Luxury Norwegian Fjords to Spitsbergen

Your Spitsbergen and Norwegian Fjords cruise begins in Bergen, Norway where you will arrive independently and make your way to the port for embarkation. Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well worth an exploration in its own right, so you may wish to arrive here a day or 2 earlier to sample some of its sights.

Embarkation will begin in the afternoon and there will be time to settle into your cabin and explore your luxurious expedition vessel before enjoying the first of many delicious meals on board as we set sail into the fjords.

The picture-postcard village of Olden will be the first stop in the Norwegian Fjords portion of your cruise. With its breathtaking views of river Oldeelva and its two beautiful wooden churches, Olden is a sight to behold. Located just a few kilometres from Jostedalsbreen park, today you can choose to either explore at your own leisure or join one of the two optional excursions available.

One excursion will bring you along scenic winding roads through Lodalen Valley for spectacular views of the Kjenndalen glacier in the distance - an arm of the mighty Jostedalsbreen glacier - the largest glacier on mainland-Europe. You will then drive to the village of Loen where you will board the cable car up to mount Hoven, 1011 metres above the sea, for some incredible views over this remarkable part of Norway.

The other excursion on offer will give you the chance to walk at the foot of one of the most beautiful glaciers in Europe, the Briksdal, as you take an incredibly scenic drive to the end of the enchanting Oldedalen valley and hop out for a walk to remember.

Please enquire for full details and prices for all excursions.

This morning’s adventures will take you to the Geirangerfjord area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and possibly Norway’s most famous and photographed site. The stunning landscapes on offer here are likely to be one of the highlights of your trip.

Optional excursions available today include kayaking on Geiranger Fjord, a scenic coach trip to Eiddal Village and Dale Farm to meet the farm animals and learn about the traditional cheese making production methods, a thrilling RIB boat ride through Geirangerfjord to both the Seven Sisters Waterfalls and the Bridal Vail Waterfall, and a Geirangerfjord walking and driving tour including a trip to the visitor centre.

Please enquire for full details and prices for all optional excursions.

Today will be spent at sea continuing our exploration of the fjords and crossing the Arctic Circle. This will be the perfect time to relax and enjoy the luxurious facilities on board including the spa, wellness centre, fitness centre, swimming pool and panoramic lounge. You might also choose to spend some time on deck looking for seabirds and whales following the ship and soaking up the beautiful surroundings.

Having crossed the Arctic Circle, we will now arrive at the Lofoten Islands, a simply beautiful archipelago where jagged coastlines, high alpine summits, sandy beaches, green prairies and deep blue fjords create an unforgettable backdrop. This is also a fantastic area for birdwatching.

Optional excursions on offer here include (please enquire for prices and full details):

A horseback adventure on the island of Gimsoya, trekking past historical monuments from ancient times, including a pagan temple, Viking-era graves and the residence of a Viking chieftain from more than 1,000 years ago.

A hiking tour on Vestvågøy, the second largest island in the archipelago, which will offer panoramic views over Vestvågøy and Gimsøy Island, before a scenic trek to Tjønndalen.

A RIB boat ride around Leknes in search of sea eagles and impressive photo opportunities.

A coach trip to the extremely picturesque Henningsvær fishing village including a visit to the Lofotens House Gallery and the Lofotr Viking Museum at Borg.

Today will be spent at sea sailing around the beautiful Trollfjorden area between the Vesterålen Archipelago and the Lofoten Islands. This magical sail will see you cruise between vertical rock faces that stand up to 1,000 metres high in parts and create an awe-inspiring feeling. As we sail through this indescribably unique area, make sure to look out for seals and eagles…and the trolls that guard the fjord!

Nicknamed the “Paris of the north”, Tromsø is a secluded and uniquely beautiful city known as the Gateway to the Arctic. You will be free to spend some time here soaking up the culture and the lively atmosphere and discovering its extensive neoclassical architectural heritage; a stunning example of which is the Arctic cathedral that is absolutely worth a visit.

Alternatively, you can choose to join the optional excursion available here which will take you on a guided drive through the town including a visit to the Tromsø museum and Arctic Cathedral, and a ride on the cable car to Mount Storsteinen. Please enquire for full details and prices.

As we leave the fjords behind and make our way towards Spitsbergen, today you will enjoy a sail-by of the remote and scenic Bjørnøya (Bear Island), the most southernly island in the Svalbard archipelago. Located around halfway between Norway and Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island, this isolated spot was declared a Nature Reserve in 2002. As we sail as close to the shore as possible you may be able to see why, as huge numbers of seabirds including guillemots, puffins, guls, auks and skuas are likely to be spotted here.

Today is spent at sea continuing our journey towards Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island. Spend some time on deck searching for whales, birds and Polar bears, or simply relax in the comforts of your beautiful expedition ship and prepare for the Arctic adventures ahead.

Having arrived along the coast of Spitsbergen overnight, we will now spend two days exploring around the South Spitsbergen National Park area, the largest national park in Europe. During your time here we plan to visit Hornsund, considered “the crown of Arctic Norway”. This stunning area with its impressive glaciers and abundant icebergs will be the perfect introduction to this magical archipelago. You will sail around the fjord between imposing glaciers and carved mountains and may get to enjoy your first Zodiac cruise in the iceberg-strewn waters.

We will also be on the lookout for the Polar bears that are known to frequent this area!

The final day of adventures will see us visit Bellsund, another impressive fjord area where rich wildlife and lush valleys combine to create a magical spot that will be the perfect spot in which to round off our expedition.

As you arrive into beautiful Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard, after breakfast it will be time to disembark and join your included flight to Paris where your itinerary sadly comes to an end. Numerous further Arctic adventures are available in Longyearbyen so please enquire should you wish to extend your experience and spend a few more days in this unique Arctic town.