WHITE WINTER EXPEDITION: BERGEN - NORTH CAPE - BERGEN (OTTO SVERDRUP)

Experience an early spring Norwegian Arctic expedition to lovely Honningsvåg and the legendary North Cape. Enjoy exciting winter activities under snow-clad peaks and skies that shift from brilliant blue to all colours of the rainbow. As we sail south to Bergen, enjoy the melting snow, powerful waterfalls, and the season’s first wildflowers on this unforgettable journey.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Bergen The Gateway to the Fjords Your winter expedition cruise starts in Bergen - a beautiful city surrounded by seven mountains. The ideal way to explore this cultural gateway to the fjords is by foot. Bergen was founded in 1070 AD, and retains much of its character, charm and history. Stroll in the historic UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with colourful wharfs dating back to the 14th century. Take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen to soak in the sweeping views of the city, fjords, islands and distant North Sea. Back in town, spend some time in one of many cafés and restaurants, or visit the famous fish market. After embarkation, sit down to a tasty dinner buffet featuring fresh coastal produce. We sail north along the Hjeltefjord, the same route the Vikings once plied. Spend the rest of the evening getting to know the Expedition Team and fellow passengers, relaxing in the lounge, or soaking in the hot tub on deck.

Day 2 Ålesund - Half day Art Nouveau City Today we dock in Ålesund, renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture. A devastating fire in 1904 burned most of the town down and it was rebuilt in the fashionable style of the time, Art Nouveau. Feel like an invigorating hike? Climb the 412 steps to the top of Mount Aksla. Along the way, see two statues, one of Kaiser Wilhelm, and the other of the Viking Gange-Rolv, or Rollo, who is reputedly the forefather of William the Conqueror. At the summit, take in great views of Ålesund’s charming city centre and surrounding islands

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com stretching into the Norwegian Sea. Today’s included activity is visiting the If you’re looking for a winter wonderland with plenty of adventure, Tromsø is Norwegian Aquarium. Built directly into the rocky coastline, the aquarium is the perfect destination. Tromsø’s many winter activities include dog-sledging, another of Ålesund’s architectural wonders. Observe native fish species, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. You can also explore the city’s octopus, seals and penguins. You can also join other interesting optional fascinating history, culture and bold architecture. The Arctic Cathedral is a excursions. definite highlight, featuring an enormous stained-glass mosaic and late-night Northern Lights concerts until the end of March. Your included activity in Day 3 Brønnøysund - Half day Home of the Famed Torghatten Tromsø is a ride in the sky on the Fjellheisen Cable Car, taking in breathtaking views across the city, mountains and fjords, and possibly, the Northern Lights. Brønnøysund is a pretty little town of 5,000 that marks the halfway point You also can join in other optional excursions like nature hikes with our along Norway’s long coastline and is known for the dramatic Torghatten – a Expedition Team, fjord boat trips and scenic bus rides. mountain with a huge natural tunnel in its centre. You can join local guides here on an included walk around town, visiting the fishing boat docks and the Day 6 Honningsvåg - Full day Edge of the World beautiful parish church from the 19th century. Brønnøysund is also known as the gateway to Vega Islands – a treasured UNESCO-listed archipelago. Join an Today we dock at the small fishing town of Honningsvåg - the gateway to optional excursion here to explore how generations of fishermen and farmers spectacular North Cape. This is also where the ship turns around and heads have maintained a sustainable way of life for centuries based on tradition of back south. You start your day with a scenic bus ride from Honningsvåg, eider duck farming. As we leave Brønnøysund, we will sail up along the coast passing small bays and tiny villages, and crossing a mountain plateau before of Helgeland – passing the Seven Sisters mountain range. Legend has it that arriving at North Cape. At 71°10’21´N, North Cape is just 2,100 km away seven beautiful troll sisters were caught out at sunrise and turned to stone, from the Geographic North Pole. Stand at the edge of the 300 m high cliff thus creating the seven beautiful peaks. In the evening, we sail past the small gaze across the Barents Sea. Only the Svalbard Islands separate you from the islet of Vikingen, through which the Arctic Circle passes. North Pole. The views here surpass the horizon and feel like the end of the world. It’s a great place to take stunning photos. Enjoy an informative short Day 4 Reine and Svolvær - Full day Magical Lofoten Archipelago film and exhibits at the North Cape Hall. Back at Honningsvåg, you take a stroll past charming houses, stop into nice shops and see a church that was Lofoten´s dramatic snowy peaks, hidden coves and pristine beaches are the only building left standing at the end of World War II. world famous. It is also is known for excellent fishing and picturesque villages. You will never forget your first approach to Lofoten, seeing the massive wall of Day 7 Alta - Half day Adventure in Aurora City mountains rising out of the sea. We dock at idyllic Reine in the morning. Red and white fishermen’s huts dot the shoreline and surrounding snow-capped This is a perfect outdoor adventure destination, combining a wide range of peaks shoot out of the sea here. It’s no wonder Reine is one of Norway’s most winter activities with a personal, non-touristy vibe. You may join several frequently photographed landscapes. Care to discover the region’s history and optional excursions, like visiting a Sami family and an ice hotel or going culture? Join us on an included excursion to the time-honoured fishing village dog-sledging. Alta started out as a small Sami settlement some 500 years of Å to visit the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum and Lofoten Stockfish ago and is now the largest city in this part of Norway. Did you know that Alta Museum. You can also join other optional excursions in Lofoten. After a lovely is the epicentre for groundbreaking research on the Northern Lights? This morning in Reine, we sail along the Lofoten wall to Svolvær, where age-old amazing phenomenon has amazed and frightened people for thousands of seagoing traditions are preserved. The surrounding islands, steep mountains, years. Alta lies directly under the Northern Lights oval and stable weather beautiful beaches and sheltered bays offer many exciting winter activity creates good viewing conditions. The Aurora is frequently seen here during opportunities like snowshoeing, skiing and even surfing (at Unstad). Solvær’s winter. Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland even built an observatory near shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants provide a number of in-town activities. Alta, which led to his discovery of what causes the natural phenomenon. After departing Lofoten, we sail to incredibly beautiful and narrow Trollfjord, Hurtigruten invites you to learn about this mystical light show during today’s where mountain walls rise right out of the sea. In winter, it’s not possible to included activity - an interactive exhibition revealing the truth about the Aurora sail into the fjord, so we will marvel at this unique natural wonder from its Borealis at the Northern Lights Cathedral. Alta is also a big dog-sledging town. entrance. Many of the dog-sledge teams competing in the annual Finnmark Race are located here, and some of those kennels can be visited. Day 5 Tromsø - Full day Arctic Winter Adventures

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com Day 8 Narvik - Half day Snow-covered Wilderness and History Museum. In Fjærland, you will also find Norwegian Book Town with several picturesque second-hand book shops housed in unlikely places. Book Town Exciting winter activity options in Narvik include a cable car to a mountain opened in 1996 as the eighth in the world and the first in Scandinavia. summit for breathtaking views and good alpine and cross-country skiing! Another option is spending the day at the world’s northernmost wildlife park, Day 12 Bergen Final Chapter of the Fairy Tale which is home to bears, foxes, lynx, wolves, moose, muskox and other Arctic animals. Flanked by islands to the west and surrounded by mountains in every In the early morning, we arrive back in Bergen. When you disembark, take with other direction, Narvik is as rich in nature as it is in history. A fierce naval you the memories of a unique Norway winter expedition cruise filled with battle was fought here in 1940. Today we invite you to learn about it at the unforgettable experiences and encounters with wildlife, stunning nature and Narvik War Museum – a modern facility with architectonic and interactive local people. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, but we experiences. You can also take a trip on the Ofoten Railway. hope to see you on board for new adventures in the very near future.

Day 9 Sandnessjøen - Half day The Seven Sisters in White Please Note: As we approach Sandnessjøen, you get a marvellous view of the snow-covered Itineraries are subject to change. Seven Sisters mountain range. These peaks might be Sandnessjøen's main claim to fame, but the town is also rich in Viking history. Today we invite you to learn more about the Vikings with a visit to Sandnes, the ancient homestead of one of Northern Norway’s most powerful chieftains. Hear fascinating stories about the Viking Age and leaders like Sigrid of Sandnes, one of the very few women ever mentioned in the Viking Sagas. You can also join an optional excursion to learn more about the Norwegian poet and priest Petter Dass, with visits to a modern museum and charming medieval church at Alstahaug.

Day 10 Kristiansund and Molde From Bacalao to Roses Kristiansund’s location on four sea islands in the Norwegian Sea features incredible winter landscapes. Today’s included activity is a scenic bus ride south along the renowned Atlantic Road, one of Norway’s National Scenic Routes and most-visited tourist destinations. The 8.2 km long highway spans a total of eight bridges and is surrounded by picturesque countryside in white and vistas to the open sea. The excursion ends in Molde, where you rejoin the ship. Molde is known as the ‘City of Roses’ after the city’s many rose gardens, which may well be covered in snow. Molde’s scenic viewpoint, Varden, is worth a visit with glorious views across the city, local fjords and archipelagos and the snowy peaks of the Romsdal Alps in the distance.

Day 11 Fjærland - Half day Glaciers and Stunning Scenery This morning, we sail into Norway’s longest fjord, scenic Sognefjorden. We cruise deep into the fjord to the little village of Fjærland, an idyllic hamlet of just 300 inhabitants - a delightful place for a stroll. Nearby Jostedalsbreen Glacier is the largest glacier on the European continent. Get close to two of the glacial limbs - Bøyabreen and Supphellebreen and learn about how they shaped the mountains and beautiful fjords of Norway at the Norwegian Glacier

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com YOUR SHIP: OTTO SVERDRUP

YOUR SHIP: Otto Sverdrup

VESSEL TYPE: Expedition

LENGTH: 138.5 m

PASSENGER CAPACITY:

BUILT/REFURBISHED: 2002 / 2020

MS Otto Sverdrup is designed for exciting, sustainable expedition cruises along the Norwegian coastline guests can enjoy the outdoor pool and hot tubs on deck 7. For MS Otto Sverdrup (formerly MS Finnmarken) is named after a taking in the magnificent scenery, Observation decks are great Norwegian polar hero. Sverdrup was the first person to ski located on deck 8, and in the aft of decks 5 and 6. across Greenland, was a key member of polar expeditions and Low impact exploration was the captain of the legendary Arctic ship "Fram". He also MS Otto Sverdrup is an advanced, more sustainable vessel. She served as a Hurtigruten captain between expeditions. is equipped with a battery pack, that will support the ship's The re-designed MS Otto Sverdrup is an ice class 1C ship. It's engines, and drastically cut emissions. The ship also has the equipped with advanced maritime technology that makes her ability to access shore power when docked, cutting shoreside exceptionally well suited for expedition cruises in Norway. emissions. And the vessel's engines are upgraded to Comfort, Learning and Wellness low-emission motors, complying with all known and upcoming Natural Scandinavian materials like granite, oak, birch and wool regulations. have been used in the ship´s renovation to create a relaxed Facilities on board MS Otto Sverdrup and stylish atmosphere that adds to the premium onboard Cabins and public areas experience. Norway´s stunning scenery is reflected in the ship´s interior This ship also offers a chance to indulge yourself in our new design. Comfortable cabins and suites feature natural Wellness area, complete with gym, lounge, treatment rooms Scandinavian materials, such as granite, oak, birch and wool. and sauna, and Our stylish and welcoming public areas create great places to watch the world´s most beautiful coastline pass by. Science Center The hub of on-board learning is our Science Centre, an

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com edutainment venue where guests and crew meet to create a deeper understanding of the areas we explore. Located on deck 4, this area is packed with state-of-the-art technology and interactive tools. Restaurants Our three on-board restaurants feature menus inspired by Norwegian traditions, as well as international cuisine. Whether enjoying your meal at Aune - the main diningroom; Fredheim - the informal international meeting place; or the specialty restaurant Lindstrøm, you can expect honest and delicious cuisine that reflects our destinations. Wellness and Relaxation After a day of exploring, guests can relax and rejuvenate in the hot tubs, exercise in the gym, enjoy the scenery in the elegant Explorer Lounge, surf the wi-fi network, or browse in the on-board shop. Expedition Team Your onboard Expedition Team will host interesting lectures, presentations and activities in the Science Center, on deck and on shore. These experts have a single mission: to enhance your experience by engaging you and interpreting the nature, wildlife, and culture you encounter during the voyage. They will offer the chance to join in hikes and other exciting activities during the journey. We provide all the basic gear needed for each excursion.

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

Arctic Superior. From Expedition Suite. From

Polar Inside. From Polar Outside. From

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05-Mar-2022 to 16-Mar-2022 Polar Inside. From 5549 AUD pp Polar Outside. From 5827 AUD pp Arctic Superior. From 6659 AUD pp Expedition Suite. From 11265 AUD pp

16-Mar-2022 to 27-Mar-2022 Polar Inside. From 5549 AUD pp Polar Outside. From 5827 AUD pp Arctic Superior. From 6659 AUD pp Expedition Suite. From 11265 AUD pp

27-Mar-2022 to 07-Apr-2022 Polar Inside. From 5699 AUD pp Polar Outside. From 5984 AUD pp Arctic Superior. From 6839 AUD pp Expedition Suite. From 11569 AUD pp

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