Arrive in Bodø and board the MS Quest. Once you settle into your comfortable cabins, be welcomed by the guides and crew and familiarize yourself with the expedition ship. Then begin the sea voyage towards the dramatic Lofoten Islands.

After breakfast, the first excursion begins in sturdy Zodiacs around the spectacular Vedøya, providing a chance to see nesting seabirds, including the distinctive puffin. Sea eagles are occasionally spotted here as well. The journey continues along the southern side of the Lofoten Wall, a vast collection of rugged islands majestically rising from the sea. Ashore, the exploration of the small fishing village of Reine follows, with its characteristic wooden houses framed by dramatic mountain peaks. Reine, quietly gazing out over Kirkefjorden, has been voted the most beautiful place in Norway. Here, the Zodiacs are used again to explore the surroundings.

You continue the voyage along the Lofoten Wall and onwards through Trollfjorden, which is as magical as its name suggests. A little later, head out to sea and set course for Bear Island. After just a few hours at sea, you reach well-known whale-watching areas that extend along the continental shelf. During the journey, you have the chance to see whales, and constantly on the lookout from the deck

Continue at sea towards higher northern latitudes. During interesting lectures on board, you receive an introduction to Bear Island's intriguing history. Naturally, you keep watching for whales!

With solid Zodiacs, explore this fascinating rocky island in the middle of the Barents Sea. Its remoteness means that only a few ships each year have the opportunity to stop for a visit. On the 400-meter vertical cliffs, find one of the North Atlantic's largest seabird colonies. Here, tens of thousands of Brünnich's guillemots nest, along with puffins, razorbills, black guillemots, kittiwakes, and glaucous gulls. If the weather and winds are favorable, an attempt to land on this rarely visited island.

You then continue the journey into the Arctic waters. Sail overnight and, by the following afternoon, sight the Svalbard archipelago – one of the world's most magnificent wilderness areas.

In May, Svalbard offers visitors a wondrous purity, beautiful pastel colors, and breathtaking views. The midnight sun's rays fall on glistening ice formations, the fjord ice is thick, and the mountain peaks are snow-covered. It is spring in the Arctic, and being there as Svalbard awakens to life is a powerful experience. In this Arctic archipelago, you naturally keep an eye out for polar bears, walruses, and other iconic wildlife, but above all, enjoy the magical nature that surrounds you. It is early in the season, and the exact itinerary over the coming days can be influenced by weather and ice conditions. With the Zodiacs, you explore the enchanting winter landscape in some of Svalbard's most beautiful fjords, making landings whenever possible.

Storfjorden
In the vast Storfjorden, between Edgeøya and Spitsbergen, drift ice is often present at this time of year, and only then can you know how far north you can go. On the southern part of Spitsbergen lies Isbukta. In this spectacular bay, enjoy magnificent views of snow-covered mountain peaks and the mighty glacier front of Vasil'evbreen. The bay is also a popular spot for ivory gulls, skuas, and bearded seals.

Hornsund & Bellsund
Majestic Hornsund consists of several magnificent fjords on the southwest coast of Spitsbergen, where glaciers calve magically blue-tinged icebergs. On the mountain slopes at beautiful Vårsolbukta in Bellsund, tens of thousands of little auks nest. Go ashore and hike across the tundra towards the bird cliff, where you can enjoy the charming birds circling around you up close.

Isfjorden
At the entrance to Isfjorden lies the distinctive bird cliff Alkhornet, a pointed rock several hundred meters high. Here, you go ashore to enjoy the snow-covered tundra and birdlife, including barnacle geese, Brünnich's guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow buntings, and tens of thousands of kittiwakes. In the crevices around the bird cliff, several Arctic foxes have their dens, and if you are lucky, you can see these cute, small animals frenetically searching for food.

Arrive to Longyearbyen early in the morning and begin your journey home.

Please note: All itineraries are for guidance only. The exact route depends on the ice, weather conditions, wildlife, and government regulations. The goal is to maximize your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!