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Hurtigruten Ships
Ivalo to Oslo
Overview
Experience some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and the wonder of the Northern Lights on this 14-day adventure through Finland to Norway including the iconic southbound Coastal Voyage, plus “Norway in a Nutshell” from Bergen to Oslo and Bergen and Oslo city tours.
Departures
Cruise Itinerary
On arrival at Ivalo Airport you will be transferred by bus to the nearby village of Saariselkä. Check-in to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening meet your tour leader and fellow travellers in the lobby of the hotel for a welcome drink. Overnight in Saariselkä.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before taking a visit to a local husky farm. Meet the huskies and learn about their life and training with a local guide. Enjoy a sled ride (weather dependant) with your new furry friends. Before returning to the hotel enjoy a hot beverage at Lappish Kota. This evening join the group for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Overnight in Saariselkä.
After breakfast we continue our journey north through Finnish Lapland. Along the way take part in a Reindeer Safari. Listen to stories about Sami culture, browse handicrafts and the meet the reindeers. Enjoy a sled ride (weather dependant). A light lunch is included in the Kota restaurant. Our journey continues by coach to the small township of Inari. This afternoon we take a visit to the SIIDA museum including a guided tour of the open-air exhibition. This museum is home to acolection featuring the spiritual and material culture of the Finnish Sami presented it to the public through exhibitions and publications. After the museum visit we check in to the hotel located on the shoreline of Lake Inari. Tonight you will sleep under the northern sky in the comfort of an Aurora Cabin. If you are lucky, you may witness the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed. Dinner is included at the hotel restaurant. Overnight in Inari.
After breakfast we depart Inari and continue north into Norway where we check in to the Snowhotel in Kirkenes. The hotel is home to reindeer and huskies. Entrance to the Snowhotel is included along with a welcome drink. We will enjoy dinner at the unique farmhouse restaurant, Laven. Tonight you will sleep in a Gamme cabin, inspired by the traditional hunting and fishing hut known as ‘gamme’ typical in the Lapland wilderness. Overnight in Kirkenes.
Enjoy breakfast and the morning at leisure. In the late morning we take a transfer to the Hurtigruten pier in Kirkenes where we board the ship and prepare for our sea voyage south. After departing Kirkenes, we head due north, arriving at Vardø in the afternoon. Weather permitting, brave swimmers may want to take a dip in the icy Arctic Ocean (strictly optional of course!). We now head due west, cruising along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord and Berlevåg, home to Norway’s most famous male choir, comprising local fishermen. Overnight on board our ship.
We make a late night stop at Mehamn. In winter, you can join an optional snowmobile trip through the vast Arctic wilderness. Experience snowy plains and valleys, crisp winter air and very possibly the Northern Lights in the starry sky above. During the day we pass through various ports including Honningsvåg and Hammerfest where you can visit the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to honour the first precise geographic measurement of the globe. We proceed south to Øksfjord, stopping briefly at the old trading post of Skjervøy. Late in the evening we dock at Tromsø, in time to enjoy a magical Northern Lights concert at the Arctic Cathedral in winter (optional). Overnight on board our ship.
This morning, we arrive at Harstad, where you can join one of our classic excursions - A Taste of Vesterålen (optional). Discover history, beautiful scenery, and cultural heritage sites on this tour then rejoin the ship further south at Sortland. Those who stay on the ship experience our passage through the Risøyrenna, a shallow channel built for Hurtigruten in the 1920s. Prepare for some amazing scenery as we sail through the world-famous islands of Lofoten and Vesterålen. Lofoten is known for its natural beauty, steep mountains, wilderness and picturesque fishing villages. Our daylight route through the region is the voyage highlight for many of our guests. After a short stop at the tiny village of Risøyhamn, we continue to Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten began more than 125 years ago. You may wish to visit the Hurtigruten Museum here. Continuing south, it will look like we’re headed straight into a mountain, but don’t worry, we are in fact sailing through a passage into the narrow Raftsund, flanked by peaks rising 1000m out of the sea. We now arrive at amazing Trollfjord. If conditions allow, we will sail between sheer cliffs that seem close enough to reach out and touch. It’s an unforgettable experience! Next we arrive in Svolvær, where you can choose from several optional excursions or just relax in town at one of many cafés, pubs and restaurants. Overnight on board our ship.
Crossing the Arctic Circle is an important ‘rite of passage’. Today we celebrate the occasion on deck with a taste of Arctic tradition – a spoonful of cod liver oil. Sailing along the Helgeland coast, you see the strange mountain, Torghatten (258m above sea level), famous for the distinctive hole through its centre. The hole is 160m long, 35m high and 20m wide, and was formed during the ice age. Another highlight is sailing past the Seven Sisters mountain range. It is easy to see how the peaks influenced ancient legends. The story goes that seven beautiful troll sisters were caught out at sunrise and turned to stone, thus creating the seven beautiful mountaintops. Next, we briefly stop at the idyllic trading post of Nesna before moving on to Sandnessjøen. In Brønnøysund, join an optional excursion to the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre for an informative tour and taste of fresh salmon. Even though we’re south of the Arctic Circle, there may still be good opportunities to see the Northern Lights. Overnight on board our ship.
Today you have a chance to explore the wooden city of history: Trondheim. Be sure to visit the majestic Nidaros Cathedral, built over the burial site of King Olav II who reigned from 1015 to 1028. As we sail along the coast, you will realise the importance of fishing to Norway’s coastal communities. Kristiansund is regarded as Norway’s ‘dried cod capital’ because of its long-time export of salted dry fish. Here you can join an excursion along the Atlantic Road, a National Scenic Route. The 8km stretch of highway spans eight bridges, crosses picturesque landscapes and is surrounded by open sea. Another interesting excursion is to the Bergtatt marble mine, which takes you inside a mountain and across an illuminated subterranean lake before serving you a meal in the mine´s ‘Grand Hall’. Those who remain aboard at Kristiansund will experience the ship´s open sea crossing towards Molde - Norway´s ‘City of Roses’. From there, you can see the distant pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps across the fjord, called ‘the Molde panorama’. Overnight on board our ship.
During the night, the ship calls at Ålesund, Torvik and Måløy, as our voyage draws to a close. Before docking in Bergen, there is fascinating scenery to see, including picturesque Nordfjord beneath Jostedal Glacier. Here the fjord widens to the east and forges 90 km inland. In the morning, we dock at Florø, Norway’s westernmost community. A few nautical miles south of Florø, we cross the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord, taking in superb views of the magnificent island-studded coastline en route. Finally, you disembark in the Hanseatic city of Bergen in the early afternoon. We will transfer to hotel and the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Bergen
After breakfast in the hotel we will take a city sightseeing tour of Bergen, which includes a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Bryggen, St Mary’s Church, and Håkon’s Hall, before heading to Troldhaugen, the home of Norway’s most famous composer, Edvard Grieg. The remainder of the day is at your leisure, perhaps enjoy a journey on the Furnicular railway, up to the top of Mt Floien where you can enjoy stunning views over the city, and surrounding waterways. Overnight in Bergen
Today enjoy an amazing journey by rail, coach and ferry on the famous ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ route between Bergen and Oslo. We start with a rail journey from Bergen to Voss, from here we travel by coach to Gudvangen. Waterfalls line the road as we weave our way through the valley. In Gudvangen board a ferry and enjoy a fjord cruise along the narrow and dramatic UNESCO protected Nærøyfjord, ending in the quaint village of Flåm. From here we board the famous Flåm Railway, one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. We climb three thousand feet on the train to the mountain station of Myrdal. From here we change trains and head to Oslo for a late evening arrival. Overnight in Oslo.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and prepare for our final full day on tour. We will enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Oslo including the Vigeland Sculpture Park, Viking Ship Museum, Oslo Opera House, Holmenkollen Ski Jump and more. Spend some time on your own in the afternoon and join the group again for our farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Oslo.
After breakfast at the hotel our tour ends.
The day-by-day programme will give you a few ideas about what you can see and do on your coastal voyage in Norway, but bear in mind that this itinerary is just an indication of what you can experience. After all, this is a sailing where the elements rule and weather conditions might vary, which is why every voyage with Hurtigruten is unique.
Hurtigruten Ships
Since 1893, the Hurtigruten ships have been a hallmark of the Norwegian coast. Today, our ships sail to the Arctic and Antarctica, and many destinations in between. On each ship you will find modern facilities carefully blended with true character. MS Fridtjof Nansen MS Fridtjof Nansen is the latest addition to Hurtigruten’s fleet of custom built ships – and the next generation expedition ship. She will explore some of the most spectacular corners of the globe. Featuring Hurtigruten's revolutionary battery hybrid powered propulsion system, MS Fridtjof Nansen will be a near identical twin to her sister ship MS Roald Amundsen. Combining state of the art technology and premium on board experience with Hurtigruten’s 125 years of experience and unparalleled destinations, the two Norwegian built ships introduces the next generation of adventure travel. MS Fram The original Fram was the most famous explorer ship of its time, and the achievements of her expeditions are unparalleled. MS Fram brings on the heritage of the original Fram, using the most advanced technology to make her exceptionally well suited for expedition voyages in Polar Regions. MS Kong Harald Norway's reigning monarch, a seasoned sailor, lends his name to this remarkable vessel. MS Kong Harald was refurbished in 2016 and now features a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. There is a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink. The vessel also has a large compass area were you find the reception, the Expedition Team, conference room and shop. The top deck of the boat features a sun deck, observation saloon and panorama lounge, all of which provide splendid views of spectacular coastal scenery. MS Maud MS Maud is designed to take you on an expedition of the Norwegian coast in maximum comfort, equipped for a sustainable and memorable expedition. MS Maud, the current MS Trollfjord, is named after one of the most famous polar vessels of all time, Roald Amundsens “Maud” from 1917. The original “Maud” got her name from the first Queen of modern-day Norway. She also had her namesake in Hurtigruten’s 1925 flagship DS Dronning Maud (“DS Queen Maud”). Today´s MS Maud is an ice class 1C ship equipped with advanced technology that makes her exceptionally well-suited for expedition cruises in Norway. MS Nordkapp MS Nordkapp is named after the northernmost point on mainland Europe: North Cape (71ºN) - one of the geographical highpoints you can visit on a Hurtigruten voyage. MS Nordkapp was refurbished in 2016 and now features a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, a Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. We also have a cosy bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink. The ship additionally has a large compass area with reception, a tour guide, conference room and shop. MS Nordkapp was christened by Norway´s Queen Sonja in 1996 and her maiden voyage was to the Shetland Islands. The ship started sailing the Norwegian coast in April 1996. She has also sailed in Antarctica. Since 2007, the vessel has been part of Hurtigruten´s fleet of ships dedicated to sailing the Norwegian coastline. MS Nordlys Both the name and the interior design of this modern expedition ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The art, décor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the northern lights. The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Passengers are invited to relax after a long day experiencing Hurtigruten´s various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship’s lounges. In May 2019 MS Nordlys was refurbished. All cabins got a makeover, while new cabin grades were added. The upgrade saw a number of new features being added to the ship. MS Nordstjernen MS Nordstjernen is named after the North Star or Stella Polaris, famous for helping seafarers find their way back home and the Vikings to navigate the north. The ship was built for the Coastal Voyage fleet in 1956 and extensively modernised in 2000 for exclusive Arctic sailing. Today she takes explorers on adventures in the waters around Spitsbergen. Despite modernisation, she still retains the aura of an old Atlantic ship, restored to her former splendour with new brass, classic wooden interiors and all her original art. Out on deck you come extra close to the untouched nature of the Polar Arctic and with roofs over a lot of the deck space you can enjoy being outside, even in rough weather. MS Nordstjernen is equipped with a dining room and bar, a café, a panorama lounge and a library. Inside you’ll find cosy interior and exterior cabins, the majority of which have upper and lower berths. All rooms and deck surfaces exhibit that old, beautiful wood. MS Nordnorge MS Nordnorge is aptly named for northern Norway, most of which lies above the Arctic Circle. MS Nordnorge was refurbished in 2016 and now features a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. We have a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink. The vessel also has a large compass area where you find the reception, a tour guide, conference room and shop. MS Polarlys Polarlys is Norwegian for `polar light´, and refers to the natural Arctic phenomenon we pursue in winter. MS Polarlys was refurbished in 2016 and now features a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. We have a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink. The vessel also has a large compass area where you find the reception, the expedition team, conference room and shop. MS Roald Amundsen In 2019, Hurtigruten added a brand new ship to its fleet: the MS Roald Amundsen. The state of the art vessel features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that will reduce fuel consumption and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible. MS Roald Amundsen is the first of two hybrid ships Hurtigruten will add to its fleet over the next few years. Emissions are cut by sailing with electrical propulsion. Innovative sustainable technology reduces fuel consumption and CO2-emissions on the ships by 20 percent. Named after the first man to cross Antarctica and reach the South Pole, MS Roald Amundsen leads the way towards an even more sustainable way of travelling. The ship is specially constructed for voyages in polar waters. It serves as a comfortable basecamp at sea – bringing adventurers from all over the world to the most spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way. MS Richard With MS Richard With proudly carries the name of Hurtigruten's founder. It is aptly designed and built in classic maritime style. When Captain Richard With established the Norwegian Coastal Express in 1893, he made an enormous impact on life along the Norwegian coastline. The MS Richard With lives up to that legacy. Relax in the ship´s panorama lounges and take in the unforgettable views of remarkable coastal scenery, much of it the same as when the first Hurtigruten boats sailed by more than a century ago. Beautiful art throughout the ship´s interior adds contemporary elegance to the vessel´s maritime ambience. MS Spitsbergen Our new ship, MS Spitsbergen will take you on a voyage beyond the ordinary. MS Spitsbergen is named after the crown jewel of Arctic Norway – the Svalbard archipelago and its biggest island, Spitsbergen. Hurtigruten has a long history of travelling to Spitsbergen, beginning in 1896 with the `Sports Route´. MS Spitsbergen cruises along the Norwegian coast from September to May, and becomes part of our global Explorer sailings during the rest of the year. After complete reconstruction, MS Spitsbergen joined the Hurtigruten fleet in 2016. The ship features high technical standards as well as comfortable, modern public areas and cabins. The vessel´s fresh Scandinavian design reflects a colour palette derived from the sea. She is modern and environmentally progressive, and we plan further improvements that will reduce emissions and fuel consumption even more. The new ship’s maneuverability and optimal size make her quite suitable for exploring polar waters. MS Trollfjord The ship is named after the spectacular Trollfjord in Lofoten. Inside she provides spectacular comfort, modern facilities and interior design that makes extensive use of Norwegian wood and stone. The art exhibited aboard ship includes original paintings that were once on board the old Hurtigruten ship, MS Harald Jarl. MS Trollfjord´s sun deck and hot tub are on deck 9. The ship´s spacious, two-storey panorama lounge is above the bow. Its wall-to-wall windows bathe the lounge in natural light and provide extraordinary views. MS Vesterålen MS Vesterålen is named after the first Hurtigruten ship that sailed along Norway´s rugged coastline in 1893. She is one of our smaller boats and has an intimate on-board atmosphere. MS Vesterålen provides passengers an authentic heritage experience. In its exciting programme you will learn more about the ship´s maritime operations, logistics and hotel operations. You will get an opportunity to get closer to the Hurtigruten operation and to learn more about the operation along the Norwegian coast.
Highlights
• Husky and reindeer experiences • The Northern Lights and insight into Sami culture • Choice of cabin category on voyage • City tours of Bergen and Oslo
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