Day 1: Bergen, Norway
Arrive in Bergen, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords. This afternoon, take a guided walk through the historic and colorful Bryggens Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and an included funicular ride up to Mt. Fløyen to overlook the surrounding fjords. This evening, join your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner with an introduction to Norwegian traditions and the Syttende Mai celebrations. Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Syttende Mai Celebrations & Embark Ship
Take advantage of our centrally located hotel and spend your day at leisure experiencing the Syttende Mai holiday on the streets of Bergen. The local parade route passes directly by the hotel making it very accessible to take in the sights and sounds of Norway’s Constitution Day, widely regarded as the biggest celebration of the year in Norway. Walk the city streets and notice the variety of colors and designs of the national dress, witness performances in the city park, or learn a new song with the locals as they sing with friends and family throughout the day. Meet up with fellow travelers this afternoon to embark the ship. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne

Day 3: Nordfjord
Arrive at the spectacular glacial mountain landscape of Nordfjord, a haven for adventurers and photographers. Travel up the Loen Valley by coach amidst picture-book beauty, surrounded by a turquoise lake and craggy peaks. Consider hiking a trail through the valley carved by the Briksdal Glacier. Alternatively, take a scenic boat ride across Kjenndal Lake to catch a glimpse of this retreating glacier and the striking geography of the region. Capture these scenic peaks and valleys from the railing as we sail back out of the fjord in the afternoon. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 4-6: Exploring the Fjords of Norway
Spend three days exploring the central Norway coast, revered by travelers worldwide for its mountainous islands and steep-walled fjords. Your expedition leader and captain will consult with local Norwegian pilots on landing spots offering optimal adventure options. Zodiac under vertical rock faces, paddle serenely in a deep fjord surrounded by cascading waterfalls, or venture ashore for hikes with our naturalist staff. Visit local island communities protecting their cultural and natural heritage and go for walks with resident guides that have grown up surrounded by the ocean and these remote coastal islands. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten archipelago boasts an enchanting landscape of picturesque villages ringed by jagged granite peaks. Enjoy village walks and island explorations as we venture through an area known for its dramatic landscapes and its cod fishing traditions throughout the centuries. A bit later, admire one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords from the deck as our ship navigates through Trollfjorden. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Tysfjorden
Our nimble ship enters Tysfjorden, where mile after mile of near-vertical walls ascend above us and a scant few villages manage to cling to the rocky shores. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise or kayak within this magical place alive with birch forests and tumbling waterfalls. Explore a hiking trail through Hellemobotn Valley that reaches almost to the Swedish border. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Tromsø
Arrive in Tromsø, known as the “gateway to the Arctic” for numerous Arctic expeditions that originated from here. Explore this charming coastal city and its surrounding area: choose a visit to a local husky farm—known for its beautiful setting, friendly dogs, and world-caliber dog musher—or choose to stay in town and visit the waterfront museums, which offer a range of local food tastings and historical insights into the variable aspects of this dynamic region. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Bear Island
Sitting at the confluence of the Norwegian and Barents Seas, Bear Island is ironically known as a birdwatcher’s paradise. The island also houses one remote meteorological station. With conditions permitting, enjoy a Zodiac cruise around the southernmost member of the Svalbard archipelago and revel at the bird cliffs, home to countless thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, and guillemots. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 11-15: Exploring Svalbard
We operate in true expedition style, letting nature dictate our day-to-day movements within an immense Arctic wonderland. Our fully stabilized, ice-class expedition ship probes deep into the ice where the polar bears forage, walrus sun themselves, and the Svalbard reindeer roam. Join our spotters on the bridge as we scan the floes and islands for these iconic creatures, along with bearded and ringed seals; Arctic fox; and beluga, fin, and minke whales. There’s no greater thrill than a sighting that brings everyone rushing to the bow or Bridge for a close-up view. Sail deep into protected bays and fjords where even a novice kayaker can comfortably paddle surrounded by sparkling bergs and dramatic mountains. Video from our Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) allows you to peer into the mysterious world that exists 1,000 feet below us during Recaps with our multi-talented field staff. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Disembark Ship & Fly to Oslo
Disembark in Longyearbyen for one more taste of civilization in this northern frontier. Fly back to Oslo on a private charter flight, enjoy dinner with fellow guests, and overnight at the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17: Oslo
After breakfast, proceed to the airport for flights home. Meals Included: Breakfast