sea Adventurer in time for lunch and set sail northward, across the Barents Sea. Day 10: Bear Island (Bjørnøya) For nearly three centuries, Bear Island which sits halfway between North Cape and Spitsbergen was the home of a major Barents Sea whaling station. Today, thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, murres, dovekies, and multiple varieties of gulls make their home on the jagged cliffs and rocky pinnacles that rise vertically from the sea. Cruise by Zodiac along the eroded cliffs and make an island landing for a tundra walk among seasonal Arctic wildflowers to search for Arctic foxes. Days 11-14: Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago Spend four days exploring the rugged coastline, spectacular narrow fjords, and offshore islands of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard Archipelago. The primary goal is to locate wildlife, which is found here in abundance during the short summer season. The nature of polar expeditions requires flexibility regarding the daily schedule of activities, and landings may be weather and tide dependent. This list serves as a guideline of the places you may experience: Hornsund Spitsbergen s southernmost fjord, Hornsund, is backdropped by soaring mountain peaks and rolling tundra which bursts into

3 bloom during the summer. The Polish research station, established here in 1957, is a base for international research and exploration. Numerous seabirds soar overhead and Arctic foxes and groups of reindeer are often spotted in the vicinity. Raudfjorden This seldom-visited and spectacular waterway with its tidewater glaciers is surrounded by soaring mountain peaks. Watch for foraging reindeer on land, while dovekies busily tend to their cliffside nests, hidden among the rocks. Moffen Island A small, atoll-like island just a few feet above sea level, Moffen is a protected walrus sanctuary. Photographic opportunities abound with these massive creatures hauled out on the gravel shores. Polar bears and the rare Sabine s gulls may also be found on this island. Liefdefjorden A dramatically scenic fjord, rugged mountains rise from the permanent ice cap and the Monaco Glacier spills into the sea, a favored feeding ground for thousands of kittiwakes. Whales and seals are common sights. Day 15: Longyearbyen / Disembark / Oslo Disembark this morning in Longyearbyen and explore this Arctic mining town and capital of Svalbard. The brightly colored buildings house a variety of small shops and restaurants, as well as the Svalbard Museum. In the afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Oslo (additional charge), with dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 16: Onward Flights - Home Check out of the hotel and make your way home.

4 YOUR SHIP: SEA ADVENTURER YOUR SHIP: Sea Adventurer VESSEL TYPE: Comfortable Expedition LENGTH: 90 metres PASSENGER CAPACITY: 118 BUILT/REFURBISHED: 1975 / 1998 / 2017 Designed to carry travelers in comfort to the most remote corners of the world, Sea Adventurer was built in Yugoslavia in 1976, refurbished in 1999 and had further upgrades in You will be impressed by this ice-strengthened ship, which carries up to 117 passengers and features a spacious forward lounge and bar, window-lined dining room and promenades. The nimble, ice-strengthened Sea Adventurer is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. Take a look at what to expect for 2017: \- A new look and feel throughout \- Renovations to the interior of the ship including outside cabins with ensuites, spacious forward lounge and bar, and other amenities \- The addition of new passenger cabins \- New bathrooms in every cabin, and upgrades to the Main Lounge and Main Dining Room, gym, and select suites \- Significant technical enhancements - including two new engines, generators, gear boxes, drive systems, and re-bladed propellers \- Increased fuel efficiency, and a minimized carbon footprint. For 2017, enjoy greater comforts, amenities, and an enhanced onboard experience! Features Cabin: \- 57 outside cabins with exterior views and en-suite facilities \- TV and DVD player in every cabin Aboard: \- Chef-prepared meals (all meals and daily snack included) \- One dining room with unreserved seating \- Bar staffed by a professional bartender \- 24 hour beverage service \- Polar Library with a large collection of polar books and DVDs \- Polar Boutique \- Multi-purpose lounge and presentation room \- Exercise Room \- Ship-to-shore satellite communications with , and

5 wireless, Internet access Activities: \- Zodiac Cruising (included) \- Hiking & snowshoeing (included) \- Optional kayaking (additional charge) \- Camping using high-quality REI camping equipment (additional charge) Deck Plan for some trips may vary, please ask for details.

6 INSIDE YOUR SHIP

7 PRICING