Hurtigruten - Northern Lights and Polar Bears 2015/16

Days 1 - 2 : Longyearbyen and Barentsburg

Overnight in one of Longyearbyen's hotels, with the evening at your leisure.

After breakfast take an optional excursion around Longyearbyen and its surroundings to see the modern town in its spectacular Arctic landscape. It was a coal mining town and evidence of this can bee seen everywhere. Alternatively, explore the town on your own. Lunch will be provided at your hotel before you are transferred to the MS Fram for the start of your voyage.

Leave Longyearbyen behind and head for your first port of call, the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, Svalbard's second largest town. Although Svalbard is Norwegian Sovereign land, due to the 1920 Svalbard Treaty, all states that are signatories to the treaty have an equal right to exploit natural resources there. Barentsburg started as a Dutch mining town in the 1920s, but was sold to the Russians in the 1930s and coal has been mined there ever since. The town has been built around the entrance to the coal mine and is still home to a fascinating collection of Russian architecture and antiquities.

Day 3 : North West Spitsbergen National Park

Locally known as The North West Corner the national park is home to numerous colonies of seabirds, reindeer and arctic fox and is spread over a number of islands and fjords. Svalbard was first discovered in 1596 by Willhelm Barentz and this was the first land he encountered. He subsequently named this new land Spitsbergen because of the steep, sharp mountains in the area.

You should hopefully visit the 8km long Magdalenefjorden where you will find a 16th century whaling station, complete with its graveyard of whalers that met their end during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Moffen, a small low island north of the mouth of Wijdefjorden, above the 80th parallel is an important haul-out area for Walrus and a nesting site for birds. It was used by early whalers who sheltered from heavy seas in the middle of this atoll shaped island.

Day 4 : South Spitsbergen National Park, Hornsund

Welcome to another beautiful day in the Arctic. The relatively small fjord in South Spitsbergen National Park is a place that has a long tradition in the Hurtigruten history. The old Hurtigruten steamer D/S Lyngen had scheduled stops here to serve trappers in this area. This used to be a stronghold for the trappers that concentrated on Polar Bear hunting up until 1973 when the polar bear hunt was prohibited in all Arctic countries with an exempt for indigenous peoples that had a thousand year old tradition to refer to.

The landscape of Hornsund is largely alpine with the majestic Hornsundtinden soaring highest of all. Another very special mountain is Bautaen or in English; the Obelisk, which, seen from the right angle looks like a giant Viking sword. Let your imagination run while spending the day in these extraordinary surroundings.

Day 5 : Bjørnøya

This isolated island is the southernmost island of the Svalbard Archipelago and has been named "the largest concentration of sea birds on the Northern Hemisphere". Around the southern tip the overhanging cliffs with stacks off-shore represents an extremely important breeding habitat for seabirds. This is the northern limit for some auk species and one of the reasons for this being such a hot-spot is that cold waters from the Arctic Ocean meets warm, Gulf Stream currents, part of the global marine conveyor belt system. In the convergence of waters of different salinity and temperature there are often optimal feeding grounds for sea birds. Here is also the place where high concentrations of pollutants in species high in the food web.

Day 6 : North Cape

Skarsvåg is a small village situated along the northern coast of the island of Magerøya. It claims being the world's northernmost fishing village and the northernmost settlement in the world that is accessible via a major road network. The local fishing fleet primarily catches cod. Enjoy an excursion to the North Cape, the northernmost tip of the island and also the northernmost tip of Europe. Alternatively take a guided walk around the village. Around lunchtime you sail out to enjoy the spectacular view of the cape from the sea.

Day 7 : Sommarøy

The arctic paradise of Sommarøy is an archipelago of small islands with white, sandy beaches. The village is a typical fishing village with great local fishing fleets and substantial fish processing and other industries. Tourism is also important to Sommarøy which has a couple of small shops where you can buy handicrafts and groceries. Inside the local shop you find "Kaillkråa" (the gentlemen's corner) where husbands are "parked" during shopping.

As shopping might be a time consuming activity for the women, the local men have private hooks on the wall for their cups. In Sommarøy you will be offered a selection of excursions like hikes and kayaking, or you may take the opportunity to visit Tromsø - the Gateway to the Arctic.

Day 8 : Lofoten Islands

During the early morning you will visit the magnificent Trollfjord. The west side of Raftsundet is a mountain range called the Raftsundet Alps, which stretches up to 1200 meters above sea level. The Trollfjord slices right into these mountains. The ship navigates into the narrow entrance to Trollfjord, where mountain walls rise directly out of the sea. As you travel through this pristine fjord, it is so narrow it seems that you could reach out and touch the side of fjord at times.

After breakfast the ship will call at port in Svolvær. The town has about 6000 inhabitants which makes it the largest town in Lofoten. The municipality is the natural centre of Lofoten where you find administration, trade and fishery. It is also the cultural centre with many artists, art workshops, galleries and Art schools. The terraces of the waterside cafés and restaurants are great for sitting and watching the bustling life in the harbour, and enjoying the spectacular view to the high peaks that seem to raise straight up form the sea. You will spend the evening in Å.

Å is situated outermost in the Lofoten Islands and is one of Norway's most authentic traditional fishing villages. Today, there are 33 listed buildings at the resort, and you may spend the evening strolling around taking in the unique atmosphere of this charming village.

Day 9 : Hamarøy and Kjerringøy

Hamarøy is probably best known as the home of Knut Hamsun, the famous writer and winner of Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920. The island is dominated by small fjords, woodland and coastal mountains. There are several nature reserves and a few small villages here. The Knut Hamsun Centre is located by the vicarage ruins in the village of Presteid. The centre is situated in a beautiful cultural landscape surrounded by nature that remains virtually as untouched as it was in Hamsun's days. The centre's tower offers an impressive view over the area that inspired the author to write such world renowned books as Pan, Growth of the Soil and Wayfarers.

Later in the day the voyage continues to Kjerringøy, a peninsula with approx 300 inhabitants. Kjerringøy has an old trading centre that stands forth as one of Norway's most important building memorials from the 18th century and is well worth a visit. It contains 15 antiquated buildings in a unique setting. Here you gain a fascinating insight into north Norwegian coastal culture, and you can see how everyday life was for both the upper class and the servants on a north Norwegian trading centre at the end of the 18th century.

Day 10 : Træna and Lovund

Træna is one of the smallest councils of Norway. It holds more than 1000 islets, rocks and skerries and less than 500 inhabitants. Træna is situated on the Polar Circle, 33 nautical miles off the coast of Sandnessjøen. You will arrive at Træna in the morning, and weather permitted, go ashore.

The afternoon will be spent in Lovund. Lovund island is situated south-east of Træna, and is best known for the puffin colony breeding on its rocky north slope from April to August. There are around 390 people living on Lovund with the salmon farms being the main industry. There are still farms and fishermen but today most of the valleys, mountain and fields are recreational areas.

Day 11 : Frøya

The Island of Frøya is located off the coast of Trøndelag, and is surrounded by more than 5,400 islets and reefs. The landscape on Frøya is relatively flat with the highest point only 74 meters. Around 4,200 people inhabit the Frøya islands, most of them on Frøya itself but also some of the surrounding islets are inhabited. You will land at the community centre Sistranda, where you will be invited to learn more about the archipelago and their way of life.

Day 12 : Atløy and Værlandet

This archipelago is the westernmost of Norway, situated North West of Bergen. You will attempt to make landings both in the morning and in the afternoon, taking in some of the most interesting sites of the area. Your Expedition Leader, Karin is planning to open her private boat house for you, so that you can get a deeper understanding of how her Grandfather made a life for himself and his family as a fisherman. This is a village so small and authentic that the mailboxes are only marked with the first name of the owner - they all know each other so well that no surnames are necessary! Here you may join an optional guided tour of the islands.

Day 13 : Bergen

The ship arrives into Bergen during the morning hours, where your voyage ends. Guests, who stay in Bergen, can enjoy the day in this international city with small-town charm, surrounded by seven mountains. Stroll through the picturesque streets of Bergen and enjoy the well-known and famous sites like Håkon's Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower, St. Mary's Church, Bergen Harbour and the famous fish market. Bergen was founded in 1070, and we recommend a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage famous houses of "Bryggen" (the wharf).

The route described here is only an indicative. Based on the weather conditions at the time, the final itinerary will be presented to you after embarkation.

DEPARTURES:

2015
23 September

2016
21 September

NORTHERN LIGHTS AND POLAR BEARS VOYAGE - PRICES : 2015/16

EARLY BOOKING PRICES

• Save up to 25% on the brochure price by booking early.
• The early booking prices are subject to limited availability.
• Be aware that Hurtigruten has a flexible pricing system and the early booking prices are capacity controlled.
• Prices may change at any time before departure date, the applicable price will be quoted at the time of booking.

YOUR HURTIGRUTEN VOYAGE PRICE INCLUDES :

• • Hurtigruten Expedition Voyage in cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis.
• • One hotel night in Longyearbyen before the voyage including breakfast and lunch.
• • Transfer to ship in Longyearbyen.
• • Wind and waterproof jacket.
• • Landings in Polarcirkel boats and activities onboard and ashore.
• • Professional English speaking Expedition team that gives lectures as well as accompany landings and activities.
• • Free tea and coffee.
• • Suites include a range of additional complimentary amenities such as drinks with meals and a welcome gift.

NOT INCLUDED :

• • International flights
• • Travel insurance
• • Luggage handling
• • Optional excursions
• • Gratuities

NOTES :

• • Prices are in £s per person.
• • All planned landings are subject to weather and ice conditions.
• • All itineraries are subject to change.
• • Rubber boots rental service on board.

ADD A FLIGHT PACKAGE - Price from £656 per person

FLIGHT PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES :

• • Flight in Economy class from London to Longyearbyen and from Bergen to London including current taxes and charges.
• • Transfers airport-ship-airport.

NOT INCLUDED :

• • Travel insurance.
• • Regional departures and upgrades may be available at extra cost.

MS Fram

Life on Board the MS Fram

Facilities On Board the MS Fram

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