Voyage to Norway's Arctic Circle and search for the Aurora

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Bergen

   Bergen, Norway

   Your voyage begins today in Bergen, a city founded in 1070 AD and surrounded by seven mountains, where you'll have some time to explore before your cruise begins.

   Take a stroll around this charming and compact city, spend some time in one of the outdoor cafés and restaurants, enjoy a trip on the Fløibanen Funicular or visit the famous fish market. Wander through the historic UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with colourful wharves that date back to the 14th century.

   Later you'll board your expedition ship, and enjoy a tasty dinner buffet as you sail north from Bergen along the Hjeltefjord, the same route the Vikings once plied to the Shetland Islands and beyond.

2. Day

   2

   Florø to Molde

   Florø, Norway

   Wake up early today for the chance to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Nordfjord before breakfast. You'll then sail past the West Cape, out on the open sea, where the ship navigates through skerries and islands to reach Ålesund.

   Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful art nouveau architecture, the result of a devastating fire that destroyed much of the city in 1904. If you like marine life, join a visit to Atlanterhavsparken, one of Northern Europe's largest salt-water aquariums, after which you'll head to Mount Aksla where you'll get an amazing panorama of the area.

   In the summer months, you'll set course from Ålesund for the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord passing sheer, 800-metre cliffs and impressive waterfalls en route, and in spring and autumn, you'll sail to Hjørundfjord, hidden away in the Sunnmøre Alps.

3. Day

   3

   Kristiansund to Rørvik

   Kristiansund, Norway

   Today's port is Norway's third largest city, the ancient Trondheim, founded by the Viking king, Olav Tryggvason, as early as 997. Here, you'll have the chance to join an excursion to Norway's national shrine, Nidaros Cathedral, the country´s only Gothic-style cathedral, where you'll marvel at the incredible architectural details and exquisite works of art.

   Nearby, the old city bridge sits over the Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet. The neighbourhood's colourful wooden wharves propped up on stilts by the river's edge now house a variety of eateries.

   In the afternoon you'll be back on board, as the ship sails northwest, passing the ochre-coloured Kjeungskjær Lighthouse and towards charming Rørvik.

4. Day

   4

   Brønnøysund to Svolvær

   Svolvær, Norway

   Today you'll cross the Arctic Circle, the invisible line that marks the border to the Arctic Region. In summer, this means 24-hour daylight, often referred to as the 'midnight sun'. During winter, being above the Arctic Circle provides the best chances for experiencing the Northern Lights.

   Your first stop today is Ørnes, where you'll find Norway's second-largest glacier, Svartisen. Your journey then continues along the beautiful coast of Helgeland to Saltstraumen in a smaller boat, where you'll witness the world's most powerful tidal current, on a journey where you'll have a good chance of spotting sea eagles soaring overhead.

   Later this afternoon, you'll marvel as the sight of the 1,000m high Lofoten Wall appears on the horizon. The Lofoten Islands are dotted with tiny, picturesque fishing villages, where you can take a stroll amongst stockfish racks and 'rorbuer', the traditional fisherman's huts.

   It's then on to Stamsund, where you'll visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, and see the chieftain's house, a full-size reconstruction featuring exhibits of finds dating back to the Viking Age. The chieftain and the lady of the house will invite you to join them for a real Viking meal in the banquet hall, providing a real insight into life in the Viking Age, complete with traditional food, drinks, costumes, singing and dancing.

5. Day

   5

   Stokmarknes to Skjervøy

   Stokmarknes, Norway

   This morning, you'll sail to Tromsø, `Capital of the Arctic', where you'll have the chance to join a `Polar History Walk´ to learn more about the explorers and Arctic hunters, and to taste beer made at the world´s northernmost brewery.

   Spend some time exploring Tromsø's many charming cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns, where baristas create innovative coffee art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, you should be able to see the iconic Arctic Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic.

   After an exhilarating day in Tromsø, you'll continue northbound, sailing into waters where you have a very high chance of seeing the Northern Lights between September and March and where the Lyngen Alps rise majestically from the sea.

6. Day

   6

   Øksfjord to Berlevåg

   Berlevåg, Norway

   Early this morning, your ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaløya where, in summer, you might spot herds of migrating reindeer in their thousands.

   Later, you'll arrive at Honningsvåg, portal to the North Cape, where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. An optional excursion will take you to North Cape from Honningsvåg by bus.

   Near the entrance of Kjøllefjord village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient sacrificial site once used by the indigenous Sámi. You can join an optional summer excursion to meet local Sámi, learn about their life reindeer herding, and listen to joik folk songs.

   In the evening, you'll reach your northernmost port of call, Mehamn. If visiting in February and March, you might spot tons of cod drying on outdoor wooden racks called hjell.

   The ship then sets off for Berlevåg. On the way, you'll pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse, the northernmost mainland lighthouse on Earth.

7. Day

   7

   Båtsfjord, Kirkenes, Berlevåg

   Berlevåg, Norway

   This morning you'll arrive in Vadsø. Watch for hooded crows and sea eagles as you sail - this is one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching spots in the Arctic, lying directly under the migration path of birds flying from east to west. You can also visit the solemn Witches' Monument and the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains a part of the military to this day.

   By the time you reach Kirkenes after breakfast, you'll have travelled further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul. You'll have a choice of optional excursions to explore the area before your coastal cruise changes direction and the ship heads south.

   You'll return to the small, bustling port of Båtsfjord and then head for Berlevåg in the late evening.

8. Day

   8

   Mehamn to Tromsø

   Mehamn, Norway

   Today you'll make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund.

   In the early afternoon, you'll spend time in Hammerfest, which has the largest population of the world's northernmost settlements.See the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint atop Mount Salen.

   You'll then continue cruising Norway's coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks, an important fishing port where Hurtigruten ships have been docking since 1896.

   If you're visiting in winter, you might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring.

   You'll dock at Tromsø just before midnight where, in the summer months, you can stroll around the still-busy city in its glorious 24-hour daylight.

9. Day

   9

   Tromsø to Stamsund

   Tromsø, Norway

   Today, you'll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen.

   After Finnsnes early in the morning, the ship calls at Harstad where the white-washed Trondenes Church, the world's northernmost medieval stone church, sits on the peninsula.

   Next is Risøyhamn, the smallest port of call on your itinerary, and then Sortland, where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-metre-high mountains.

   Sailing along Raftsund, the Captain may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord if the weather allows. The mountain walls will look so close you'll think you can reach out and brush them. To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate 180 degrees on the spot, then sail back out. Remember to look out for sea eagles here too.

   You'll arrive in Svolvær in the evening before setting sails for Stamsund, passing the giant granite cliffs of the Lofoten Wall.

10. Day

    10

    Bodø to Rørvik

    Rørvik, Norway

    Early this morning you'll cross over the Arctic Circle just after breakfast. Commemorate the moment with a tradition of tasting a spoonful of good ol' Norwegian cod liver oil!

    You'll then make a short stop at Nesna before sailing on to Sandnessjøen, the gateway to the magnificent Helgeland Coast.

    Here, you can admire the stunning landscape of the Seven Sisters mountain range, with peaks up to 1,100m high. The tale goes that seven beautiful troll princesses, fleeing from an unwanted suitor, got caught out as the sun rose, turning them into the seven beautiful mountains you see today.

    You'll not want to miss views of Torghatten Mountain, with the distinctive hole in it. There is a local legend as to why and how this mountain came to have such a hole. Make sure you ask your Coastal Experience Team about it.

    You'll reach Brønnøysund mid-afternoon, where you can explore the bustling marina on a walk along Havnegata. In the centre of town is Brønnøy Church: a stone church in the Neo-Gothic style dating back to 1870.

    Your last stop of the day is the cosy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago.

11. Day

    11

    Trondheim to Ålesund

    Trondheim, Norway

    Today the ship heads out into the majestic Trondheimsfjord, which is 170 km long and up to 25 km wide.

    As you sail along the coast, you'll realise the importance of fish to Norwegian coastal communities. Kristiansund is today regarded as Norway's 'dried cod capital' because of its long-time export of salted dry fish. Here you can join an excursion to the renowned Atlantic Road, one of Norway's most visited tourist destinations. It is 8.2 km long, built on a total of eight bridges and surrounded by picturesque landscapes and open sea.

    Another interesting excursion is to the Bergtatt marble mine, which includes entering a mountain and sailing across an illuminated subterranean lake, before enjoying a meal in the mine´s 'Grand Hall'.

    Those choosing to stay on board at Kristiansund will experience the ship´s crossing the open sea on the way to Molde, known as Norway´s 'City of Roses'. Along the way, you'll see the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps.

12. Day

    12

    Bergen

    Bergen, Norway

    This morning you'll have a chance to glimpse Nordfjord, under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe's largest, before the ship then docks at Florø, where you can take in the harbour and marina.

    Leaving Florø, you'll spot Stabben Lighthouse, a favourite subject for photographers. There are also stunning views to enjoy as you cross the mouth of Sognefjord, the longest and widest fjord in the whole of Norway.

    As you reach our final port in the afternoon, the ship will navigate through the last islands and skerries of our Norway scenic route, and sail down Hjeltefjord to arrive into Bergen.

    Sadly, it's time to say farewell to the Captain, crew, and fellow guests. But your journey doesn't have to stop after disembarkation. Hurtigruten offer a Bergen sightseeing tour as well as a range of post-voyage programmes that you can add to your trip, including seeing Sognefjord by train or a tour of Oslo.