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North Norway, Aurora Borealis – Hike & Sail & Kayak

North Norway, Aurora Borealis – Hike & Sail & Kayak

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Description

During this trip, hikes (with snowshoes if needed) and kayak outings with TRAK kayaks are offered. Snowshoeing is easy and for anyone with good health and good physical condition. Basic kayaking experience is of advantage, but it is not a requirement. Physical fitness is essential.

The Northern Norway coastline is renowned for its beauty, a forested terrain contoured with rugged mountains and vast fjords that has twice been voted the best travel destination in the world by National Geographic. And it’s not just during the summer months that Norway shows off its splendors, but the winter as well: The mountains are capped with snow, the sun hangs heavy on the skyline, and everything is embraced in a lustrous coat of frost. In the far north, about 500 km (310 miles) northeast of the Arctic Circle, the Lyngen and Kvaenangen fjords can be found, between which we find steep mountain ridges, remote islands, and a wealth of hiking opportunities. These areas provide the ultimate wilderness experience, as ideal for exploration by foot as by sail.

Our itinerary depends largely on weather conditions and the amount of daylight during the voyage. These conditions dictate the route, sailing hours, and our harbors for the night. We intend to explore the fjords and islands by sail and also on foot. In case of heavier snow, we will use our onboard snowshoes.

In winter the amount of daylight is limited, providing about 10 hours of light by the end of February. The dramatic landscape under the low sun and long sunrise / sunset offers great opportunities for photography enthusiasts, but the dark hours will not be wasted: Northern Norway is one of the best areas in the world to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. This amazing phenomenon can only be seen when the sky is dark and clear. In good weather conditions, this voyage offers ample opportunities to admire and photograph the northern lights from the remote fishing villages and bays where we stay the night. During the voyage you may also see white-tailed eagles, one of the largest birds of prey in Europe, and the more-skittish fish otters. Both species are year-round residents of the Norwegian fjords.

Trip Name
North Norway, Aurora Borealis - Hike & Sail & Kayak
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type:  Expedition Yacht Length: 49.5  metres Passenger Capacity: 33 Built / refurbished: 1900's / 1994 / 2011 S/V ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’ was built as a herring lugger early last century. The vessel was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in he Netherlands in 1994 and sailed in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and in Galápagos (1998 - 2001). The vessel underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program until 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations. The ship is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands and offer good open deck viewing areas, also when under sail. The 2 inflatable rubber crafts (zodiacs) enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas.  The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 49,50 meters in length, 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,8 meters. The average cruising speed on engines is 6,5 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 cabins. 1 Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole). S/V ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’ was built as a herring lugger early last century. The vessel was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in he Netherlands in 1994 and sailed in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and in Galápagos (1998 - 2001). The vessel underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program until 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations. Perfect for expedition cruising among small islands The ship is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands and offer good open deck viewing areas, also when under sail. The 2 inflatable rubber crafts (zodiacs) enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas. The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 56 meters in length (168 ft.), 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,5 meters. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 twin cabins in 1 Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole). Comfort and Character The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 56 meters in length (168 ft.), 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,5 meters. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 twin cabins in 1 Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole). - See more at: http://www.oceanwide-expeditions.com/our-fleet/ship/s-v-rembrandt-van-rijn/#sthash.IBRETHkk.dpuf History S/V ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’ was built as a herring lugger early last century. The vessel was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in he Netherlands in 1994 and sailed in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and in Galápagos (1998 - 2001). The vessel underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program until 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations. Perfect for expedition cruising among small islands The ship is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands and offer good open deck viewing areas, also when under sail. The 2 inflatable rubber crafts (zodiacs) enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas. The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 56 meters in length (168 ft.), 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,5 meters. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 twin cabins in 1 Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole). Comfort and Character The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 56 meters in length (168 ft.), 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,5 meters. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 twin cabins in 1 Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole). - See more at: http://www.oceanwide-expeditions.com/our-fleet/ship/s-v-rembrandt-van-rijn/#sthash.IBRETHkk.dpuf S/V ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’ was built as a herring lugger early last century. The vessel was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in he Netherlands in 1994 and sailed in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and in Galápagos (1998 - 2001). The vessel underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program until 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations. - See more at: http://www.oceanwide-expeditions.com/our-fleet/ship/s-v-rembrandt-van-rijn/#sthash.IBRETHkk.dpuf History S/V ‘Rembrandt Van Rijn’ was built as a herring lugger early last century. The vessel was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in he Netherlands in 1994 and sailed in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and in Galápagos (1998 - 2001). The vessel underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program until 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations. Perfect for expedition cruising among small islands The ship is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands and offer good open deck viewing areas, also when under sail. The 2 inflatable rubber crafts (zodiacs) enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas. The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 56 meters in length (168 ft.), 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,5 meters. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 twin cabins in 1 Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole). Comfort and Character The Rembrandt van Rijn measures 56 meters in length (168 ft.), 7 meters in width and has a draft of 2,5 meters. The maximum speed on engines is 9 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 twin cabins in 1 Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), 6 Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), 9 Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole). - See more at: http://www.oceanwide-expeditions.com/our-fleet/ship/s-v-rembrandt-van-rijn/#sthash.IBRETHkk.dpuf

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Paris of the North
Your adventure begins in Tromsø, nicknamed the “Paris of the North,” located in an area rich with Norse and Sámi history. Enjoy exploring this sub-Arctic Norwegian town, said to have been inhabited since the last ice age.
Day 2 - Day 2: Lighting out toward Lyngen
In the morning you depart from Tromsø, sailing through the Grøtsundet and Ullsfjorden, toward the northeast. You arrive in the Nord-Lenangen Fjord that afternoon, just under the Lyngsfjella, or the Lyngen Alps, and stay there for the night. If conditions permit, you may also make a walk along the coast of the fjord, after which evening glimpses of the northern lights may appear if the sky is clear enough.
Day 3 - Day 3 – 6: Into the Nordic fjords
You then sail along the base of the Lyngen Alps, across the Lyngen fjord, and may stay for the night in Hamnnes, on the island of Uløya. Hamnnes is an ancient trade and fishing settlement originating from the 17th century, with typical wooden warehouses to store the dried cod the town still exports for the traditional Mediterranean dish, Bacalhau. Uløya offers good hiking, often on snowshoes.From Hamnnes you sail farther northeast into the Kvaenangen Fjord. Part of the day you sail through the fjords, and in the afternoon you find a harbor for the night in one of the scenic fishing villages, such as Skjervøy, Seglvik, Reinfjord, or Burfjord. There are good hiking possibilities in the area, for example on the Island of Spildra, where we might climb the 240-meter-high (788 feet) Staurhammaren, with expansive views over the fjord. Also in Burfjord, just 50 km (31 miles) from the northerly town of Alta, good hikes can be made.During the evenings and nights, with a clear sky, there are fine opportunities to see auroras.
Day 4 - Day 7: Under the northern lights
Arrival in Tromsø around midday. In the afternoon you enjoy free time to shop for souvenirs in town, visit a museum, or simply take a walk in the fresh winter air. After spending the last night on board, you disembark on day eight (Saturday) with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
Day 5 - Day 8: Goodbye Northern Norway!
Disembarkation in the port of Tromsø at 9:00 a.m. at the latest. Transfer to the airport on your own (not included). Individual journey home with scheduled flight via Oslo back home (flights not included in the cabin price).
Day 6 - Please Note:
North route: The programs and routes described here serve only as a rough guideThe overall program, such as the hiking program on land and the itinerary of the ship at sea, will adapt to the local weather, sea, and snow conditions, and may vary considerably from the route shown. Availability of landing sites also plays a role in the selection of the program. The program may also be changed in response to interesting wildlife observations (e.g., whale sightings). The final decision as to where and in what way the hikes will be implemented is ultimately made by the expedition leader on board. For the hiking program, it is recommended that you bring ankle-high, sturdy boots with gaiters. For wet shore landings via our Zodiac boats, please bring insulated rubber boots with anti-slip soles. Hiking poles with deep snow plates are also required. At the beginning of the season, there is still snow on the coastline, valleys, and in the mountains. For this reason, we offer the option of snowshoes during our hikes on this voyage.Snowshoeing is easy for anyone in good physical condition and requires no technical knowledge. With the use of snowshoes, you can move faster and safer on the snow. Snowshoes are available on board (free of charge) and fit all shoe sizes.As a rule, daily hikes of two to three hours are planned, in the morning and / or afternoon. Approximately 100 to 200 meters (330 to 660 feet) of altitude may be climbed per day, depending on the hike.At midday hikers return for lunch aboard the vessel, but in the event of a full-day hike, participants receive a packed lunch.For all hikes, guests (maximum of 33) are split into two groups under the guidance of experienced guides who take into account the interests and physical fitness of the participants. Hiking routes cannot be determined in advance, because local conditions (ice, weather, etc.) influence the final program. The map outlines a possible but not final itinerary, as all itineraries are subject to change.NEW: Kayak Skills Progression Camp in cooperation with TRAKEver wanted to join a course that teaches useful and effective kayaking skills? Now there’s a chance to learn from the experts. We’re now offering our Kayak Skills Progression Camp, in cooperation with TRAK, to an exclusive group of four to eight kayakers. Participants will be split into two groups of four people, and each group will be offered one outing per day (AM or PM) of about one to two hours. We hope for five activity days, from Sunday to Thursday, subject to local conditions. Kayaking is a supplemental activity that includes the use of TRAK single-seater kayaks and dry suits for the duration of the trip. There will be no supplement for kayakers who bring their own TRAK kayak and dry suit. Basic kayaking experience is helpful but not a requirement. Physical fitness, however, is essential. It can be breezy and cool in the early day, so kayakers must bring their own protective clothes and warm thermal layers. The camp is aimed at beginners and intermediate kayakers who will enjoy kayaking in sheltered fjords, bays, and small secluded harbors. It’s a fun activity in a leisurely format, yet the course will focus on education and skills progression. State-of-the-art, industry leading single-seater touring kayaks engineered by TRAK will be provided on the ship. At midday kayakers will return for lunch aboard the vessel, afterward swapping activities with the hiking group. All kayak outings will be under the guidance of an experienced kayak guide who will take into account the experience and physical fitness levels of the participants. Kayak groups will also be escorted by one Zodiac boat for safety. Kayaking routes cannot be determined in advance, because local conditions will have an influence on the final program. The map outlines a possible but not final itinerary, as all itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-02-202311-02-2023USD $2,550Triple Private
04-02-202311-02-2023USD $2,800Twin Private Inside
04-02-202311-02-2023USD $3,200Twin Private Porthole
04-02-202311-02-2023USD $0Kayaking Is Not Offered On This Departure
11-02-202318-02-2023USD $2,550Triple Private
11-02-202318-02-2023USD $2,800Twin Private Inside
11-02-202318-02-2023USD $3,200Twin Private Porthole
11-02-202318-02-2023USD $0Kayaking Is Not Offered On This Departure
18-02-202325-02-2023USD $3,200Twin Private Porthole
18-02-202325-02-2023USD $0Kayaking Is Not Offered On This Departure
18-02-202325-02-2023USD $2,550Triple Private
18-02-202325-02-2023USD $2,800Twin Private Inside
25-02-202304-03-2023USD $2,550Triple Private
25-02-202304-03-2023USD $2,800Twin Private Inside
25-02-202304-03-2023USD $3,200Twin Private Porthole
25-02-202304-03-2023USD $0Kayaking Is Not Offered On This Departure
04-03-202311-03-2023USD $2,550Triple Private
04-03-202311-03-2023USD $2,800Twin Private Inside
04-03-202311-03-2023USD $3,200Twin Private Porthole
04-03-202311-03-2023USD $0Kayaking Is Not Offered On This Departure
11-03-202318-03-2023USD $2,550Triple Private
11-03-202318-03-2023USD $2,800Twin Private Inside
11-03-202318-03-2023USD $3,200Twin Private Porthole
18-03-202325-03-2023USD $2,550Triple Private
18-03-202325-03-2023USD $2,800Twin Private Inside
18-03-202325-03-2023USD $3,200Twin Private Porthole

Inclusions

    • It’s said that there’s really no better way to get to know a new place than to explore it on foot. That’s why we offer a variety of hikes of various difficulties allowing you to choose anything between a hard day’s hike and an easy stroll that lets you take in the sights.
    • Enjoy Northern Lights. One of the great attractions in the Arctic are the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis.
    • Go shore based walking. Explore the last the true wildernesses of our planet on foot and absorb the beauty of the Polar Regions at your own pace.

Map