8 days / 7 nights
Bergen • Honningsvåg

Fares

Seabirds in their millions return to the coast of Norway in early spring to breed, where they are provided with abundant food and predator-free islands, both essential for successfully raising chicks.

One Norwegian seabird though would seem to have got this return down to perfection. The Atlantic Puffin, so local legend has it, arrives at Gjesvær at 5.45pm on the 14th April every year.

Puffins are the most abundant breeding seabird on the Norwegian coast, numbering over 1.5 million pairs. Your voyage will take you up the coast to coincide with the time when they, and other seabird species, return to their colonies. Through on board lectures you will learn about the amazing richness of this stunning coastline, with a special focus on the puffins and other seabirds. And who knows, maybe you will even discover if the punctual puffin is indeed fact or fiction.

Starting in Bergen, the gateway to the the fjords, you begin your journey north, enjoying the relaxed charm of life on board ship as you sail north. Passing cormorants, gannets, the glorious Lofoten Islands and mighty sea eagles you reach Europe's most northerly point and head by bus and boat to the Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve. Here, with luck, you will see flocks of puffins returning to this unique island. You may have to wait though, as they have been known to arrive a few hours late! After two days in Honningsvåg, with optional excursions, you rejoin the ship to finish the voyage North to Kirkenes.

Day 1 :

Join the tour in the cultural city of Bergen, where your amazing journey begins with an evening departure.

Day 2 :

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 3 :

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 4 :

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 5 :

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 6 :

Arrive Honningsvåg, optional North Cape excursion,followed by Gjesvær Bird Watching excursion. Overnight hotel.

Day 7 :

Free day on Margerøya Island for optional excursions. Join ship for remainder of Voyage North.

Day 8 :

Arrive Kirkenes and disembark ship.

 

DEPARTURE 2008 :

9 April, 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.

Golden Years Reduction (GYR) : £50 applies to passengers aged 65 or over on ship departure date.

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES:

• Six nights Voyage North in a cabin of your choice incl. full board.
• Excursions as mentioned.
• One night Rica Hotel in Honningsvåg incl. half board.
• On board lecturer.
• Transfers (excluding arrival and departure day).

NOT INCLUDED :

• International flights
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
• 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.
• Airport transfers.

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