Expedition Details
Follow Norway's fjord-carved coast past the North Cape to the icy isles of Svalbard on board the National Geographic Explorer. From the charming town of Bergen, enter the fjordlands, kayaking narrow inlets that slice between towering peaks, visiting fishing villages, and hiking wildflower-strewn islands. Explore Tromsø, Lapland, and Bear Island on the way to splendid Svalbard, where polar bears prowl and walruses loll on glaciers and magnificent icebergs.Trip Highlights
- Stroll past medieval wooden houses of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Bergen.
- Discover hidden inlets and cascading waterfalls while kayaking in the spectacular fjord lands.
- Learn about the cultures that flourish on the Arctic's edge.
- Spot polar bears and seals on the ice floes of the Svalbard archipelago.
Itinerary - 16 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Bergen, Norway
Depart on an overnight flight to Copenhagen, Denmark and connect to Bergen, the gateway to the fjord lands. Perched on a fjord and ringed by seven hills, this beautiful city was once an important Hanseatic trading center. Enjoy lunch in town before setting out to discover Bergen's maritime history on a guided walk of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later, settle into your cabin aboard the National Geographic Explorer, and take to the seas.
(B,L,D)
Day 3 — Nordfjord
Glide through the little-visited Nordfjord and travel overland to see the jagged peaks and turquoise lake of Olden Valley. Hike through deep glacially carved valleys to Jostedals Glacier.
(B,L,D)
Days 4 & 5 — Exploring the Fjords of Norway
The coast of central Norway is rugged with mountainous islands and steep-walled fjords. Cruise in a Zodiac along vertical rock faces, paddle a kayak past waterfalls that tumble into a serene fjord, or venture ashore for a hike with our naturalists. Explore hidden gems like Melfjorden, a narrow channel that cuts between high granite cliffs polished smooth by massive glaciers—one of the most spectacular spots on our voyage.
(B,L,D daily)
Day 6 — Lofoten Islands
Travel by Zodiac to view Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and guillemots. Go ashore at the fishing village of Aa. Later, cruise into dramatic Trollfjorden, one of the most famous fjords in Norway.
(B,L,D)
Day 7 — Tysfjorden
This morning, enter the long fjord of Tysfjorden, where only a few small villages cling to the rocky shores. Explore Hellemobotn and the area's numerous side channels by Zodiac, kayak, or on foot.
(B,L,D)
Day 8 — Tromsø
Tromsø is known as the "gateway to the Arctic" because so many Arctic expeditions originated here. Visit the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral, whose unique architecture is evocative of snow and icebergs.
(B,L,D)
Days 9 & 10 — At Sea/Bear Island
Having spent a full week in coastal Norway, we'll now set our sights toward the high Arctic, taking advantage of opportunities to explore on our way to Bear Island. Glide a Zodiac into the coves and inlets of this mist-shrouded island, populated by thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, and gulls.
(B,L,D daily)
Days 11 through 14 — Exploring Svalbard
The focus of these days is to search for walruses, seals, reindeer, arctic foxes, and polar bears living among the deep fjords, mountains, and massive ice sheets of Svalbard. Our itinerary is flexible to allow us to take the best advantage of ice and weather conditions. Shore walks and Zodiac and kayaking adventures bring us up close to rugged landscapes and passing icebergs.
(B,L,D daily)
Day 15 — Longyearbyen/Oslo
Disembark in Longyearbyen and visit the Svalbard Art Gallery and Museum. Then proceed to the airport for our charter flight to Oslo. Check into our hotel.
Radisson SAS Airport Hotel (B)
Day 16 — Oslo/U.S.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight home.
(B)
Related Trip
View LargerExpedition Team
A diverse team of experts, including naturalists, historians, and a National Geographic photographer, will accompany each expedition aboard the National Geographic Explorer. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.
Gilbert Grosvenor
Gilbert Grosvenor is the Chairman of the National Geographic Society’s Board of Trustees and the Education Foundation. He retired in 1996 as President—the fifth generation of his family to serve in that position. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004. Alexander Graham Bell, Gil’s great-grandfather, was the Society’s second President.
Gilbert will join the following departure:
May 28 - Jun 12, 2011
This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
Expedition Dates 
2011
- May 28 - Jun 12, 2011
- Aug 12 - 27, 2011
Indicates trip operates in reverse. Click here to see the reverse itinerary
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Expedition Costs
Airfare is not included. Round-trip economy airfare from Newark to Bergen and return from Oslo is $1,195, and from Longyearbyen to Oslo is $360 (subject to change).
Special Offer
Book by October 29, 2010 and receive the following per person savings on our May 28, 2011 departure:
$1,000 off Category 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 cabins
$1,500 off Category 6 & 7 cabins
