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Svalbard with Lofoten & Bear Island

Example 10 Day Cruise aboard M/S Quest
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Join this expedition cruise along the stunning coastline and magnificent fjords of northern Norway, via the seldom visited and legendary Bear Island to the realm of the polar bear: Svalbard. Visit Lofoten and Bear Island as the sea eagles’ eggs hatch and the cliffs are teeming with tens of thousands of birds. Svalbard greets you with glittering ice, snow covered mountain tops, midnight sun and magnificent wildlife. This expedition allows you to explore some of the most impressive nature and unique wildlife of the Arctic during your adventure through the High Arctic archipelago.
Travelers resting and taking in the view.
Highlights
  • Visit the fishing village of Reine, voted as Norway's most beautiful place
  • See Nusfjord, on UNESCO’s World Heritage list of unique wooden structures
  • Explore one of the largest seabird colonies of the North Atlantic
  • Cruise the favorite haunts for some of Svalbard’s many polar bears
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark in Bodø, Norway

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.

Day 2: Vedøya | Reine

After breakfast take your first zodiac trip around the spectacular island Vedøya with its tens of thousands of nesting sea birds, also often frequented by eagles. Sail along the southern side of Lofoten, a vast collection of rocky islands rising from the sea, towards Reine. Overlooking Kirkefjord, this charming fishing village has been voted as Norway's most beautiful place.

Day 3: Nusfjord | Trollfjorden

Today's journey begins in Nusfjord, one of the most preserved and picturesque fishing communities in the area, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list of unique wooden structures. Go ashore and explore the local shops and cod fisheries on this historic village. Then continue to cruise along the Lofoten wall and arrive at the stunning Trollfjorden. In the afternoon, head out to sea and head towards Bear Island. On the way, travel through a well-known whale watching area.

Day 4: Barents Sea

Your sea journey to further northern latitudes continues. Interesting lectures provided on board introduce you to the fascinating history and rich wildlife of the Arctic.

Day 5: Bear Island

Board a Zodiac and explore this fascinating rocky island in the middle of the Barents Sea. Explore one of the largest seabird colonies of the North Atlantic, situated on vertical 400-meter cliffs. Tens of thousands of guillemots nest here, as well as puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes, and glaucous gulls. Continue your journey into the Arctic waters to Svalbard, a vast, glaciated archipelago dominated by wild, pointed mountain ranges and one of the world's most magnificent wildernesses.

Day 6-9: Svalbard

It is early in the season so the route naturally depends on the weather and ice conditions. These are examples of places you might visit:

Storfjorden
During this time of the year there is often ice in the vast Storfjorden between the islands of Edgeøya and Spitsbergen. Your crew tries to get as far north as possible along Spitsbergen’s east coast. Certainly keep your eyes open for polar bears.

Hornsund
Hornsund consists of several magnificent fjords along the west coast of Spitsbergen, where enormous glaciers let go of shimmering blue ice floes. On the southern side of the fjord pass one of the highest mountains in Svalbard, Hornsundstinden. This is one of the favorite haunts for some of Svalbard’s many polar bears.

Bellsund
At the beautiful Vårsolbukta in Bellsund little auks nest by the tens of thousands. Go ashore and walk across the tundra to take a closer look at the mountain, where barnacle geese and Brünnich’s guillemots nest.

Isfjorden
At the entrance of Isfjorden is the giant cliff Alkhornet, several hundred meters high. Go ashore to enjoy the beautiful tundra and its birdlife with barnacle geese, Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow buntings and tens of thousands of kittiwakes. Some arctic foxes live in the rock crevices around the mountain and with some luck you might see these lovely little animals scurrying around, looking for food.

Day 10: Disembark in Longyearbyen

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

Ship/Hotel

M/S Quest

MS Quest ship
Observation Deck
Dining room

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Norway Cruises & Arctic Adventures.
Quest's Triple Cabin
Triple Cabin
Triple Cabin with upper and lower berths. Located on Deck 3.
Quest's Twin Cabin
Twin Cabin
Twin Cabin with two twin beds. Located on Deck 3.
Quest's Twin Plus
Twin Cabin Plus
Twin Cabin Plus with two twin beds. Located on Deck 3.
Quest's Double Cabin
Double Cabin
Double Cabin with one double bed. Located on Deck 3.
Quest's Double Superior
Double Cabin Superior
Double Cabin Superior with one large double bed. Located on Deck 3.
M/S Quest Owner's Cabin
Owners Cabin
Owners Cabin with one large double bed. Located on Deck 4.
Quest's Twin Cabin
Solo Twin Cabin
Twin Cabin for solo use. Same cabins as the Twin Cabin, located on Deck 3.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • 100% Climate Compensated
  • All excursions and activities
  • Coffee and tea on board
  • Guiding ashore and talks on board
  • Comprehensive information material before the expedition
  • An experienced Expedition Leader and knowledgeable guides
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge

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