Lofoten Island Explorer

Voyage Highlights

• Viking heritage
• WIldlife and wilderness
• Dramatic mountains
• Deep Fjords
• Magnificent light conditions
• Fascinating birdlife

Lofoten

Lofoten, said to be one of the most magical places on earth.

The Lofoten Islands are draped across the turbulent waters of hte Norwegian Sea, far above the Arctic Citcle. This rare wilderness outpost offers an untrammelled landscape of majestic mountains, deep fjords, squarking seabird colonies and long, surf-swept beaches.

If you are seeking unforgettable nature experinces Lofoten will definitely not let you down. Due to the area’s diverse landscape, you can hiking, skiing, fishing, ocean rafting or scuba diving. Lofoten is also one of Norway’s best sites for surfing, and on e of the world’s northernmost.

Lofoten has a strong connectin to the Viking Age, and at Lofotr Viking Museum you can experience the Viking Age as it really was. At Borg, archaeologists have discovered the largest Viking longhouse ever found from this era.

Due to the warm Gulf Stream, Lofoten has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at the same latitude. Between late May and mid July you can experinece the midnight sun, whilst the Northern lights can be viewed from September to mid April.

The rapidly changing weather and magnificent light conditions have inspired artists and drawn them to this area for several decades, which is evidnet in the many art galleries and photo exhibitions.

Tromso – Bodo.  Lofoten Islands Explorer

This is a typical itinerary. What makes an adventure holiday so special however is that there can be no fixed itinerary and no part of this is guaranteed. The wind and the weather ultimately shape what’s possible each day but everything is very flexible within that.  Some of the possible places we stop will be:

Tromso

Explore the various attractions of this Northern Norwegian metropolis that is know as “Paris of the North”, including Polaria, the modern polar experience centre, and the old-style, but very charming, polar museum.

Senja

Depending on the wind conditions, we will sail along the East or West Coast of Senja, with the opportunity to stop in a number of pretty anchorages.

Harstad

Explore this interesting town, once a metropolis of trading and fishing, but in the 20^th century it benefitted form the oil and gas industry and the military presence.

Nyvangar

Opportunity to go ashore and visit an interesting aquarium, art gallery and a few museums, all providing deeper knowledge and background in the traditions and cultures of Lofoten.

Digermuelen

A magical hidden gem where we will anchor.  There is the opportunity for hiking, and exploring ashore.

Trollfjord and the surrounding mountains

Trollfjorden is famous for its steep granite walls descending 500 metres right down into the narrow fjord. At only 100m wide this narrow passage through the cliffs allows for spotting the birds nesting on the cliff walls as we get right up close.   Walk up into the homeland of the Trolls and feel the trollic atmosphere.

Haversand

A great isolated anchorage for a spot of swimming!

Skorova

Climbing the mountain Skrovafjellet with its great views of all the Lofoten Islands towards the West and the West fjord, Hamaroy and Steigen in the east.

Lille Molla

Anchorage of Lille Molla.  Hard to do justice to, when you look at brochure shots of the Lofotens, this is often the view they will choose!  There will be time for a hike ashore.

Reine and the Reine Fjord.

Reine is a beautiful harbour, one of the most photographed places in Lofoten.  Opportunities to go ashore and hike to the Bunes beach on the North Side.  Also, can hike up to the “peak of Hell” reaching straight up from the beach 66 metres into the air.  The peak of Reinebringen is an obvious choice for extraordinary views. Rent a kayak for a few hours.

Bodo

In Bodø, all sorts of activities are right on your doorstep. Enjoy your beer or a glass of Chablis outdoors on the quayside whilst sea eagles soar across the horizon. Stamp your feet to a hard-hitting rock concert in the city park, or go shopping in the city’s modern malls or small specialist shops. In the winter, you can experience the northern lights from the pier in the harbour, or even better, from Rønvikfjellet mountain just outside the city centre.

Bodø is situated on a peninsula in Northern Norway and offers a varied assortment of adventures. Here, you can go kayaking or golfing under the midnight sun, take a tour on a fast passenger boat through the impressive archipelago, or fish in the world’s strongest tidal current, Saltstraumen. At Kjærringøy, you can experience Norway’s best-preserved seaside trading post, which was a great inspiration for Hamsun’s novels, and enjoy the gentle island pace as well as beautiful beaches and jagged peaked mountains.

Bodø is home to around 50,000 people and is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, with a lively urban scene. For those interested in arts and crafts, Bodø has a diverse community of local artists, glass blowers, potters, and jewellery makers.

The city also has a well developed music community, which has produced and continues to discover new talents on local, national and international stages. In the month of August, Bodø hosts two large music festivals, “Parkenfestivalen” and “Nordland Musikkfestuke”, both attracting thousands of people. Still, as Lonely Planet suggests, the city’s main charm lies in its backdrop of distant rugged peaks and vast skies. The Børvasstindan mountain range offers both hiking and climbing opportunities, and the Bodømarka forest is great for skiing in the wintertime and long walks in the summer season. Bodø also has the densest population of white-tailed sea eagles in the world, which is why the city is often referred to as the Sea eagle capital.

What is included in the voyage cost:

• All meals on board Blue Clipper – including daily breakfast, lunch and evening meal
• Refreshments throughout the day
• Use of safety equipment
• Accommodation in a twin en suite cabin
• All instruction and lectures on board by fully qualified crew

What is not included:

• Travel to and from the boat
• Personal travel insurance. Check out Top Sail for specialist Tall Ship sailing travel insurance
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Any shore excursions and meals on shore (unless otherwise stated)
• VISA fees