The Historic Hurtigruten Sportsman's Route to Svalbard 2019

HURTIGRUTEN VOYAGE 2019

Explore Amsterdam, Norway, Bjørnøya and scan for polar bears around Svalbard under the Midnight Sun on a voyage that follows the path of the very first Hurtigruten explorer journeys, dating back to 1896.

Various activities can be enjoyed during this voyage, from kayaking to hiking and small boat cruising to bird watching as well as keeping yourself informed and educated with a series of on board lectures.

Day 1 - Amsterdam :

Location : Amsterdam

The expedition starts in Amsterdam. Netherlands's capital is quite relaxed, charming and one of the most culturally rich cities in the world. The Canal District streets are lined with Patrician houses, a reminder of Amsterdam's "Golden Age". Take time to visit world-famous art galleries such as the Rijksmuseum, Rembrant House and the Van Gogh Museum. There's plenty to se in Amsterdam before boarding MS Fridtjof Nansen.

Day 2 - Day at Sea :

Location : Longyearbyen.

As you sail across the North Sea on MS Fridtjof Nansen, the Expedition Team will begin a programme of lectures covering subjects such as climate change, wildlife, oceanography, marine biology, history and great explorers. The route that you are following across the North Sea has been a vital trading route for centuries, beginning with the Vikings, then the Hanseatic League and it still remains one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Day 3 - Hardangerfjord, Norway :

Location : Norway.

Barony Rosendal, a historic manor house estate is located on Hardangerfjord's shores and was completed in 1665. Its garden is the most magnificent Victorian garden in Norway. From June to November, the air is scented with 2,000 roses in bloom. If you are feeling energetic, you can hike 890 metres up to Malmangernuten with beautiful views over the Hardangerfjord.

Day 4 - Geirangerfjord, Norway :

Location : Norway.

The Geirangerfjord is flanked by majestic, snow-topped mountains, stunning waterfalls and abundant vegetation. It has been heralded as the "jewel in the crown" of the Norwegian fjords and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was named the best travel destination in Scandinavia by Lonely Planet.

Day 5 - Crossing the Arctic Circle :

Location : Norway.

Today, between Nesna and Ørnes, MS Fridtjof Nansen passes a globe on a small islet which heralds your crossing of the Arctic Circle. Passengers sailing in Arctic waters for the first time can 'enjoy' a special Arctic Circle crossing ceremony on deck as the ship weaves its way through the islands. An Arctic Circle baptism by Njord, the ruler of the Seven Seas comes in the form of an ice cube down your front or back, but is entirely optional.

Day 6 - Reine, Norway :

Location : Norway.

Reine is a tiny, picturesque fishing village located on the island of Moskenesøya in the Lofoten archipelago, over 100km above the Arctic Circle. With its red and white fishermen's huts dotted along the coastline and surrounded by peaks of granite jutting out of the Reinefjorden, the village has earned a reputation as "the most beautiful place in the world." Take time to stroll around this scenic village amongst some of the best rorbuer on the Lofoten Islands - traditional fishermen's cabins perched on stilts over the water's edge. Look out for white-tailed sea eagles as you sail through the narrow Raftsundet Strait to the magnificent Trollfjord, surrounded by towering mountains.

Day 7 - Sommarøy, Norway :

Location : Norway.

Sommarøy is an old fishing village just an hour west of Tromsø, with white, coral-sand beaches and a lively fishing community. The local shops offer quite a unique service, an area named “Kaillkråa” - somewhere to “park your husband” while the wives shop. Whilst here, you will be offered a variety of excursions like hikes and kayaking, or you can visit Tromsø, rich in polar history and fantastic Arctic activities.

Day 8 - North Cape, Norway:

Location : Norway.

At 71° North, the North Cape is the northernmost point on the European mainland. It's on the same latitude as Siberia and the top of Alaska. It's the point where the Norwegian Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, meets the Barents Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean and the midnight sun can be seen from 14 May to 31 July. As MS Fridtjof Nansen sails past the spectacular North Cape cliff, you will have stunning views of this famous landmark. Take the optional excursion to the North Cape where you will get the feeling of what it is like to stand at the end of the Earth. Explore the combined museum and restaurant at the plateau, where you will learn more about the early expeditions to North Cape. Here you can watch a panoramic film that takes you through four seasons in a landscape full of contrasts, light and breathtaking scenery. North Cape is a spectacular place for experiencing the Midnight Sun.

Day 9 - Bjørnøya, Norway :

Location : Bjørnøya.

Bjørnøya or Bear Island is the southernmost island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago. The island is located in the western part of the Barents Sea, approximately halfway between Spitsbergen and the North Cape. There is a permanently staffed Norwegian weather station on the north coast of the island. If conditions allow, you will land here, although the lack of protected bays and the rough weather with strong winds and frequent fog make visiting Bjørnøya a bit of a lottery. It has been declared a nature reserve and is known for hosting the largest concentration of sea birds on the northern hemisphere.

Day 10 - Spitsbergen, Svalbard :

Location : Svalbard.

Spitsbergen is the largest and only permanently populated island of the Svalbard archipelago in northern Norway. The archipelago lies between mainland Norway and the North Pole and is one of the world's northernmost inhabited areas. It is known for its rugged, remote terrain of glaciers and frozen tundra, leaving the 3,000-odd polar bears living in the Svalbard Archipelago to depend on the ice to hunt for seals. The captain will try and sail close to any drift ice to increase your chances of glimpsing one of these magnificent marine mammals and will make the best use of conditions to find opportunities for small boat trips and landings to places of interest like Hornsund, Magdalenefjorden and the Monaco Glacier.

Day 11 - Spitsbergen, Svalbard :

Location : Svalbard.

Located on the west side of Spitsbergen and cutting more than 100 km into the island with a lot of different branches, Isfjorden is the second longest and the most extensive fjord in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. The ship sails into the heart of the fjord, where you will be in awe of its immense U-shaped valleys. You will arrive in Longyearbyen late in the evening before being transferred to the airport for your flight back to Amsterdam.

Day 12 - Amsterdam, Netherlands :

Location : Svalbard.

An early morning arrival in Amsterdam provides another opportunity to explore this fascinating city.

N.B. The day-to-day itinerary for the Southbound voyage operates in reverse to that presented, and is one day longer, as you overnight in Longyearbyen at the start of your adventure.

Departures 2019 :

THE HISTORIC SPORTSMAN'S ROUTE TO SVALBARD 2019

PLEASE NOTE:

• All prices are shown in £s per person.
• All planned landings are subject to weather and ice conditions. All itineraries are subject to change.

The price you pay for your cabin will depend on when you book. Early bookers will get the 'from' price. As the cabins get booked up, the price will rise towards the 'to' price, which is the highest fare that you will pay. It is strongly advised to book early to get the best fare.

Add a Flight Package. Price from £352 per person

Your Flight Package price includes :

• • Flights in economy class between London and Amsterdam.
• • Transfer between airport and ship or ship and airport in Amsterdam.