12 days / 11 nights
Bergen • Vadsø

Fares

Norway can justly be called Nature's Wonderland, with a landscape as rich as it is diverse. Your journey offers the rare opportunity to take part in a unique land and sea voyage in search of northern Europe's distinctive and varied bird life.

From sea eagles to snipes and buntings to buzzards, you travel through a landscape of towering mountain peaks and breathtaking fjords. With field trips and excursions in southern and northern Norway and on board sighting sessions and lectures, you can be assured of a trip which will be forever memorable.

Beginning with a two-day field trip in the Hardangerfjord region you will cover a number of varying habitats, from the lowland coastal regions to the alpine meadows. From Bergen you continue your journey, enjoying the breathtaking Norwegian coast as you look for bird life and make full use of short shore excursions to get even closer to the bird-rich bays and harbours. Crossing the Arctic Circle you reach the northern extremes of your voyage at Vadsø, where you enjoy a full day's birding along the famous Varangerfjord.

The final day of the journey is spent in the Pasvik valley close to the Russian border where you explore the Taiga forest and wetlands in the hope of adding a new and exciting species to your list, including Siberian tits, Siberian jay and hawk owls.

Day 1 :

Arrive in Bergen and overnight in the hotel Vøringsfoss.

Day 2 - 3 :

Hardangerfjord. Day trips into the field. Overnight Hardangerfjord.

Day 4 :

Transfer to Bergen and embarkation on Hurtigruten. Enjoy the voyage from Bergen to Vadsø with on board lectures.

Day 5 :

A perfect start to your second day is an early arrival at the enchanting Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, which is situated across several islands at the entrance to Geirangerfjord. The ship will sail into the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord, where tumbling waterfalls, rugged cliffs and majestic mountains are mirrored in the deep still water. Here you have the opportunity to join excursions ashore and weave through hairpin bends to overlook one of the world's longest fjords.

Day 6 :

Continuing north, the medieval city of Trondheim is today's highlight. Excursions include the medieval Nidaros Cathedral or the enthralling Ringve Music Museum. While you sleep the ship plies its trade along the coast and enters the land of the Midnight Sun.

Day 7 :

In the early hours you experience the thrill of crossing the Arctic Circle as the voyage continues to the modern town of Bodø, from where you can join a Sea Eagle safari and witness the world's strongest maelstrom or 'whirling stream' at Saltstraumen. The glorious Lofoten Islands are where the day draws to a close with a stop at the capital, Svolvær.

Day 8 :

A relaxing morning at sea precedes your arrival in Tromsø¸ - the capital of the Arctic- where the Midnight Sun is visible from the end of May until the last week in July. The simple interior of the Arctic Cathedral gives prominence to a triangular stained-glass window filling an entire wall.

Day 9 :

After an early call at Hammerfest you arrive in Honningsvåg, the largest fishing village in Finnmark, and doorway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape, mainland Europe's northernmost point at 71º north.

Day 10 :

Arrive Vadsø. Full day’s bird watching in Varangerfjord. Overnight hotel in Pasvik.

Day 11 :

Full day excursion in Pasvik Valley forest and wetland area. Overnight Pasvik.

Day 12 :

Free time, then transfer to Kirkenes airport.

Please note that there is some moderate walking on this trip, so participants should be reasonably fit.

 

DEPARTURE 2008 :

7 June, 2008

PRICES : 2008 Move cursor over cabin grade for description.

*Single supplement.

All above prices are in £s per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin/room.

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES:

• On board lecturer.
• Excursions as mentioned.
• Three nights Quality Vøringsfoss Hotel incl. full board.
• Six nights Voyage North in a cabin of your choice incl. full board (disembarking ship in Vadsø).
• Two nights Svanhovd Nature Centre incl. full board .
• Transfers (except for departure day).

NOT INCLUDED :

• International flights
• Transfer on departure day
• Travel insurance
• Luggage handling
• Optional excursions

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FLIGHT PRICE : £395 per person

YOUR FLIGHT PRICE INCLUDES :

• Return economy class flights between London Heathrow and Bergen with return from Kirkenes, including all applicable taxes and service charges.
• Transfer in Kirkenes.

Departures and supplements from other UK airports are available on request.