Norwegian Arctic Encompassed Adventure Tour

Set sail from Scotland and its beautiful isles en route to the Norwegian fjords and the remote shores of Svalbard on this dazzling 15-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.

Transport  

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

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.

Trip Specific Responsible Travel  

OUR COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

As a leader in sustainable tourism, we are committed to ensuring that all of our marine expeditions operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. All expeditions aboard the G Expedition meet and exceed all environmental regulations and protocols in the regions that we visit.

Staff & Crew:
Our crew and expedition team act as stewards of the environment and are well versed in the strict environmental protocols on board and on land. All of our travellers are thoroughly briefed in these protocols before being allowed to participate in excursions and are always supervised by our team when on shore.

4-stroke Outboard Engines:
In an effort to drastically reduce environmental pollutants 4-stroke outboard engines have been installed on all of our Zodiacs. Our 4-stroke outboard motors use less fuel and produce less noise pollution than 2-stroke engines. Since there is no mixing of oil and gas the exhaust is intrinsically much cleaner and friendlier to the environment.

Planeterra Foundation
Through our commitment to responsible tourism we have developed the Planeterra Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports local community projects and small-business owners worldwide.

Sea Chart Auction:
At the end of each departure, the Captain's Sea Chart is auctioned and all proceeds are donated to the Planeterra to support our community initiatives in places G Adventures travels to.

Our end goal is to minimize the potential negative impact of tourism in the areas in which we operate while maximizing the positive impact of instilling a widened understanding and appreciation of these regions. During our voyages, we ask all our passengers that they see their visit to these areas as a privilege and that they share their newfound knowledge and experiences with others when they return home. We also hope that by bringing people to these regions that they continue to act as ambassadors and stewards of these areas.

Feedback  

After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at customersolutions@gadventures.com and we will send it on to you.

Keeping in Touch on the G Expedition  

While you are on board the G Expedition, we know that keeping in touch with your family and friends is important to you. We want to ensure you have the tools available to keep you connected in some of the most remote regions of the world. We have a satellite system, which allows our travellers to connect to the internet or make phone calls with the purchase of personal data credit. Travellers may use our computer room or use any Wi-Fi enabled device to connect to our network, which is available in public areas on Decks 4 and 5. Satellite phone service is available and private calls can be made from our phone booth. Due to using a satellite connection and travelling in remote regions, internet can be slow and sometimes unavailable. The connection in the high Arctic is particularly challenging and no connection is available while in and around South Georgia Island.

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.

Group Leader  

One expedition team member per 10 guests.

My Own Room  

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops

Arrival Complications  

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier and contact us as soon as possible. If you have a pre-booked transfer, and you have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

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).

A Couple of Rules  

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of people in the sex trade is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they utilize the services of paid sex workers, in any capacity.

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

Please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.

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

Packing List  

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Expedition:
• Binoculars (highly recommended)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Credit cards (Please note the Expedition is cashless and only accepts credit cards for payment.)
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Drybag (To protect your camera and belongings on Zodiac landings)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Recommended for Antarctic camping)
• Fleece jacket or warm layer
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear (good gripping) (Please note that open toed shoes are not allowed in public spaces on the Expedition.)
• Hat
• Long pants/jeans
• Moisturizer/lip balm
• Moneybelt
• Motion sickness tablets
• Outlet adapter (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.)
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Scarf (Or neck warmer.)
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Sunblock (Antarctica is a desert!)
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Thermal base layer
• Thermal underwear
• Toiletries (Shampoo and shower gel are provided aboard the Expedition.)
• Walking poles (if desired)
• Warm hat
• Warm waterproof gloves
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof pants (Mandatory for all Zodiac landings)
• Wool/Heavy socks

Health & Safety:
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Max Pax  

134

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.

Optional Activities  

Lerwick
- Shetland Museum visit

Minimum Age  

Minimum age of 10 years for this trip.

Meals Included  

14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners

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

Accommodation  

Aboard the G Expedition in quad-, triple-, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window, 14 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen-size bed.

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-ons per person. Most airlines are currently enforcing strict restrictions for checked luggage and carry-on bags. To avoid any problems on check-in and with possible excess baggage charges, please consult your airline for specific restrictions.

In the world's most remote destinations that we travel to on the G Expedition, we cannot offload our plastics, glass or tin waste for recycling. Therefore, we try to reduce what single use items we use. You will see on the ship that every effort is being made 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 reusable 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 participation in helping to prevent pollution and promote recycling is greatly appreciated.

Laundry  

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

Dossier Disclaimer  

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

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.

Emergency Fund  

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

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.

Group Size Notes  

Max 134 aboard the G Expedition.

What's Included  

14 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.

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.

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.