Norwegian Fjords Aboard Expedition

The expedition begins near Scotland’s incomparable capital city of Edinburgh. Board the ship in the afternoon at Port of Leith, to embark on the voyage. The ship departs in the evening through a lock which leads down to sea level and before heading out to sail down the Firth of Forth. While on deck, keep a lookout for common eiders and northern gannets.

There are few places in the world that offer as much as the Orkneys. Only six miles off the coast off Scotland, the islands are famous for their abundant marine bird life and dramatic coastal scenery. Enjoy an afternoon to explore the ancient history of the people of these Scottish Isles. Visit historic and mystical sites by coach on this remote island. Explore the Standing Stones of Stenness, the intriguing Ring of Brodgar and the 4500-year-old village of Skara Brae.

Continue northwards to the remote Shetland Islands. The Shetland archipelago is an engaging mix of Scotland and Scandinavia blessed with spectacular coastlines, varied and abundant birdlife and a number of archaeological sites that date back thousands of years. Opt to visit Jarlshof or join the Puffin Bus to focus on puffins and seabird photography at Sumbrugh Head (weather dependent). Each tour option will allow a few hours to explore Lerwick after, to discover the unique mix of Scotland Scandinavian culture in the area. With your free time, opt to enjoy the Shetland Museum or take a walk through the village.

Cross the North Sea to visit the famous city of Bergen, the gateway to Norway’s fjords. Spend the afternoon exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the historic seaport and fish market, all of which date back to the Hanseatic League. Opt for a historical walking tour of the city, or enjoy a funicular ride for amazing views of Bergen, then explore on your own for the afternoon.

The Flam Line is a 12.4-mile route between Myrdal and Flam. The line is used most often as a tourist train as it passes through gorgeous landscapes. It also boasts an incredibly steep gradient, with an elevation difference of 2,831 feet. Hop on this Flam Railway and travel through valleys and mountain passes to reach the scenic fjord of the Flam district.

Cruise into the Olden Fjord before a short bus ride to the Birksdal area. Stretch the legs on a hike from the Birksdal area to the nearby Briksdalbreen glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park. For the first 20-30 minutes the grade is uphill (moderate to strenuous), but the footing is easy. For those who prefer not make the trek, hop on the trolley to get most of the way. Upon the approach, walk the last quarter mile to reach the glacier lake. The views are worth the effort!

Sail deep into one of Norway’s most beautiful and most visited fjords. The fjord is 9.3 miles long, surrounded by spectacular mountains, lush green trees, waterfalls and several farms. Have a camera ready for some spectacular photo opportunities. Enjoy a coach tour to Dalsnibba, soaking in the views at this UNESCO World Heritage site. For the more adventurous, opt for a 6.2-mile mountain hike exploring the area and taking in amazing views of the fjord from above.

Continue on to Trondheim. Trondheim is a modern city surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains and is home to the remarkable Nidaros Cathedral. Choose between hiking in Bymarka Nature Reserve before visiting the Sverresborg Folk Museum, or enjoying a city tour including the Folk Museum and the elaborate Nidaros Cathedral, built between 1070 and 1300. Built over the burial site of Saint Olav, the king of Norway, Nidaos Cathedral is the traditional location for the consecration of the King of Norway. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the area on your own.

The rugged coastline of central Norway features some of the world’s most beautiful scenery. Enjoy a short but scenic coach ride into the Treana archipelago. The goal is to visit Torghatten, one of the most bizarre rock formations in Norway and a significant local landmark. The ship aims to move towards the Treana archipelago that is comprised of over 1000 islands. Expedition guides will provide information on the local areas and the ship’s photography expert will be on hand to offer advice on how to capture the perfect shot. Hike up to the famous hole in the mountain, with fantastic views of the region. Keep an eye out for Norway’s mythical trolls. In the afternoon, head to the quaint and picturesque Vega Island, a UNESCO site. Learn about life on the island from a local guide and hear how the unique farming techniques and elder down production gained the island UNESCO World Heritage site status. Wander the fishing villages, go on a guided nature hike and appreciate the slow pace of life.

Visit Svartisen, Norway’s second-largest glacier. Hike to one of the outlet glaciers of Svartisen, Engabreen, which ends at the lowest point of any glacier on the European mainland, at 295 feet above sea level (in 2018). The first 30 to 45 minutes of the hike are easy with no incline. The remaining hike is guided in small groups as it can be a challenging and complicated maze of rocky outcroppings leading to a close encounter with the ice. Everyone should reach a beautiful lookout over the lake. Opt to visit the café for waffles and coffee. Visit Vikingen Island, a small island that sits directly on the Arctic Circle. There’s a small statue of a globe on the island celebrating its position on one of the five major latitude circles.

The Lofoten archipelago is an enchanting area of picturesque villages by the sea backed with jagged peaks. Go ashore by Zodiac for a day trip of the area. Enjoy a coach tour across the Lofoten Islands, visiting the Torrfiskmuseum (Stockfish Museum) to learn about traditional work of the islands before moving on to Svolaer. Stop in Nusfjord, one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved fishing villages, for lunch at a local restaurant. Pause for photos and other visits along the way including the Viking Museum at Bostad. After, stop in Henningsaer for time to see local art or explore. In the evening, stay on deck as the ship cruises into one of Norway’s most famous fjords, the short yet dramatic Trollfjord. Search the cliffs on this continued quest to spot trolls.

Tromso, the capital of northern Norway, is known as the Gateway to the Arctic as it was the embarkation point for many Arctic expeditions. Spend the day exploring Norway’s largest northern city. Choose between hiking on the mountaintop overlooking Tromso, or wandering the city’s streets before taking a cable car up. Enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional open-faced sandwiches while gazing over the city. Everyone will have a chance to visit some of the major sites including the Polar and Tromso Museums and (weather permitting) enjoy a stunning view from a cable car.

Disembark the ship in the morning and take an included transfer to the Clarion Hotel the Edge or Tromso Airport.

Included

Accommodations and meals aboard ship, meeting point to ship transfer, Zodiac and land excursions with the expedition team, lectures and educational programs, guided tours, insulated waterproof boots supplied for USA sizes 4 – 16 for use aboard the ship and expedition parka (see MS Expedition Parka Sizing Chart).

Exclusions

Airfares to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; hotel accommodations; trip cancellation insurance with emergency medical evacuation insurance (required); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage. Should the price of marine fuel increase dramatically, a fuel surcharge may be instituted.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a nonrefundable deposit of $1000 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date.  Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 90 days – 100% of deposit (may be applied to future trip by trip operator)
89 to 60 days – 100% of deposit (may be applied to future trip by trip operator) and 50% of the remainder of payments made
59 to 0 days – 100% of deposit (may be applied to future trip by trip operator) and 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The main Norwegian Fjords Aboard Expedition voyage begins in Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) and ends in Tromso, Norway (TOS). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Edinburgh by 11:00am on day 1 of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Tromso no earlier than 11:00am on day 13. For the main itinerary, transfers on the final day are included. Arrival and departure times vary for alternative itineraries; inquire with your Adventure Specialist upon booking for details. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most excursions to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include hiking; Zodiac excursions; photography; museum, cultural and historical visits; town exploration; and wildlife observation.

Room Configuration

Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a quad, triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will be guaranteed the rate with no single supplement. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7x the twin rate, excluding Category 1 and 1A cabins.

Families & Children

Minimum child age is 10 years old. An adult over the age of 21 must accompany every 2 children under the age of 18. The ratio of adults to children traveling together must be one adult per two children and two adults per four children (17 and under).

Travel Insurance

Travelers are required to have travel insurance with a minimum medical, evacuation and repatriation coverage of USD $200,000 covering all applicable dates of travel, personal injury and emergency medical evacuation. It is strongly recommended that you extend coverage to include personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and all other expenses that may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience while traveling. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. You must purchase your travel insurance policy within 15 or 21 days of booking (depending on plan) for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.