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.

Dinner will be served at the hotel.

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, 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.

In the afternoon, travel from Kemi to Levi, via Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi (short stop if time permits).

Enjoy two magical nights in private glass accommodation, offering the chance to marvel at the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed. Located on the outskirts of Levi, a small charming ski resort village, the hotel is far from light pollution, making it an ideal spot for Northern Lights viewing (weather permitting).

Dinner at hotel’s restaurant in the main building.

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.

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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.

Arriving early in the morning, you’ll have a full day in Honningsvåg. This far north, winters are long and snowfall is high, so get ready for some fantastic winter scenery and activities.

Feel the snow crunching under your snowshoes as you hike across the plains with your Expedition Team. On optional excursions, you could try your hand at ice fishing, a beloved winter tradition in the far north. Get a taste of the local delicacy, king crab, which is caught in the waters around Honningsvåg and served year-round.

The highlight of any trip to Honningsvåg is a visit to the North Cape which looks out over the Barents Sea, also available as an optional excursion. This is one of the northernmost points of mainland Europe, and as we’re visiting in winter, you can even choose to get there by snowmobile.

Having reached the northernmost point of our voyage, we’ll turn around and begin going south as we sail away in the evening.

At 70 degrees north, this town is far above the Arctic Circle. The area is known for particularly good Northern Lights visibility, so keep your camera ready.

On an optional excursion, you can find out more about day-to-day life in Alta, see prehistoric rock art and visit the Northern Lights Cathedral, which has an exhibition showing how Alta became the epicentre for ground-breaking research of the aurora borealis between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Increased snowfall in the winter allows for some truly authentic Arctic excursions, like dogsledding. You can try this on wheels if you’re here when there’s no snow on the ground! The snow and climate of Alta also create the perfect conditions to build and maintain the Igloo Hotel. Located on the banks of river Alta, this is the world’s northernmost ice hotel.

Alternatively, join your Expedition Team on a hike to Mount Komsa. The views are mesmerising.

Narvik sits on a peninsula where three beautiful fjords meet. It was originally developed as a year-round, ice-free port for the nearby iron ore mines. Nowadays, it’s known for its World War II heritage and as a gateway to active pursuits such as skiing, dog sledding, and hiking. 

Get to know Narvik's past at the Narvik War Museum complete with engaging exhibits that bring to life the town’s strategic importance during World War II.

For an impressive panorama of Narvik, the best thing to do is ride the cable car up to Narvikfjellet. At the top, you’ll be treated to astounding views of the town and the three surrounding fjords. 

After Narvik, we head south along the enchanting Norwegian coast. You’ll be in awe of windswept islands, sheltered bays, and some of the most beautiful fjords in the world. It’s also inhabited by a wide range of wildlife, such as majestic Sea Eagles.

When we started sailing north of the Trøndelag region in 1893, much was still unknown about the coastline. But, over the years, we’ve become experts in these waters. Today, we are among the few with the maritime knowledge and skill to take you through the many skerries, islets and hidden fjords that characterise this stretch of coast.

After docking in the town centre in the morning, you have the chance to explore Åndalsnes, a picturesque coastal town located along Isfjord at the end of the Romsdalsfjord.

The literal highlights of Åndalsnes are the mountains that tower over the town. They are the reason the town has become Norway’s go-to destination for hikers, climbers, skiers, and more. The Troll Wall, a 1,000 metre vertical cliff along the Romsdalen valley also attracts adrenaline seekers the world over.

To take in the sights go on a relaxing ride on the Romsdal Gondola, which takes you to the top of Nesaksla Mountain, 708 metres above sea level. There, enjoy a 360-degree view of the mighty Romsdalshorn, Åndalsnes town centre below, and the Rauma river. 

Surrounded by seven mountains and the sea, the old capital of Bergen is one of Norway’s most picturesque and historic cities, as well as being its second largest.

Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and discover its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 14th century. Bergen’s famous fish market is worth a visit, too. It promises to be a feast for the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of bountiful, fresh seafood which can be cooked there and then for you.

One of the best-known attractions in Bergen is the Fløibanen funicular, which brings you to the top of Mount Fløyen. The summit has a wonderful view over the city, the nearby fjord, and the other surrounding peaks.

We spend the last afternoon of your voyage in Kristiansand, Norway’s fifth largest city, sitting along the southern tip of the country,

Kristiansand is on a mission to become the most sustainable port in Europe. Find out more about this admirable quest on an optional excursion that includes a visit to Odderøya Island.

Or delve into Kristiansand’s 20th-century military past on an optional excursion to Batterie Vara. Originally built as a German fort in World War II, it features the world’s second largest cannon ever to be mounted on land.

Back on the boat, we’ll end our voyage on a high note with an end-of-trip farewell dinner. Take this opportunity to trade photo highlights and experiences with your fellow travellers one last time.

You’ve sailed on The North Cape Line, getting to know Norway’s coastal cities and villages all the way to the top of the European continent.

During the journey, you’ll have experienced Norway’s varied climate, seen majestic mountains and fjords, and maybe gazed up in awe at the Northern Lights once or several times.

We hope you’ll cherish each of the memories you’ve made on The North Cape Line. Come sail with us again soon, on another iconic voyage of our spectacular home: the Norwegian coast.