Norwegian Fjords and Scottish Islands

Your itinerary begins in Tromsø, the capital of northern Norway which is known as the "Gateway to the Arctic" as it was the embarkation point for many historical Arctic expeditions. This morning a meet-up point will set up at the Clarion Hotel the Edge where you can meet your fellow passengers and drop off your baggage for transferring to the ship. The rest of the morning will be at your leisure before you take your group transfer to the port for embarkation at 4pm.

Settle in to your new surroundings and prepare for adventure as we sail north away from Tromsø towards Nordkapp. Some time on deck will already reward with some inspiring scenery!

As our fantastic itinerary begins in earnest, our first stop will bring us far north to visit Nordkapp in the Finnmark region. Here you can come ashore and take a scenic drive through this high rugged, coastal plateau, learning about the local Sami people and keeping an eye out for wild reindeer along the way. This will be the most northerly point of the trip at 71 º N, and as you reach the North Cape you can have a walk around the visitor centre or simply soak up the views of the Arctic Ocean from viewpoints of up to 1000 feet above sea level.

Today will be spent at sea sailing back south along the stunning Norwegian coastline. We recommend spending some time on deck soaking up the beautiful Arctic scenery and searching for sightings of marine wildlife and various seabirds. Your informative lecture and educational program covering everything from Arctic wildlife to historical polar explorations will keep you entertained, or you can choose to simply relax in preparation for the busy days that lie ahead.

Today’s adventures bring us to the Lofoten archipelago, an enchanting area of picturesque villages by the sea backed with jagged peaks. The early morning will see us taking an enjoyable cruise into one of Norway's most famous fjords, the short yet dramatic Trollfjord. Make sure to be on deck for spectacular photo opportunities and to search the cliffs for Norway’s mythical trolls!

Later in the morning we will go ashore at Svolvaer to enjoy an included coach trip through the area. Places you will visit include the Tørrfiskmuseum (Stockfish Museum) where you can learn about the traditional works of the islands, Nusfjord, one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved fishing villages, Henningsvær, and the Viking Museum at Bøstad. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant and the tour will end in the town of Å where you will get back onboard to continue sailing along the coastline.

Today we will visit Svartisen, Lovund, and Vikingen, with the first stop being Svartisen, Norway’s second-largest glacier. Here you can choose to hike to one of the outlet glaciers of Svartisen, Engabreen, which ends at the lowest point of any glacier on the European mainland, at 20 meters above sea level. The first 30 to 45 minutes of the hike are easy with no incline, and the remaining hike is guided in small groups as it can be a challenging and complicated maze of rocky outcroppings leading to a close encounter with the ice. Everyone should reach a beautiful lookout over the lake. You can also opt to visit the café for waffles and coffee.

Later we will visit Vikingen Island, a small island that sits directly on the Arctic Circle and features a small statue of a globe celebrating its position on one of the five major latitude circles.

By now you will well know that the rugged coastline of central Norway features some of the world's most beautiful scenery and one of the highlights of this is Torghatten, one of the most bizarre rock formations in Norway and a significant local landmark. Today you can enjoy a Zodiac excursion to Torghatten and the Treana archipelago and your captain will negotiate with local Norwegian pilots to determine our best Zodiac landing options. Our goal is to visit Torghatten for a hike up to the famous hole in the mountain, which offers breathtaking views of the region.

Throughout your visit your expedition guides will offer information on the area, as well as an insight into Norway's mythical trolls, and your ship's photography expert will be on hand to offer advice on how to capture the perfect shot. Later we plan to Zodiac towards the Treana archipelago that is comprised of over 1000 islands and in the afternoon we will head to the quaint and picturesque UNESCO World Heritage site of Vega Island. Here you can enjoy a wander through the islands tiny and beautiful fishing villages, learn about the area’s history of eider down harvesting and enjoy a guided nature hike.

We continue our journey through the stunning Norwegian Fjords as we arrive in Trondheim and disembark to enjoy the sights of this modern city surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains. There is much to explore here and today you can choose between hiking in Bymarka Nature Reserve before visiting the Sverresborg Folk Museum, or enjoying a city tour including the Folk Museum and the elaborate Nidaros Cathedral, built between 1070 and 1300. The afternoon will be at your leisure and you can enjoy the pretty cafes, restaurants, bars and waterfront of Norway’s third largest city.

On day 8 we will sail deep into the UNESCO World Heritage site of Geiranger Fjord, one of Norway’s most spectacular and most visited fjords. This 15km long fjord is surrounded by mountains, lush green trees, waterfalls, and several farms and affords amazing photo opportunities so have your camera on hand at all times. Here you can enjoy a coach tour to Dalnibba soaking up the incredible views along the way, or the more adventurous can opt for a 10km mountain hike to explore the area and take in the unforgettable spectacle of the view of the fjord from above.

Today will see us take a cruise through the beautiful Olden Fjord where we will disembark to take a short bus ride to the Birksdal area. From here we will venture to the nearby Briksdalbreen glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park, either by way of a moderately strenuous hike or via a trolley ride that will take you most of the way. Whichever way you choose, please note that the last quarter mile of the journey will be on foot, but, truly, the views will be worth it!

Today we arrive in Flåm where you can disembark to enjoy an exciting journey on the famous Flåm Railway through the spectacularly scenic valleys and mountain passes to the beautiful fjord of the Flåm district. The Flåm Line is a 20km (12.4 mi) route between Myrdal and Flåm which boasts an incredibly steep gradient and is a popular tourist bucket-list experience. This railway trip is included as part of your package and will be the perfect end to your time in Norway before we set off for the Scottish islands.

Having crossed the famous North Sea overnight, our first stop in Scottish territory will be the remarkable Shetland Islands which are a unique mix of Scotland and Scandinavia, with spectacular coastlines, varied and abundant bird life and a number of archaeological sites that date back thousands of years. Your time here can be spent with a visit to Jarlshof, the best known prehistoric archaeological site in the Shetlands, or you could join the Puffin Bus for an interesting trip focusing on puffins and seabird photography at Sumbrugh Head (weather dependent). There will also be time to explore Lerwick, the islands’ main port.

After a short northwards sail, our final stop brings us to the Orkney Islands, located just 6 miles off the coast of Scotland and world renowned for their abundant marine bird life and dramatic coastal scenery. We will make land at Kirkwall, the islands’ main town and take an included coach trip to enjoy an afternoon of exploring the ancient history of the people of these Scottish Isles. On your trip you will visit historic and mystical sites at the standing stones of Stennes, the intriguing UNESCO World Heritage site of the Ring of Brodgar, and the ancient village of Skara Brae.

In the late afternoon we will make our way back to the ship to enjoy our last night onboard as we sail towards Edinburgh.

Arrival into Edinburgh’s Port of Leith this morning signals the end of our Scotland and Norwegian Fjords expedition, and after breakfast it will be time to disembark and bid farewell to our new-found friends. We recommend booking some extra time in Edinburgh to enjoy the city’s many sights including the famous Edinburgh Castle.

A transfer will be provided either to the Edinburgh Airport or to a downtown location if you are extending your stay.