CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - TROMSO TO BERGEN A fantastic cruise holiday to the Norwegian fjords and 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 Explore the island of Vega on foot; a UNESCO listed site HOLIDAY CODE NFC Norway, Discovery, 11 Days 11 nights ms expedition, 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners, max group size: 90, 9 day cruise, zodiac boat trips
PAGE 2 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE Introduction Explore the impressive fjords and stunning coastline of Norway on this 11-day cruise holiday sail from Tromso 'The gateway to the arctic' all the way down to Norway's second largest City, bergen. Throughout the holiday there will be daily briefings and fascinating lectures about each area, its wildlife and geology, from our friendly team of onboard experts. Outfitted as a cruise ship, the MS Expedition provides an excellent base for exploration. With dining areas, presentation rooms, good sized cabins, and viewing decks, we will have plenty of space and entertainment whilst onboard. We begin our adventure by visiting the famous Lofoten Islands before contining south, sailing over the arctic circle at Vikingen Island and onto the UNESCO heritage site of Vega Island, which can be explored on foot. Another notable highlight is sailing into the Geirangerfjord; arguably one of Norway's most beautiful fjords. This holiday is perfect for explorers long on ambition but short on time, this 11 day expedition brings you to some of the most important and UNESCO listed sites of Norwegian history, both modern and ancient, and some of the most incredible nature you ll ever see. The journey is short, but the memories from this holiday will last you the rest of your life and with only one departure a year of this popular adventure, be sure to book your place early. Explore International. This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience! 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 Tromso, and embark the MS Expedition Ship. Welcome to Tromsø, the capital of northern Norway, known as the "Gateway to the Arctic". Embark the MS Expedition in the evening. MEALS D Day 2: Sail to one of the most northern points in Europe, Nordkapp. Sami community visit.
PAGE 3 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - Explore one of the most northern points in Europe. A popular spot to watch the midnight sun during the summer months, as the sun never sets between the middle of May to late August, this cape is the location where the Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet. Stop for a visit to a community of local Sami people before continuing on to North Cape with its barren landscape and quaint fishing villages. Day 3: A full day at sea on the way to Trollfjord. Enjoy a day at sea, taking in the stunning scenery of the Arctic. Keep a sharp eye while on deck to try and spot marine wildlife. The expedition staff will also host lectures throughout the day on the local wildlife and history. Day 4: Sail to 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. Go ashore via coach on the island of Å, where cod fishing is still a major part of the economy. In the evening, stay on deck as you cruise into one of Norway's most famous fjords, the short yet dramatic Trollfjord - search the cliffs on your continuing quest to spot trolls. Day 5: Visit Svartisen Glacier and Vikingen Island. Today we have two outings planned: Vikingen Island and Svartisen Glacier. Vikingen is 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. In the afternoon we visit Svartisen and enjoy a scenic walk to a glacier. There's also a more demanding walk all the way around a lake below the glacier if you'd like to stretch your legs a little more - from the lake there's a great view of the glacier, perfect for photos. Day 6: Visit the UNESCO listed island of Vega. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Vega is known for picturesque fishing villages with a history of eider down harvesting. Enjoy some opportunities to explore the area on foot. Day 7: Zodiac excursion to Torghatten and the Treana archipelago. The goal today is to visit Torghatten, one of the most bizarre rock formations in Norway and a significant local landmark, we will also try to move towards the Treana archipelago that is comprised of over 1000 islands. Enjoy a zodiac excursion to Torghatten and the Treana archipelago. Expedition leaders will provide information on the local areas, and the ships photography experts will be on hand to offer advice on how to capture the perfect shot. The rugged coastline of central Norway features some of the world s most beautiful scenery.
PAGE 4 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - Day 8: Visit the city of Trondheim, including a city tour. Continue on to Trondheim. Choose between taking an afternoon hike to the Sverresborg Folk Museum, or enjoy a city tour including the Folk Museum and the elaborate Nidaros Cathedral, which was built between 1070 and 1300CE. The Nidaros Cathedral, built over the burial site of Saint Olav (the king of Norway in the 11th century) and is the traditional location for the consecration of the King of Norway. Day 9: Sail into the stunning, Geirangerfjord. Sail deep into one of Norway's most beautiful fjords, Geirangerfjord. 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 10: A chance to ride on the famous Flam Railway. Hop on the Flam Railway, travelling through valleys and mountain passes to reach the scenic fjord of the Flam district. The Flam Line is a 20km (12.4 mi) route between Myrdal and Flam. The line is used most often as a tourist train as it passes through gorgeous landscapes. It also boasts an incredibly steep gradient, with an elevation different of 863m (2,831 ft). Day 11: Departure Day. We have breakfast on board before we disembark. Bergen Airport transfers are provided. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included Expert Expedition staff 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
PAGE 5 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - What's Not Included Travel insurance Tips for staff Airport transfers Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc Meal Plan All meals whilst on board the M/S Expedition are included. 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 Tromso before 2pm on Day 1 of the itinerary. Full meeting arrangements and information on how to make your way to the ship from Tromso Airport will be sent out prior to departure. Day 8: On Day 8 your flight must not depart before 11am. Airport transfers are provided on this day, full details will be sent our prior to departure. Accommodation During this trip the group will spend 7 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. 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.
PAGE 6 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - 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 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. You will also need some money for any meals taken in Tromso or Bergen and for tips. 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 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).
PAGE 7 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - 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 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. The unit of currency in Norway is the Norwegian Krone. 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. Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on an active holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. Although this is principally a cruise holiday you will have the opportunity for walks onland and a basic level of fitness is required to get in and out of the Zodiacs. 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
PAGE 8 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - 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. Climate Norway's coastline and Svalbard s location both close to and within the Arctic circle is the biggest factor on climate but temperatures especially around the coast are moderated by the influence of the warm North Atlantic Current which keeps the waters navigable for most of the year and average summer temperatures at around 4 to 6 C. However, on deck with a sea breeze, the wind chill can bring the real feel temperature below freezing. Precipitation is frequent, but falls in small quantities. Books Norway - Lonely Planet Norway - DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Norway - Berlitz: Pocket Guide 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 Tromso (return from Bergen) with Scandinavian Airlines. Outbound flights will depart from the UK in the morning arriving early afternoon of the same day. Return flights will depart Bergen in the late 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 Tromso. For clients making their own flight arrangements Tromso is the best airport to fly into and then out of Bergen. 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'.
PAGE 9 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - 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, muleherders 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.
PAGE 10 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - 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 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 11 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - 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: Causal shoes / Trainers or similar for onboard Rubber boots (Wellington boots)* Walking shoes* 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) Waterproof jacket Trekking trousers Waterproof trousers 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 12 CRUISE THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS IN DEPTH - Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Seasickness remedy Notes Complimentary waterproof boots are supplied for the following sizes: Men s USA size 8-14 / UK size 7 to 13½ / Europe 41 to 48½ Women s USA size 3 to 9 / UK size 1 to 6½ / Europe 33 to 40 If you have different feet sizes to these you should bring your own rubber boots. These should be rubber, waterproof boots that are just below your knee with a strong, ridged non-skid sole Please note: This document was downloaded on 25 Dec 2017, and the trip is subject to change.