12 days / 11 nights
Bergen • Kirkenes • Svolvær (Lofoten Islands)
Please also see our note on Fuel Surcharges.
Travel with Hurtigruten from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Lofoten. By doing so you get to experience the world's most beautiful sea voyage as well as several unforgettable days in Lofoten. The Lofoten islands are famous for stunning nature and idyllic fishing sites. Enjoy walking in small fishing villages or along the brilliant white beaches, surrounded by steep mountains that plunge straight into the sea.
The mountainous beauty of the Lofoten Islands has enchanted travellers since time immemorial. Whilst Hurtigruten sails through the islands on the voyage north, this is usually done under cover of darkness, leaving the true beauty of the daylight passage to become apparent on day 9 during the southbound voyage. Leaving Stokmarknes early in the afternoon your Hurtigruten ship will head towards the seemingly impassable Lofoten Wall before traversing the valley-like Raftsund. Weather and time-permitting, you will take a detour into the sheer-sided, incredibly narrow Trollfjord before reaching Svolvær, the islands beautiful 'capital'. You can expect picturesque peaks and welcoming harbours, quaint red seafarer's rorbuer (from Norwegian buer, meaning dwellings, and ror, meaning oarsman) and racks of drying stockfish, and memories that will last you and your travelling companions a lifetime.
Fishermen's Cabin
Sail from Bergen via Kirkenes to Svolvær and spend time on shore in this picturesque and friendly island community to get a real feel for coastal living in this part of Norway. In Svolvær you will be staying in a rorbu – a cottage accommodation based on the traditional fishermen cabins. These comfortable cabins have been refurbished and equipped with modern kitchen and bathroom facilities to ensure you feel totally at home for your three night stay. Svolvær is a charming little town with fashionable shops and attractions which include the incredible 'Magic Ice' gallery and the fascinating War Museum.
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. Enroute 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 birdlife, 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 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 :
Days 9 - 12 Svolvær :
Picturesque Svolvær is officially the capital of the Lofoten Islands although as capitals go its remarkably small by population; it is home to only 4,000 people. Your home for the next three nights will be one of the traditional rorbuer, the quaint red fishermen's huts that you will see lining the shores and harbours throughout this archipelago. Many of these have been restored and now offer all of the creature comforts that one expects from modern boutique hideaways.
Whilst in the Lofoten Islands, you may wish to enjoy one of the many excursions which include an RIB Adventure and a tour under the guidance of a local expert. Perhaps you would prefer to take things a little more leisurely and take to the water in a canoe (hired locally). Or maybe you'd be happy simply enjoying a cup of coffee in one of the many cafés and marvelling at the incredible scenery that surrounds the islands. Whatever you decide to do during your stay in Svolvær, the beauty that Mother Nature provides is sure to create the most lasting memories. Notice the changing colours as the sun sets beyond the mountains, enjoy the fresh sea air and you'll understand why this incredible collection of islands has been a source of inspiration for writers, painters and composers since time immemorial.
Day 12 - Svolvær - Departure:
Transfer from Svinoya Rorbuer to airport in Svolvær. Individual return journey home.
DEPARTURES 2011 :
Daily departures between 15th April and 14th September, 2011.
Spectacular Lofoten Islands Fares 2011
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| Departures 2011 | Occ. | Cabin Grades | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | Outside (*J has limited view) | Suites | |||||||||
| I | L | J* | N | P | U | QJ | Q | M | MG | ||
15 Apr - 31 May |
Twin | 1945 | 2304 | 2413 | 2558 | 2787 | 3847 | 4200 | 4719 | 5578 | |
| Sing Supp | 1071 | 1250 | 1304 | 1377 | 1491 | 3847 | 4200 | 4719 | 5578 | ||
01 Jun - 31 Jul |
Twin | 2195 | 2591 | 2713 | 2955 | 3220 | 4330 | 4973 | 5580 | 6563 | |
| Sing Supp | 1693 | 1990 | 2081 | 2263 | 2461 | 4330 | 4973 | 5580 | 6563 | ||
01 Aug - 14 Sep |
Twin | 1982 | 2341 | 2450 | 2595 | 2824 | 3884 | 4237 | 4756 | 5616 | |
| Sing Supp | 1107 | 1286 | 1340 | 1414 | 1527 | 3884 | 4237 | 4756 | 5616 | ||
All above prices are in £s per person, for your voyage only, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin. Please note that the ship departure date determines the price of your voyage.
Please also see our note on Fuel Surcharges.
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Your voyage price includes :
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Not included :
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FLIGHT PACKAGE PRICE : from £410 per person
YOUR FLIGHT PRICE INCLUDES :
- Return economy class flights from London Heathrow to Kirkenes with return from Bergen including all applicable airport taxes and service charges.
- 1 night B & B Oslo airport hotel
- Airport transfers on day 1 and day 8
Departures and supplements from other UK airports are available on request.
Fuel surcharges may be added at the time of booking.
