Itinerary

Welcome to Finland. Your journey begins in Helsinki, a city of neoclassical elegance and Nordic design set on a beautiful Baltic peninsula. After arriving and checking into your 5-star hotel, your day is at leisure to begin exploring at your own pace. Stroll down the grand Esplanadi boulevard to the lively Market Square, take in the striking Helsinki Cathedral at Senate Square, or simply find a waterfront café and watch the harbour come to life. This evening, meet your tour manager and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner – a chance to hear about the remarkable journey that lies ahead through Finnish Lapland and south along the Norwegian coast.

After breakfast, meet your local guide for a three-hour sightseeing tour of Finland’s elegant capital. Often called the “Daughter of the Baltic Sea” or the “White City of the North”, Helsinki is known for its harmonious blend of neoclassical architecture, modern design and coastal beauty. During the tour, you’ll gain a deeper insight into Finland’s history, culture and traditions.

Pass Helsinki City Hall and the lively Market Square before arriving at Senate Square, home to the striking Helsinki Cathedral. A highlight of the morning is a visit to the remarkable Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the Rock Church, carved directly into solid granite. Entrance is included. Weather and time permitting, you will also see the iconic Sibelius Monument. The tour concludes at the hotel at around 13:00, and the afternoon is at leisure to explore further at your own pace.

It’s time to say goodbye to Helsinki and head north into the wilderness. Transfer by private coach to Helsinki railway station in good time for your northbound train journey. We depart mid-morning, leaving the elegant streets of the Finnish capital behind as we travel north through open countryside, forests and frozen lakes. Lunch can be purchased on board the train. Arrive in Kemi in the afternoon, where a private coach transfer will take you to your accommodation on the Arctic coast at Experience 365. Here, you’ll stay in an amazing seafront glass villa with glass walls and ceilings, meaning you might be able to catch the aurora even as you lie in bed.

Having checked into your beachside glass villa the previous evening, you’ll awake to sweeping views of the Bothnian Bay coastline. What you do today will depend on the time of year you are travelling.

October – December departures 07/10/27, 21/10/27, 04/11/27, 18/11/27 and 02/12/27*

On autumn and early winter departures, enjoy a private guided visit to the historic Icebreaker Sampo. Built in 1960, the vessel once assisted merchant ships and carried out rescue missions in harsh Arctic conditions before being transformed into one of Finland’s most iconic winter attractions.

Following the guided tour, experience sea floating in the icy waters of the Bothnian Bay while wearing a full-body survival dry suit designed to keep you warm and buoyant.**

January – April departures 11/01/28, 08/02/28, 07/03/28 and 04/04/28***

In true winter and early spring, we’ll embark on a three-hour Arktis Icebreaker cruise, weather permitting. Watch as the powerful vessel ploughs through thick sea ice, creating a dramatic spectacle.

You’ll also have the rare opportunity to float in the icy sea wearing a waterproof survival suit; an unforgettable experience!**

After this adventure, lunch is by your own arrangement and then we’ll travel by private coach to Levi and the Northern Lights Village. This is a small and charming ski resort situated far from town, making it perfect for viewing the night skies. Dinner will be at the hotel.

* The icebreaker is not open on Sundays - instead there will be a replacement programme on this day.

** Please note: The minimum height for sea floating is 120cm.

*** The icebreaker will not be sailing on 04/04/28; instead the October–December programme will operate with a price reduction.

Today is a day you’ve probably been anticipating for a while, and it’s dedicated to the region’s most enthusiastic residents – the huskies.

October – November departures

07/10/27, 21/10/27 and 18/11/27

In autumn and early winter, visit a local husky farm for a wagon ride through the forest. A professional musher guides the eager dogs on a 4km journey lasting approximately 20 to 30 minutes, with up to four guests seated per wagon.

After the ride, gather inside a traditional kota hut to enjoy warm berry juice while listening to stories about life with huskies in the Arctic.

Please note: The wagon ride is weather dependent. On warmer days above approximately 7°C, the dogs cannot run and the experience becomes a farm visit only.

The remainder of the day is at leisure. Optional reindeer or snowmobile safaris may be available, depending on the conditions. Dinner is served at the hotel restaurant.

December – April departures

02/12/27, 1/01/28, 11/01/28, 08/02/28, 07/03/28 and 04/04/28

In true winter until early spring, we’ll set out on a traditional 5km husky sleigh safari through Levi’s snow-filled forests. Each two-person sled is driven by one guest, offering a hands-on Arctic experience as your team glides across frozen trails.

The dogs run eagerly, the sled skims over snow, and the forest stretches silent and white around you – it’s an unforgettable way to experience Lapland’s winter landscape.

The remainder of the day is free to relax or join optional Arctic activities such as reindeer or snowmobile safaris, weather permitting. Dinner is served at the hotel restaurant.

***

All departures

Come evening, the focus turns from the forest floor to the sky above, as we head out in search of the Northern Lights on an Aurora Hunting safari in the wilderness (3 hrs, weather permitting). We first head north on a round trip, passing by either Jerisjärvi or Ounasjoki, wherever the Northern Lights are more likely to appear that night. The Aurora Expedition travels in comfort by bus, stopping along the way to take photographs as you continue to the shore of Lake Äkäslompolo.

Experience the magic of the Northern Lights in a serene and unforgettable setting. If the evening is completely calm, you might even hear the whispers of the Aurora.

*The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and their visibility is subject to weather conditions.

After breakfast, head north by private coach from Kemi, following the Swedish-Finnish border through remote Arctic landscapes to Muonio and onward to Kilpisjärvi. We’ll be staying at Santa’s Hotel – a beautiful complex of serviced apartments just a short walk from Lake Kilpisjärvi. With panoramic windows wherever you look, you’ll feel truly embedded in nature during your stay here. Once you’ve checked in, enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant before heading out on an evening Northern Lights adventure with the tour manager.

Today’s adventure will depend on the time of year you are travelling.

October and November departures

On 07/10/27, 21/10/27, 04/11/27 and 18/11/27

During autumn and early winter we’ll visit a traditional Sámi reindeer farm in Kilpisjärvi. The Tornensis family, among the region’s oldest reindeer herding families, welcome you to learn about their centuries-old way of life.

Meet the reindeer in their corral, including young animals in training and experienced sled reindeer. Feed them their favourite lichen and capture memorable photos before gathering inside a cosy log cabin. Around the open fire, enjoy homemade biscuits and warm berry juice while listening to stories about Sámi culture and Arctic life. The experience also includes a tasting of grilled reindeer meat.

December to April departures

02/12/27, 11/01/28, 08/02/28, 07/03/28 and 04/04/28

From true winter onwards, we instead set out on the popular Border of Three Countries ‘safari’. Travel by snowmobile or sleigh across a frozen lake and through snowy birch forest to Koltavuoma, where the distinctive yellow border cairn marks the meeting point of Finland, Sweden and Norway. Covering approximately 30km in around three hours, this guided adventure allows you to stand in three countries within moments. Thermal clothing, guiding, photos and a warm drink with pastry are included.

The afternoon is at leisure to explore the surrounding Arctic landscape. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel before heading out with the tour manager in search of the Northern Lights, weather permitting.

This morning, bid farewell to Finnish Lapland as you depart Kilpisjärvi by private coach and cross back into Norway. The journey west unfolds in dramatic fashion, weaving through the striking Lyngen Alps with fjord crossings on local ferries. One of Norway’s most scenic routes unfolds along the shores of Lyngenfjord, where mountains plunge directly into the sea. Arriving in Tromsø, known as the Arctic Capital, you’ll have a little time to soak up the city’s frontier vibe before stepping aboard your ship. Meet the Expedition Team, whose talks and guidance will bring the coastline’s history and culture to life as you sail south. As evening falls, gather in the panoramic lounge and raise a glass to the Norwegian coast adventure ahead.

Today, we explore Lofoten. As soon as you see the towering peaks, you’ll understand why this island chain is regarded as one of Norway’s most stunning locations. We’ll dock in the town of Svolvær mid-morning. Located on the island of Austvågøya in the heart of Lofoten, Svolvær is the biggest town of the archipelago, and has plenty of shops, restaurants, galleries and cafés to enjoy. You can also admire views of the Svolvær Goat, a nearby mountain named for resembling a goat and its horns. A variety of optional excursions are available from Svolvær, including winter fishing, paddling along the coastline in a kayak, or embarking on a bus tour to learn more about Lofoten’s history. We can’t visit the area without spending a couple of hours in Stokmarknes. It was here that the Original Coastal Express was founded in 1893 by shipping pioneer Richard With. On the waterfront, you’ll find our 1956 ship MS Finnmarken, encased in the Hurtigruten Museum’s glass building like a ship in a bottle.

The cosy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago may look small but it has a huge history that is told through both the landscape and the town’s collection of museums. Here, you can join an optional excursion to three of Rørvik’s excellent museums. Time travel through the last 10,000 years in Ice Age-carved landscapes, carefully preserved 19th-century living rooms, and the ingenuity of Norwegian salmon production. In the afternoon, we’ll continue sailing south through the Vikna archipelago made up of 6,000 islands, islets, and reefs. The local gardens bloom with plum and apple blossoms in the spring, even at 65°N, thanks to the maritime climate. As we sail through the night, we’ll cross the Arctic Circle, leaving the Helgeland coast behind us.

After breakfast on the ship, we’ll dock at Ålesund, a town on a small peninsula surrounded by beautiful mountains and islands. Many of the buildings here, from the bright colours to the rounded spires, were inspired by the Art Nouveau style, which was popular in the early 1900s. You can get impressive photos of the archipelago from the nearby Mount Aksla viewpoint. You can also visit the Atlantic Sea Park, Norway’s first marine science centre. This is one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums, providing a home to seals, otters, and crabs, as well as many other kinds of marine life. You can even see Humboldt Penguins here, a species otherwise absent north of the equator. Join an optional excursion to explore Ålesund on foot or by bus as your guide reveals the town’s surprising secrets to you.

Today, you’ll wake to views of beautiful Lysefjord. The 42km-long fjord is home to one of Norway’s most famous sights: Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock), which towers above the fjord’s shimmering waters. Kjerag mountain, at the end of the fjord, reaches even higher. Along the way, watch for mountain goats, waterfalls, and the famous Kjeragbolten, a glacial boulder wedged high up in a crevasse. You’ll spend the rest of the day in Stavanger, a colourful waterside city with an international ambience and a lively cultural scene. Discover the architectural relics of Gamle (Old) Stavanger, which includes Northern Europe’s best-preserved collection of wooden houses, and Norway’s oldest cathedral, dating from the 12th century. You can also visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, browse the local boutique shops, or simply enjoy a drink on the waterfront.

Today is a chance to savour your final full day at sea. Take time to revisit your favourite spots on the ship and enjoy the flavours of Norway’s Coastal Kitchen. Outside, the southern Norwegian shoreline slips quietly past in a procession of skerries, sheltered harbours and low-slung islands. Watch the scenery drift past from the Observation Deck, sink into a seat in the two-storey lounge and bar, or unwind in the panoramic sauna as sea and sky blend on the horizon. Join the Expedition Team for a final lecture or presentation, and take a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey through Lapland and along the Norwegian coast that has brought you to this point.

This morning, the voyage draws to a close as the ship glides into the Oslofjord. Watch from the deck as the city comes into view – snow-covered hills, colourful waterfront buildings and the silhouette of the medieval Akershus Fortress. After disembarkation, the day is yours to explore Norway’s compact capital at your own pace. Stroll along Karl Johans gate to the Royal Palace, visit the striking waterfront Opera House, or browse contemporary Nordic art at the National Museum. Along the harbour at Aker Brygge, cafés and restaurants offer a warm welcome after your time at sea. Say your farewells to fellow travellers and the ship’s crew, and carry home memories of Finnish wilderness, Arctic light and the magnificent Norwegian coast.