Norwegian Fjords and Realm of the Polar Bear

Set sail from Scotland and its beautiful isles en route to the Norwegian fjords and the remote shores of Svalbard on this dazzling 21-day odyssey along the fjord coastline of Norway. Explore the glaciers that carved the stunning landscapes, visit arctic islands by Zodiac in search of wildlife, walk through history at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and so much more. Every day of this journey reveals a new icy wonderland on the water. From close-up encounters with icebergs and glaciers to the region’s plentiful wildlife, this is a voyage of non-stop highlights. Always on the lookout for wildlife that live in this polar wilderness, you’ll explore this landscape not only by ship but also on foot and via Zodiac. Roaming polar bears, lounging seals, grazing reindeer, and colonies of birds all co-exist in this harsh land we dare only to explore a few months of the year.

What's Included

21 nts aboard the G Expedition. Meeting point to ship transfer. Zodiac and land excursions with our expert expedition team. Lectures and educational programs. Orkney Islands guided tour of ancient ruins. Shetland Islands visit. Olden visit. Geirangerfjord visit. Trondheim visit. Vega Island visit. Svartisen glacier excursion. Local village visit (Lofoten Islands). Tromsø city tour. Wildlife spotting opportunities. Hornsund excursion and Bellsund visit (weather dependent). Insulated, waterproof boots supplied for USA sizes 4 – 16. Expedition parka.

Highlights

Explore the Standing Stones of Stenness on the remote island of Kirkwall, Wander through fishing villages and appreciate the slow pace of life, Search cliffs for trolls, Enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful scenery along Norway’s rugged coastline, Sail past mist-shrouded Bjørnøya — a bird watcher’s paradise featuring spectacular views, Spend time on deck searching for polar bears and whales, cruise through breathtaking fjords and admire massive glaciers, experience the midnight sun, learn about Arctic history and ecology from our expert guides, brave the Arctic waters and take the polar plunge, enjoy the silence of the Arctic tundra

Important Notes

Please note: While it is our intention of adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. On the first day of your tour, your Expedition Leader will give you an expedition overview.

The G Expedition is an adventure expedition ship and does not offer an elevator.

ACTIVITY LEVEL
The activity level for this trip as a whole is graded “Light”, as the itinerary includes light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Please be advised that there are two activities included on this tour that are graded as “Moderate”. Travellers are able to opt out of any excursion that they are not comfortable participating in. The two activities of higher activity grading are the following:

1. Glacier Walk: The first 20 – 30 minutes of this activity is a moderate to strenuous walk; the grade is slightly steep but the footing is easy. If you are unable to manage this walk, there will be a trolley car available to take you most of the way to the glacier hike.

2. Svartisen Land Excursion: The first 30 – 45 minutes of the hike is easy on a flat surface. The remaining hike is guided in small groups as it can be a challenging maze of rocky outcroppings leading to a close encounter with the ice.

BOOTS FOR ZODIAC LANDINGS
- Complementary waterproof boots for use on board will be supplied in the following sizes:
- USA size 4 – 16
- EURO size 35 – 49
Please be advised that there are limited numbers of the smallest and largest sizes.

If you wish to bring your own boots, you should follow the guidelines below:
Rubber, waterproof boots that are just below your knees (12-16” high or 30-41cm) with a strong, ridged non-skid sole are essential for wet landings via the Zodiacs. You usually have to step from the Zodiac into the water, which can be up to 1 ft or 30 cm high on most landings. Do not bring heavy, cumbersome boots that make it difficult to walk. Do not bring boots with metal cleats as they cannot be used for the landings. Try out your boots before your voyage.

The electricity onboard is 220AC electrical outlets, with European 2 pin round holes, as well as 110-volt shaving sockets in the bathroom for electric razors only. You may wish to bring an international adapter. A limited supply of electrical adapters are available to borrow free of charge at the Purser’s Desk.

KAYAKING EXCURSIONS
For the more adventurous, our kayaking trips provide the opportunity to encounter the intimacy and power of the polar regions in ways very few people can lay claim to having experienced. For more details about this extra optional activity, including prep notes and full terms and conditions, please visit our Polar Excursions page.

Please note: Arctic Kayaking Excursions (offered on select departures) must be confirmed prior to your trip. You may include this extra to your itinerary at the time of booking. If you wish to add this extra after you have confirmed your trip, please contact your travel agent.

Group Leader Description

A carefully chosen team will lead our voyage. The G Expedition boasts 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 are experienced drivers who will pilot the Zodiac landing crafts used for shore landings and Zodiac cruises in a responsible manner consistent with our safety standards on board.

Group Size Notes

Max 134 aboard the G Expedition.

Meals Included

21 breakfasts, 20 lunches, 21 dinners

Meals

Onboard our expedition ships you’ll find a diverse offering of gourmet international cuisines prepared and catered by professional chefs. All meals are included in the price of your expedition cruise. 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, and vegetarians will find plenty of options. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, please advise us at time of confirmation. 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 in the lounge.

Transport

G Expedition, Zodiac, local bus, coach, walking.

Accommodation

Aboard the G Expedition in quad-, triple-, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window, 21 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen-size bed.

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

G Adventures Local Representative (Longyearbyen, Norway)
Barbara Fogden: +47 9500 6076

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below which will connect you directly with our Sales team who will happily assist you. Hours of operation by region can be found here.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

What to Take

Your luggage should be a clearly labeled suitcase, or rucksack, plus a daypack. Most airlines allow one checked bag and two carry-on per person. To avoid any problems on check-in and with possible excess baggage charges, please consult the airline for specific restrictions.

Dress on board is informal. Plan to bring comfortable, casual clothing for all activities. Bring wind and waterproof outer layers. 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. When packing, we suggest that you do not weigh yourself down with too many clothes or too much gear. Select informal, practical attire that can be worn in layers.

In the worlds most remote destinations that the G Expedition travels to we cannot offload our plastics, glass or tin waste for recycling. Therefore, we try to reduce what single use items that we use. You will see on the ship that every effort is being used to stop the use of single use plastic containers, bags and other items. In an effort to prevent plastic waste from entering the waste stream, we are asking for your help. We offer exceptional drinking water on the ship with refilling stations for your re-useable water containers. You will be provided a complimentary water bottle to fill up as needed. Plastic Items such as single use shampoo/conditioner plastic containers cannot be recycled, so please plan to bring any plastics back to your home countries for recycling. Please do not bring single use items that you intend to leave behind such plastic bags and throw away razors. Your participating in helping to prevent pollution and promote recycling is greatly appreciated.

Weather conditions during the period, July to August
· Average temperature approx. 5ºC
· Daylight around the clock
· Cold wind is usual
· Snow-covered areas at North and east Spitsbergen
· The ground is often wet because of melting snow

Packing List

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (required)
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
• Rubber gloves

Laundry

Aboard the G Expedition, laundry is available to be serviced by our shipboard team at an additional charge.

Visas and Entry Requirements

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. While on board our Expedition ships, please note that the currency for all purchases is USD.

Money Exchange

Before and after the cruise:
Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances. Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work overseas. Check with your bank. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollars or Euros cash and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don’t want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

While on board the G Expedition:
Cash and most major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard and American Express) are accepted to clear incidental bills at the end of the cruise by the ship’s Purser (eg: bar bills, laundry, crew tips, etc).

Tipping

Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. It is an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your expedition. The industry standard and suggested amount is USD $10 – 15 per person per day spent on board. Of course, tipping is a personal choice and the suggested amount is set only as a guideline. Crew tips may be settled using most major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard and AMEX) by the ship’s Purser. The money is collected by the Hotel Manager at the end of the voyage and distributed amongst the crew and Expedition Staff. The Officers choose not to participate in the tipping pool.

Optional Activities

Lerwick
- Shetland Museum visit

Health

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

Please consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We require all passengers traveling on the G Expedition to review our medical questionnaire. The questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gadventures.com/online_medical_form

Passengers with preexisting medical conditions are required to submit a medical form signed by a physician to their booking agent. It is very important that we are advised of any special meal requirements, food allergies, or prescribed medication when you confirm your tour. The ship is equipped with a small infirmary with typically required medications and limited equipment. The ship’s doctor is available for visits during the day and is available 24 hours per day for emergencies.

In case of an emergency, please also bring with you a signed and dated letter from your physician (to be given to our doctor on board, as well as for any medical authorities) stating any health problems and dosage requirements. International health regulations do not currently require any inoculations for the countries that you will visit on our voyage. We suggest that you confer with your own physician to be sure your routine immunizations, such as tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A, are up-to-date before travelling. Older travelers, in particular, may wish to consider preventive measures against influenza and pneumonia.

Safety and Security

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home – you won’t need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your CEO has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your CEO will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Protests and Demonstrations- Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a good photo opportunity and leave the area immediately.

Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards) have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).

Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk.

We take all prudent measures in relation to your safety. For ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling, please visit:

www.gadventures.com/travel-resources/safety/

Planeterra Foundation - the non-profit partner of G Adventures

Every G Expedition cruise raises thousands of dollars for G Adventures’ non-profit partner, Planeterra, supporting both the Ocean Health Fund and Planeterra’s community social enterprise programs.  The Ocean Health Fund helps combat waste which threatens ocean health, conducts scientific research on ocean animals and climate change, as well as investing in programs that work with local communities to promote ocean conservation and stewardship.  Onboard the G Expedition, there are many opportunities to learn about these initiatives, to participate in Citizen Science programs, or purchase items in the gift shop from Planeterra-supported communities around the world.

The Planeterra Foundation planeterra.org is a Canadian non-profit organization that helps empower local people to develop their communities, conserve their cultures, and create humane and supportive systems for their endeavours. Planeterra provides capacity building and catalyst grants to get community social enterprises off the ground. These businesses address local challenges by providing benefits for indigenous people, empowering marginalized women, and granting disadvantaged youth access to education, employment, and brighter futures. Planeterra also works to ensure these businesses have a thriving customer base by integrating programs into G Adventures’ itineraries globally.

G Adventures is Planeterra’s largest corporate donor, covering all operating costs so 100% of your donation will bring opportunity to people in need. 

Dollar-a-Day Program
G Adventures’ Dollar-a-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar for every day you are on trip. 100% of these donations go directly to support community development projects worldwide that are implemented by Planeterra.

Minimum Age

Minimum age of 10 years for this trip.

International Flights

Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

Max Pax

134

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