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Norway

Arctic Expeditions: Norway’s Communities, Islands & Fjords

Program No. 25381RJ
Embark on an expedition voyage to the waters and landscapes of the Arctic Circle, and discover the connections between Norway’s natural wonders, history and culture.
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Adventures Afloat Study CruiseExpeditionNew
Length
12 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
8,299
Flights start at
950

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
27 meals ( 10B, 8L, 9D )
3 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date programs schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Get to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach with 3-4 steps up down. Walking about 2 miles, standing about 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At hotel.
Morning:
This morning we will board our coach and head off for an exploration of Oslo. We will have an outside visit of the Opera House. Walk around the outside of the building, opened in 2008, it houses the Norwegian National Ballet, the Opera Orchestra and the Ballet School. Enjoy the building's angled white exterior that appers to rise from the water inviting visitors to climb its roof and enjoy the panoramic views of Oslo and the fjord. Next, we will visit the Nobel Peace Center, the museum for the Nobel Peace Prize. The exhibitions are inspired by the ideas and work of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
Lunch:
At a local restauranat.
Afternoon:
We will ride to the Fram Museum (Frammuseet). Named after one of Norway's oldest vessels used for North and South Pole expeditions, the Fram Museum offers a glimpse at Norway's polar history. The museum has exhibits about various polar explorers including Fridtjof Nansen & Roald Amundsen and the Northwest Passage. Two polar ships are the highlights used in expeditions in the 19th & 20th centuries, the Gjoa and the Fram.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Flight times are subject to the unpredictable Arctic weather and the vagaries of flight servicing in remote destinations. Delays can, and often do occur. Should you require medication during the day please ensure you keep this with you.
Breakfast:
At hotel.
Morning:
We will board our coach to the Oslo airport where we will have a morning flight to Tromso.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will visit the Arctic Cathedral in Tromso. Built in 1861, this impressive structure embraces neo-Gothic style and showcases the finest wood from Målselv. Next, we will take the Fjellheisen Cable Car up to the Storsteinen mountain, 420 meters above sea level. We will then board our coach and ride to port to embark the ship. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Expedition ships — more rugged than traditional sailing vessels — are designed to venture into remote landscapes, enabling us to seek opportunities for getting up close to nature and wildlife. These educational adventures have flexible schedules. The itinerary may change daily based on weather, sailing conditions, and potential wildlife sightings. There may also be serendipitous occasions to experience something unexpected. The schedule that follows is tentative and a representative outline. Changes in the schedule, including ports of call, can be expected due to weather and other local conditions. Updates will be provided aboard ship. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Aboard ship, we'll have an a la carte meal. Still or sparkling water, soft drinks, draught beers and house wines are included with all meals. Hot drinks, such as tea and coffee – as well as alcoholic drinks – are available for free throughout the day. Premium beverages, including cocktails, champagne and vintage wines are available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast aboard ship.
Morning:
The scenic Lyngen area is a landscape of jagged, snowy mountains, and a magnet for winter activities. The Lyngen Fjord is over a hundred miles long, and we’ll spend the day going on a nature landing, with hikes, snowshoe walks and – if conditions allow – kayaking.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Continue our exploration of the Lyngen area.
Dinner:
After a day of activity hiking or kayaking, gather around a beach bonfire beneath the twilight Arctic skies. Enjoy locally inspired cooked food, hot drinks, and good company.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast aboard ship.
Morning:
Senja is Norway’s second-largest island, and it’s sometimes called Norway-in-miniature. With its rugged mountains, sandy beaches, dark forests and idyllic fishing villages, you can see how it earned this name. Free-roaming reindeer wander around the island, so keep an eye out for them. On our expedition, we’ll visit a local community and experience some warm Scandinavian hospitality. We'll learn about the Sámi culture, and about life in remote villages during the winter months.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Enjoy the amenities on the ship, later in the afternoon enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program. PLEASE NOTE: all lectures noted are subject to change, due to the nature of expedition cruising, the itinerary including the lecture times and dates are always subject to change.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast aboard ship.
Morning:
This morning, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program. PLEASE NOTE: all lectures noted are subject to change, due to the nature of expedition cruising, the itinerary including the lecture times and dates are always subject to change. Enjoy the amenities on the ship, perhaps visit the science center, unlock your inner scientist with these hands-on experiences helping you to get a better understanding of the world around where we sail. From researching the impact of climate change on animal populations and sea ice to getting a better understanding of migratory patterns of marine life. There are a range of projects to get involved with as we venture to many beautiful off-the-beaten-track locations.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
As we sail towards the Lofoten Islands, the Expedition Team will seek out the best place for a nature landing, perhaps at one of the many fine beaches likely covered in pristine snow. We may head out in our small expedition boats to explore between remote islands or get out the kayaks.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast aboard ship.
Morning:
This wouldn’t be a true Norwegian experience without a wild swim and sauna session. Embrace the elements with an Arctic water plunge before stepping into the soothing heat of a traditional Nordic sauna in Svolvær.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Get a taste of Svolvær when the ship stays late into the night here. It’s a small town, but it’s the biggest we'll find in these islands, and there are a few cozy restaurants and bars here if you fancy trying a Lofoten snack or brew.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast aboard ship.
Morning:
Sailing from Svolvær to Vesterålen, we cruise through the Raftsunde strait to Trollfjord, passing between towering cliffs. As we do so, you’ll enjoy great views from the deck, and we sail so close to the sides it feels like you can almost touch them! Enjoy expedition activities, these include snowshoe hiking and kayaking.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Enjoy the amenities on the ship.
Dinner:
Dine surrounded by over 130 years of history. This after-hours experience takes us inside the modern Hurtigruten Museum, where a special HX Exclusive dinner blends heritage, community, and local cuisine under one roof. NOTE: This dinner is not exclusive to Road Scholar, everyone on the ship will be at this dinner.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast aboard ship.
Morning:
We’ll stay sheltered in the deep fjords as we make our way back towards Tromsø – at each turn there will be a new island or mountain. Along the way we have plenty of time to scout out landing sites in our zodiacs, and to go on nature walks and take part in other activities.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
This afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program. PLEASE NOTE: all lectures noted are subject to change, due to the nature of expedition cruising, the itinerary including the lecture times and dates are always subject to change. Enjoy the amenities on the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for disembarkation tomorrow.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps up/down.Flight times are subject to the unpredictable Arctic weather and the vagaries of flight servicing in remote destinations. Delays can, and often do occur. Should you require medication during the day please ensure you keep this with you.
Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast aboard ship.
Morning:
The ship is scheduled to arrive in Tromso at 8:00 a.m. We will disembark the ship and have some free time in Tromso before our transfer to the Tromso airport for our flight to Oslo.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We will transfer to the Tromso airport where we will board our afternoon flight to Oslo. Upon arrival in Oslo, we will walk to our hotel which is located in the Oslo airport.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for departure tomorrow.
Activity Note
Hotel check out by 12:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!





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