Killer whale weekend in Norway
| country: | Norway |
| departures: | 2008: 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 5 Dec, 12 Dec, 23 Dec, 30 Dec |
| price: | From £985 - £1099 (4 days) including flights from the UK. Single supplement from £135. This trip can also be booked without flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Between October and January each year the still waters of Tysfjord in northern Norway are disturbed by one of nature's most spectacular sights: the unique 'carrousel feeding' technique of the mighty Orca, or Killer Whale.
Vast shoals of Herring move into the fjord during the winter, followed by predatory Orcas working together in family pods of up to 30 individuals. First the Herring are corralled into a tight ball and then stunned by killer blows of the Orcas' massive tail flukes. We hope to witness this extraordinary spectacle at close quarters from our boat, and then - perhaps the ultimate whale-watching experience - we have the chance to take to the icy waters and snorkel amongst the Orcas.
After a lecture from our specialist whale guide we board our boat and head into dramatic Tysfjord. Searching for the distinctive, tall dorsal fins of the Orca (and the giveaway flocks of seabirds and Fish Eagles which follow the whale pods), we expect on a typical day to see plenty of whales and witness 'carrousel feeding' in action. More closely related to dolphins than other whales, the Orca is nonetheless one of the ocean's most awesome predators - hunting in highly organised groups and equipped with jaws capable of taking on even the mighty Blue Whale.
On our second day at Tysfjord we have the opportunity (subject to availability and weather conditions) to take to the water in drysuits and snorkel amongst the Orcas. With expert help we hope to observe first hand the awesome skill of the Orcas as they prey on the Herring shoals, and witness the complex language of sonar clicks used by the whales to communicate with one another. This is a rare opportunity to observe one of the ocean's most impressive creatures at close quarters: an encounter never to be forgotten!
Vast shoals of Herring move into the fjord during the winter, followed by predatory Orcas working together in family pods of up to 30 individuals. First the Herring are corralled into a tight ball and then stunned by killer blows of the Orcas' massive tail flukes. We hope to witness this extraordinary spectacle at close quarters from our boat, and then - perhaps the ultimate whale-watching experience - we have the chance to take to the icy waters and snorkel amongst the Orcas.
After a lecture from our specialist whale guide we board our boat and head into dramatic Tysfjord. Searching for the distinctive, tall dorsal fins of the Orca (and the giveaway flocks of seabirds and Fish Eagles which follow the whale pods), we expect on a typical day to see plenty of whales and witness 'carrousel feeding' in action. More closely related to dolphins than other whales, the Orca is nonetheless one of the ocean's most awesome predators - hunting in highly organised groups and equipped with jaws capable of taking on even the mighty Blue Whale.
On our second day at Tysfjord we have the opportunity (subject to availability and weather conditions) to take to the water in drysuits and snorkel amongst the Orcas. With expert help we hope to observe first hand the awesome skill of the Orcas as they prey on the Herring shoals, and witness the complex language of sonar clicks used by the whales to communicate with one another. This is a rare opportunity to observe one of the ocean's most impressive creatures at close quarters: an encounter never to be forgotten!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly London/Evenes; bus and ferry to Tysfjord |
| Day 2: | Whale watching by boat with specialist guide; optional Aurora Borealis safari by boat or minibus (subject to clear skies) |
| Day 3: | Second day of whale watching: choice of snorkelling with Orcas, a Zodiac safari, or whale watching from a larger vessel (all optional). |
| Day 4: | Ferry and bus to Evenes; fly London |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
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This trip is aimed at being able to watch and appreciate the Killer Whales whilst ensuring there is no adverse impact to their feeding patterns and environment. We are able to see them close up and this, in combination with having the opportunity to be guided by whale specialists, ensures a greater understanding and respect for these mighty beasts and the fragile waters they inhabit. Along with this our transport, hotels and suppliers are all locally owned and run and we encourage the consumption of local cuisine.
Our Tour Leaders are all trained by us in the importance of responsible tourism with guidance given on how they can make a difference. This then percolates down through those they deal with. As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |