Complement your voyage with an extensive range of shore excursions that give you the opportunity to experience many of the major attractions along the way.

The Hurtigruten experience is far more than seas and skies. Enrich your voyage by taking part in an extensive excursion programme and take full advantage of the fact that the ships call at ports other ships cannot reach. Knowledgeable, English-speaking local guides ensure that yours will be the true Norwegian experience.

All excursions are pre-bookable and only remaining places will be sold on board. Note that the excursion number denotes the day on which the trip operates.

Northbound Excursions

• 2A Geiranger - Ålesund : National Geographic Traveller Magazine voted the Norwegian Fjords the 'most unspoilt travel destination in the world' in December 2004 and UNESCO has designated Geiranger as a World Heritage Site. Let us show you why. At the heart of Geirangerfjord country the dizzying Eagle Road route offers a dramatic bird's eye view of the fjord which contrasts with the more gentle scenery along the coast. Brightly painted farms and villages, country churches, rivers and waterfalls complete the picture of a rural idyll as you continue by coach and boat to beautiful Ålesund. The journey ends at the top of Aksla Mountain from where there are splendid views over the town and magnificent Sunnmøre Alps.
  
  
• 2B Geiranger - Molde : Climbing up the Ørneveien route to Linge and following in the steps of St Olav, you drive along the famous "Trollstigen" or 'Troll's Road' - the drive takes you to 900m above sea level and includes a series of hairpin turns. Beautiful and dramatic scenery to enjoy while the wide Romsdalsfjord lies in gentle contrast to the mountains. Rejoin the ship after a short tour of Molde, largely rebuilt after 1945 and set in a landscape of soaring peaks.
  
  
• 2C Walking Tour of Ålesund : A guided walk through this charming town is the best wy to appreciate its history and architectural highlights. Ålesund is spread over three islands, linked by bridges, at the entrance to four fjords. Rebuilt after a fire in 1904 destroyed the city centre, inspired architects made full use of the prevalent trend for Art Nouveau. Your guide will bring alive the history of the town, recount stories about the inhabitants and help you decipher the symbolism in the stones.
  
  
• 3A Trondheim Sightseeing with Nidaros Cathedral and Ringve Museum : There is an intimacy and charm about Trondheim that few large towns can match, perhaps because so many fine buildings are constructed of brightly painted wood in the old town and river front. The medieval Nidaros Cathedral is a shrine to the museum of Musical History at Ringve Gård, sited in a fine manor house, contains a marvelous collection of 2,000 musical instruments from around the world. In this beautifully furnished house demonstrations are given on some of the instruments as you wander through the history of European music.
  
  
• 3B 1,000 Years of Trondheim Sightseeing tour including Nidaros Cathedral: A coach tour through this handsome, historically important city includes a visit to the famous Nidaros Cathedral, Norway's largest medieval church. Built on the burial site of St Olav, this is a national shrine with some sections of the building dating from the 11th century. Fire has destroyed parts of the building on at least five occasions during the centuries and the restoration which continues to the present day, displays a range of influences. We pass the royal residence of Stiftsgården, one of Scandinavia's largest wooden buildings, while the delightful old bridge into the city vies for attention with bridges dating from the 18th century which cross the river Nidelven.
  
  
• 4A Svartisen Glacier, Ørnes : This excursion reveals why Norway's second largest glacier has been drawing tourists for over a century. South of Ørnes you will board a boat to sail through the narrow straits, past small islands and skerries, to the Svartisen Pavilion, where you can take in a fantastic view of the glacier. The onward journey, either by coach or express boat, will allow a close-up view of a local community. This guided tour rejoins Hurtigruten in Bodø, home of the awesome sea eagle.
  
  
• 4D Bodø - Saltstraumen - Sea Eagle Safari : The world's strongest tidal current. We travel by Zodiac at a steady speed to bring us close to the powerful, wild forces of nature in this rugged landscape. Four times a day millions of gallons of water are forced through the 150m wide strait, spanned by a magnificent bridge, at an average speed of 29 km per hour. Overhead we hope to see sea eagles, Europe's largest predatory bird, with a wingspan over two metres. Thermal clothing can be provided.
  
  
• 5A Tromsø Sightseeing : The gateway to the Arctic, the island city of Tromsø occupies an imposing position between the mountains and the sea, joined to the mainland by a splendid bridge. Experience the Arctic from the comfort of Polaria, an interactive exhibition devoted to the exploration of the icy wastes, housed in a building inspired by that landscape. Inside, a thrilling film sets the scene for a walk across the polar region to view creatures large and small and see the impact our way of life has on the environment. Later you will cross the bridge to Tromsø's highest attraction, the Arctic cathedral, rising like a mountain of ice. One of its 40 metre high walls is a remarkable, triangular stained glass window.
  
  
• 5B Dog-Sledding in Tromsø : If you're travelling early or late in the season, you have the opportunity to join this exhilarating excursion at Tromsø Wilderness Centre on Kvaløya Island. You are whisked by husky-dog sledge across the open plains close to Tromsø, the beautiful husky teams straining in their harness waiting to speed through the silent world of snow. After this thrilling ride welcome refreshments are served in a 'lavvo' (a Sami tent) around an open fire. Warm clothing is provided.
  
  
• 5C Tromsø Wilderness Centre : Located just half an hour outside Tromsø, Kvaløya is a beautiful site framed by mountains, sea and plains and home to a variety of flora and fauna. Here you will meet 150 huskies, (often with their puppies) and be given information on the basics of dog sledding. You will see also how sledge-racing puts both man and dog to the test. You may stroll with one of the guides and complete your visit with coffee and cakes in a lavvo, or by campfire.
  
  
• 6A North Cape - Europe's Northernmost Point : From Honningsvåg, travel by coach through a sub-arctic landscape which provides summer grazing for over 4,000 reindeer, crossing the 71st parallel to the North Cape Plateau. At 307 metres above sea level the views are unforgettable. Early travellers had to climb the cliff paths, helped by local sailors, and their names can still be seen scratched into the rock. In the North Cape Hall perched on top and carved into the side of the cliff, Ivo Caprino's widescreen film portrays the North Cape above and below the waves.
  
  There is time to explore the North Cape tunnel, lined with scenes of the area's historic past, and the lovely chapel, which leads to the café/bar and viewing platform. There is a small souvenir shop, a small museum commemorating the visit of the King of Thailand, a café and post office, where letters and postcards are franked with a genuine North Cape postmark.
  
  
• 6B Honningsvåg - Gjesvær Bird Watching : Travel across the dramatic landscape of Magerøya Island to the little fishing hamlet of Gjesvær (population: 120). Here you board a boat for the journey to the Nature Reserve of Gjesværstappan, home to a large colony of puffins, flocks of Kittiwakes, as well as guillemots, cormorants, razorbills, gannets and skuas. In the autumn, Europe's smallest sea bird, the storm petrel, joins the throng. Unsurprisingly, the majestic sea eagle prefers to hunt here too, and if you're lucky you may see several circling overhead.
  
  
• 7A Kirkenes and the Russian Border : The strategic importance of the border with Russia has given the region a dramatic history. During World War II, this was the base of a german garrison, from which an offensive was launched to capture Murmansk. The journey will take you through Kirkenes - the only town in Norway where West meets East - to Storskog, the border station. Russian souvenirs will remind you of this stimulating day. At Sydvaranger, you can discover iron ore at the disused mines and a stop will be made at Prestfjellet to see the wonderful views of Kirkenes and the Fjord area.
  
  
• 7B River Boat Safari to the Russian Border, Kirkenes : The Pasvik River has witnessed the long and often turbulent history of the area, best appreciated from the water, as you travel upstream through wonderful scenery, passing the kjerringstupet cliffs and Trifon cave. A hot drink will be served ashore at the border.
  
  
• 7C Barents Safari, Kirkenes : An invigorating ride across an ice-covered fjord on a snowmobile (in pairs), speeding across the plains of Kirkenes through the beauty or Arctic winter. Guides will explain the fascinating history of the indigenous Sami people. Welcome refreshments are then served in the warmth of the Lavvo (Sami tent). Activities and availability are dependent on weather conditions. Warm clothing and training is provided. Do not forget to bring your driving licence.
  
  

Southbound Excursions

• 8A Breakfast on the North Cape Plateau, Honningsvåg : Join this excursion from Honningsvåg to the North Cape. A unique tour through impressive scenery to enjoy breakfast at North Cape Hall (see excursion 6A). Afterwards there is a memorable drive along the west side of the mighty Porsangerfjord and on through the dramatic Arctic landscape of Finnmark country to rejoin the ship at Hammerfest the world's northernmost town.
  
  
• 8C Tromsø - A 'Midnight Sun' Concert in the Arctic Cathedral : We promise you an awe-inspiring experience at a midnight concert, by sunlight, in the stirring surroundings of the Arctic Cathedral. A varied programme of folk songs, hymns and classical pieces will be performed in front of the largest stained-glass window in Europe.
  
  
• 8D Mikkelgammen - Visit Mikkelgammen for a slice of Sami life, just five minutes drive from the centre of Hammerfest at the top of Salenfjellet. In an old turf hut known as a Goahti you will be entertained with stories and the joik, a curious indigenous form of singing, before being welcomed to the table to sample a range of Sami delicacies. gain an insight into Sami traditions in the cosy atmosphere and browse around the traditional local handicrafts on sale.
  
  
• 9A Harstad to Sortland : Travel through time as well as some of the loveliest countryside imaginable. On the coast at Trondenes, the world's most northerly medieval church and the Historical Centre display rich treasures - and reveal the secrets of the last thousand years through sight, sound and smell. Sheltered by the peaks of Vesterålen, this tranquil land produces strawberries ripened under the midnight sun. Farms and villages are idyllic in the vivid colours of summer or when clinging to the last of the winter snow. Hot drinks and pastries are served on the ferry gliding across the fjord before the coach continues to Sortland. Here the ship approaches under the splendid bridge as you motor high above the sea.
  
  
• 9B Seascape Between Svolvær and Stamsund : The Lofoten Islands are home and workplace of thousands of fishermen who have learned to live in tune with the moods of sea and sky, settling in villages in sheltered bays and taking full advantage of the temperate effects of the Gulf Stream. The charming port of Henningsvær is where art and photographs are displayed, capturing the beauty and drama of life in the islands. On the way to rejoin Hurtigruten in Stamsund, the journey will take you through glorious mountain landscape - sit back, relax and enjoy the views.
  
• 9C Sea Eagle Safari : The area surrounding Trollfjord is the realm of the mighty sea eagle. disembarking, you board the small MS Orca and sail into the narrow fjord*. After passing through a narrow sound with steep mountains to one side we usually see an excellent number of sea eagles and as they circle above the boat, you enjoy a close view of these rare and beautiful birds. warmed by a hot drink you set course for Svolvær to rejoin the ship. warm clothing will be provided.
  *Whilst never guaranteed, during summer months (subject to local conditions) Hurtigruten ships will often enter Trollfjord. When this happens, the experience of being on board MS Orca and watching your ship is quite magnificent.
  
  
• 11A 1,000 Years of Trondheim's History : See description of excursion 3B.
  

Prices are per person in £'s
All excursions are subject to minimum and maximum number of participants, and to weather conditions. Contents may vary depending on weather / local conditions. Please note that with the exception of 8A and 8C, 8D and 8C, 9A and 9B, you will not be able to combine two excursions on the same day. The excursion number denotes the day on which the excursion operates.
The period of operation refers to the ship's departure date from Bergen.
* Excursions can not be pre-booked in period 01 Jan - 28 Feb and 01 Nov - 31 Dec.
† Unavailable: 2C: 24, 25, 31 Dec, 01 Jan 2008. 4D: 20 - 25 March 2008. 5A: 24, 25 Dec 2008.
Excursions can not be pre-booked within 14 days of travel.