This trip is ideal for nature lovers, adventurous people, photographers and hikers.

Highlights

• Spectacular landings, zodiac cruises and beautiful hikes
• Explore the fascinating nature and wildlife
• Learn everything about the history of the Lofoten islands.
• Sail into the open ocean towards the high Arctic and feel the power of the blue!
• Participate in the navigation and learn everything about sailing

Starting from Bodø, mainland Norway, we will be heading towards Lofoten, undeniably one of the most beautiful areas of this incredible country.

Weather dependent we will most likely spend the first day in Ofoten, still the mainland, in a gorgeous bay with white sand arctic beaches, before crossing over to Henningsvaer, a small but lively fishing town where we spend a night.

Next day we will venture into the extraordinary Trollfjord, a completely unspoilt fjord full of beauty, with a fascinating history and whose narrow entrance and sheer  cliffs (reaching up to 1.100 m) in both sizes have enchanted people for centuries. In the bottom of the fjord, a small jetty can be found where we can moor for the night. In the past, many of the guests have enjoyed hiking up to the beautiful mountain.

After an intense day in Trollfjord we leisurely thread our way towards Lødingen and from there in sheltered waters towards Tromsø. These coastal Norwegian waters are home to a wide diversity of wildlife, especially birds and whales that arrive this time of the year. On the way we will be on the lookout for Orca pods as well as other marine mammals and birds. If we find them, slowly, and from a safe distance we can follow these majestic animals and enjoy their natural behavior; perhaps feeding, socializing or just relaxing. Many spectacular anchorages are on the way and we pick them according to weather, sailing wind and general circumstances. We will aim to make a proper stop, at least one night in the bustling arctic city of Tromsø, a charming city in the very northernmost part of Norway, where go for a small walk under the midnight sun ,before setting sails for the last stretch of Norwegian fjords. Tromsø is an attraction of its own with interesting museums, culture and picturesque surroundings.

The adventure continues leaving these truly magic islands behind us and setting sails towards Spitsbergen. Get ready to help us on this crossing if you want by pulling ropes and adjusting sails. Take advantage and learn everything you have ever wonder about navigation. If the weather is good,  we may make a short stop in Bear Island after about two and a half days sailing in the open ocean. The Bear Island (roughly half way between Spitsbergen and Norway’s North Cape) is in fact an uninhabited island apart from a few people manning a weather station there in the summertime. Controversially, polar bears are rarely seen in the island and walruses have long since left although remnants of their presence can be seen. The island is also designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) as it is home to thousands of breeding seabirds including the Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese.

 We will continue our way North, sailing in the open ocean for at least one more day until we sight land again! In front of us, the staging mountains of Spitsbergen. Our first stop will be in the impressive fjord of Hornsund where our chances of seeing arctic wildlife will increase. Polar bears, reindeers, belugas and arctic foxes are some of the arctic creatures that can be spotted here, if we are lucky. A beautiful landing may be possible in Recherchefjord where fossils and grazing reindeer have been seen on previous tours. After visiting a few other outstanding natural spots on the way, we will reach Longyearbyen on May 4th.

Note: depending on weather and time limitations it is possible that we take an alternative route and instead of sailing via Tromsø, we will go halfway the Lofoten across to the west site and then sailing in one leg to Bear Island and Svalbard.