Date
May 29, 2025 - Jun 8, 2025
Trip Type
By Sea

Group Size: Up to 114 guests across all sponsors
Price: Starting from $8,990 per person double occupancy, $13,495 single occupancy
Co-sponsored with: American Horticultural Society, Archaeological Institute of America, Carleton College Alumni Adventures, National Trust Tours, Yale Alumni Academy

 

Activity Level
3

Trip Overview

Embark on an exploration of the magnificent landscapes, remote islands, ancient settlements, and idyllic villages of Norway and northern Scotland, cruising during the peak of spring, with long days of bright-green scenery speckled with blooming flowers and rushing waterfalls in the fjords from snow melting in the mountains. This eight-night itinerary, from Inverness to the Orkney Islands and along the Norwegian Coast above the Arctic Circle, seamlessly blends the wonders of the natural world with the historical and cultural highlights of the area. Begin and end your journey in the remote Orkney Islands and Norway's Lofoten Islands, both showcasing wild landscapes and ancient remains. The cruise includes ample time to explore Norway's iconic fjords, including Sognefjord, Norway’s longeest, as well as Naeroyfjord and Geirangerfjord, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Delight in the comforts of the newly renovated 72-stateroom Exploris One, experiencing Zodiac cruises along the nesting cliffs of Runde and whale watching in the Lofotens. Step ashore at picturesque fjord-side towns like Ålesund and tiny villages like A, Reine, and Nusfjord, immersing yourself in the rich history, natural beauty, and unique experiences of these captivating destinations.

Schedule by Day

Depart U.S for Inverness, Scotland

Arrive Inverness and transfer to hotel for welcome dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Kingsmills Hotel

Meals: D

AM lecture followed by exploration of Inverness Old Town and indoor Victorian market with lunch on your own
during free time in town; Afternoon optional visits 1) Clava Cairns or 2) Cawdor Castle & Gardens before embarking Exploris One this afternoon.

Overnight: Exploris One

Meals: B, D

FD in Kirkwall beginning with morning visits to the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage site; return to the ship for lunch and set out this afternoon on one of two options: 1) exploration of Kirkwall including the medieval St. Magnus Cathedral with free time in town for independent exploration; or 2) visit the finest green spaces on the island, including private gardens with a local expert.

Overnight: Exploris One

Meals: B, L, D

Full-day at sea to enjoy the amenities of the ship and continue with the lecture series. Arrive at the entrance of Sognefjord for sunset.

Overnight: Exploris One

Meals: B, L, D

AM Explore Vik, a picture-perfect village on the banks of the Sognefjord, home of Hoppestad Stave church, one of only 28 remaining and the oldest in Norway; with options to then 1) embark on a food tour including intro to local cheese “gamalost”; 2) explore Moahugane Burial Mounds; or 3) visit Djupvik, home of a unique mythological garden on the banks of the Sognefjord; PM cruising along the UNESCO World Heritage Naeroyfjord back out to the Sognefjord

Overnight: Exploris One

Meals: B, L, D

AM cruising with time for lectures; PM arrive Nordfjordeid for access to UNESCO World Heritage Geirangerfjord via coach drives with stops at Dalsnibba, Flydalsjuvet, and Eagle Bend, the best spots for views of the Geiranger and the surrounding landscapes. Options include a local farm visit, guided hike, or boat excursion on the fjord.

Overnight: Exploris One

Meals: B, L, D

AM cruise by bird cliffs at Runde, nesting site of over 240 species including puffins then visit beautiful Ålesund, with Art Nouveau buildings and islands stretching out into the ocean; optional excursions include: 1)Medieval village of Sunmøre, an open-air museum; 2) Viking’s Island, or 3) in-depth city walk including Mt Aksla & free time; PM cruising with time for lectures.

Overnight: Exploris One

Meals: B, L, D

AM exploration of Bronnoysund paired with optional excursions: 1)Torghatten Walk; 2) Herb Farm; or whale watching in Vega Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage site. PM cruise across the Arctic Circle with time for whale-watching.

Overnight: Exploris One

Meals: B, L, D

Full day in Lofoten Islands, stopping in photogenic small fishing villages with options to explore the towns of Å, Reine, and Nusfjord; visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, home to the world’s biggest Viking house; or focus on Lofoten Sustainable Farming during a food tour; PM evening cruise through beautiful, narrow and steep-sided Trollfjorden with its birdlife & waterfalls; Captain’s farewell reception and dinner.

Overnight: Exploris One

Meals: B, L, R, D

Transfers to Bodø airport or optional morning tour in Bobo for those with late flights.

Meals: B

Pricing

Category

Double Occupancy 

(Per Person)

Single Occupancy
Premium Stateroom, Deck 3 $8,990 $13,495

Ocean Stateroom, Deck 3

Sold out

$9,790 $13,990

Superior Stateroom, Deck 4

Sold out

$10,290 N/A

Deluxe Stateroom, Deck 4

Sold out

$10,990 N/A

Balcony Stateroom, Deck 5

Sold out

$11,990 N/A

Discovery Suite, Deck 5

Sold out

$13,990 N/A

Navigator Suite, Deck 7

Sold out

$14,490 N/A

Grand Suite, Deck 7

Sold out

$15,990 N/A

Owner's Suite, Deck 7

Sold out

$16,990 N/A

Accommodations

  • One night at the Kingsmills Hotel
  • Eight nights aboard Exploris One

Extensions

Optional Pre-Extension: Scottish Highlands In Depth May 26 - 30, 2025 More information coming soon
Optional Post-Extension: Art & Gardens of Oslo Jun 8 -11, 2025 More information coming soon

What to Expect

Activity Level 3

This is a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy and requires participants to be in good health and able to keep up with the group without assistance from tour staff. To make the most of what each locale has to offer, shore excursions will be active, and you will often be spending much of the day off the ship. These adventure-filled days will be offset by relaxing time spent cruising at sea, with the opportunity to enjoy the ship’s amenities and the full lecture program. Travel on land will be by modern air-conditioned motorcoach, with most drives lasting under an hour at a time (except for our drive to see Geirangerfjord which takes approximately 1.5 hours each way. Daily activities can involve up to two miles of walking, often over unpaved paths, grassy areas, and uneven terrain where stairs are unavailable or do not have handrails. If you rely on a cane or walker, you may not be able to visit all sites on the program. Many historic buildings do not have elevators. Excursions will also involve standing, often in the warm sun. On board the Exploris One, an elevator connects all passenger decks. The ship does not have facilities for wheelchair-dependent passengers; there is no wheelchair-accessible cabin nor chair lift on board. Aboard ship, you should feel comfortable walking on a rocking surface at times. You will need to climb into and out of Zodiac inflatable tenders for some shore excursions (staff and crew will be on hand to assist). You do not have to participate in all scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination.

Study Leader(s)

Margaret Brooks Robinson Professor of Celtic Languages and Literatures; Chair of the Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures

Mode of Travel

Exploris One features 60 cabins and 12 suites, among the most spacious available on board expedition ships. Passengers can enjoy a fitness and well-being area, panoramic decks and lounges, as well as outdoor jacuzzis for a moment of relaxation with a view between explorations.

For More Information

Please email haatravels@harvard.edu or call our office at 800-422-1636 or 617-496-0806.