12 days / 11 nights
Bergen • Kirkenes • Bergen
Join this Arctic adventure to the remote regions along the dramatic coastline and to the most northerly part of Norway.
Much of the duration of this eventful voyage is spent above the Arctic Circle, increasing your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
Be part of this popular Hurtigruten voyage to learn more about the Arctic night sky as well as the greatest light show on Earth, the Aurora Borealis.
We are delighted to offer three dates for the Hurtigruten Astronomy Voyage in 2012 accompanied by the renowned astronomer Ian Ridpath, Editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy and hopefully the Northern Lights.
Through a series of lectures and a guided tour of the night sky from the deck of the ship, your lecturer will bring the world of stars, planets and meteors closer whilst also exploring the numerous myths and legends linked to the constellations in our skies.
Your Lecturer on Board :
Ian Ridpath
Ian Ridpath has been a full time writer and broadcaster on Astronomy since 1972 and has previously worked at the University of London Observatory and in publishing. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (Council member 2004-07), as well as a member of the Society of Authors and of the Association of British Science Writers. He is also the Editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy and Norton's Star Atlas, a publication now in its twentieth edition since 1910.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Embarkation in Bergen :
Ports visited today : Bergen
Before you check in, explore the charming port and Hanseatic city of Bergen. Stroll through the narrow medieval streets of the UNESCO-listed Bryggen quarter, visit the Hanseatic Museum or stroll among the stalls at the fish market. Take the funicular railway 320m up Mount Fløyen, located just outside the city, and you'll enjoy the best view of Bergen and its fjords. In the evening your Hurtigruten voyage sets off through the Hjeltefjord, following in the wake of the Vikings who sailed from here to the Shetland Islands and beyond.
Day 2 - Ålesund and Geirangerfjord :
Ports visited today : Florø, Måløy, Torvik, Ålesund, Molde.
Your Hurtigruten ship navigates the skerries and islands further north before reaching Ålesund. Marvel at the inspiring architecture in the Apotekergate and Kongensgate pedestrian precinct, perfect examples of the Art Nouveau style. Don't miss out on the view from Mount Aksla but beware, there are 418 steps to the top!
In the summer months, the next destination will be the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. En route to the end of this beautiful fjord you pass sheer, 800m cliffs and impressive waterfalls.
Available Excursions :
2D Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Mount Aksla
Day 3 - The Royal City of Trondheim :
Ports visited today : Kristiansund, Trondheim, Rørvik.
When visiting the old royal city of Trondheim, be sure to get a good view from the Gamle Bybrua ("Old Town Bridge"). Dating from 1861, this neo-gothic wooden bridge used to be the only way into the town centre. Nidaros Cathedral, built between 1070 and 1300, is Norway's largest Gothic religious edifice. In the neighbouring Archbishop's Palace, the Norwegian Crown Jewels are kept.
In Trondheim itself, the Hanseatic, waterside storehouses built on wooden stilts are just as charming as the Rococo-style Stiftsgården, the largest wooden building in Norway and residence for the Royal Family when visiting Trondheim. You then set a course for the northwest, past the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and thousands of little islands and picturesque rocky outcrops. After passing through Stokksund, the ship will arrive at Rørvik.
Available excursions :
3B Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral
3C Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum
Day 4 - Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands :
Ports visited today : Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Ørnes, Bodø, Stamsund, Svolvær.
This morning, between Nesna and Ørnes, you pass a globe on a small islet which heralds your crossing of the Arctic Circle. Passengers sailing in Arctic waters for the first time are given an Arctic Circle baptism by Njord, the ruler of the Seven Seas. This comes in the form of an ice cube down your front or back, but is entirely optional.
In the evening you reach Svolvær, the main settlement on the Lofoten Islands. These islands are renowned for their small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere surrounded by majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches. Complete your visit with a stroll between the stockfish racks and 'rorbuer', the traditional, red fishermen's residences. The Lofoten Islands are a truly extraordinary experience.
Available excursions :
4A Glacier Adventure Svartisen
Day 5 - Tromsø, Gateway to the Arctic :
Ports visited today : Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risøyhamn, Harstad, Finnsnes, Tromsø ,Skjervøy.
During the night your Hurtigruten ship navigates the narrow Raftsund strait. After a stop in Harstad, situated on the largest island of Norway, Hinnøya, you continue via Finnsnes to Tromsø for a prolonged stay. Many of the epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point; the famous explorer Roald Amundsen sourced both crew and supplies here.
With the presence of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the city has cemented its position as the Polar Capital of Norway. Ishavskatedralen, the Arctic Cathedral, is the most famous landmark with its modern design and extraordinary stained glass window. Tromsø is also home to the world's northernmost university and the large number of people arriving here has created a vibrant cultural scene with numerous restaurants and cafes constantly teeming with life.
Available excursions :
Day 6 - Honningsvåg and the North Cape :
Ports visited today : Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn, Berlevåg.
Following the scenic sailing through Magerøysund and after an early stop in Hammerfest, you arrive in Honningsvåg. This small port is the gateway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape which rises 300m from the ocean, and at 71° 10' 21" north it puts you a mere 2,000 kilometres from the Geographical North Pole. Standing atop the North Cape Plateau you'll get the eerie feeling of being at the end of the world.
The area is also known for its bird life, and Gjesværstappan, a bird sanctuary with up to 250,000 seabirds is home to some High Arctic species that can only be observed here on the Norwegian mainland. This evening, as you approach Kjøllefjord, you pass a rock formation that is sacred to the indigenous Sami people, Finnkjerka.
Available excursions :
Day 7 - Kirkenes, The Voyage Turning Point :
Ports visited today : Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, Kirkenes.
The last port on the Hurtigruten Voyage North is Kirkenes. And at longitude 30 east, you are actually further east than Istanbul and St. Petersburg. The well-policed Russian border and the Kola peninsula are close by which explains why the road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian.
Being at the north-easterly terminus of Hurtigruten, the only choice from here is to set south again but spending a few days in Kirkenes offers you the opportunity to take part in some of the adventurous Arctic activities available nearby.
Available excursions :
7E ATV/Quad-Safari to the Russian Border
Day 8 - Hammerfest and Tromsø :
Ports visited today : Mehamn, Kjøllefjord, Honningsvåg, Havøysund, Hammerfest, Øksfjord, Skjervøy, Tromsø.
Breakfast at the North Cape including a visit to a Sámi family form part of an early morning excursion (at extra cost). Your next stop, Hammerfest, was a settlement back to the Stone Age and is still playing an important role as a fishing port. Founded in 1789 to develop trade with Russia, Hammerfest reconfirmed its position as Norway's Polar capital of its time, acting as a base for hunting expeditions to the High Arctic. In Hammerfest the Meridian Column, erected in 1854, commemorates the first precise measurement of the globe, an achievement so important that it's become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As early as 1891, wave energy provided power to the first electric street lighting in Northern Europe, and energy innovation is still a signature for Hammerfest with its large Liquid Gas Plant just outside town. From here, your next major stop will be Tromsø where you are invited to take part in a very special musical experience, The Arctic Cathedral Midnight Concert. Or why not head to one of the town's many friendly pubs and sample the local brew, Mack's Arctic Beer.
Available excursions :
8A Breakfast at the North Cape
8B The Northernmost Town in the World, Hammerfest
8C Midnight Concert in the Arctic Cathedral
8F Snowmobile Trip in the Polar Night
Day 9 - Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands :
Ports visited today : Tromsø, Finnsnes, Harstad, Risøyhamn, Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvær, Stamsund.
The Vesterålen and Lofoten Island are amongst today's highlights. Before you reach them, you pass through Risøyrenna, a channel that was specially constructed for Hurtigruten, providing the vessels an 'inside route' between Harstad and Sortland. Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded, is the location of the Hurtigruten Museum. Entry is free for all Hurtigruten passengers.
You continue through the narrow Raftsund, the picturesque narrow channel between the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, where, time and weather permitting, you'll take a detour into the spectacular Trollfjord where steep cliffs hug the ship's sides. Then it's on to Svolvær, the main settlement on the Lofoten Islands followed by Stamsund where the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten Wall can be viewed. You leave the islands during the evening and set course for the mainland.
Available excursions :
Day 10 - Arctic Circle, Seven Sisters :
Ports visited today : Bodø, Ørnes, Nesna, Sandnessjøen, Brønnøysund, Rørvik.
The Helgeland coast with hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls is worth getting up early to experience. Today will also be your last one north of the Arctic Circle as you cross it between Ørnes and Nesna. This part of the coast is rich in local lore with stories including the legend of the Seven Sisters, a picturesque row of peaks, and the myth about how the arrow from Hestmannen's bow formed the hole in Torghatten Mountain. The Vega Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is close to your call in Sandnessjøen.
The islands were inscribed on this prestigious list due to the unique interaction between man and nature - over centuries the local population have protected the eider duck nests in return for the highly valuable down from the birds.
Available excursion :
Day 11 - Trondheim and Kristiansund :
Ports visited today : Trondheim, Kristiansund, Molde, Ålesund.
Today gives you another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. Nidaros Cathedral, in which three Queens and seven Kings have been crowned, is Scandinavia's largest medieval building, and Norway's crown jewels are kept in the adjacent Archbishop's Residence. Passing the islands of Munkholmen and Hitra you then cross the open sea to Molde, known as the 'city of roses' due to its lush Gulf Stream location.
You will notice the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps glinting in the sun. The town of Kristiansund, located on the scenic Atlantic Road, holds the rather obscure title of Norway's 'cured cod capital' because of the nature of its main export.
Available excursions :
11A Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral
11B Sverresborg, Trøndelag Folk Museum
Day 12 - Rocky Islands, Disembarkation :
Ports visited today : Ålesund, Torvik, Måløy, Florø, Bergen.
Today, your Hurtigruten voyage will come to an end when you arrive in the City of Seven Mountains, Bergen. But before that, you still have a few nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of you such as the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedalsbreen glacier, Norway's longest fjord - the mighty Sognefjord and the picturesque Bergen Archipelago. Take home your memories of the world's most beautiful voyage and the many seafaring companions and friends you've made along the way.
Available excursion :
Astronomy Voyage Fares including Flights 2012
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| Departures 2012 | Departure Airport |
Occupancy | Cabin Grades | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | Outside (* limited/no view) | |||||||
| I | L | J* | N | P | U | |||
| 28 October | London Gatwick | Twin | 1899 | 1999 | 2040 | 2110 | 2205 | |
| Single | 2189 | 2310 | 2330 | 2440 | 2540 | |||
All above prices are in £s per person, for your Hurtigruten voyage, transfers and flights, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin. Suites and Mini Suites may be available on request. |
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Your voyage price includes :
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Not included :
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