We sail out from Longyearbyen with MS Fram, out the Isfjord, via Barentsburg, and northward along the coast of Prins Karls Forland. The next morning we will pass the mouth of the Kongsfjord and sail along the exposed stretch of coast known as “The Seven Icebergs”, before reaching the northwest corner of Spitsbergen. In this area several magnificent fjords, including the famous Magdalenefjord, is located. At Gravneset we will do our first landing by tender boats, and our guides will tell us the exciting history of the place.
The program for Friday and Saturday is based on the existing weather- and ice conditions. Most likely we will get to see the walrus colony at Moffen Island, and we will try to cross the 80th parallel. On Saturday we will visit Ny-Ålesund and learn more about the history based on both coal mining and polar exploration.
On Spitsbergen we normally do one landing per day. We dock at the quayside at Barentsburg and Ny-Ålesund, and elsewhere we use tender boats. We make these landings where there are signs of hunting and other activities from earlier times, or where the history of nature is of special interest.
In the afternoon we leave Ny-Ålesund and continue southbound along the coast of Prins Karl`s Forland, heading for Bjørnøya and later the mainland, Norway.
The voyage to Honningsvåg/ Tromsø takes approximately 2 days. On board there will be causeries about polar history and other relevant subjects. In Honningsvåg you can join an optional trip to the northernmost point of Europe, the North Cape.
The journey continues south, and we will enjoy the view of the spectacular mountains, Lyngsalpene before we arrive in Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic. When leaving Tromsø we head for the spectacular, narrow Raftsundet strait and sail into the fantastic Trollfjord. Later we will call at the largest fishing village in Lofoten, Henningsvær.
The next day we sail past the beautiful coast of Helgeland with a population of 7.500 inhabitants spread across no less than 917 islands. We pass the Arctic Circle before we head for Brækstad, an area with great historical interest.
On day 10 we visit Ålesund, a picturesque town known for it`s Art Nouveau architecture. We spend some time in Ålesund, before we head for the Geirangerfjord, one of the most visited tourist sites in Norway. Along the fjord's mountainsides there lie a number of now abandoned farms. The fjord is also host to several impressive waterfalls, like the Seven Sisters and the Bridal Veil.
We sail into Nordfjord, sixth longest fjord in Norway and with its 106 km; it encompasses the rough coastline of Stadhavet as well as the glacier Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest mainland glacier. We enter Utfjord and Innviksfjord to before we reach Olden. From here the lovely valley, stretches south some 20 kilometers between slopes rising to more than 1700 meters to the edge of the Jostedalsbre. Olden has two churches. The one in the village was built in 1759 on the site of a stave church dating from around 1300. The new church, a short distance along the valley, was built in 1934.
We call at port in Bergen during the morning hours. Enjoy the day in this international city with small-town charm, surrounded by seven mountains. Stroll through the picturesque streets of Bergen and enjoy the famous fish market. We recommend a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage famous houses of “Bryggen” (the wharf).