A two week cruise holiday from Bergen in Norway to Svalbard, taking in the Lofoten Islands Cruise to the famous Lofoten Islands Visit Vikingen Island on the arctic circle and the bizarre rock formation of Torghatten Cruise into one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway; Geirangerfjord Two days wildlife viewing around Svalbard including polar bears, whales and birds HOLIDAY CODE NFS Arctic, Svalbard, Norway, Discovery, Polar Cruise, 15 Days 14 nights ms expedition, 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners, max group size: 90, 13 days arctic cruise, zodiac boat trips VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE
PAGE 2 Introduction This cruise holiday from Bergen to Longyearbyen is a wonderfully unique opportunity to experience the stunning fjords of Norway, visit the lofoten islands and go wildlife watching on Svalbard - all within two weeks. The journey begins in Bergen, Norway's largest city, from here sailing northwards stopping at several notable highlights along Norway's coastline, including a journey on the world famous Flam railway, Geirangerfjord, Vega Island, Vikingen Island, the Lofoten Islands and Tromsø. Following this we have a day at sea on the way to Svalbard, passing the mystical looking Bear Island, which offers a great opportunity for bird spotting if the weather allows. Our last two days are spent wildlife spotting on Svalbard we might even be lucky enough to see the elusive polar bear. Outfitted as a cruise ship, the MS Expedition provides an excellent base for our two weeks of exploration. With its dining areas, presentation rooms, different cabin sizes, mud room and viewing decks you will have plenty of space and entertainment whilst on board. Each day there are presentations and informative talks from the staff on the wildlife, history and environment of the area. With only one departure a year of this popular adventure, be sure to book your place early. Free PHD Yukon Down Jacket worth over 300 with every booking! Everyone booking a cruise will receive a FREE PHD Yukon Down Jacket worth over 300. Made with probably the warmest down in the world (grade 900), this quality jacket was designed to keep competitors warm at -35C during the Yukon Arctic Ultra sled dog race. Naturally, it's also perfect for spotting wildlife from the deck of your cruise ship. Jackets will be sent out on receipt of full payment. Is this holiday for you? This is principally a touring, sightseeing and wildlife viewing holiday, with minimal exertion required. If you choose to go ashore, you will need to make the transfers from the ship to a Zodiac and onto land. Short walks in the various locations are optional and weather dependent. You should also consider that some of the classes of accommodation involve the use of bunk-beds. Whilst on deck or during excursions, you need to be prepared for cold temperatures. The itinerary remains flexible, according to the variability of the weather, sea conditions and the locations of wildlife. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Bergen, and embark the MS Expedition Ship. Board the MS Expedition in the early evening. MEALS D Day 2: Take a trip on the railway on Flam. Beginning our journey north, we stop at Flam and hop on the Flåm Railway, travelling through valleys and mountain passes to reach the scenic fjord of the Flåm district. The Flåm Line is a 20km (12.4 mi) route between Myrdal and Flåm. The line is used most often as a tourist train as it passes through gorgeous landscapes. It also
PAGE 3 boasts an incredibly steep gradient, with an elevation difference of 863m. Day 3: Shaw visit at Olden, walk to a nearby glacier. Cross the famous North Sea - through one of the largest offshore oil fields in the world. Depending on time and weather, stop in Olden for a short bus ride to the Birksdal area and a walk to a glacier. There s also a transfer available for those who are unable to walk the full distance to the glacier. Day 4: One of Norway's most beautiful fjords; Geirangerfjord. Sail deep into one of Norway's most beautiful fjords. Enjoy soaking in the views at this UNESCO World Heritage site. The fjord is 15 km (9.3 mi) long, surrounded by spectacular mountains, lush green trees, waterfalls, and several farms. Have a camera ready for some spectacular photo opportunities. Day 5: Continue on to the city of Trondheim. Today you can choose between taking an afternoon hike to the Sverresborg Folk Museum, or enjoying a city tour including the Folk Museum and the elaborate Nidaros Cathedral. Trondheim is a modern city surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains, and is home to the remarkable Nidaros Cathedral. Built over the burial site of Saint Olav, the king of Norway in the 11th century, Nidaos Cathedral is the traditional location for the consecration of the King of Norway. Day 6: Visit Torghatten and stop on the picturesque island of Vega. The rugged coastline of central Norway features some of the world s most beautiful scenery; we can witness this first hand today as we hike up to the famous hole in the mountain of Torghatten, with fantastic views of the region (keep an eye out for Norway's mythical trolls!). In the afternoon, we head to the quaint and picturesque Vega Island, a UNESCO site. Wander the fishing villages and appreciate the slow pace of life. The mountain scenery and coastline offer breathtaking views. Day 7: Visit Svartisen and Vikingen Island, which is situated directly on the Arctic Circle. Today's first visit is to Svartisen where we can enjoy a scenic walk to a glacier, there's also a more demanding walk all the way around a lake below the glacier. From the lake there's a great view of the glacier, perfect for photos. Our second visit is to Vikingen Island, a small island that sits directly on the Article Circle; there s a small statue of a globe on the island celebrating its position on one of the five major latitude circles. Finally, we also visit Sanna
PAGE 4 Island where we can explore on foot, stretch your legs and search for interesting wildlife.. and possibly see a sea eagle! Day 8: Visit the Lofoten Islands and go ashore on the island of Å. The Lofoten archipelago is an enchanting area of picturesque villages by the sea backed with jagged peaks. We go ashore to the island of Å, where cod fishing is still a major part of the economy, here we visit the Tørrfiskmuseum (Stockfish Museum) in before taking a bus tour across the Lofoten Islands to Svolvær. In the evening, stay on deck as you cruise into one of Norway's most famous fjords, the short yet dramatic Trollfjord. Day 9: Continue exploring the Lofoten Islands. Continue exploring the beautiful Lofoten Islands. We spend time on Andenes Island today, a spectacular location for spotting marine wildlife. Day 10: Tromsø - the capital of northern Norway. Tromsø, the capital of northern Norway, is known as the "Gateway to the Arctic" as it was the embarkation point for many Arctic expeditions. Spend the day learning about the history of past expeditions and exploring Norway's largest northern city. Choose between hiking on the mountain top overlooking Tromsø, or wandering the city's streets before taking a cable car to the mountain top. Enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional open faced sandwiches while gazing over the city. Everyone will have a chance to visit some of the major sites including the Polar and Tromsø Museums and (weather permitting) enjoy a stunning view from a cable car. Day 11: Sail past Bear Island and on to Hornsund. In the morning we sail past mist-shrouded Bjørnøya (Bear Island) - a birdwatcher's paradise featuring spectacular views. Weather permitting, there may be an opportunity to explore this island by Zodiac - the weather is temperamental, so this is a 50/50 chance. Bear island even from afar has spectacular views, thousands of species of birds like fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots and gulls. There will also be lectures hosted throughout the day on board. Day 12: Hornsund and start to explore Svalbard. We have now reached Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. We Explore this archipelago of deep fjords, mountains and massive ice sheets. Keep your eyes open for walruses, seals, reindeer, Arctic foxes and, of course, polar bears. Our flexible itinerary and experience here allow us to take the best advantage of ice and weather conditions. Shore walks and Zodiac adventures bring us up close to mystical landscapes, icebergs, and wildlife.
PAGE 5 Day 13: Hornsund and Bellsund - continue to explore Svalbard. Soak in the sights and sounds of Svalbard. Glaciers, nesting birds, sea mammals like walruses and whales plus land mammals like polar bears, the arctic fox and reindeer all call this region home. Day 14: Bellsund and sail into Longyearbyen. Continue exploring the icy wonderland of Svalbard. All the time keeping a keen eye out for wildlife... including the impressive, polar bear! In the late afternoon we sail towards Longyearbyen, here we spend our final night aboard the MS Expedition; the polar bear bar will be open for a few last drinks in the midnight sun. Day 15: Departure Day. We have breakfast on board before we disembark. Longyearbyen Airport transfers are provided. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included Expert Expedition staff Single timed airport transfers on arrival and departure days All meals whilst on the MS Expedition All Zodiac cruises with expert leaders Waterproof boots supplied (different sizes available) Lecture and guidance programs during the expedition Arctic destination guide book Expedition parka jacket What's Not Included Travel insurance Tips for staff Edinburgh and Longyearbyen airport transfers Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc Meal Plan All meals whilst on board the M/S Expedition are included.
PAGE 6 Food Onboard the ship a diverse range of international dishes is available. Meals are prepared and catered by professional chefs and all meals are included in the trip price. Dining is casual, tables are unassigned and the dining room is capable of seating the entire passenger compliment at one time. There is always a selection of different meals available with plenty of options for vegetarians. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice (please advise us at time of booking). Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic are not included and can be purchased in the dining room, pub or the lounge. Joining Arrangements & Transfers Day 1: Your flight must arrive into Bergen before 2pm on Day 1 of the itinerary. Full meeting arrangements will be sent out prior to departure. Day 8: On Day 8 your flight must not depart before 11am. Full details on making your way from the ship to the airport will be sent our prior to departure. Accommodation During this trip the group will spend 13 nights on board the M/S Expedition Polar Cruise Ship. Accommodation on board is based on a quad cabin with porthole (CAT.1A). If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with other single clients of the same sex. Cabin upgrades to triples, twins and cabins with larger windows are possible as well as singles, all depending on availability. Please contact the office for prices and availability. Additional hotel nights in Longyearbyen at the end of the holiday are available for a supplementary cost. Group Leader & Support Staff A carefully chosen team will lead your voyage. The MS Expedition ships boast an international team of professional naturalists and lecturers. Their goal is to provide an informed and balanced interpretation of the destination, accomplished through stimulating lectures, day-to-day briefings, and informal discussions. Your lecturers and Expedition Leader will cover all aspects of the voyage including ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment, as well as practical things like photography. The expedition staff work conscientiously with you on deck and in the field, improving your observational skills to allow you to experience all that the destination has to offer. Their strong sense of ethics and ecological knowledge make for stimulating and mindful conversation whether onshore or at the dinner table. The Expedition Staff will pilot the Zodiac landing craft used for shore landings and Zodiac cruises; they are experienced drivers who operate the Zodiacs in a responsible manner. Altitude This holiday does not involve any significant ascent to altitude and we would not expect any altitude issues with this trip. Spending Money It is not practical to set a recommended amount for personal spending money on a holiday like this. All meals while on board and the daily Zodiac excursions, are included in the trip price. The main extra spend on board will
PAGE 7 be on drinks and this will vary greatly from person to person. On board ship, bar bills can be put on a tab and paid at the end of the cruise by credit or debit card or in cash US dollars. As a guide, we recommend you allow $10-15 per day for tips to your crew and expedition staff. We recommend that you bring a minimum of US$200 in cash for emergency situations where you are unable to withdraw money from ATMs. On board all prices are in $ USD. Guidance On Tipping Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you to the staff who have assisted you on your expedition. Tips do not form any part of the wages of the staff but they are very much appreciated. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. Normally tips are collected by the Hotel Manager at the end of the voyage and distributed amongst the crew and Expedition Staff. The Officers in charge of the ship choose not to participate in the tipping pool. As a guide, we recommend that each group member contributes around $70-110 to these tips. Free KE Gift We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A trek bag is not required for this holiday. You can however purchase a KE trek bag for 24.95. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Luggage with wheels is useful for this holiday. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline (the baggage limit on the domestic flight between Longyearbyen and Oslo is 23kg). Please note that you should be able to carry your own luggage. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. Group Members For this holiday the minimum age is 10 yrs (anyone under 18 must be travelling with a parent or guardian). The holiday will be conducted in English. Generally on these trips there will be a mix of nationalities but it is not possible to guarantee this. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and
PAGE 8 visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Europe UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations. UK residents should obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is still vital when travelling overseas. Currency When on the ship everything is priced is US$. If you are paying in cash you will need US$, if you are paying by card your bank will use their exchange rate. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/ On the ship you will need a plug / adaptor with European 2 pin round holes. There are also 110-volt shaving sockets in the bathroom for electric razors only. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Books Norway - Lonely Planet Norway - DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Spitsbergen. Andreas Umbreit Bradt Guides The Arctic, A Guide to Coastal Wildlife. Tony Soper A Naturalist's Guide to the Arctic. E.C. Pielou
PAGE 9 Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are for the itinerary based on UK flights from London (Heathrow) to Bergen (return from Longyearbyen) with Scandinavian Airlines. Outbound flights will depart from the UK in the morning, arriving lunchtime of the same day. Return flights will depart Longyearbyen in the early afternoon of the last day of the holiday itinerary, arriving in the UK in the evening of the same day. Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. To avoid paying flight supplements, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. Please note that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Note that if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Bergen. For clients making their own flight arrangements Bergen is the best airport to fly into and then out of Longyearbyen. Please refer to 'Joining Arrangements and Transfers' for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. Flight Options From The US For help and advice with booking your flights, we recommend you consult our friends at Exito Travel, airfare specialists since 1994. The air team at Exito are familiar with our destinations and know the airports, best airlines and potential pitfalls. If there is ever a flight change, cancellation or air-related issue before or during your travels, it's nice to know you have someone on the Exito air team looking after you. Visit their website at: www.exitotravel.com or contact the team on: keadventure@exitotravel.com &/or via phone at: 800.655.4053 ext. 8507. Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 31 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, mule-
PAGE 10 herders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or e-mail, or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at www.keadventure.com, and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: www.junipertrust.co.uk. KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly
PAGE 11 recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.
PAGE 12 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. Dress on board is informal. Beware of tight clothing that leaves no room for trapped air, which is an excellent insulator. Wool, silk and some of the new synthetic fibers, like polar fleece, retain heat better than cotton. You Must Bring The Following Items: Waterproof trousers Trekking trousers Waterproof jacket Socks (Warm, high wool or similar socks worn over a thin pair of silk, polypropylene socks should provide enough warmth and insulation for your feet. Bring several pairs of socks, since you will inevitably get your feet wet) Walking shoes* Rubber boots (Wellington boots)* Causal shoes / Trainers or similar for onboard Thermal baselayer - leggings Underwear Baselayer shirts Casual shirt and/or T-shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater Sunhat Warm hat Scarf and/or buff Sunglasses Gloves or mittens (Thin polypropylene gloves under warm and waterproof gloves is a good combination) Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 Litre x1 Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Small towel Selection of dry bags (to keep rucksack contents dry) Small daypack Warm jacket (down) Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, and plasters. Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea?the Following Items Are Optional: Warm Ski pants Shorts Spare gloves Travel clothes Camera (in a dry bag) Binoculars
PAGE 13 Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Seasickness remedy Please note: This document was downloaded on 23 Dec 2017, and the trip is subject to change.