13d In Search Of Polar Bear & Pack Ice + Lofoten - Departure 31 Jul 2021

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Evenes – Henningsvær – Svolvær – Trollfjord

Pass By: Evenes Municipality, Evenes Municipality, Nordland, Northern Norway
We suggest you take flight DY360 (0855/1035) from Olso to Evenes, the flight ticket fee is excluded.
Welcome to Lofoten, an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway. It is located in the Arctic Circle at 67-68 degrees north latitude, consisting of 4 large and 3 small islands. Lofoten is famous for its fishing industry and beautiful landscape. You will see the fishing cabin, RORBUER with red bricks and white windows everywhere, which is the home of thousands of fishermen. It is also the most distinguish element in Lofoten.

Stop At: Svolvaer, Svolvaer, Vagan, Lofoten Islands, Nordland, Northern Norway
First you will explore Svolvær by a walk through the compact town centre to reach the main square. A quaint harbour borders the open ocean of Vestfjorden and a jagged mountain range arcs around the northern part of the village. The most distinctive of these mountains is Fløyfjellet. Its horned pinnacle is known as Svolværgeita (Svolvær Goat).

And then you will proceed to join Sea Eagle Safari: A trip made for nature enthusiasts. The tours start from the quayside in Svovlær and will take us through Raftsundet before you enter Trollfjorden. This is some of the most dramatic scenery that Norway has to offer and in an open boat you will get close to the elements. There is a large population of sea eagles in Raftsundet, and one of the highlights is without a doubt when a sea eagle circles a few meters above your head.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Trollfjord, Hadsel Municipality, Norway
It is is one of the most beautiful and impressive fjords of the Lofoten and offers an experience you will dream of! The fjord has a narrow entrance and steep-sides mountains surrounding it.

Stop At: Henningsvaer, Henningsvaer, Vagan, Lofoten Islands, Nordland, Northern Norway
Henningsvær is set on a group of tiny islands seemingly dropped into the ocean at the foot of the imposing Vågakallen mountain. The stunning setting and mix of traditional wooden architecture with modern art galleries makes this island village one of a kind.

We will transfer to hotel after Henningsvær.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Live Lofoten Hotel or similar

Day 2: Å – Reine – Hamnøy – Ryten Mountain

Stop At: Lofoten Island, Norway
After breakfast, you will start a day tour in the south of Lofoten. Exploring the landscape of the Flakstadøy and Moskenesøy following the road E10, across cascading, craggy peaks, and authentic medieval towns. After lunch, you will hike to Ryten Mountain before transferred back to hotel.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: A i Lofoten, A i Lofoten, Moskenes Municipality, Moskenesoy, Lofoten Islands, Nordland, Northern Norway
Located at the end of the E10 road, Å is known to be one of Norway's best preserved and most complete fishing villages. Experience everyday life at the Lofoten fisheries back to early 19th-century.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Reine, Reine, Moskenes Municipality, Moskenesoy, Lofoten Islands, Nordland, Northern Norway
The breath-taking village is located on the island of Moskenesøya on northern Norway’s Lofoten archipelago. With red and white fishermen’s huts dotting the shoreline and surrounding peaks of granite shooting out of the Reinefjorden, the village has earned a reputation as “the most beautiful place in the world.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Hamnoy, Hamnoy, Moskenes Municipality, Moskenesoy, Lofoten Islands, Nordland, Northern Norway
Hamnøy Bridge is one of the check-in points on social media.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Ryten, Fredvang, Flakstad Municipality 8387 Norway
The hike to Ryten is a beautiful trail that overlooks the whole Fredvang area and Kvalvika Beach. By Lofoten standards, it is a relatively easy hike, which is less steep and less strenuous. It is possible to do the hike in winter, if the weather permits and with snowshoes. Norwegians enjoy nature and outdoor activities. Hiking is an essential to experience the local lifestyle. At the top we can overlook the Kvalvika beach, which is one of the most spectacular views in Lofoten.

After hiking in the mountain Ryten, we will transfer to hotel.
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel
Accommodation included: Live Lofoten Hotel or similar

Day 3: Eggum – Leknes – Tromsø

Stop At: Eggum, Eggum, Vestvagoy, Lofoten Islands, Nordland, Northern Norway
In the daytime, you will experience kayaking in Eggum picnic beach over clear water.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Haukland Beach, Uttakleivveien 200, Leknes 8370 Norway
One of Lofoten’s most famous beaches and voted to Norway’s best beach with crystal clear water and white sand.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Uttakleiv, Vestvågøy, Norway
The mixture of rocks and sand on the beach, the view towards the mountains over the Steinsfjord, and the open ocean makes Uttakleiv a popular destination for keen photographers.
Duration: 40 minutes

Pass By: Leknes, Leknes, Vestvagoy, Lofoten Islands, Nordland, Northern Norway
You will end the Lofoten adventure today and fly to Tromsø. At 16:00, you will be transferred to Lekenes airport. We suggest you take the flight WF816 (1810/1900) from Leknes to Tromsø. The flight fee is excluded.

Pass By: Tromso, Tromso, Troms, Northern Norway
Upon arrival, coach will pick you at 19:00 at Tromsø airport and then transfer to hotel.

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel
Accommodation included: Scandic Grand Tromsø Hotel or similar

Day 4: Tromsø – Longyearbyen – Embarkation “Hondius”

Pass By: Tromso, Tromso, Troms, Northern Norway
After breakfast, our coach will transfer you to the Tromsø airport. We suggest to take the flight SK4414 (1225/1400) from Tromsø to Longyearbyen. The flight fee is excluded.

Stop At: Longyearbyen, Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Upon arrival at 14:00 Longyearbyen airport, you can take the shuttle bus to the city center, the bus ticket is excluded. At 16:00, we will meet at the pier. The tour leader will assist you to check in and board the polar expedition ship "HONDIUS". In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel
• Dinner: Dinner on Board
Accommodation included: M/V Hondius - 4 Berth Cabin

Day 5: Cruising Krossfjorden

Stop At: Ny Alesund, Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Heading north along the west coast, you arrive by morning in Krossfjorden. Here you might board the Zodiacs for a cruise near the towering blue-white face of the Fourteenth of July Glacier. On the green slopes near the glacier, colorful flowers bloom while flocks of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nest on the cliffs. You have a good chance of spotting an Arctic fox scouting for fallen chicks, or a bearded seal paddling through the fjord. In the afternoon you sail to Ny Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on Earth. Once a mining village served by the world’s most northerly railway you can still see its tracks – Ny Ålesund is now a research center. Close to the community is a breeding ground for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, and Arctic terns. And if you are interested in the history of Arctic exploration, visit the anchoring mast used by polar explorers Amundsen and Nobile in their airships, Norge (1926) and Italia (1928).
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast on Board
• Lunch: Lunch on Board
• Dinner: Dinner on Board
Accommodation included: M/V Hondius - 4 Berth Cabin

Day 6: The Massive Monaco Glacier

Pass By: Monacobreen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Depending on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of the precipitous Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in the season, an alternate route along the west coast of Spitsbergen can be implemented.

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast on Board
• Lunch: Lunch on Board
• Dinner: Dinner on Board
Accommodation included: M/V Hondius - 4 Berth Cabin

Day 7: Stop at the Seven Islands

Stop At: Sjuøyane, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice before wheeling around west again. When the edge of this sea ice is tens of miles north of the Seven Islands (mostly in August), you can spend a second day in this area.

Alternatively (mostly in July) you may turn to Sorgfjord, where you have the chance to find a herd of walruses not far from the graves of 17th-century whalers. A nature walk here can bring you close to families of ptarmigans, and the opposite side of the fjord is also a beautiful area for an excursion.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast on Board
• Lunch: Lunch on Board
• Dinner: Dinner on Board
Accommodation included: M/V Hondius - 4 Berth Cabin

Day 8: Stop at the Seven Islands

Stop At: Sjuøyane, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
When the edge of this sea ice is tens of miles north of the Seven Islands (mostly in August), you can spend a second day in this area. Alternatively (mostly in July) you may turn to Sorgfjord, where you have the chance to find a herd of walruses not far from the graves of 17th-century whalers. A nature walk here can bring you close to families of ptarmigans, and the opposite side of the fjord is also a beautiful area for an excursion.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast on Board
• Lunch: Lunch on Board
• Dinner: Dinner on Board
Accommodation included: M/V Hondius - 4 Berth Cabin

Day 9: Highlights of Hinlopen

Pass By: Hinlopenstraße, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Today you sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded and ringed seals as well as polar bears. At the entrance there is even the possibility to spot blue whales. As with Liefdefjorden, you can take an alternate west Spitsbergen route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen. After cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in the Zodiacs, you then view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with their thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, you may attempt a landing where reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses are likely sights. Near Torrelneset you can also visit the polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next to the world’s third-largest ice cap. Here you may encounter walruses during a coastline hike over the area’s raised beaches.

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast on Board
• Lunch: Lunch on Board
• Dinner: Dinner on Board
Accommodation included: M/V Hondius - 4 Berth Cabin

Day 10: Barentsøya’s many bounties

Stop At: Barents Island, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
The plan is to make landings in Freemansundet, though polar bears sometimes make this impossible. Potential stops on Barentsøya include Sundneset (for an old trapper’s hut), Kapp Waldburg (for its kittiwake colony), and Rindedalen (for a walk across the tundra). You might also cruise south to Diskobukta, though Kapp Lee is more likely your destination. On Kapp Lee is a walrus haul-out, Pomor ruins, and the chance for hikes along Edgeøya.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast on Board
• Lunch: Lunch on Board
• Dinner: Dinner on Board
Accommodation included: M/V Hondius - 4 Berth Cabin

Day 11: Land of the Pointed Mountains

Pass By: Hornsund, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
You start the day by cruising the side fjords of the Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, taking in the spire-like peaks:Hornsundtind rises 1,431 meters (4,695 feet), and Bautaen is a perfect illustration of why early Dutch explorers named this island Spitsbergen, meaning “pointed mountains.” There are 14 sizable glaciers in this area as well as opportunities for spotting seals, beluga whales, and polar bears.

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast on Board
• Lunch: Lunch on Board
• Dinner: Dinner on Board
Accommodation included: M/V Hondius - 4 Berth Cabin

Day 12: Bell Sund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history

Pass By: Bellsund, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Today you find yourself in Bell Sund, one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. The ocean currents make this area slightly warmer than other areas in the archipelago, which shows in the relatively lush vegetation. Here there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both history and wildlife. A possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where
piles of beluga skeletons can be found. These remains of 19th-century whale slaughter are a haunting reminder of the consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately, belugas were not hunted into extinction, and you have a good chance of coming across a pod. Alternately, while cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, you can explore tundra where reindeer like to feed as well as rock slopes where little auks are breeding.

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast on Board
• Lunch: Lunch on Board
• Dinner: Dinner on Board
Accommodation included: M/V Hondius - 4 Berth Cabin

Day 13: Longyearbyen – Disembarkation – Oslo

Pass By: Longyearbyen, Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. Today, you disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. After disembarkation, you will be transferred to the airport and then fly back to your home.

Suggested Flight: Longyearbyen/Olso SK4425 (1500/1940)

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast on Board
No accommodation included on this day.