The Classic Norwegian ‘Hurtigruten’ coastal cruise from Bergen up into the Arctic Circle and on to the Russian border in search of the Northern Lights
Days 1 & 2 - Bergen
Day 3 - Ålesund
Day 4 - Trondheim
Day 5 - Bodø
Day 6 - Tromsø
Day 7 - Hammerfest/North Cape
Day 8 - Kirkenes
Day 9 - Return Flight
Communication by water was created in 1893 by a gentlemen named Gran and a captain called With. Then known as the Coastal Express, it was the most important communication link between south and north Norway delivering post, goods and people. The name ‘Hurtigruten’ dates from these times – translates as ‘fast route’, historically this being the quickest route North-South, now still the most scenic. Whilst some longer stops are made, a feature of the journey is many short stops of 15-45 minutes at smaller ports. The ship is never out of sight of land, preferring to sail through sheltered waters between islands.
The cruise starts in Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage city with a long maritime history, and ends in Kirkenes on the Russian border. Kirkenes became a staging area for the German assault on the Soviet Union during World War II.
The long nights and remote cruising away from habitation lights create excellent chances to view the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of your vessel and the crew will alert you if they appear.
Culture & Natural Wonders
UNESCO Site: Bryggen
Expedition Team on Board
UK Tour Manager
Group Size: 8 – 25
Day 1 Fly from London to Bergen. Transfer to the 4-star Scandic Ørnen Hotel for overnight.
Day 2 Morning walking tour of Bergen, including a ride at the Fløibanen Funicular. Afternoon embarkation on Hurtigruten expedition vessel for a six-night cruise. Sail north along the Hjeltefjord. (B, D)
Day 3 Sail past the West Cape, into the open sea. Before reaching Ålesund the vessel navigates through skerries and islands. Join an optional Art Nouveau Walk including a visit to Jugendstilsenteret – 3hrs (£82). Call at Torvik and Molde. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Arrive in Trondheim. Optional tour of the historic capital of Norway including a visit to Nidaros Cathedral which was built over the burial place of St. Olav, the patron saint of the country – 2hrs (£90). (B, L, D)
Day 5 Cross the Arctic Circle. Visit Ørnes, sail to Bodø. Optional Bodø and Saltstraumen excursion – 2hrs (£98). Across to Vestfjord, call at Stamsund and Svolvær. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Cruise via Harstad to Tromsø, capital of Arctic Norway. Optional Polar History Walk includes a visit to the Polar Museum and Ølhallen, the oldest pub in Tromsø – 2½ hrs (£98). (B, L, D)
Day 7 Enjoy magnificent sub-Arctic landscape as the cruise crosses the 71st parallel on its journey towards North Cape, one of the northernmost points on the European continent. After brief stops in Hammerfest and Havøysund, arrive in Honningsvåg, the gateway to the spectacular North Cape. Optional tour to the North Cape – 3hrs (£156). Continue to sail north into the heartland of the indigenous Sámi people. Passing the ancient sacred site, the rock formation Finnkjerka. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Reach Kirkenes and transfer to Thon Hotel Kirkenes for overnight. Optional Kirkenes Home visit including coffee/tea and pastry – 1 ½ hrs (£65; 2023 £75), optional Dog-sledding – 2 hrs (£135; 2023 £175 per person) or optional King Crab safari – 3 hrs (£225; 2023 £245). (B)
Day 9 Return flight via Oslo to London. (B)
Notes
Some walking on snow-covered terrain is involved and visits are subject to local conditions and weather.
Excursions are pre-bookable, with only remaining spaces bookable on board. Please check that your travel insurance covers winter activities. The optional King Crab Safari and dog-sledding excursions are available 29 November - March.
Whilst the vessel carries more, the group size specified refers to transfers and excursions.
Viewing of the Northern Lights is not guaranteed.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
Modern 4-star hotel close to Bergen railway station. Restaurants, sky bar, gym and WiFi (free). 368 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-fridge and satellite TV.
Modern 4-star hotel on the shore of Bøkfjorden, close to the Hurtigruten Terminal. Restaurant, bar, WiFi (free) and 143 rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, mini-bar and satellite TV.
Hurtigruten vessels, registered in Norway, combine commercial functions (linking the small ports of Norway) with comfortable cruising. The crew is mainly Norwegian and English is an official language on-board. Enjoy Norwegian cuisine in the main restaurant in multiple sittings. Breakfast and lunch are a served buffet and dinner is waiter service. The vessel sails at night. MS Trollfjord was built in 2002. They have expedition teams on board, often made up of local experts who add to the itinerary with extra insights. The vessel has two restaurants, bars, bistro, lounge, lecture hall, outside and inside viewing areas, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, WiFi (chargeable/limited) and 297 cabins with private facilities. Outside cabins with limited views (cat. J/L) have two separate beds and a window with limited view or a porthole (between 107 – 129 sq. ft.). Outside cabins (cat. O/N) have two separate beds and a window (between 107 – 129 sq. ft.). Arctic superior cabins (cat. P/U) have two separate beds, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, TV, a window and are on the Upper Decks (between 107 – 182 sq. ft.).
Hurtigruten vessels, registered in Norway, combine commercial functions (linking the small ports of Norway) with comfortable cruising. The crew is mainly Norwegian and English is an official language on-board. Enjoy Norwegian cuisine in the main restaurant in multiple sittings. Breakfast and lunch are a served buffet and dinner is waiter service. The vessel sails at night. MS Kong Harald was built in 1993 and refurbished in 2016. They have expedition teams on board, often made up of local experts who add to the itinerary with extra insights. The vessel has two restaurants, panorama bar, lounge, bar, outside and inside viewing areas, gym, sauna, WiFi (chargeable/limited) and 221 cabins with private facilities. Inside cabins (cat. I/K) have two separate beds (between 53 – 107 sq. ft.). Outside cabins with limited views (cat. J/L) have either a double bed or two separate beds and a window with limited view or a porthole (between 53 – 139 sq. ft.). Outside cabins (cat. O/N J) have either a double bed or two separate beds and a window (between 53 – 139 sq. ft.). Arctic superior cabins (cat. P/U) have a double bed, tea/coffee making facilities, TV, a window and are on the Upper Decks (between 53 – 139 sq. ft.).
Notes
All 2022 departures will be on board the MS Trollfjord, 2023 departures on board the MS Kong Harald.
Norway in a Nutshell Pre-Tour Extension
Add a two-night pre-tour stay in Oslo before joining the Bergen Railway on its scenic climb to Finse and on to Myrdal. Change to the picturesque Flåm Railway down to Flåm for overnight. Rejoin the railway to Bergen. Breakfast daily.
Day 1 Fly from London Gatwick to Oslo. Transfer by Flybus to the bus terminal and a short walk to 3-star Comfort Hotel Børsparken for two nights.
Day 2 Day at leisure. (B)
Day 3 Travel on the scenic Bergen railway to Myrdal (4 ½ hours) and change to the picturesque Flåm Railway down to Flåm for overnight at the 4-star Fretheim Hotel. (B)
Day 4 Optional cruise on Sognefjord (2 hrs - £85). Return to Myrdal and re-join the Bergen railway to Bergen. Transfer to 4-star Scandic Ørnen for overnight. (B)
Notes
On Day 3, main luggage is transported to Bergen so an overnight bag is needed for the stay in Flåm.
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A comfortable 3-star hotel close to Oslo Central Station and Karl Johans Gate. Breakfast room, bar, gym and WiFi (free). 248 rooms with hairdryer and satellite TV.
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A traditional 4-star hotel in a refurbished 1800s manor house, close to Aurlandsfjord. Restaurant, bar, WiFi (free) and 122 rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
2022
per person in a twin room/outside limited view cabin
MS Trollfjord
Norwegian from Gatwick (10 Dec Wideroe from Heathrow / SAS from Kirkenes)
2023
per person in a twin room/outside limited view cabin
MS Kong Harald
Norwegian from Gatwick
per person in a twin room/outside limited view cabin
MS Trollfjord
Norwegian from Gatwick (10 Dec Wideroe from Heathrow / SAS from Kirkenes)
per person in a twin room/outside limited view cabin
MS Kong Harald
Norwegian from Gatwick
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement
(inside) £495 (Nov £575)
(outside limited view) £565 (Nov 7 £675; Jan £1025; Feb £1125; Mar £1175)
Cabin Upgrades
(2022) outside twin cabin £145
Single supplement £745
(Nov 7 £895)
Arctic Superior twin cabin £255
Single supplement £895
(Nov 7 £1065)
(2023) outside twin cabin £185
(Jan £165)
Single supplement £1175
(Feb £1445; Mar £1495)
Arctic Superior twin cabin £325
(Jan £295)
Single supplement £1395
(Feb £1695; Mar £1745)
Optional Excursions
Alesund – Art Nouveau Walk – 2 hrs £82
Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral – 2 hrs £90
Experience Bodo and Saltstraumen – 2 hrs £98
Polar History Walk - Tromso – 2 ½ hrs £98
The North Cape – 3 hrs £156
Kirkenes Home visit – 1½ hours £65 (2023 £75)
Dog-sledding – 2hrs £135 per person for 2 passengers (2023 £175) Single supplement £75 (Jan-Mar, Nov 29 & Dec only)
King Crab Safari – 3 hrs £225 (2023 £245) (Jan-Mar, Nov 29 & Dec only)
Extension Options
Pre-Tour Extension - Norway in a Nutshell
3 nights £525 (2023 £595)
Single supplement £155 (2023 £185)
Independent Arrival
Save £225
Arrival transfer add £45 (2023 £30)
Departure transfer add £40 (2023 £50)
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 2 nights hotel, 6-night cruise, breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 6 dinners, UK Tour Manager and local expert guides. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, tipping, porterage, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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