A photography trip featuring Tromsø & the Lofoten Islands ..... port-âside Aker Bryggeâwith its eclectic fusion
I T I N E R A R Y NORWAY: N O R T H E R N L IG H TS | A R C TI C L IF E & L A N D S C A PE S A photography trip featuring Tromsø & the Lofoten Islands
October 20-‐29, 2018 October 20-‐31, 2018 with Oslo extension
Top: Ersfjordbotn, on Kvaløya, 30 minutes from Tromsø | Bottom: Church on island of Gimsøya, Lofoten | both © Temu Nana (tour leader)
OVERVIEW:
Overnight:
October 20, 2018, Saturday
Depart home
October 21, Sunday
Arrive TROMSØ, Norway | 1st opportunity to see the lights
Tromsø
October 22, Monday
TROMSØ & environs | AURORA (aka OPEN SKY) HUNT*
Tromsø
October 23, Tuesday
TROMSØ & environs | AURORA (aka OPEN SKY) HUNT*
Tromsø
October 24, Wednesday
TROMSØ & environs | Mid-‐PM into evening outing
M/V Spitsbergen
October 25, Thursday
SAILING THE NORTHERN FJORDS | SVOLVÆR, Lofotens
Lofoten Islands (Svolvær)
October 26, Friday
EXPLORING THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS
Lofoten Islands (Reine)
October 27, Saturday
EXPLORING THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS
Lofoten Islands (Reine)
October 28, Sunday
EXPLORING THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS
Lofoten Islands (Reine)
October 29, Monday
Either fly back home from Leknes via Oslo or:
Optional extension:
Continue to OSLO for an optional extension
Oslo
October 30, Sunday
OSLO
Oslo
October 31, Monday
Fly back home from Oslo
*While we’ll have the opportunity to see the lights on every night of the trip, on October 22nd and 23rd we are prepared to travel all the way to Finland with our expert local partners if local weather conditions in/around Tromsø are not ideal for viewing the lights. They are experts in “light chasing,” with extensive experience monitoring local weather patterns to find open sky to see the lights.
After traveling to a collective 150 countries between them, Open Sky’s Alex Ros & Temu Nana don’t easily impress. But Northern Norway has blown them away. The landscape is stunning, the locals remarkably friendly (living an exceptionally advanced life in harmony with nature & tradition north of the Arctic Circle)…and the spectacle in the sky is truly jaw-‐ dropping. Two scouting trips, a co-‐led trip with friends this March to test out partners, and countless hours spent over a year in development have resulted in this now refined trip design combining the strategically-‐located Troms region with the stunning Lofoten Islands via a deluxe cruise in the gorgeous northern fjords. A FEW TRIP HIGHLIGHTS • Opportunities on four nights to photograph the northern lights based out of beautiful Tromsø, one of the best locations on the planet to see the aurora. *see below & section after itinerary “A true Open Sky Expedition” • Several days exploring the incomparably beautiful Lofoten Islands, a photographer’s dream (people are starting to notice… this is the time to go!), with their breathtaking vistas, fishing villages, distinct history and fantastic setting for aurora displays. • Stays at deluxe hotels—including cozy and historic fishermen’s cabins in the southern Lofoten Islands—and a relaxing cruise down the beautiful northern fjords between Tromsø and the islands aboard the state-‐of-‐the-‐art M/V Nordkapp, aptly timed halfway through the trip. • An itinerary specifically designed for photographers, molded with just the right amount of flexibility, paced with balance in mind between day and night, and for the experience as a whole. • Open Sky’s Temu Nana, now a night photography expert, as your Tour Leader, and a world-‐class astrophotographer as our main guide in the Lofoten Islands. • Dedicated sessions on how to best photograph the aurora, plus guidance and opportunities to post-‐process images. • Pro photographer Jay Seldin as your host, imparting his expertise throughout the trip. Location, Location, Location! Set above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø lies right under the Auroral Oval (even nights with KP values of 0 or 1 can have stunning displays!) yet is moderated temperature-‐wise by the Gulf Stream, and has a unique strategic location that allows “light chasers” to traverse a variety of local microclimates in several directions to find open sky. Carefully vetted local partners are experts at this, prepared to take us all the way to Finland for the nightly spectacle if local weather is not ideal.
ITINERARY Saturday, October 20, 2018 Depart Home Sunday, October 21 Oslo | TROMSØ, Norway | First opportunity to see the lights Overview
• Arrive in Oslo and connect up to Tromsø • Transfer to the hotel, settle in • Evening outing within an hour’s drive if lights are out
After arriving in Oslo, take a short connecting flight up to Tromsø, north of the Arctic Circle. From the airport, transfer to our ideally located waterside hotel in the center of the walkable core of the city, and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. We plan to take advantage of every opportunity to see and photograph the lights, so be ready to head out this evening if the local weather is favorable! Keeping in mind most will have traveled a long way, we’ll keep the target area relatively local so that we don’t stay out too late––but if the lights are out, we have no doubt excitement will propel you for a first encounter. Overnight at Clarion The Edge in Tromsø Monday, October 22 TROMSØ and environs | AURORA HUNT a.k.a. a true OPEN SKY EXPEDITION 1.0 Overview
• Tour of Tromsø and nearby highlights • Tutorial on photographing the lights • A determined Aurora Hunt tonight, radius expanded all the way to Finland
The final order and timing of our sightseeing on this trip will remain necessarily flexible to the main attraction: the lights at night, and specifically how late we stay out each night. This will in particular influence our start times each so we can find a healthy balance of sleep and activity. Today, having kept it relatively local last night, we’ll plan to head out not too long after the wonderful breakfast spread at the hotel. Our main daytime activity will be a guided visit to the city of Tromsø, itself fascinating, beautifully set, and remarkably developed for what elsewhere would simply be an outpost this far north. While our flexible approach will cater to our group’s particular interests, we’ll plan to include a walk in the attractive central district near our hotel, a visit to the stunning Arctic Cathedral across the fjord, the Northern Norway Science Center with its excellent presentation on the lights, and an opportunity in the area to learn and interface with local Sami culture. After some time at leisure, convene again in the late afternoon prior for a dedicated tutorial on how to best photograph the lights. Then, as day turns to night, come prepared for a special night out, heading out of Tromsø with truly expert local partners on a well-‐resourced “aurora hunt.” Weather conditions will greatly influence our route... If skies are open locally, we’ll have a plethora of striking locations relatively nearby to choose. If they are not, Tromsø’s strategic location and the region’s excellent road network will come into play, as we may find ourselves traveling all the way to Finland to find open sky! [See box after bios entitled “A true Open Sky Expedition”] Our guides will know exactly where to take us, and will even come prepared with additional cold-‐weather gear should we venture far inland where temperatures can feel more latitude-‐appropriate. Either way, a light dinner will be served at some point on our night out, likely around a campfire if conditions allow it. It promises to be an unforgettable evening in the Arctic. Overnight at Clarion The Edge in Tromsø (B, D) Tuesday, October 23
TROMSØ and environs | AURORA HUNT a.k.a. a true OPEN SKY EXPEDITION 2.0 Overview
• Flexible daytime, options offered • A second determined Aurora Hunt tonight, radius again expanded all the way to Finland.
As the previous night may go particularly late if we venture out to Finland, today’s approach for daytime is intentionally more leisurely. Enjoy the balance of the day to rest, go through photos, explore Tromsø independently, or even consider an optional outing in the vicinity we could facilitate on your behalf (such as a visit to a traditional sauna, or an opportunity to visit reindeer herders, or try out dog-‐sledding). Time and interest permitting, another informal workshop on photographing the lights may be organized. Either way, tonight, we’ll set out on a second special night of chasing the lights – with a target radius that again could bring us to Finland if the conditions warrant it. Overnight at Clarion The Edge in Tromsø (B, D) Wednesday, October 24 TROMSØ and environs | ARCTIC LANDSCAPES, DAY into NIGHT | Late night embarkation Overview
• Morning at leisure • Arctic Landscapes excursion, from afternoon into night, with possibility of lights • Late night embarkation on M/V Nordkapp
Enjoy a final morning of rest and relaxation in Tromsø. After a late checkout, those interested can join us at a local restaurant for lunch (facilitated, but not pre-‐included if a late night prompted a late breakfast). This afternoon we’ll depart on our main outing earlier than on previous days, for an excursion that will specifically combine day and night, allowing us explore and photograph the striking Arctic landscapes of the region in daylight, and weather permitting, the glorious transition of late afternoon light into twilight, elongated and of a particular character in these northern latitudes. If our prior night aurora hunts had us mostly chasing open sky towards the east, we’ll focus west on the island of Kvaløya; otherwise we’ll head east towards the Lyngen Alps. Either way, we’ll enjoy multiple photo stops, plan for a light nature walk or two, and hope to encounter some local wildlife along the way. After dinner at a local restaurant, we’ll check the skies and our energy levels for another shot at the lights. There is a time limit as we must be back in Tromsø in time for embarkation around midnight onto the M/V Spitsbergen, our relaxing ride down to the next stage of the journey. Overnight onboard the M/V Spitsbergen (B, D) Thursday, October 25 SAILING THE NORTHERN FJORDS | SVOLVÆR, Lofoten Islands | Possible lights by night Overview
• Leisurely day sailing beautiful northern fjords en route to Lofoten Islands • 6:30pm arrival to Svolvær, check-‐in to hotel a short walk from the pier • First outing, weather permitting, to photograph lights on the Islands
Enjoy a relaxing day navigating the beautiful northern fjords en route to the Lofoten Islands. Aside from simply enjoying and photographing the fantastic scenery (the ship has several wonderful lounges with large windows and public deck spaces from which to take it all in), spend some time going through your photos, or simply relax and enjoy a change of pace, well-‐timed, in the middle of the trip. We’ve included the excellent buffet lunch served onboard, and you’ll also have the opportunity for a short walk in the charming ports the ship will stop in during the day (stops of a half hour or longer include Harstad, Sortland & Stokmarkness). In the late afternoon, if conditions permit, the ship will navigate to an impressive narrow fjord as we near the Lofoten Islands. We are scheduled to arrive at 6:30pm to Svolvær, the lovely capital of the Lofoten Islands, where we’ll disembark and transfer to our stylish hotel for the night, the Thon Hotel Lofotens, conveniently located within walking distance of the
pier. Enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure in the charming downtown, or if the weather cooperates and you’re up for it, join us on a first ride out to photograph the lights on the Islands, together with an expert astrophotographer who will be with us for the next few days. We’ll have a number of excellent locations to choose from nearby (such as the church on the front cover, on the neighboring island of Gimsøya). Overnight at the Thon Hotel Lofotens in Svolvær (B, L) Friday, October 26 LOFOTEN ISLANDS: SVOLVÆR | HENNINGSVÆR | LOFOTR VIKING MUSEUM | LEKNES | REINE | Possible lights by night Overview
• Day tour down four of the Lofoten Islands (from Austvågøya to Moskensøya), including Henningsvær (the “Venice of Lofoten”), the excellent Lofotr Viking Museum, a delicious seafood lunch in Leknes, etc. • Late afternoon arrival to amazingly beautiful Reine, our home for the next three nights • Weather-‐permitting night outing for the lights
Check out of the hotel after breakfast this morning, and enjoy a lovely day exploring north to south between Svolvær and Reine, with as many photo stops as we deem fitting en route. Our plan is flexible, but highlights along the way include the picturesque fishing village of Henningsvær—sometimes referred to as the “Venice of Lofoten”—with its colorful harbor-‐side buildings set before the steep mountain backdrop of Austvågøya, the excellent Lofotr Viking Museum with its marvelous reconstruction of the largest Viking building found in Scandinavia adjacent to the site, and a delightful seafood lunch at a cozy restaurant in the village of Leknes. If it is open, we may also make a stop at a cheese farm (our astrophotographer guide is close to the owner) for a tasting. Later in the day, arrive in glorious Reine, crowning jewel of the Islands in the eyes of many, and our breathtakingly set home for the next three nights. Settle into our delightful hotel, Reine Rorbeur, where bright-‐red-‐painted fishermen’s cabins have been turned into cozy cottages (we have selected some of the best for our group). Tonight we’ll again have the option to go out for the northern lights, with some awesome backdrops just minutes away. Overnight at Reine Rorbuer in Reine (B, L) Saturday, October 27 & Sunday, October 28 LOFOTEN ISLANDS: EXPLORING OUT OF REINE | BEACHES & BEYOND | Possible lights by night Overview
• Two full days exploring based out of Reine with our expert local photographer, on a flexible schedule responsive to weather/light conditions, group interests, pace of trip thus far. • Highlights: Countless breathtaking vistas in Reine, neighboring villages, and stunningly-‐set island beaches. • Weather-‐permitting night outings for the lights, and a special final dinner
We’ve allotted two full final days to explore and photograph the majesty of the Lofoten Islands based out of the beautiful village of Reine. Our final proposed schedule will remain flexible to short-‐term weather forecasts and a read of the group, with countless options available within striking distance. Even just minutes away, fantastic vantage points abound over the villages of Reine and neighboring Hamnoy, photo-‐worthy in various weather conditions and angles of light. Further out, inspiring vistas and in particular a host of scenic beaches call us forth, with raw beauty, distinct moods, reflections, and even as spectacular settings for the aurora at night, which we’ll have a final two nights to marvel at and photograph. With two private vehicles at out disposal on the islands, we’ll have additional flexibility to cater to different energy and interest levels at this juncture of the trip. A balance of activity and enjoyment of our cozy hotel will be factored in, where we should also have time to process images and learn from our local photography partners. Enjoy a final dinner together tonight either in the delightful ambiance of the hotel’s restaurant OR if weather-‐wise it turns out one of the best nights, while on a final night outing to marvel at and photograph the lights. Overnight at Reine Rorbuer in Reine (Bx2, Dx2)
Monday, October 29 Reine | Fly out from Leknes Transfer to the airport in Leknes in time for outbound flights. (B) OPTIONAL TWO-‐NIGHT EXTENSION: Alternate for Monday, October 29 Reine | Leknes | OSLO Overview
• After a leisurely morning, fly from Leknes direct to Oslo • Take the express train the airport to the city center, check-‐in to hotel steps from main station • Informal dusk or evening photo walk with Jay & Temu
Transfer to Leknes airport in time for a direct early afternoon flight to Oslo. On arrival, take the convenient express train direct from the airport into downtown (often twice as fast as a vehicle), checking in to our centrally located hotel just steps away from main train station. The rest of the day is officially at leisure, but those interested can join Jay & Temu for a walk around dusk and into the early evening. Overnight at Thon Hotel Opera in Oslo (B) Tuesday, October 30 OSLO Overview
• Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Oslo together with a local photographer-‐guide. • Visit the downtown area, Aker Brygge & Grünnerløkka • Time at leisure to explore independently
Spend the balance of the day visiting and photographing downtown Oslo on foot, including the stately Sentrum area, port-‐side Aker Brygge—with its eclectic fusion of industrial and modern architecture—and hip Grünnerløkka, replete with cozy bars and restaurants. We’ll have a local photographer-‐guide to show us around, as well as time at leisure to explore on our own. Overnight at Thon Hotel Opera in Oslo (B) Wednesday, October 31 OSLO | Fly home Transfer back to the Oslo airport via express train. (B)
TOUR LEADERS
PRO PHOTOGRAPHER HOST Jay Seldin is a teacher, photographer, adventurer, author and world citizen. He has spent the better half of his life in the classroom as an educator in art, photography, photojournalism and digital design—as well as now over a decade taking amateur and professional photographers alike to exotic locales around the globe. Composition, use of natural light, self-‐expression and story-‐telling are primary in his photography. Jay has exhibited globally, holds several degrees including a Masters in Visual Art & Photography, is sponsored by Canon digital papers as an “Ambassador in Photography,” and his work has been collected by major corporations & museums. Beyond such credentials, he is more importantly a true artist and a natural host who will joyfully impart his knowledge and enthusiastically experience Norway’s wonders with you. PHOTOGRAPHER-‐TRIP DIRECTOR Temu Nana is the son of an international airline pilot, hailing largely from Michigan but with roots in Canada & Pakistan. He brings a rare set of skills to a photography tour, combining extensive professional tour leading/logistics experience with a knack for making people feel at ease and well-‐developed talent as a photographer—in particular with night photography, a specialty he has been honing in on over the last several years traveling the globe and leading photography tours. Temu played a crucial role in developing this trip together with OSE owner Alex Ros, including two rounds of scouting starting over a year ago, and a co-‐led first trip this spring. He is especially looking forward to that first moment you gaze up, mouth wide open, in awe of the aurora.
LOCAL EXPERTS/GUIDES In/around Tromsø, we’ll have several excellent local guides with expertise that best corresponds to the particular outing we’re on. In some cases, driver-‐guides will work together with Temu. In others, additional experts will join us, such as for the city tour, or for the big aurora hunts. On the latter we have ensured our guides are also experts in photographing the aurora (a few are Nat Geo published for their work). (see box next page “A True Open Sky Expedition” for some notes on guide selection in Tromsø) In the Lofoten Islands, we are delighted to be joined by Alex Conu, a professional photographer with an impressive resume who recently completed a four-‐year project to photograph the islands on invitation by local tourism authorities. Originally from Romania and educated as an astrophysicist, Alex pivoted career paths in his 20’s to pursue his passion of photography, making a name for himself in the fashion industry and as an acclaimed astrophotographer. A key member of TWAN (The World At Night), and the winner of The International Earth & Sky Contest in 2016 amongst numerous accolades, his night sky photos have been published in many magazines—National Geographic, Sky and Telescope, The Sky at Night, to name a few—as well as leading astronomy websites such as NASA’s APOD, spaceweather.com, and USRA’s EPOD. Via his time based out of Reine from 2013 to 2017, dedicated to photographing the islands, Alex knows the archipelago like the back of his hand, an asset he began sharing with photographers visiting the islands a few years back. As an astrophysicist, Alex looks forward to sharing with us his deep understanding of the astronomical phenomena he photographs. (see some of Alex’s photography on the next page)
From Alex Conu’s Instagram, @alexconu| Djupford & Selection from 2017
Temu (left) and Alex Conu (right) in Gimsøya, March ‘18 Taken by OSE’s Alex Ros while refining itinerary
A TRUE OPEN SKY EXPEDITION…WITH TOP LOCAL EXPERTS | OUR MISSION FOR OCTOBER 22 & 23 The Troms region’s location smack in the center of the auroral oval makes it less an issue of whether the lights will be overhead (while never a guarantee, it’s just about as close as you can get to it) but whether clouds will get in the way of the view. Thus, in essence, an aurora hunt becomes mostly an expedition to find open sky…. something we of course find exciting and meant-‐to-‐be…. Unlike Iceland, an island with a road network mostly near the ocean-‐weather-‐influenced coast (not to mention lower latitude requiring slightly higher KP values), or even the beautiful Lofoten Islands and their limited weather-‐escaping options… Tromsø has the unique benefit of being not only easy to get to, but also of an excellent road network that sprouts out through stunning scenery in all different directions—and in particular to the east, deep inland, towards and into Finland, where the effects of ocean-‐influenced climate or even larger weather systems may be possible to escape. In turn, a booming industry has been born in Tromsø, the newfound capital of “aurora hunting.” We carefully researched and then tried out a number of top-‐rated potential partners, asking ourselves: Were they actually equipped to carefully monitor the weather and microclimates… in essence, to help us find open sky? Were the guides truly excellent, and importantly, skilled photographers themselves? Would they be a fit for and responsive to a private group on a multi-‐ day trip also including another destination, with its particular interests and needs? How thoughtful and well equipped were they to provide maximum comfort during a potentially long night in cold weather? Etc. Etc. We have to tell you...we could not more pleased with our findings and decision. Our partners’ tell us they have a 95% nightly success rate in finding open sky for the lights, and we now really do believe them. Moreover, delivered in style, comfort, enthusiasm, and with true professionalism – everything we hoped to find.
ACCOMMODATIONS Hotels were chosen strategically for top comfort, location and compatibility with the itinerary. The M/V Spitsbergen is also one of the newer Hurtigruten ships sailing between Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands.
TOUR RATE Main trip ending on October 29 in Leknes:
COST: $6,590 per person double occupancy | Add for a single supplement: +$700 If you would like to join us for a two night Oslo extension ending on October 31:
Add $400 per person double occupancy | For a single supplement add an additional $250 to the cost Rates apply with 10 travelers participating on the main trip. Trip is limited to 12 participants. Small group supplement: an extra $250 for every traveler under 10, with a minimum of 8 participants.1 MAIN TRIP INCLUSIONS: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Full program of activities and outings detailed in the itinerary—including opportunities to see and photograph the aurora every night of the trip. Expert local guides with extensive experience chasing and photographing the lights (including an acclaimed night sky expert photographer in the Lofoten Islands). Instruction on how to best capture the lights under various conditions, as well as post-‐processing images. Private vehicle/s throughout the trip, with water bottles provided onboard. Transfers on arrival and departure. For two outings from Tromsø that could take us to colder and snowier Finland to find open sky: ample equipment including Arctic suits for warmth, warm boots, extra tripods, and more. Entrance fees to venues listed in the itinerary. Hotels as listed in this document. An outside-‐facing cabin on the M/V Spitsbergen sailing from Tromsø to Svolvær.2 All meals listed in this document. A Destination and Travel Information Packet to assist with pre-‐departure planning. Open Sky Expeditions Tour Leader and Photographer Temu Nana as your host throughout A complimentary travel notebook for each traveler (or alternative gift for past travelers). Gratuities to all guides, drivers, and wait staff for group meals.
NOT INCLUDED: • • • • •
International airfare, to Tromsø/from Leknes (see next page for sample routes and costs; a recommended round-‐ trip itinerary out of Newark/EWR is pricing in the $900’s, as of April 28) Tourist entry visas, reciprocity fees, passport fees, and photos if required. Medical, accident, baggage or cancellation insurance. Personal items and other expenses not specifically mentioned as included. Alcoholic beverages.
OSLO EXTENSION ADDITIONAL INCLUSIONS: Activities, hotels, transfers, and meals as described in the itinerary. Jay Seldin will stay with the group throughout. Temu Nana will be with the group for the first night in Oslo, and a local expert photographer guide will join the following day. 1 The trip can still run with 6 or 7 participants, with slight adjustments we would brief signed-‐up travelers on if we have not reached 8 travelers by August 2018. 2 Hurtigruten, the company that owns the ships on this route, changed their booking procedures for groups halfway through our planning and we can no longer technically hold group space on the departure. We have been monitoring availability carefully, though, and as of April 28 there is plenty of space. However, we will make the official bookings only once we receive deposits. Our intention is to book everyone an Arctic Superior cabin, but this may be subject to availability.
HOW TO BOOK Please email Open Sky Expeditions at
[email protected] or call us at 212.441.0024. We will confirm availability and direct to you a Registration Form you can submit along with a $900 per person deposit. You may also contact Jay Seldin directly at
[email protected]. SAMPLE FLIGHTS Our recommendation To/from New York (Newark/EWR) and staying for the 2-‐night Oslo extension Main carrier (both international legs plus Oslo-‐Tromso):
SAS, excellent Swedish airline and partner of United
Domestic on return (Leknes to Oslo on October 29):
Widerøe, a subsidiary of SAS
Oct 20 SK 908 EWR-‐OSL 6:55pm-‐8:20am connecting to Oct 21 SK 4412 OSL-‐TOS 11:35am-‐1:25pm Oct 29 WF 801 LKN-‐OSL 1:35pm-‐3:50pm
Oct 31 SK 907 OSL-‐EWR 11:10am-‐1:15pm
Online quote as of April 28 (subject to change): $854 for the SAS portion $126 for the Widerøe domestic leg An alternate also with SAS/Widerøe a day earlier If someone likes the above flights but would prefer to fly home the day before (same return flight on October 30), is actually pricing even less expensive as of April 28: $808 for the SAS portion And same Widerøe leg/cost as above If you did this, you would essentially just do part of the optional extension, exploring Oslo only by dusk/evening on October 29 (this would lower the cost of the extension by $170 per person). For the main trip-‐only dates Catching that same late morning SAS return flight on October 29th (for an SAS portion of $804, as of April 28) would require spending the last night elsewhere, which we would easily facilitate. See details in footnote if interested.3 Alternatively, you could instead fly Norweigan transatlantic round-‐trip New York/JFK. Together with an earlier flight out of LKN via BOO on the 29th, the total cost is similar to above examples when you include checked luggage (which Norweigan generally does not on their base fares). We are happy to assist in investigating options. Note: The above examples are with New York as a base or entry point to the U.S. There are alternatives. For example on October 29, Norweigan has a direct flight from OSL to FLL/Fort Lauderdale (as of April 28, as low as $220 one way, or $310 with checked luggage). Oslo also has convenient connection, of course, to various airports in Europe. 3 If you want to catch the late morning SAS direct flight from OSL to EWR on October 29, we would drive you to the Leknes airport on th the night of the 28 for an evening flight to nearby Bodø (on Widerøe LKN-‐OSL either 8pm-‐8:25pm or 10:15pm-‐10:40pm, as of April 28 both only $53) and you could spend that night at a nearby hotel we have already vetted: the Scandic Havet (we would simply swap out your last night to there). Then you’d take an early morning flight to OSL (for example, SK 4105 BOO-‐OSL 7:05am-‐8:40am, pricing at $101 as of April 28) in order to make the connection.
GENERAL INFORMATION Responsibility: Open Sky Expeditions acts only as an agent for the independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, and other services connected with this tour. Said services are subject to the terms and conditions of the respective provider. Open Sky Expeditions and its employees, agents, representatives, and assignees accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other occurrence that might result from the negligence, defect, error or default of any company or person in the performance of said services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages, cancellations, or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws, or other situations of force majeure. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Open Sky Expeditions is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in any of the tours and activities arranged by Open Sky Expeditions. All travelers are responsible for purchasing their respective insurance policy(ies) to cover expenses and handle emergencies associated with the loss of luggage, personal effects and any other insurable losses associated with their trip. Payment Schedule: A deposit of $900 per person is required to reserve a space on this trip, payable via credit card, check or bank transfer. Final payment is due 60 days before departure. Credit cards are generally not accepted for final payment, unless travelers would like to cover associated transaction fees at a 3% surcharge. Cancellation Policy: All cancellations of confirmed reservations are subject to a $250 per person administrative fee. Additionally, travelers are subject to any cancellation fees assessed by the purveyors of services, including airlines and hotels used in the itinerary. Cancellations received 61-‐90 days of departure will be assessed a penalty of 25% of the total program cost per person. Cancellations received within 46-‐60 days will be penalized 50% of the program cost. Cancellations received within 31-‐45 days will be penalized 75% of the program cost. Cancellations received within 30 days of departure will be assessed a penalty of 100% of the total program cost. All requests for cancellations must be made in writing. These cancellation policies apply in every instance and no exceptions will be made. Refunds: Leaving a trip in progress for any reason whatsoever will not result in a refund. No refunds will be made for any part of this program in which you choose to not participate, including but not limited to hotels stays, air or land transportation, meals, tours or other sightseeing arrangements. Insurance: Travelers with Open Sky Expeditions must carry overseas medical insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation coverage. We strongly recommend purchase of a comprehensive policy that also includes trip cancellation insurance covering illness or accident both prior and during the program as well as coverage for baggage loss or delay. Details on all of these insurance options will be sent to you with your pre-‐departure information materials. Please take extra care reading the section on insurance and as well as all third party insurance materials. Itinerary: The itinerary, accommodations, and arrangements are subject to change or modification at the discretion of Open Sky Expeditions. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned, but changes may still occur after the final itinerary is sent to you. By booking a reservation with Open Sky Expeditions, travelers understand that amenities, types of transport, routes, schedules, and itineraries may change without prior notice due to circumstances or events in the location due to, but not limited to, mechanical breakdowns, flight cancellations, illness, strikes, weather, political disputes, border crossing problems and other unforeseen factors. Rates: Open Sky Expeditions will do everything possible to preserve the prices listed in the original marketing materials you receive. However, between the dates these prices are published and the trip’s actual departure date, unforeseen and exceptional cost increases may occur due to currency fluctuations, taxes, airfare and transport cost increases, or others that may force Open Sky Expeditions to assess a surcharge. If that unusual occurrence were to take place, the assessed surcharge will reflect only the specific cost increase. If the increase were to exceed 10% of the original cost of the tour, you may cancel within 10 days of receiving said notification and obtain a full refund.
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NORWAY: Northern Lights, JS | (Full) Version 1.1 Tour Code: NOR1810Q Updated by AJR: May 5, 2018 PDF content © 2018 Open Sky Expeditions