Expedition Svalbard and Norway (Northern Lights Adventure): Arctic, Adventure and Aurora Borealis

Charter flight from Germany to Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen/Svalbard/Norway, departure 19.00 hrs 

Adventure in north-west Svalbard: enjoy highlights and travel to the ice edge depending on the conditions  (including Liefdefjord, Bockfjord, Raudfjord, Ny-Alesund, Prins Karls Forland, Hornsund)

On an adventure in north-west Svalbard, feel the connection with Willem Barents, who discovered the archipelago in 1596. Now, more than 430 years later, you can still expect some stunning expedition experiences on your cruise to the ice edge. Where the route is determined by nature, the weather and the ice, the crew’s many years of polar experience and the highest ice class for passenger ships are what really count. Time and again, you will head off in the Zodiacs to admire icy glacial cliffs or go ashore in remote bays. Your team of experts will provide captivating background knowledge during lectures on board and on numerous walks. With a little luck and from a respectful distance, you will be able to spot polar bears, whales, Arctic foxes and walruses. This far north, the Northern Lights season starts in late summer: On starry nights, the aurora borealis is a magnificent spectacle.

In the Liefdefjord, the majestic Monacobreen glacier will catch your eye. Blocks of ice keep falling into the fjord from the 5 km (3.1 miles) wide front. Take a look from the deck or from a Zodiac. The glacier was named in honour of Prince Albert I of Monaco, who explored the area in 1906 and 1907 with Gunnar Isachsen.

The Arctic leaves nobody out in the cold – especially not at the thermal springs at Bockfjord. Limestone sinter terraces have formed around the hot springs, the only place you can see them in Svalbard. The water in the springs is groundwater, which is so hot that the temperature at the surface stays above 20 °C (68 °F) all year round.

The Raudfjord will surprise you with its colourful accents and mountain slopes that shimmer in striking red. These red sandstone mountains are what give the fjord its name, meaning “red fjord”. Go ashore with the Zodiacs and enjoy the Arctic silence and solitude.

The small settlement of Ny-Alesund is known for its great polar history and international research. The world’s northernmost year-round research station is devoted to meteorology and research into global warming and the Northern Lights. Around 30 people live here in the winter and about 120 people in the summer. In Ny-Alesund you can find the world’s northernmost post office.

Prins Karls Forland is an extraordinarily long island, mostly glaciated on the north-eastern side. The wild mountain scenery includes several peaks over 1,000 m (3,280 ft). The land is very barren in the open, with the tundra becoming bright green only near cliffs full of birds. Unforgettable wildlife sightings await on the gently sloping coastline, where walruses like to relax – a great photo opportunity for you.

Forge your way along deserted coasts like the great pioneers before you visit Hornsund, where hundreds of thousands of little auks live on the shore. Blubber ovens, houses and graves are the main remnants of the early European whale industry here: some 50 whaling stations were registered in Svalbard. This site is one of the oldest and comes from a time when whaling was still operated from the shore.

Relaxation at sea/Beginning of the Inside Passage through the fjords and islands of Norway

Cruising off North Cape
Honningsvag, 12.00 – 19.00 hrs

The rugged beauty of the countryside, combined with the powerful waves in the sea, create an unforgettable atmosphere when your ship cruises off the legendary North Cape. The most northerly point on the European mainland is on a majestic cliff 307 m (1007 ft) above the ocean. The North Cape is a geographical point, as well as a symbol of the spirit of adventure that will also come to life in you.

Honningsvag is the maritime centre of the North Cape region. Its colourful houses are huddled together on the slopes of the local mountain, Storfjellet, which stands at a height of around 300 m (984 ft). Walk from the port to the little shops and restaurants offering Nordic specialities or visit the church built in 1885. When the town was destroyed by German occupying forces in 1944, only the whitewashed church remained undamaged. Take a hike in the surrounding hills to appreciate the idyllic sight of the town today. Honningsvag is also a starting point for visiting the legendary North Cape. Here, black slate cliffs rise up about 300 metres (984 ft) out of the sea and are topped by a huge globe symbolically marking the end of the European mainland.

Tromso, 12.00 – 18.30 hrs

Once described by seafarers and polar explorers as the “Paris of the North”, Tromso has not lost any of its charm to this day. A lively city in idyllic natural surroundings. Playground of the midnight sun in summer and dance floor of the Northern Lights in winter. The city’s landmark, the Arctic Cathedral*, is a prime example of how strong an influence the Arctic has on the city’s architecture. Aluminium-coated concrete panels give the roof its striking design, making it look as if ice floes have been pressed up on both sides. The 23 m (75 ft) high stained glass window is also impressive. The exhibitions at the Polaria centre and the Arctic fish and other species at the aquarium will enhance your knowledge of the polar habitat. A number of museums bring to life the legendary polar explorers, for whom Tromso was the “gateway to the Arctic”.

Svolvaer/Lofoten Islands, 07.30 – 14.00 hrs

Skerry landscape, stockfish archipelago and expedition territory: the Lofoten Islands impress with dramatic landscapes and idyllic fishing villages. See what life is like here on the main island of Austvagoya and in its main town, Svolvaer. Once the ship has docked, take a stroll around the little town. Everywhere you go, you will see frames for drying stockfish, which is exported all over the world from the archipelago. Rather than the town itself, it’s the symbiosis with the surrounding mountains that makes this place so appealing. Its main landmark is the mountain of the same name, Svolvaer, with two rocky peaks standing a good 1.5 metres (5 ft) tall at the top. The extraordinary light and colour here have attracted many artists to settle in the town. That’s why Svolvaer is now an art centre.

Norway is legendary in the truest sense of the word. Many of its impressive landscapes are closely linked with legends and Norwegian mythology. A particularly fascinating story comes to life when your ship heads for Torghatten, the striking mountain with a hole in the middle. According to legend, this hole was created when the King of the Somna’s hat was pierced by an arrow fired by a wild troll prince. See it for yourself when you walk through the hole and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding coastal scenery and the sea. Your team of experts on board will explain the actual story behind the special geological feature.

Geirangerfjord, 13.00 – 19.00 hrs 

Your small expedition ship will also take you to the famous Geirangerfjord as it hugs the coastline. The UNESCO World Heritage Site seems unreal and will draw you under its spell with its majestic mountains and cliffs rising up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) out of the water. Numerous waterfalls plunge into the fjord, including the “Seven Sisters” with a drop of 250 m (820 ft). Legend has it that the “Suitor” waterfall on the opposite bank had its eye on the beautiful sisters, but its desires remained unfulfilled because of the fjord that kept them apart. Out of frustration, it took to the bottle, which is now apparently reflected in its shape like a liquor bottle. You too will be intoxicated by the sight of this natural wonder, which will stay in your memory forever. From the little town of Geiranger at the end of the fjord, you can take the opportunity to go on a variety of excursions.

Cruising in the Nordfjord
Maloy/Vagsoy, 13.00 – 20.00 hrs

Enjoy some relaxing moments on the many open deck areas when the small ship cruises through the Nordfjord. A labyrinth of sea inlets that shape Norway’s character in a myriad of ways. Majestic mountains rise up steeply out of the clear, deep-blue water, and along the shores you will see the changing scenery of steep cliffs, gentle slopes and idyllic villages.

At the foot of a mighty chain of mountains lies the charming coastal town of Maloy. The town has a rich maritime history, which is still alive today. Fisheries and aquaculture are the mainstays of the local economy. The street art here is as creative as the surrounding scenery is beautiful. Discover the murals inspired by island life as you walk around independently. The exhibition in the Maloyraidsenteret (Maloy raid centre) tells the extraordinary tale of the events that took place in 1941 during the Second World War. Set in the middle of idyllic, unspoilt nature, Maloy is the ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding countryside.

Bergen, 08.00 – 16.30 hrs

Bergen welcomes you to a Scandinavian gem. Over the years, the city’s wealth has been built on seafaring, trade and fishing. Today, the city’s past is reflected in the Hanseatic quarter of Bryggen with its narrow streets: with its colourful, historic merchants’ houses lined up next to one another on the quayside, the area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The picturesque fish market is also worth a visit. Mount Floyen, one of the city’s seven hills, rises up to 300 m (984 ft) above the centre – on a walk you will see from the top why Bergen is known as the “gateway to the fjords”.

Hamburg, arrival 08.00 hrs
Individual travel arrangements from cruise arrival point

The itinerary depends on official approval, weather and ice conditions. The natural experiences and wildlife or Northern Lights sightings described are possibilities on this expedition and are not guaranteed.