探花精选 Selects HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) as Exclusive Travel Partner

Unveiling ten initial 探花精选 Voyages in the Gal谩pagos Islands, Antarctica, and Alaska.
People in a raft float by penguins atop a glacier.
Neko Harbour, Antarctica. Photo: Yuri Matisse Choufour

Seattle, Washington (July 9, 2024) 鈥 探花精选, a leader in bird conservation across the Americas, and (Hurtigruten Expeditions), renowned for its commitment to sustainable expedition cruising, are proud to announce an exclusive partnership that offers unparalleled travel experiences aligned with both entities鈥 conservation goals. The collaboration launches with ten , selected from 贬齿鈥檚 extensive global offerings, to enrich the understanding and appreciation of the places birds need today and tomorrow. With a history of leading mindful expeditions to the most awe-inspiring places on earth since 1896, HX is now the sole cruise travel provider partnered with 探花精选.

"探花精选's conservation mission aligns well with the hands-on and science-enriched operations of HX," said Dr. Chad Wilsey, chief scientist for the 探花精选. "HX employs industry-leading efforts in ecofriendly practices and a commitment to conservation across all their itineraries, including important support for community science activities onboard. Through our partnership, we hope to engage more people in the urgent fight to protect birds and the places they need."

贬齿鈥檚 team partnered with 探花精选 to curate the inaugural 探花精选 Voyages from 贬齿鈥檚 portfolio of expeditions in more than 30 countries, all of which take place on small, custom-built ships. While all HX adventures emphasize protecting the places they explore, all 探花精选 Voyages meet the following criteria:

  • Expert Guidance: Each trip hosts a trained ornithologist or a team of local naturalist guides, ensuring that travelers gain unmatched insights into bird species and their behaviors.
  • Diverse Habitats: The routes explore a variety of ecosystems, maximizing bird-watching opportunities of numerous species.
  • Opportunities to Encounter Rare Species: The itineraries offer unique chances to observe rare or endemic bird species.

"At HX, we are deeply committed to making a positive impact on the environment," said Dr. Verena Meraldi, 贬齿鈥檚 Chief Scientist. "This partnership expands on our dedication to protecting the wildlife and habitats we explore, utilizing science, advocacy, education, and hands-on conservation."

As part of the agreement, 探花精选 members save an extra 10% on 探花精选 Voyages with HX and an extra 5% on all other cruises.

探花精选 Voyages: Five Itineraries, Ten Sailing

Kicking off the partnership, HX has unveiled the first 探花精选 Voyages:

Antarctica

HX has led sustainable tourism in Antarctica since 2002. With its award-winning Science & Education program, HX forges partnerships with the scientific community. For the 2024/2025 season, HX plans to donate over 1,100 cabin nights to scientists and support over 30 third-party research projects.

  • Date: Oct. 20, 2024
  • Spotlight species: Andean Condor, Austral Pygmy Owl, Black-browed Albatross, Humboldt Penguin, Flying Steamer-Duck, Magellanic Penguin, Magellanic Diving-Petrel, Magellanic Woodpecker, Southern Giant-Petrel

  • Date(s): Nov. 6 and Dec. 14, 2024
  • Spotlight species: Black-browed Albatross, Dolphin Gull, Falkland Steamer-Duck, Kelp Goose, King Penguin, Southern Rockhopper Penguin, Striated Caracara (鈥淛ohnny Rook鈥), Variable Hawk
Gal谩pagos Islands

Leveraging exclusive permits, HX offers optimal wildlife and birdwatching opportunities 鈥 with chances to see the iconic Gal谩pagos 鈥 in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

  • Date(s): Oct. 15 and Dec. 10, 2024
  • Spotlight species: American Flamingo, Blue-footed Booby, Red-footed Booby, Nazca Booby, Brujo Flycatcher, Finch species (various), Flightless Cormorant, Gal谩pagos Hawk, Gal谩pagos Dove, Gal谩pagos Mockingbird, Gal谩pagos Penguin, Great Frigatebird, Magnificent Frigatebird, Red-footed Booby, Swallow-tailed Gull

  • Date: Nov. 6, 2024, Jan. 15 2025 and Feb. 12, 2025
  • Spotlight species: Blue-footed Booby, Brujo Flycatcher, Great Frigatebird, Finch species (various), Gal谩pagos Hawk, Gal谩pagos Dove, Gal谩pagos Mockingbird, Magnificent Frigatebird, Red-footed Booby, Swallow-tailed Gull, Waved Albatross
Alaska

HX offers the explorer鈥檚 Alaska, sailing where others don鈥檛. Expeditions include opportunities to see McKay鈥檚 Bunting, one of the world鈥檚 rarest birds, breeding only on St. Matthew Island in the Bering Sea.

  • Date(s): July 7, 2025 and Sept. 8, 2025
  • Spotlight species: Black-footed Albatross, Crested Auklet, Laysan Albatross, McKay鈥檚 Bunting, Red-legged Kittiwake, Rhinoceros Auklet, Tufted Puffin, Varied Thrush, Whiskered Auklet, Kittlitz鈥檚 Murrelet, Short-tailed Albatross (rare). If in Nome for long enough: Aleutian Tern, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Rufous Hummingbird (Inside Passage portion/Glacier Bay).

HX will unveil additional 探花精选 Voyages for 2025, building on the initial launch. Additionally, HX will announce a series of 探花精选-hosted sailings, guided by top ornithologists selected by 探花精选. Looking ahead, HX and 探花精选 plan to collaborate on joint conservation initiatives aimed at creating thriving environments for bird populations worldwide.

探花精选 Voyages can only be booked by phone at +1888-645-7424. 

To take advantage of this special offer, bird lovers can or their 探花精选 membership for $20 or more. Every 探花精选 membership supports the 探花精选鈥檚 mission and vital conservation work to protect birds.

To learn more about 探花精选 Voyages, . 

About HX
In 1896, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) set out on a journey of exploration from its homeland in Norway. Driven by a passion to discover what lies beyond the horizon, they sailed in the wake of the pioneering seafarers who were redrawing the world鈥檚 boundaries.

Today, HX is the leading expedition cruise company, taking guests to over 250 destinations in more than 30 countries worldwide. With onboard lectures and science centers, HX is committed to ensuring guests return home with a deep understanding and love of the places they explore.

HX is on a mission to be the world鈥檚 most sustainable expedition company. They led the industry by being the first to ban heavy fuel oil and single-use plastics. In 2019, HX unveiled the world's first battery hybrid-powered cruise ship.

About 探花精选
The 探花精选 is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow.

Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they are telling us that our planet is in trouble. As a long-time leader in the conservation movement, 探花精选 is rising to meet the urgency of this moment. Like the birds we love, 探花精选鈥檚 work spans the Americas 鈥 from Boreal Canada to coastal Chile. 

In communities across the hemisphere, 探花精选 is tackling climate change, protecting and restoring important places for birds and people, and fostering a community where the joy of birds sparks action for our planet.

Media Contacts: 
探花精选 - media@audubon.org
HX - Becca Singelenberg, becca.singelenberg@hurtigruten.com