Follow Norway’s fjord-carved coast, from the charming town of Bergen, past the North Cape to the ice and wildness of the Svalbard archipelago, for a perfect balance between the charmingly scenic and the spectacularly wild. Explore Tromso and Bear Island on the way to Svalbard in the high arctic, where polar bears prowl and walruses haul out on rocky shores.
Arctic & Alaska
Norway’s Fjord & Arctic Svalbard
16 Days aboard National Geographic Endurance. From NZD $45,111pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the rare northern fjords, threading the ice-carved narrows and standing on the bow as the captain noses up to glacier termini
- Actively explore: hike, walk, and kayak through stunning scenery
- Follow the bucket-list-worthy fjord-carved coast
- Make for the wilder wilds of Svalbard to see ice, bears, and Arctic wildlife
- Enjoy superlative photos ops and on-board photo assistance
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Bergen, Norway/EmbarkDay 2: Nordfjord
- Day 3: Smola
- Day 4-5: Exploring the Fjords of Norway
- Day 6: Lofoten Islands
- Day 7: Tysfjorden
- Day 8: Tromso
- Day 9: Bear Island
- Day 10-14: Exploring Svalbard
- Day 15: Longyearbyen - Oslo
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Arrive in Bergen & embark ship
Arrive in the Hanseatic town of Bergen, the gateway to the fjordlands. Stroll historic Bryggens Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before embarkation.
Day 2: Nordfjord
Today we enter lovely Nordfjord, the "gateway to the glaciers". We spend the morning at the end of the fjord, where we are transported up the Loen Valley via coach through some incredibly beautiful scenes: a turquoise-colored lake on one side and breathtaking mountains all around. A number of relatively flat trails lead along valleys shaped by massive glaciers (more strenuous hikes are also an option). And, we walk to a tongue of the large Briksdal Glacier. This afternoon be on deck as our ship sails back out of the fjord amid high peaks.
Day 3: Smola
Visit the scenic little island of Smola, where we have been specially invited by the locals to make a rare ship call.
Day 4-5: Exploring the Fjords of Norway
The coast of Central Norway is rugged with mountainous islands and steep-walled fjords. The Expedition Leader and Captain will discuss with the local Norwegian pilots the many landing possibilities where options are many: Zodiac along vertical rock faces, paddle serenely in a deep fjord surrounded by cascading waterfalls, or venture ashore for a hike with our naturalist staff. Over the years, we’ve discovered a number of special places, including Melfjord. This narrow channel is surrounded by high granite cliffs polished smooth by massive glaciers, and is one of the most spectacular spots on our voyage.
Day 6: Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Archipelago is an enchanting area of picturesque villages by the sea backed with jagged peaks. By Zodiac, we view nesting seabirds: Atlantic puffins, razorbills and guillemots. Later, we go ashore on the island of Vaeroy, where cod fishing is still a major part of the economy. Be on deck as we cruise into one of the most famous fjords in Norway, the short yet dramatic Trollfjord, and search the cliffs for Norway's mythical beings: trolls.
Day 7: Tysfjorden
There’s no denying that the Norwegian fjords are beautiful, and today we explore places along the Norwegian coastline that raise the standard of landscape-pulchritude to new heights. Our nimble ship enters Tysfjorden, where mile after mile of vertical walls surround us and only a few small villages cling to the rocky shores. Zodiac and kayak along steep-walled fjords, and find inspiration in the birch forests and tumbling waterfalls. The u-shaped valley of Hellemobotn cuts nearly to Sweden and has a trail to hike almost to the border.
Day 8: Tromso
Tromso is known as the “gateway to the Arctic” because so many Arctic expeditions originated here. Visit the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral, where the unique architecture evokes snow and icebergs.
Day 9: Bear Island
Zodiac around mist-shrouded Bear Island, populated by thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots and gulls. This is a birdwatcher's paradise.
Day 10-14: Exploring Svalbard
Svalbard lies north of the Arctic Circle, where the summer midnight sun never sets. In true expedition style, we let nature dictate our day-to-day movements here and this, by the way, is one of the great attractions of this expedition. Our flexible itinerary and years of experience here allow us to take the best advantage of ice and weather conditions. With our fully stabilized, ice-class expedition ship, we are able to probe deep into the ice where polar bears hunt.
Join our spotters on the Bridge, scanning the ice and islands for huge walrus, bearded and ringed seals, arctic foxes, reindeer, some of the largest whales on Earth — and polar bears. A sighting brings everyone rushing in excitement to the ship’s bow! Our expert staff gets you out daily. Depending on conditions, we may land on Edgeøya to hike the tundra, abloom with summer wildflowers. We often sail deep into Hornsund, where even first-time kayakers can paddle in a quiet cove surrounded by sparkling bergs. We may venture to the stunning Monacobreen glacier, or get close-up views of the iconic creatures of the ice by Zodiac. Back aboard, view underwater video from our ROV taken 1,000 feet below the surface, or spend time on deck with a National Geographic Photographer getting tips in an inspiring landscape. Every day is different, every day an adventure.
Day 15: Disembark in Longyearbyen and return to Oslo
Disembark in Longyearbyen and visit the Svalbard Art Gallery and Museum. Then, proceed to the airport for our charter flight to Oslo. Check in to the SAS Radisson Blu Airport Hotel.
Day 16: Depart Oslo
After breakfast, you are welcome to depart at any time onwards to your next adventure!
Next Departure Date: 25 May 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 May 2025 - 09 Jun 2025 | NZD$45111pp | ||
| Category 1 | NZD$45111pp | Contact us | |
| Category 2 | NZD$46096pp | Contact us | |
| Category 3 | NZD$56700pp | Contact us | |
| Category 4 | NZD$62948pp | Contact us | |
| Category Solo A | NZD$67667pp | Contact us | |
| Category Solo B | NZD$69144pp | Contact us | |
| Category 5 | NZD$69844pp | Contact us | |
| Category 6 | NZD$80163pp | Contact us | |
| Category 7 | NZD$88978pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Category 1
183 square feet, 1 double bed, two large windows, alcove seating, desk, armchair, fore deck location.
Category 2
205 square feet, 1 double bed, two large windows, alcove seating, desk, armchair, fore deck location.
Category 3
205 square feet, 1 double bed, TV, desk, balcony, main deck location.
Category 4
205 square feet, 1 double bed, TV, desk, balcony, lounge deck location.
Category 5
205 square feet, 1 double bed, TV, desk, balcony, sofa, bridge deck location.
Category Solo A
140 square feet, solo cabin with balcony and sofa, located on the main deck.
Category Solo B
140 square feet, solo cabin with balcony and sofa, located on the lounge deck.
Category 6
344 square feet, 1 double bed, TV, desk, balcony, sofa, bridge deck location.
Category 7
430 square feet, 1 double bed, TV, desk, large balcony, sofa, bathtub, walk-in closet, bridge deck location.
National Geographic Endurance Deckplan
Specifications
- Guests: 138
- Crew: 112
- Cabins: 71
- Length: 124.4m
- Beam: 21m
- Draft: 5.3m
- Speed: 16.6 knots
- Decks: 5
- Ice Class: 5
Whats included?
- One hotel night in Oslo
- Accommodations
- Meals indicated
- Alcoholic beverages (except premium brands
- Excursions
- Services of Lindblad Expeditions’ Leader Naturalist staff and expert guides
- Use of kayaks
- Entrance fees
- All port charges and service taxes
- Gratuities to ship’s crew.
What’s not included?
- Air transportation
- Personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD etc.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Arctic
Viking history, Inuit villages and an abundance of wildlife are just some of the wonders you’ll discover in the Arctic. You’ll be amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds you. Search for Polar Bears while cruising through breathtaking fjords or around the nature lovers dream, Spitsbergen.
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