Discover the World has announced the launch of a brand new trip for 2016, taking guests to the Norwegian island of Andøya (part of the Vesterålen archipelago) in search of orca whales and the stunning aurora borealis, guided by the acclaimed zoologist, writer, broadcaster and wildlife photographer Mark Carwardine. The new holiday called Orcas and Aurora with Mark Carwardine is four nights long and has two departures, 22nd and 26th January and is priced from £1,745 per person.

The change in the migratory patterns of herring has drawn the whales further north in winter months, coinciding with the unique low light of the winter sun and the vivid aurora which has allowed Discover the World to create this unique experience combining two of Norway's most famous sights. Previously the operator offered trips to the Tysfjord area (south of the Lofoten Islands) which is no longer a credible whale watching area as the herring moved away some time ago.

This unique trip offers a host of experiences such as the chance to stay in the charming village of Andenes,  enjoy three whale watching boat trips with a renowned guide as well as two aurora excursions with an astrophysicist, and participate in a visit to the Northern Light Research Centre and Spaceship Aurora. To view the trip in full, visit:

www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/norway-holidays/orcas-and-aurora-mark-carwardine

Mark Carwardine explains: “Traditionally whale watching trips have taken place here in the summer months, when the sperm whale population is at its highest. Due to the deep Bleik Canyon on the west side of the island, this area has also been a good feeding ground for humpback and fin whales.  However, In the last couple of years, shoals of winter herring have moved north and are now a regular sight on the east side of the island. This means that as well as the sperm and humpback whales that you usually see in the area, from the end of November to around the middle of February you also have the chance to witness the orcas that have followed the herring migration.”  

Mark will be joined by Cathy Harlow who has been guiding for Discover the World for 25 years. Mark and Cathy will share their expert knowledge of these magnificent cetaceans as well as teach useful photo techniques to ensure the group captures the best images while out at sea. As well as seeing the orcas, there is a good chance of encounters with humpback, fin and sperm whales. Back on land the two evening northern lights excursions, one by coach and the other by foot, will be in the company of José Perez, an astrophysicist and aurora expert. There's also plenty to do in the village of Andenes, including a visit to the Spaceship Aurora exhibition centre - learning about northern lights and how rockets from Andøya are used to explore this natural phenomenon.

Clive Stacey, managing director of Discover the World, explains “The chance to see both orcas in their natural habitat and the aurora in one itinerary is pretty incredible in itself. However, being accompanied by two experts with the knowledge that Mark and Cathy have between them, takes the experience to another level. This trip is definitely something very special”.

The 4 night trip (departing 22 or 26 January 2016) is available from £1,745pp based on two sharing a twin room on a full board basis at Hotel Marena in Andenes, including return flight from Heathrow to Evenes, return transfer between Evenes Airport and Andenes, three 4-hour whale watching boat trips, 2 northern light chases (one by coach and one on foot) and introduction to whale and northern light photography.

 For media information contact Fiona Reece or Sophie Clements at Fiona Reece PR

fiona@fionareece.com / sophie@fionareece.com or call 01242 806804

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Notes to Editors:

About Discover the World

Discover the World has been creating inspirational, tailor made holidays for thirty years.  The company is one of the UK's leading tailor made destination specialists and the world's largest tour operator into Iceland.  Its portfolio of destinations includes Iceland, Scandinavia, the Polar Regions (Greenland, Spitsbergen, The North Pole, Canadian Arctic & Antarctic), Canada, Alaska, New Zealand, Australia, South Pacific and St Helena.  Discover the World is the world's principal tour operator to ICEHOTEL in Swedish Lapland designing exclusive breaks in conjunction with their direct flight to Icehotel – the only one from the UK.  They are an authority on Northern Lights holidays and deliver the most comprehensive range of tailor made itineraries to some of the best aurora locations in the northern hemisphere.  As well as offering a full tailor made service, Discover the World specialises in independent touring holidays, self-drives, small group tours and expedition cruises.  Their specialist holidays range from volcano hiking, whale watching and horse riding to honeymoons, family holidays and wine tours.   

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About the Guides

Mark Carwardine - An expert in 'all things whale' Mark is a zoologist, an award-winning writer, broadcaster, magazine columnist, wildlife photographer, wildlife tour operator and expert guide. He is also a founding member of Discover the World.He has written more than 50 books on wildlife and travel including the original Last Chance to See with Douglas Adams, and the field guide Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, one of the bestselling natural history books of all time. Mark also co-presented the popular BBC2 television series Last Chance to See with Stephen Fry, in which the duo travelled the world in search of endangered species.

Cathy Harlow - Cathy has been guiding for Discover the World for 25 years and has an immense knowledge of whales and wildlife in general, as well as the local Norwegian area. She has also been highly commended in the Wanderlust World Guide awards in both 2013 and 2014.