May 17 – June 2, 2019 | 17 Days | Aboard the Ocean Adventurer
SVALBARD ARCHIPELAGO Moffen Island Wildlife Highlights
NORDVEST-SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK • Explore the Norwegian mainland for Monaco Glacier birds of forest and field including SPITSBERGEN European Golden-Plover, Redwing, Longyearbyen Poolepynten Ring Ouzel, and more.
Farmhamna • Discover hundreds of thousands of SOR-SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK breeding seabirds including Black- legged Kittiwakes, Black Guillemots, Bear Island Thick-billed Murres, Dovekies, and Ivory Gulls. ARCTIC OCEAN Skarsvaag/ North Cape • Search for the Svalbard Archipelago’s LOFOTEN legendary wildlife: Walrus, seals, Arctic ISLANDS Fox, and the ultimate prize—Polar Trollfjord Bears! Stamsund Tromsø Kjerringøy Reine CLE Røst ARCTIC CIR • Watch for Minke and Fin whales and Expedition Stop beautiful Orcas.
Runde Geiranger • Itinerary...... page 2 > • Flight Information ...... page 3 > Bergen Oslo • Ship, Deck Plan & Rates ...... page 4 > NORWAY • Featured Leader...... page 5 > • Know Before You Go...... page 5 > POOLEPYNTEN BEAR ISLAND DOVEKIE ©Rich Price ©Rick Price
Shags, and Guillemots. From Zodiacs look for the seals that rest Itinerary on some of the smaller offshore islands. This afternoon we sail the western coast of Norway, weaving among the dramatic fjords with their verdant slopes and towering cliffs. Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be ongoing enhancements to this itinerary. Wednesday, May 22 EXPEDITION STOP Friday, May 17, 2019 Weather permitting, board Zodiacs and explore the rugged DEPART USA coastline for shorebirds, Willow Warbler, wagtails, and pipits. Board your independent flight to Norway.
Thursday, May 23 Saturday, May 18 KJERRINGØY / RØST, LOFOTEN ISLANDS Officially north of the Arctic Circle, the 19th-century trading station BERGEN, NORWAY Arrive in Bergen this afternoon and transfer to our hotel. The of Kjerringøy lies on a sleepy peninsula bathed by turquoise seas remainder of the day is free for you to explore on your own, with and backdropped by soaring granite peaks. Tour the historic dinner and overnight at our hotel. district, most of which has been preserved as an open-air museum. This afternoon the Ocean Adventurer arrives at Røst, one of the 356 islands and rocky outcrops that make up the southern edge Sunday, May 19 of Lofoten. By Zodiac explore the shores of this northern oasis that BERGEN / EMBARK OCEAN ADVENTURER basks in the heart of the Gulf Stream, its mild climate attracting two After a leisurely morning and lunch at the hotel, set out to explore million nesting seabirds to the cliffs of the outer islands. Norway’s second largest city. Pass by venerable King Haakon’s Hall, the Rosenkranz Tower, and the old wharf of Bryggen—a World Heritage Site whose picturesque medieval gable houses Friday, May 24 date back to the time of the Hanseatic League. Afterward, visit REINE / STAMSUND / TROLLFJORD Troldsalen Concert Hall for a short performance by a Norwegian Go ashore in Reine on Moskenesøya Island, one of the four main pianist. Embark the Ocean Adventurer this evening. Watch for Lofoten Islands. Often hailed as the most scenic spot in Norway, Eurasian Oystercatcher and White-tailed Eagle around the harbor. the town sits on the shores of a blue-green lagoon surrounded by pinnacled mountain peaks. On an adjacent island visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, built at the site of an ancient Viking farm Monday, May 20 discovered in the early 1980s. This evening, as the ship cruises GEIRANGER FJORD along the shores of Nordland and Trollfjord, watch for Orca and The serpentine route through the 12-mile-long Geiranger Fjord is Minke Whale, Common Eider, and European Golden-Plover. one of Norway’s premier scenic wonders. Mountains laced with numerous breathtaking waterfalls tower on both sides. Take a short tour of the tiny village of Geiranger, then board coaches and climb the road to Flydalsjuvet Gorge for breathtaking views. Common Eider, Black Redstart, and White Wagtail are all possible here.
Tuesday, May 21 RUNDE The island of Runde has a mere 160 human inhabitants, but it is home to more than half a million seabirds representing over 230 different species—Atlantic Puffins, Black-legged Kittiwakes,
Northern Gannets, Northern Fulmars, storm-petrels, Razorbills, ©Peter Zika
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS | WILD NORWAY & SVALBARD < 2 > ©Rick Price COMMON GUILLEMOTS
Saturday, May 25 TROMSØ MOFFEN ISLAND – A small, atoll-like island just a few feet above This morning disembark in Tromsø, known as the “Gateway to the sea level, Moffen is a protected Walrus sanctuary. Photographic Arctic.” A cable-car ride up 1,800-foot Mount Storsteinen offers opportunities abound with these massive creatures hauled out on amazing views. Visit the unique Arctic Cathedral, built in 1965 the gravel shores. Polar Bears and and famous for its dazzling wall of blue and gold stained glass. rare Sabine’s Gulls may also be found on this island. Northern Gannet and Parasitic Jaeger may be seen around the harbor. POOLEPYNTEN – Part of Forlandet National Park, this area is known for great Walrus viewing and photography. Though sightings are never guaranteed, this area is known as a popular Sunday, May 26 haul-out for these lumbering giants. They often create quite a SKARSVAAG / NORTH CAPE rowdy scene, as each Walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline. This morning go ashore in Skarsvaag and board a coach for the drive up to the 1,000-foot-high plateau that rises from the Barents Sea. The community of North Cape (Nordkapp) is commonly Saturday & Sunday, June 1 & 2 referred to as the northernmost point of the European continent. LONGYEARBYEN / DISEMBARK / OSLO / USA Here, an impressive edge-of-the-world Visitors Center features Disembark this morning in Longyearbyen, with free time to explore historical exhibits and a film about the region. Return to the ship in on your own. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the airport time for lunch and set sail northward, across the Barents Sea. for your flight to Oslo, with dinner and overnight at the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. Board your independent homeward flight on June 2 arriving in the USA on the same day. Monday, May 27 BEAR ISLAND (BJØRNØYA) For nearly three centuries, Bear Island—which sits halfway between North Cape and Spitsbergen—was the home of a major Barents Sea whaling station. Today, thousands of fulmars, Flight Information kittiwakes, murres, Dovekies, and multiple varieties of gulls make You will need to purchase airfare from your home city/Bergen and their home on the jagged cliffs and rocky pinnacles that rise Longyearbyen/Oslo/home city. Please call 800-328-VENT (8368) or vertically from the sea. Cruise by Zodiac along the eroded cliffs 512-328-5221 to learn more about air arrangements. and make an island landing for a tundra walk among seasonal Arctic wildflowers to search for Arctic Foxes.
Tuesday – Friday, May 28 – 31 SPITSBERGEN, SVALBARD ARCHIPELAGO Spend four days exploring the rugged coastline, spectacular narrow fjords, and offshore islands of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard Archipelago. The nature of polar expeditions requires flexibility regarding the daily schedule of activities, and landings may be dependent on weather, tide, and ice conditions. Though specific stops are not guaranteed, the following are places visited on past expeditions:
LIEFDEFJORDEN – Liefdefjorden is a dramatically scenic fjord, where rugged mountains rise from the permanent ice cap. This is a favored feeding ground for thousands of kittiwakes, and whales and seals are also common sights. NORTHERN FULMAR
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS | WILD NORWAY & SVALBARD < 3 > The Ocean Adventurer Deck Plan BRIDGE DECK The 120-guest Ocean Adventurer is a superb oceangoing vessel that was Bridge completely refurbished in 2017, boasting new engines, several new suites, updated public areas, and brand-new bathrooms CAPTAIN’S DECK for all staterooms. Each stateroom has an CATEGORY 1 404 406 408 ocean view, individually controlled heat/air Doctor 402 400 conditioner, an in-room music system, and Library CATEGORY 2 403 401 en suite bathroom. A fleet of Zodiac landing 405 407 409 craft permits us to land anywhere natureCAT EorGO RY 3 curiosity dictates. CATEGORY 4 UPPER DECK 302 300 CATEGORY 5 304 Club Restaurant Main Lounge CATEGORY 6 311 309 307 305 303 301 Reception CATEGORY 7 MAIN DECK SUITE Zodiac Boarding 226 224 222 220 218 216 214 212 210 208 206 Room OWNER’S SUITE 204 202 200
CAT 2 / SINGLE 205 203 201 Zodiac Boarding 229 227 223 221 219 217 215 211 209 207 CAT 3 / SINGLE Room
CAT 5 / SINGLE LOWER DECK 112 110 108 106 104 CATEGORY 1 CATEGORY 2 102 100 CATEGORY 6 103 101
115 111 109 107 105
Rates
CATEGORY 1 $11,980 CATEGORY 4 $14,780 CATEGORY 7 $17,680 CAT 2 / SOLO $12,980
CATEGORY 2 $12,980 CATEGORY 5 $15,580 SUITE $19,980 CAT 3 / SOLO $13,980
CATEGORY 3 $13,980 CATEGORY 6 $16,580 OWNER’S SUITE $21,680 CAT 5 / SOLO $15,580
Solo Travelers: No solo supplement in select categories (limited availability)!
INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: • Daily activity options including Zodiac cruises, nature walks, • Airfare from your home city/Bergen and and cultural tours Longyearbyen/Oslo/home city • All gratuities • Excess baggage charges • All accommodations • Airport arrival and departure taxes • World-class lecture and expedition team • Transfers for independent arrivals and departures • All onboard meals and group meals ashore, including soft • Passport and/or visa fees drinks, beer, and wine with lunch and dinner • Travel insurance • All entrance fees, taxes, and landing and port charges • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages • Arrival and departure transfers on group dates (other than listed at left), and other incidentals • Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear • Email/Internet/fax/telephone charges and reading materials • Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance
A 25% per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition. All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure. Visit http://ventbird.com/birding-cruises to view the details and terms and conditions for this expedition.
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS | WILD NORWAY & SVALBARD < 4 > Featured Leader A team of experts will join you on this expedition. They will offer a comprehensive educational component to your adventure through lectures, guided tours, and informal discussions. Leaders from additional fields of study will join the leader featured below.
DAVID ASCANIO (VENT LEADER)– David is a Venezuelan birder and naturalist who has spent over 35 years guiding birding tours throughout his native country, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, the Amazon River, Guyana, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Lesser Antilles, Cuba, the Orinoco River, Costa Rica, Chile, and Panama. David combines superb birding skills with an astonishing command of bird vocalizations. He is the first author of the Field Guide to the Birds of Venezuela (2017, Helm Field Guides). David is an excellent communicator, has a great sense of humor, and is tireless in helping others find birds and wildlife.
Know Before You Go For most activities, a relatively moderate level of exertion is required. You will need to climb into and out of Zodiacs for excursions ashore and walk one to three miles over sometimes rough terrain such as uneven, rocky beaches and occasional snow. We have designed shore excursions to accommodate both those who would like moderate strolls and those who prefer more active hikes. In July, temperatures will range from the mid-40sº to mid-60sºF, cooling slightly as you travel north. Flexibility is a must, as itineraries are subject to change, and landings may be tidal or weather dependent. Knee-high, water- KJERRINGØY proof boots with good tread are essential. ©Rich Price ©Jim Wilson ©Jim
(800) 328-8368 | (512) 328-5221 | FAX (512) 328-2919 2525 Wallingwood Drive | #1003 | Austin, TX 78746 www.ventbird.com | [email protected]
To reserve, visit www.ventbird.com/birding-cruises. < 5