Expedition Norway! June 25 – July 6, 2021 On board the new M/S Otto Svendrup Join us for this expedition voyage along coastal Norway from Bergen to North Cape, RT, which includes twice the time for activities and excursions as the traditional Norway coastal voyages! Explore charming villages, extraordinary fjords, and towering mountains while sailing on board the new expedition ship M/S Otto Svendrup in 2021 on a route once plied by the Vikings. • Have daily half- or full-day shore excursions to points of scenic or historic interest which are included in your voyage fee. (Plus you have the option of additional excursions for an extra fee.) • Listen to in-depth lectures on science, history, biology, geography, geology, and culture which explore the fascinating history and natural wonders of Norway! • Join in the Explorer Science Program, where activities contribute to scientific research. • Enjoy a photography lecture including camera adjustment, tips & tricks. • Enjoy a welcome social, and daily gatherings to recap the day and prepare for the day to come. • Enjoy all meals on board ship from dinner on June 25 through breakfast on July 6. • Dine and interact with the expedition team and officers Itinerary in Brief and Included Excursions • June 25 – Day 1 Arrive Bergen. Board the ship by 6 pm. • June 26 Voyage Day 2: Ålesund - Hike up Mt. Aksla (half day) • June 27 Voyage Day 3: Brønnøysund - Explore Torghatten (half day) • June 28 Voyage Day 4: Vesterålen (Stokmarknes and Risøyhamn) - Visit the Hurtigruten Museum • June 29 Voyage Day 5: Tromsø - Polaria experience center • June 30 Voyage Day 6: Honningsvåg - Scenic bus ride to the North Cape • July 1 Voyage Day 7: Lyngen Alps - Discover the old trading post of Havnnes • July 2 Voyage Day 8: Lofoten (Svolvær and Reine) - Experience Å • July 3 Voyage Day 9: Træna – At Sea and Concert in a sea cave • July 4 Voyage Day 10: Trondheim - Living history at the Nidaros Cathedral (half day) • July 5 Voyage Day 11: Hjørundfjord - Hike to a mountain hut • July 6 Voyage Day 12. Disembark in Bergen at 9 am. Most days there are additional optional excursions and activities offered. (Additional cost) VOYAGE ITINERARY Voyage Day 1 June 25 Embarkation Bergen. Arrive Bergen today and board the ship in late afternoon. Bergen, founded in 1070 AD, is one of Norway’s most beautiful cities and perfect for exploring on foot. Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district, with its colorful wharfs dating back to the 14th century, narrow alleyways, and charming wooden houses. Time permitting, take an optional trip on the Fløibanen funicular, for sweeping views of the surrounding fjords, islands, and seven mountains which encircle the city. Board the ship at 6 pm and sail from Bergen this evening Voyage Day 2 June 26 Ålesund - Hike up Mt. Aksla This morning, we navigate the open sea around Norway’s most western point, Vestkapp, and arrive at Ålesund, renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. Join the expedition team to walk up the 418 steps to the summit of Mt. Aksla (620 feet above sea level) for outstanding views of the surrounding archipelago, beautiful town center, and the amazing Sunnmøre Alps. Or you may also choose optional activities in Ålesund, including city walks, hikes, biking and kayaking tours. The Norwegian Aquarium is built directly into the rocky coastline and features native fish species, octopus, seals, and penguins. Depart Ålesund and sail past small islands and fjords, including the remote island of Grip, where storms occasionally sweep buildings into the sea, the city of Kristiansund, and the islands of Smøla and Hitra. Voyage Day 3 June 27 Brønnøysund - Explore Torghatten Arrive at Brønnøysund, an attractive town of 5,000 inhabitants that’s at the halfway point along Norway’s long coastline. Nearby is the famous mountain with a hole in the middle – Torghatten. You can take an epic hike with the expedition team up the mountain and into the hole. Brønnøysund is also the gateway to Vega Island. You can also choose an optional excursion to this fascinating historic island from Brønnøysund. Next, we proceed along the coast of Helgeland – passing the Seven Sisters mountain range. In the evening, sail by the small island of Vikingen, entering the Land of Midnight Sun, where the sun shines 24 hours a day in summer. Voyage Day 4 June 28 Vesterålen (Stokmarknes and Risøyhamn) Visit the Hurtigruten Museum Vesterålen in summer is an archipelago of lush green islands with whales, seals, and seabirds. Our first port of call today is Stokmarknes – where Hurtigruten was founded in 1893. For more than 126 years, Hurtigruten has been an essential part of life of coastal Norway, tying cities and communities together. As an included activity, you can explore the Hurtigruten Museum, which tells Hurtigruten’s remarkable story. You can also join optional excursions such as hiking, kayaking, and going on scenic bus rides to small fishing communities and along Norway’s National Scenic Route on Andøya. The waters surrounding Vesterålen are known for whales, and may join our optional whale safari. After Stokmarknes, we continue cruising through the beautiful scenery of Vesterålen and arrive at the port of Risøyhamn. Voyage Day 5 June 29 Tromsø Gateway to the Arctic - Polaria experience center Tromsø is an exceptionally lively city during summer, known for great shopping and creative. It is also recognized for its bold architecture. The Arctic Cathedral is one of the highlights, featuring an enormous stained-glass window. Today´s included activity is a visit to the Polaria Arctic experience center. Discover why life in the sea and on land are inextricably linked in the Arctic. Polaria is one of only two places in Europe where you can see bearded seals at close range. You can join other optional excursions such as hikes with our expedition team, as well as fjord boat trips and scenic bus rides. Voyage Day 6 June 30 Honningsvåg Edge of the World - Scenic bus ride to the North Cape Visit the small fishing village of Honningsvåg – the gateway to spectacular North Cape - just 1,305 miles away from the North Pole. Stand at the edge of the 1,007 foot high cliff with the iconic globe statue and gaze across the Barents Sea. Only the Svalbard archipelago separates you from the top of the world. Inside the North Cape Hall, you can enjoy a short film and exhibits. Back in Honningsvåg, stroll past quaint houses, nice shops, and a church that was the only building left standing at the end of World War II. You can also join optional excursions such as a hike with the expedition team, a king crab safari, and a town walk with local guides, or an excursion to Gjesværstappan, one of the biggest and busiest bird cliffs in Norway and inhabited by almost 1 million puffins. Voyage Day 7 July 1 Lyngen Alps - Discover the old trading post of Havnnes This morning we will sail into a fjord along the base of the magnificent Lyngen Alps. As we reach Årøybukt, those joining the optional excursion to the world's northernmost whiskey distillery (and learning about World War II history) are tendered ashore. The rest of us sail to the charming seaside trading post of Havnnes. We can explore the local museum or you can also join optional excursions such as nature hikes, kayaking, or riverboating in Reisa National Park. Voyage Day 8 July 2 Lofoten (Svolvær and Reine) - Experience Å Start the day by sailing into the magnificent Trollfjord which reaches more than 3,200 feet skyward in a narrow passage that cuts deeply and dramatically into the heart of the island. Lofoten´s distinctive scenery of dramatic peaks, sheltered bays, and untouched beaches is world-famous. Disembark at Svolvær and enjoy a choice of optional excursions to Lofoten, including a road trip past steep mountains, beautiful sandy beaches, and sheltered bays. Svolvær itself has lots of interesting shops, galleries, cafés, pubs, and restaurants. Late in the morning, sail along the massive Lofoten mountain wall to Reine. one of the most photographed landscapes in Norway. Here you can join our included excursion to explore the tiny time-honored fishing village of Å, and get a taste of everyday life at the Lofoten fisheries over the last 250 years. You may also visit the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum. Voyage Day 9 July 3 Træna - Concert in a sea cave Today, we will sail along the coast of Helgeland with nothing but sky and sea ahead. See mountains rising from the horizon as we near Træna, Norway’s oldest fishing community and the site of one of the first settlements in the Far North. We will dock at the island of Husøya. You can join optional excursions such as island hopping, a sauna in an old boat house, watch sea eagles, taste local fish products, swim in the Norwegian Sea, or hike through a 2,300 foot long tunnel that leads you to the top of a mountain. At the end of our stay in Træna, we will go to the island of Sanna and enjoy a memorable concert in spectacular Kirkhelleren, a gigantic cathedral-like cave with wonderful acoustics. As we leave Træna, we enjoy the evening with the dramatic Helgeland coastline as a backdrop. Voyage Day 10 July 4 Trondheim - Living history at the Nidaros Cathedral This morning we pass the octagonal Kjeungskjær lighthouse on our way to docking at Trondheim. Founded as a Viking trading post in 997, Trondheim was the capital of Norway for 200 years. Today, the city has reputedly the most restaurants and cafés per person in Norway.