Classic Voyage South

Capital of the Barents Region

Kirkenes is known as the capital of the Barents region and gateway to the east. The Russian border is a just few miles away. You may find it intriguing that the local road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian. Depending on the season, there are many ways to visit the Russian frontier. Travel either by bus (all year), enjoy a riverboat safari, or join an action-packed trip on ATV/quad-bikes. Kirkenes also boasts several fascinating small museums recounting the remarkably rich history and heritage of this remote region. 

Spending time in Kirkenes provides the opportunity to take part in numerous adventurous activities into the Arctic environment. In winter, Kirkenes is home to the fantastic Snow Hotel, a base for several exciting excursions. You can also greet the reindeer living on the grounds. During spring, you can still participate in winter activities and excursions, for example, exploring the Arctic wilderness on a snowmobile and driving over a frozen fjord. During the trip, your guides tell you about the history of the Sámi people, the extreme Arctic climate and the area´s unique wildlife. On our dog-sledge adventures, huskies eagerly transport you across the frozen Arctic landscape. You can also catch and eat giant king crab from the Barents Sea. In summer, you can hike across mountainous terrain with your own husky companion. 

As the ship starts its voyage south, you can first enjoy lunch followed by views of the surrounding Arctic landscape on deck or from the panorama lounge. As we depart Kirkenes, you’ve only seen half of what our voyage along the Norwegian coastline has to offer. Prepare yourself for many new experiences. The ports previously visited by night on the northbound journey are now seen by day. In the afternoon, the ship again docks at Vardø, Norway’s easternmost port. Weather permitting, we may invite you to experience ice bathing in the Arctic Ocean. On board in spring, there is a presentation about shorebirds residing along the Nordic coastline. Heading south, we cruise along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord, before reaching Berlevåg in the evening. The latter town is home to one of Norway’s most famous male choirs, consisting mainly of local fishermen.

Surrounded by excitement

In the middle of the night, we dock at Mehamn, where it is possible to join an unforgettable snowmobile trip through one of Europe’s most extreme and exciting natural areas. Experience snow-clad valleys, fresh winter air and perhaps the mesmerizing Northern Lights in the clear, starry sky. 

At Honningsvåg, you can join an excursion that features breakfast at North Cape and the discovery of hidden parts of Finnmark along the way. Before stopping in Hammerfest, you can enjoy an ‘energy coffee’ and short on-board introduction to Melkøya - the world´s northernmost natural gas terminal’. In autumn, we invite you to taste dried-reindeer meat on deck. Hammerfest was founded in 1789, and over time became Norway’s polar capital, serving as a base for hunting expeditions into the high Arctic. Here you can see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise, geographic measurement of the globe. You can also join a mini-mountain expedition to experience the Arctic outdoors and learn about local polar hero and cook, Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm. 

We continue south to Øksfjord. In winter, our crew teaches you how to tie maritime knots on deck. After crossing open water, we make a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervøy, where Hurtigruten founder, Richard With, was born. In spring, we sail through the beautiful Lyngenfjord, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Lyngen Alps, and where we may be visited by a local fisherman who shares a taste of fresh locally-caught prawns. We then dock at Tromsø, just in time to enjoy a magical midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral. Alternatively, a walk around the town provides you the chance to enjoy a local brew at one of the city´s many friendly pubs. 

In summer, you can join the Expedition Team for explorer boat activities to discover more of Tromsø and its surroundings.  

Lofoten, where nature amazes

We arrive at Harstad this morning, where you have the opportunity to participate in one of the classic Hurtigruten excursion programmes: A taste of Vesterålen. Experience history, beautiful scenery and a selection of breathtaking sites that include a visit to Trondenes Church, one of Norway’s premier cultural heritage sites from the late Middle Ages. Those who choose to stay on board can admire views of this old church as we sail towards the Risøyrenna, a shallow 7m-deep channel made especially for Hurtigruten in the 1920s to provide an ‘inside route’ between Harstad and Sortland. The sand banks along the Risøyrenna are visible through the clear, green water. The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning scenery you will see during the entire coastal voyage. The Lofoten region is renowned for its natural beauty with steep mountains, wild nature and small, picturesque fishing villages. The daylight sailing route through the Lofoten Islands is a highlight for many of our guests.

Risøyhamn is a small village with only 200 inhabitants, and we make a short stop here to deliver passengers, groceries and mail. As a springtime tribute to the region´s fishing history, our chef shows how to fillet the catch of the day on deck. We then continue south via Sortland to Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded more than 120 years ago. Go ashore and pay a visit to the Hurtigruten museum here. Continuing southwards, it looks like we are sailing straight into the mountain wall, but we inevitably slip through an opening leading to the narrow Raftsund. This 20 km passage between Lofoten and Vesterålen takes you through mountains soaring 1,000 m directly out of the sea. 

Now we reach the spectacular Trollfjord, only 2 km long and 100 m wide, surrounded by majestic mountains. If the weather and time permit – the captain makes a detour into the fjord. Steep cliffs hug the ship´s sides and the dramatic landscape conjures fairy tale images of an imaginary land of trolls. Trollfjord is also the realm of the sea eagle. Just north of the fjord, a smaller vessel awaits to take you out to see this magnificent bird up close on an optional sea eagle safari. To join the safari, you transfer to the smaller tour boat on Trollfjord. To do this, the Hurtigruten ship must turn around in the narrow fjord, a magnificent sight in its own right! The eagle safari begins in earnest after leaving the Trollfjord, passing through narrow channels flanked by steep mountains where the sea eagles dwell and can be viewed. These beautiful, rare birds of prey circle the boat a few times before we toss fish into the sea for them to grab and devour. Be sure to take along a camera!

Reaching Svolvær, you can choose from several excursion options. Join our Lofoten Islands tour to learn more about the fishing communities, beautiful scenery and art from this area. You can join a horseback ride and experience a sunset trot through powdery white sand on a beach along the Norwegian Sea. If you want more of an adrenaline rush, join one of our high-octane excursions by RIB. Lofoten is known for its excellent fishing, and in winter you can join a fishing trip to try your luck at catching cod. If you prefer dry land, a guided fishing village walk provides in-depth insights into the history and culture.  From Svolvær, we continue on to Stamsund, where we see the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten wall. We leave Lofoten during the evening and set course for the mainland.

Enjoy a date with the Seven Sisters

Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33’N is an important ‘rite of passage’. Today we celebrate the event out on deck with a `taste´ of Arctic tradition – a spoonful of cod liver oil. As we sail along the Helgeland coast, you pass hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls rich in local lore. On deck you can see the strange mountain Torghatten (rising 258 m above sea level), famous for its distinctive hole right through the middle. The hole is 160 m long, 35 m high and 20 m wide, and was created during the ice age.

Another highlight is sailing past the Seven Sisters mountain range. All seven mountains are between 900 and 1,100 m high, and it is easy to understand how these ‘ladies’ influenced ancient myths. The story goes that there were seven troll sisters, the daughters of King Sulis, who kept them under strict control. One night, when the king fell into a deep sleep, the seven maidens sneaked out. Vågekallen, who was eager for a wife, was lying in wait. He pursued the sisters, who fled southwards down the coast. Several other trolls joined the chase to either capture or rescue them. When night turned to morning, the troll sisters and their pursuers were petrified as the sun turns all trolls to stone. They all became the rocks and mountains that today make the Helgeland coastline one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Next we make a short stop at Nesna, an idyllic old trading post before moving on to Sandnessjøen. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vega Islands is close to Sandnessjøen and can be visited on an optional excursion during summer. This unique cultural landscape consists of dozens of islands. The UNESCO designation was awarded due to the unique interaction between the eider duck and island population. Learn how the fishermen and farmers have cultivated a centuries-old symbiotic relationship with the ducks, and how it continues to contribute to a livelihood of eiderdown harvesting and making down-filled duvets.

On another optional excursion between Sandnessjøen and Brønnøysund, you can experience an exciting blend of culture, nature and architecture. Visit the museum at Alstahaug, which is dedicated to the life of Petter Dass (1647-1707), the foremost Norwegian poet of his generation. The museum consists of several buildings, the oldest being the old vicarage from the mid-1700s. There are continuous exhibitions, and the building interiors date back to the 17^th and 18^th centuries. The museum, church and graveyard are preserved and protected by the Norwegian Cultural Heritage. 

In cod we trust

Today provides another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. Join the Explorer Team to discover even more of the surroundings on explorer boat activities offered during summer. Back on board, the ship heads out into the majestic Trondheimsfjord, which is 170 km long and up to 25 km wide. Like all other Norwegian fjords, it is deep, plunging to 577 m. 

As we sail along the coast, you realise the importance of fish to Norwegian coastal communities. Kristiansund’s location has steadily provided the town with a wealth of opportunities in the fishing, shipbuilding and oil industries. 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. You can also choose a sightseeing tour of Kristiansund, and visit Kvernes Stave Church on the nearby island of Averøy.

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’.  In winter, you can enjoy beautiful scenery under the stars as you mingle with sledge dogs and experience the thrill of ice fishing. Together with a sledge team of Alaskan huskies, you take a memorable ride into the winter forest, stopping along the way to ice fish on a lake. Those choosing to stay on board at Kristiansund will experience the ship´s crossing the open sea on our way to Molde, known as Norway´s  ‘City of Roses’. Along the way you see see the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps.

Final chapter of the fairy tale

During the night, the ship calls at Ålesund, Torvik, Måløy, as the world’s most beautiful voyage draws to a close. Before we dock in Bergen, there are some nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of us, including the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedal Glacier. Here the fjord widens to the east and forges 90 km inland to Loen and Olden. The rugged coastal areas are a striking contrast to the inner fjord regions where the wind is gentler and less rain falls. Fertile fruit orchards and glacial fingers stretch towards glistening lakes and gushing rapids. This landscape has its own distinctive charm and you are encouraged to experience it. In the morning, we call at Florø, a modern coastal seaport that is also the Sogn og Fjordane region´s oldest town and Norway’s westernmost community. Despite constant changes, the city of Florø has maintained its special features. The small-town atmosphere is very much alive with a charming high street and good selection of shops. 

A few nautical miles south of Florø, we navigate the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord, and enjoy superb views of this magnificent island-studded coastline en route. Finally, you disembark in Bergen, taking with you memories of a unique journey filled with unforgettable experiences and meetings with local people, wildlife and stunning nature. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, but we hope to see you on board for new adventures in the very near future. 

If you still haven’t gotten enough of Norway, add on a few extra nights with our Land Adventures. See breathtaking fjords, explore steep mountain landscapes in Lofoten, take an extraordinary train ride, experience Norway’s capital city, Oslo, or discover the jewel in the crown of Arctic Norway - Svalbard. We highly recommend staying for couple of nights in one of the featured cities (Kirkenes, Tromsø, Lofoten, Bergen, Oslo and Longyearbyen) to experience more Norwegian cuisine, culture and scenery. All of the accommodations are specially selected to offer the best and most authentic Norwegian experiences. Read more about our Land Adventures here.