In partnership with
Hurtigruten
What? 11-Night Norwegian Arctic Circle Expedition
When? 20th November 2024
WOW! Polar Inside from £1,949pp
Take a cruise that goes far beyond the ordinary and embark on this expedition to the Arctic Circle. Chase the Northern Lights, seek out sensational wildlife, and hike through awe-inspiring landscapes of mountains, waterfalls and fjords. Immerse yourself in a history rich in Vikings, trolls and epic legends and become one with the Norwegian way of life.
🤩 Spend half your voyage above the Arctic Circle, maximising your chances of seeing the Northern Lights
🤩Visit 34 ports and select from over 70 optional excursions
🤩 See and taste Norway with full-board on their sustainable kitchen
🤩 Bird and whale watch from the comfort of your ship
🤩 Pay in monthly payments of just £132pp
Itinerary: Part 1
Day 1: Bergen
Your voyage starts in Bergen, the second largest city in Norway and gateway to the fjords.
Day 2: Florø - Molde
Today expect iconic Norwegian architecture and fantastic fjords. Sailing west, you’ll sail past the West Cape to approach Ålesund.
Then, it’s into the fjords! You’ll explore Hjørundfjord, hidden away in the Sunnmøre Alps. There’ll also be a call at the scenic village of Urke to gaze at the view of thousand-year-old farms, the fjord, and the lush mountainsides.
Day 3: Kristiansund - Rørvik
This section of the voyage you’ll encounter the magical, mediaeval, and modern. You will enter the Trøndelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements.
Then it’s on to Trondheim, founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997, today it is Norway’s third largest city.
A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed “Norway’s Notre Dame” for its Gothic style and considered the most sacred building in all of Norway.
Day 4: Brønnøysund - Svolvær
Today you cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning. Hurtigruten marks this special moment with a traditional ceremony that’s sure to wake you up!
Above the Arctic Circle, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve…
At 10am, you’ll call into Ørnes, near to Norway’s second-largest glacier, Svartisen.
Then it's onto Bodø, the second largest city in Northern Norway, overlooked by the Børvass peaks. We recommend joining an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen, the world’s most powerful maelstrom!
Day 5: Stokmarknes - Skjervøy
Today, continue your journey deeper into the Arctic Circle. The ship will head to Finnsnes which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge.
Keep on the lookout for a variety of seabirds with several colonies nearby, including puffins. Whales can also be spotted in the waters here.
Itinerary: Part 2
Day 6: Øksfjord - Berlevåg
Today you’ll reach the top of Europe as you arrive at Honningsvåg mid-morning.
Later that day, you’ll drift into the heartlands of the indigenous reindeer herding Sámi people.
Near the entrance of Kjøllefjord village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient sacrificial site once used by the local Sámi people.
Day 7: Båtsfjord - Berlevåg
The area around Vadsø is one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching spots in the Arctic. So make you get up early and turn your eyes to the skies!
By the time you reach Kirkenes after breakfast, you’ll have travelled further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul!
After a day here, the ship heads south allowing you to visit several of the places the ship passed during the night.
Day 8: Mehamn - Tromsø
Spend time in Hammerfest, once the northernmost town in the world until Longyearbyen in Svalbard claimed the title.
Here we suggest checking out the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint on Mount Salen.
Back on board you’ll cruise Norway’s coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks. You might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring.
Day 9: Tromsø - Stamsund
Today, you’ll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen, real highlights of our Norway scenic route
You’ll visit the smallest port of call, Risøyhamn, and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-metre-high mountains.
Day 10: Bodø - Rørvik
Get ready for a landscape of Trolls! The ship calls at Bodø in the small hours of the morning and then Ørnes at 7am. We then cross over the Arctic Circle just after breakfast.
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 also not want to miss views of Torghatten Mountain, with the distinctive hole in it.
Day 11: Trondheim - Ålesund
You’ll be back once again in Trondheim, the capital of the Viking Age with a chance to stroll around in the early morning as the city wakes. Visit the sacred Nidaros Cathedral, resting place of St. Olav. Then, walk to Gamle Bybro bridge for a photo opportunity over Nid River.
Day 12: Ålesund - Bergen
Your Norwegian coastal cruise comes to an end. But there’s still a chance to glimpse Nordfjord, under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe’s largest.
What's Included
- Return flights based on London Gatwick
- 11-night cruise onboard Hurtigruten MS Polarlys
- Polar Inside Cabin
- Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with sustainable local produce from Norway's Coastal Kitchen
- Multi-lingual Coastal Experience Team
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily themed lectures, photography guidance, arts and crafts
- Captain's dinner and farewell event
- Overseas transfers
Further Information
Polar Outside from £2,168pp
Arctic Superior from £2,624pp
Expedition Suite from £4,154pp
Terms & Conditions
Based on 2 sharing. Prices are correct at time of publishing 25.10.23 and are subject to change. All offers are subject to terms, conditions and availability. Deposit is 25%.
