The Hurtigruten 11 Day Voyage of Discovery 2024/25

A spectacular 11 day trip that combines the highlights of the Norwegian Coastal Voyage, complemented by visiting Trondheim and Oslo, linked by a wonderful scenic rail journey.

Voyage Highlights

• • UNESCO World Heritage site Geiranger fjord (15 Apr to 14 Sep)
• • Nidaros Cathedral
• • Experience the Midnight Sun (late May to late July)
• • The Arctic Capital Tromsø
• • Witness the Northern Lights (October to March)
• • Visit to the North Cape
• • Russian Border
• • Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands

Day 1 - Embarkation in Bergen :

Ports visited today : Bergen

Before you check in, explore the charming port and Hanseatic city of Bergen. Stroll through the narrow medieval streets of the UNESCO-listed Bryggen quarter, visit the Hanseatic Museum or stroll among the stalls at the fish market. Take the funicular railway 320m up Mount Fløyen, located just outside the city, and you'll enjoy the best view of Bergen and its fjords. In the evening your Hurtigruten voyage sets off through the Hjeltefjord, following in the wake of the Vikings who sailed from here to the Shetland Islands and beyond.

Available Extensions :

Bergen Hotels and Extensions

Day 2 - Ålesund and Geirangerfjord :

Ports visited today : Florø, Måløy, Torvik, Ålesund, Molde.

Your Hurtigruten ship navigates the skerries and islands further north before reaching Ålesund. Marvel at the inspiring architecture in the Apotekergate and Kongensgate pedestrian precinct, perfect examples of the Art Nouveau style. Don't miss out on the view from Mount Aksla but beware, there are 418 steps to the top!

In the summer months, the next destination will be the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. En route to the end of this beautiful fjord you pass sheer, 800m cliffs and impressive waterfalls.

Available Excursions :

2B Geiranger with Trollstigen Pass

2C Art Nouveau Tour, Ålesund

2D Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Mount Aksla

2F A Taste of Norway

2G A Mountain Hike in the Hjørundfjord

2H Hike with a Visit to a Shieling

2L Hjørunderfjorden, Geiranger and Trollstigen Pass

Day 3 - The Royal City of Trondheim :

Ports visited today : Kristiansund, Trondheim, Rørvik.

When visiting the old royal city of Trondheim, be sure to get a good view from the Gamle Bybrua ("Old Town Bridge"). Dating from 1861, this neo-gothic wooden bridge used to be the only way into the town centre. Nidaros Cathedral, built between 1070 and 1300, is Norway's largest Gothic religious edifice. In the neighbouring Archbishop's Palace, the Norwegian Crown Jewels are kept.

In Trondheim itself, the Hanseatic, waterside storehouses built on wooden stilts are just as charming as the Rococo-style Stiftsgården, the largest wooden building in Norway and residence for the Royal Family when visiting Trondheim. You then set a course for the northwest, past the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and thousands of little islands and picturesque rocky outcrops. After passing through Stokksund, your Hurtigruten ship will arrive at Rørvik.

Available excursions :

3A Nidaros Cathedral and Ringve Museum

3B Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral

3D Trondheim City Walk

3G Kayaking on the River Nid

3H Cycling in Trondheim

3L The Northernmost Tram Ride

Day 4 - Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands :

Ports visited today : Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Ørnes, Bodø, Stamsund, Svolvær.

This morning, between Nesna and Ørnes, you pass a globe on a small islet which heralds your crossing of the Arctic Circle. Hurtigruten passengers sailing in Arctic waters for the first time are given an Arctic Circle baptism by Njord, the ruler of the Seven Seas. This comes in the form of an ice cube down your front or back, but is entirely optional.

In the evening you reach Svolvær, the main settlement on the Lofoten Islands. These islands are renowned for their small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere surrounded by majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches. Complete your visit with a stroll between the stockfish racks and 'rorbuer', the traditional, red fishermen's residences. The Lofoten Islands are a truly extraordinary experience.

Available excursions :

4A Glacier Adventure, Svartisen

4B Arctic Coastal Walk

4C Experience Bodø and Saltstraumen

4D Saltstraumen - Rib Safari

4E Lofotr Viking Feast, Winter

4F Lofotr Viking Feast, Summer

4G Highlights of Lofoten

4H Lofotpils Brewery

4L Farm Visit in Lofoten

Day 5 - Tromsø, Gateway to the Arctic :

Ports visited today : Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risøyhamn, Harstad, Finnsnes, Tromsø ,Skjervøy.

During the night your Hurtigruten ship navigates the narrow Raftsund strait. After a stop in Harstad, situated on the largest island of Norway, Hinnøya, you continue via Finnsnes to Tromsø for a prolonged stay. Many of the epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point; the famous explorer Roald Amundsen sourced both crew and supplies here.

With the presence of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the city has cemented its position as the Polar Capital of Norway. Ishavskatedralen, the Arctic Cathedral, is the most famous landmark with its modern design and extraordinary stained glass window. Tromsø is also home to the world's northernmost university and the large number of people arriving here has created a vibrant cultural scene with numerous restaurants and cafes constantly teeming with life.

Available excursions :

5A The Arctic Capital Tromsø

5B Dog Sledging

5C Scenery & Huskies

5D Polar History Walk

5G Kayaking in Tromsø

5M Cross-Country Skiing

5N Snowshoeing in Tromsø

Day 6 - Honningsvåg and the North Cape :

Ports visited today : Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn, Berlevåg.

Following the scenic sailing through Magerøysund and after an early stop in Hammerfest, you arrive in Honningsvåg. This small port is the gateway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape which rises 300m from the ocean, and at 71° 10' 21" north it puts you a mere 2,000 kilometres from the Geographical North Pole. Standing atop the North Cape Plateau you'll get the eerie feeling of being at the end of the world.

The area is also known for its bird life, and Gjesværstappan, a bird sanctuary with up to 250,000 seabirds is home to some High Arctic species that can only be observed here on the Norwegian mainland. This evening, as you approach Kjøllefjord, you pass a rock formation that is sacred to the indigenous Sami people, Finnkjerka.

Available excursions :

6A The North Cape

6B Bird Watching Safari

6C Sámi Culture

6D Snowmobile Trip in Lapland

6E Sámi Autumn

6H Fishing Village Visit

6J Expedition to the North Cape - The Historical Route

6L Winter Expedition in the Arctic Wilderness

Day 7 - Kirkenes, The Voyage Turning Point :

Ports visited today : Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, Kirkenes.

The last port on the Voyage North is Kirkenes. And at longitude 30 east, you are actually further east than Istanbul and St. Petersburg. The well-policed Russian border and the Kola peninsula are close by which explains why the road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian.

Being at the north-easterly terminus of Hurtigruten, the only choice from here is to set south again but spending a few days in Kirkenes offers you the opportunity to take part in some of the adventurous Arctic activities available nearby.

Available excursions :

7A The Russian Border

7B River Boat Safari to the Russian Border

7C Snowmobile Safari

7D Kirkenes Snow Hotel

7E ATV/Quad Safari to the Russian Border

7F Husky Adventure

7H King Crab Expedition

7I Mountain Hike with Husky

Day 8 - Hammerfest and Tromsø :

Ports visited today : Mehamn, Kjøllefjord, Honningsvåg, Havøysund, Hammerfest, Øksfjord, Skjervøy, Tromsø.

Breakfast at the North Cape including a visit to a Sámi family form part of an early morning excursion (at extra cost). Your next stop, Hammerfest, was a settlement back to the Stone Age and is still playing an important role as a fishing port. Founded in 1789 to develop trade with Russia, Hammerfest reconfirmed its position as Norway's Polar capital of its time, acting as a base for hunting expeditions to the High Arctic. In Hammerfest the Meridian Column, erected in 1854, commemorates the first precise measurement of the globe, an achievement so important that it's become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As early as 1891, wave energy provided power to the first electric street lighting in Northern Europe, and energy innovation is still a signature for Hammerfest with its large Liquid Gas Plant just outside town. From here, your next major stop will be Tromsø where you are invited to take part in a very special musical experience, The Arctic Cathedral Midnight Concert. Or why not head to one of the town's many friendly pubs and sample the local brew, Mack's Arctic Beer.

Available excursions :

8A Breakfast at the North Cape

8B The Northernmost Town in the World, Hammerfest

8C Midnight Concert in the Arctic Cathedral

8F Snowmobile Trip in the Polar Night

8G Mountain Hike in Hammerfest

8H Into the Ice

Day 9 - Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands :

Ports visited today : Tromsø, Finnsnes, Harstad, Risøyhamn, Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvær, Stamsund.

The Vesterålen and Lofoten Island are amongst today's highlights. Before you reach them, you pass through Risøyrenna, a channel that was specially constructed for Hurtigruten, providing the vessels an 'inside route' between Harstad and Sortland. Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded, is the location of the Hurtigruten Museum. Entry is free for all Hurtigruten passengers.

You continue through the narrow Raftsund, the picturesque narrow channel between the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, where, time and weather permitting, you'll take a detour into the spectacular Trollfjord where steep cliffs hug the ship's sides. Then it's on to Svolvær, the main settlement on the Lofoten Islands followed by Stamsund where the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten Wall can be viewed. You leave the islands during the evening and set course for the mainland.

Available excursions :

9A A Taste of Vesterålen

9B Lofoten Islands

9C Sea Eagle Safari

9D Lofoten by Horse

9E RIB-Adventure in Lofoten

9F Discover a Fishing Village

9G Fishing in Lofoten

9I Vesterålen and Lofoten by RIB

Day 10 - Arctic Circle, Seven Sisters :

Ports visited today : Bodø, Ørnes, Nesna, Sandnessjøen, Brønnøysund, Rørvik.

The Helgeland coast with hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls is worth getting up early to experience. Today will also be your last one north of the Arctic Circle as you cross it between Ørnes and Nesna. This part of the coast is rich in local lore with stories including the legend of the Seven Sisters, a picturesque row of peaks, and the myth about how the arrow from Hestmannen's bow formed the hole in Torghatten Mountain. The Vega Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is close to your call in Sandnessjøen.

The islands were inscribed on this prestigious list due to the unique interaction between man and nature - over centuries the local population have protected the eider duck nests in return for the highly valuable down from the birds.

Available excursion :

10B UNESCO Islands Vega

10C Visit the Salmon

Day 11 :

Disembark your Hurtigruten ship in Trondheim in the morning.

One of the unique features of the Hurtigruten voyage is that with daily departures throughout the year you can choose the date and ship that suits your taste. With several UK airports to choose from this gives you great flexibility to decide your own schedule. See FLIGHT PACKAGES below.

DEPARTURES 2024/25 :

Voyage of Discovery Fares 2024/25

PLEASE NOTE:

• * Cabin with limited view.
• All prices are shown in £s per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin, voyage only.
• The ship departure date determines the price of your voyage.
• Not all cabin grades are available on all ships.

Please also see FARE OPTIONS to see what is included in the different fares.

Cabin Single Supplements available on request.

The price you pay for your cabin will depend on when you book. Early bookers will get the 'from' price. As the cabins get booked up, the price will rise. It is strongly advised to book early to get the best fare.

Arrival, Departure & Flight Options

Hurtigruten can offer flights with several scheduled airlines, including Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian, BMI and KLM depending on your preferred departure airport.

Booking a complete package with Hurtigruten gives you the advantage of having everything smoothly organised for you from start to finish at the same time as your voyage. You will also benefit from protection under Hurtigruten's ATOL licence.

Flights can be arranged from the following airports :-

Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Dublin, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Humberside, Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Manston, Newcastle, Norwich and Stansted.

Connections and airlines will vary depending on the departure and arrival airports.

If you choose not to book flights with us, you can still book transfers for certain routes, as well as pre and post tours, excursions and hotels.

All above prices are in £s per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin room.

Extra nights in Bergen can be booked. Prices on request.