Norway’s Fjords and Arctic Svalbard Bergen to Oslo

Overview

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.