Norwegian Fjords Northern Lights Adventure

Your expedition begins in Tilbury, London, on the north shore of the Thames. Having arrived independently, you will make your way to the port to board MS Maud, your comfortable home for the next 14 nights. As you settle in to your cabin, the ship will set sail through the mouth of the Thames and make its way to historic Harwich for the first stop of your adventure.

The next two days will be spent at sea sailing towards Norway. Spend time relaxing in the hot tub or sauna, have a workout in the gym, or chill out in the bar. Spend time on the observation deck looking for seabirds, and enjoy the culinary feasts onboard. In the Science Centre, your programme of informative and enjoyable lectures and presentations delivered by experts in Norway’s history, wildlife and nature will also begin. You may also wish to get involved in some of the ship’s Citizen Science projects, or pick up pointers on improving your wildlife and landscape images from the expedition photographers.

As we reach Norway this morning, our first adventure will see us sail into the stunning Nordfjord, passing Hornelen, Europe's highest sea cliff, and heading towards Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest glacier. Spectacular scenery awaits as we cruise past picturesque inlets and old fishing communities dating back to pre-Viking times. One of these communities is Loen where we will hope to make our first landing. Here you can enjoy the excitement of the Loen Skylift which will offer up incredible views from the summit of Mount Hoven. Activities including snowshoeing, sledding and winter kayaking may also be offered here.

Today you can enjoy a relaxing day at sea as we sail through Helgeland county, home to the Seven Sisters mountain range, and cross the Arctic Circle. You’ll experience the Polar Night above the Arctic Circle, when instead of total darkness, the skies turn a dreamy shade of cobalt blue, bathing the fjords and mountains in an ethereal hue. It’s known as the ‘blue hour’ and is caused by an extended twilight when the winter sun glows just below the horizon. We will also be on a constant lookout for the dazzling Northern Lights bouncing across the sky, and you are now in the one of the best areas from which to experience them!

Today’s adventures will bring us to the famous Lofoten Islands where steep mountains, beautiful beaches and picturesque fishing villages combine for some truly outstanding scenery. An included excursion today will take you to Reine to visit Å, one of the best-preserved old fishing villages in Norway where the iconic red fishing huts dotted against a granite-peak backdrop make it one of the most photographed spots in all of the country. Here you can enjoy a walk through a unique outdoor museum, learn about the history of the Lofoten fisheries or simply spend some time soaking in the remarkable scenery of this unique historical attraction.

Other optional excursions available to book today include an exciting Viking experience in Svolvær and beach horseback riding. Please enquire for full details and prices for these optional excursions.

We now reach 70º north of the Arctic Circle to visit Alta, one of the northernmost towns in the world. Dubbed ‘The Northern Lights City’, Alta sits directly beneath the Auroral Oval, a zone known for consistent Northern Lights activity, so the chances for spotting this celestial wonder are very high here! Alta is also home to the famous Northern Lights Cathedral and an included excursion will offer you the chance to see this iconic structure up-close. On a guided tour of the church you can learn all about its architecture and the town’s special relationship with the Aurora Borealis, before visiting the interactive exhibition. During your time in Alta, you will learn all there is to know about the myths, folklore and science behind the Lights.

Our next stop takes us to beautiful Tromsø, known as the Gateway to the Arctic. Here we will spend the day discovering the city’s fascinating history, culture and bold architecture, including the iconic Arctic Cathedral. An included excursion will see you take a visit to the famous Polar Museum where you can learn all about the history of famous trappers like Henry Rudi and Wanny Woldstad, and discover tales of the polar expeditions of legendary explorers which set off from Tromsø including Fridtjof Nansen’s Fram expedition and Roald Amundsen’s attempt to conquer the geographic North Pole. You may also wish to spend some time exploring at your own leisure, and maybe even join the friendly locals in the town’s many pubs. Don't miss Ølhallen, Tromsø’s oldest pub, with around 70 Norwegian beers on tap.

Optional excursions here include a guided bus tour through the city including a ride on the city´s famous cable car up to the mountain ledge, Storsteinen, and a guided visit to the Arctic Cathedral. Please enquire for dull details and prices for this optional excursion.

Today we visit Narvik, located within a spectacular setting surrounded by 3 fjords 150 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Enjoy a stroll around the area at your leisure, visiting local galleries, shops, and restaurants or, if the conditions are right, take the cable car to the top of Mount Narvik for breathtaking views. Optional hiking, snowshoeing and kayaking excursions may also be offered here.

These days will be spent at sea enjoying exciting cruising around the islands and fjords of some of Norway’s spectacular coastline. Your experienced captain and crew will determine a route for optimum scenic experiences and, conditions permitting, we will hope to enjoy a number of landings and hiking opportunities. This will also be a great time for the kayakers amongst us to enjoy an exploration along the coastline.

Today we arrive in beautiful Bergen, one of Norway’s most picturesque cities. Filled with historic, cultural and architectural charm, Bergen is a delight to explore. One of the many highlights of the city is the famous Fløibanen Funicular, and an included ticket will see you take a memorable ride up to the top of Mount Fløyen for breathtaking views over the city surrounded by seven mountains and sea. Once at the top you can enjoy the many hiking trails, including one back down to the city, or take the Funicular back down. Enjoy free time at your leisure to explore around the cobbled streets filled with cafes, boutiques and galleries, or visit the old Wharf which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. An optional bus tour of the city is also available for an additional cost.

Our last, but certainly not least, stop in Norway will take us to the unique and charming town of Egersund. Historic and cosy, a visit here in winter offers up picture-postcard scenery with brightly coloured, wooden houses and ancient ruins dating back to the early migrations around 400 – 600 BCE. Enjoy exploring the bijoux town centre, which has preserved some of the best examples of wooden houses – a few even dating back 160 years. The varied landscape surrounding the town is great for walking.

As we sail back to London, enjoy the final lectures and presentations, spend time in the Science Centre, or simply relax in the bar with your new-found friends. You can also join your expedition team for a review of the highlights of your memorable voyage. Reflect on all the wonderful experiences you’ve had, like the sensation of standing in awe under the Northern Lights or the spectacular scenery of the Lofoten Islands.

Your Norwegian Fjords Northern Lights cruise concludes back in Tilbury, the gateway to the U.K.’s cosmopolitan capital city, London. Should you wish to extend your stay in London, we will be happy to help you arrange this.