8 days / 7 nights
Oslo • Kirkenes • Bergen

Fares 2008

Classic Voyage South 2009

The Classic Voyage South takes you from Kirkenes, near the Russian border, to Bergen, the gateway to the Fjords. This voyage is very popular among travellers who may not have time for the full round voyage, but wish to enjoy watching the transitions along the coastline as they sail from the sparse northern landscapes, deep within the Arctic Circle, to the populated, lush southern regions of the fjord-filled coast.

You begin your voyage in Kirkenes and embark on a five night southbound coastal voyage that calls at a total of 33 ports along the way. A unique feature of this voyage is a daytime sailing through the magnificently beautiful Lofoten Islands - for many the highlight of the region. Other highlights include crossing the Arctic Circle, visiting Hammerfest and exploring the Viking capital of Trondheim.

Day 1 :

Travel to Oslo and stay overnight at an airport hotel.

Day 2 :

Morning flight to Kirkenes, where you join the southbound Coastal Voyage. From Kirkenes the ship hugs the coast as it visits the remote settlements it continues to serve more than a century after the Hurtigruten was created to provide a vital link with the rest of the country, giving you the opportunity to see Norway as the Norwegians see it.

Day 3 :

Hammerfest, the world's most northerly town boldly claims to be the first in Europe to have electric street lighting. Starting point of Bill Bryson's journey described in Neither Here Nor There, this is the first major call. Continuing south, your night stop at Tromsø¸ offers the opportunity to enjoy the Midnight Sun summer concert in the Arctic Cathedral.

Day 4 :

The memorable sights of the Lofoten Islands will stay with you forever as the ship meanders gently through this stunning network of inlets and isles. It is possible to explore inland here by opting for the overland excursion from Harstad and rejoining the ship in Sortland. Moving on you reach what is the highlight of the voyage for many, where hopefully you can make a detour into spectacular Trollfjord. As you venture into this dramatic fjord, you stand in awe of the Captain's prowess and skills of navigation, for the sheer sides of the cliffs seem close enough to touch. Site of a famous battle between local fishermen and wealthy ship owners in 1890, and the echoes of this dramatic history seem to reverberate from Trollfjord's gnarled rock stone walls. Sailing through the beautiful, mountainous island chains, rising to 1,000 metres in places, you can see fishermen's cabins built on stilts along the waterfront, whilst in the air around us fly a wide variety of seabirds such as puffins, kittiwakes, cormorants and sea eagles. This remarkable day is completed with an evening return to Svolvær and a farewell to the islands at Stamsund.

Day 5 :

There is further excitement today as the ship crosses the Arctic Circle. Sailing past the famed peaks of the dancing Seven Sisters mountain range, folklore merges with the facts of nature - look out for Torghatten, which still bears the hole made by Hestmannen's arrow in one of Norway's popular legends. The award-winning new museum at Rørvik celebrates the important part the sea has played in defining today's Norway.

Day 6 :

You have an early arrival in the fascinating medieval city of Trondheim, where the Norwegian Explorer passengers leave the ship to follow their own itinerary (see Norwegian Explorer itinerary). The voyage continues out of the Trondheimsfjord past Hitra Island to make brief calls at Kristiansund and Molde, known as the City of Roses and surrounded by 87 snow-capped mountains, before the midnight call at Ålesund, and a last night at sea.

Day 7 :

The landscape becomes increasingly lush as the journey weaves through the islets and beautiful Bergen comes into view again. Before long it's time to say good-bye to the ship and ‘på gjensyn’ (‘until we meet again’) to friends, fellow passengers and your crew, as you disembark from your magnificent journey on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. Arrive in Bergen early afternoon and disembark after brunch. Transfer to your centrally located hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 8 :

Depending on the time of your return flight you may have some free time to take a stroll around the old Hanseatic warehouses at Bryggen, visit the fish market or take the Funicular Railway up to Mount Fløyen, from where you have panoramic views of the city.

Should you wish to add an interesting excursion to the beginning of your journey from Kirkenes there are several fabulous opportunities to explore more of Norway, Finland or Russia. Alternatively, those looking for a wilderness experience have the opportunity to try traditional salmon and sea trout fishing - see Options and Excursions.

One of the unique features of the Hurtigruten voyage is that with daily departures throughout the year you can choose the date and ship that suits your taste. With several UK airports to choose from this gives you great flexibility to decide your own schedule. See flights.

CLASSIC VOYAGE SOUTH - PRICES : 2008 Move cursor over cabin grade for description.

All above prices are in £s per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin/room.
*Single supplement. Please note there are a number of departures which have no single supplement on the voyage part of the holiday. A single supplement will still apply to the land based part. Including : 17, 26, 31 Jan, 15, 20, 28 Feb, 15, 17, 29 Mar, 9, 18 Apr, 9, 18 May, 30 Aug, 24, 29 Sep, 2, 18, 21, 27 Oct, 10, 17, 27 Nov, 15, 23, 25, 26, 27 Dec. Subject to availability.


Golden Years Reduction (GYR) : £40 applicable for period 1 Jan - 31 May and 1 Aug - 31 Dec to passengers aged 65 or over on ship departure date.

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES:

• 5 night voyage in cabin grade of your choice including full board starting with buffet dinner on the evening of embarkation in Kirkenes. Disembarking in Bergen.
• One night in Oslo and one night in Bergen including breakfast.
• Transfers on day 2 and 7.

NOT INCLUDED :

• International flights between UK and Bergen / Oslo. See flights.
• Airport transfers
• Travel insurance
• Luggage handling
• Excursions

The holiday price is determined by the ship's departure date from Bergen.