10 Days · 9 Nights · Oslo, Kirkenes, Bergen, Oslo
The far north east of Norway, then the whole coast in a week
- Duration10 days, 9 nights
- RouteOslo, Kirkenes, Bergen, Oslo
- ShipCoastal Express, varies by date
- SeasonMay to September 2027
- From£2,729 pp
Kirkenes is about as far as you can go in Norway. It lies in the north east corner of Finnmark, further east than most of Finland, a short drive from the Russian frontier and a long way from anywhere else. This tour takes you there by air from Oslo, settles you into a warm gamme cabin for the night, and then puts you aboard the Coastal Express for the southbound run to Bergen, five nights down one of the most beautiful coastlines on earth. A train over the Hardangervidda brings you back to Oslo.
It is a good choice if you want the Arctic without roughing it. The cabin has its own bathroom, underfloor heating and a large panoramic window, the king crab safari and border tour are already arranged, and on the ship the hardest decision is which side of the deck to stand on.
£2,729per person, from
Regular departures between May and September 2027
The cabin category in the fares refers to your cabin on the Coastal Express ship, not the gamme cabin in Kirkenes. The price covers the whole package as described, including hotels, the flight to Kirkenes, the gamme cabin night, excursions and rail, per person sharing and without international flights. Flight-inclusive packages from London Gatwick or Manchester can be quoted.
The Gamme Cabin
A modern take on the traditional Arctic shelter
For centuries, people living along the coasts and rivers of northern Norway built the gamme, a low hut with a frame of timber covered in turf, warm in winter and easy to make from what the land provided. Sámi families used them in their seasonal camps and fishermen and hunters used them as shelters, and the Northern Sámi word for this kind of dwelling is goahti. In late 1944, when retreating German forces burned the towns and farms of Finnmark, some families who stayed or came back early survived the following months in turf huts like these while rebuilding began.
The gamme cabins at Snowhotel Kirkenes borrow that shape and spirit and add everything you would want for a comfortable night. Each one has twin beds, a modern bathroom with shower and toilet, underfloor heating, a kettle and air conditioning, with natural wood inside and a large panoramic window. In summer that window frames the Midnight Sun; the same cabins are used in winter for watching the Northern Lights from bed. The cabins stand beside the Snowhotel at Sandnes, about ten kilometres from Kirkenes, and the restaurant, with a sauna in the same building, is a short walk away.
The ice rooms of the Snowhotel are next door if you want to look inside, but you do not have to sleep in them. If you would like to, the Discover Norway with Summer Snowhotel Stay follows the same route with a night in a snow room instead.
The Ship
Five nights on the Coastal Express
The Coastal Express sails from Kirkenes every day of the year, and on the southbound voyage it calls at the small fishing ports of Finnmark, the cities of Tromsø and Trondheim and dozens of places in between, delivering cargo and passengers as it has since the service began. Hurtigruten rotates its Coastal Express ships, so the ship depends on your date, but you stay on the same one from Kirkenes to Bergen. The fleet page describes each ship.
All meals on board are included, cooked from regional ingredients sourced along the route. Drinks are extra unless stated. Talks from the Expedition Team and the panoramic lounges make the long days of daylight easy to fill.
Watch
Summer on the Norwegian coast
A short Hurtigruten film of the coast in summer, the season this tour runs, when the nights in the north stay light.
Video from Hurtigruten's official YouTube channel.
Your Journey
Day by day, from the Russian border to Bergen
A self-guided tour: Hurtigruten arranges flights within Norway, hotels, transfers and the Kirkenes excursions, and you decide how to spend the rest of your time. Optional excursions on the ship are shown under each day.
Day 1 · Oslo
Overnight · Airport hotel, Oslo
Your first night is at an airport hotel, so you are close to the terminal for tomorrow's flight north. If you arrive early and want to head into the city, the Flytoget express train takes about twenty minutes and leaves every few minutes, with tickets sold at the station.
Oslo has woods and water close at hand. The ferries from the city hall pier serve the islands of the inner Oslofjord in summer, and a stroll round Bygdøy, with its beaches and woodland as well as its museums, is a gentle way to shake off the journey.
Day 2
Flight north, king crab and a night in a gamme cabin
Oslo · Kirkenes · Overnight in a gamme cabin, Snowhotel Kirkenes
Breakfast is at the hotel, and then you take the domestic flight from Oslo to Kirkenes, well over 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. From the window you see the country change beneath you, from the forests of the east to the mountains and fjords of the north. At Kirkenes a bus takes you to the Snowhotel.
The afternoon is a king crab safari by RIB. Out on the fjord with local fishermen you haul up crab pots and handle the catch, then come ashore at a rustic boathouse restaurant, where the crabs are steamed and served. The red king crab is a newcomer, deliberately introduced to the Barents Sea by Soviet scientists in the 1960s, and it is now a valuable catch along this coast.
In the evening there is a welcome and a three course dinner, and then an early night in your gamme cabin, with the light still streaming in at midnight on early summer departures.
Day 3 · The Pasvik valley, the border and the Varanger peninsula
Kirkenes · Vardø · Båtsfjord · Berlevåg
After breakfast and check out, a guided tour heads into the Pasvik valley, which runs south from Kirkenes between Norway and Russia. This is the western edge of the great Siberian taiga, a landscape of pine forest, bog and lakes where brown bears live, and it feels very different from the rest of Norway. You learn about the long shared history of the two countries, cross the Pasvik River and visit the border at Storskog, the only official crossing point between Norway and Russia. No photographs are allowed at the border. Hurtigruten's inclusions also name Andersgrotta, the Second World War air raid shelter in Kirkenes, alongside the border tour, and we will confirm the details for your departure.
Around lunchtime you are taken to the ship with your luggage. The afternoon voyage rounds the Varanger peninsula, a bare and beautiful landscape where the tundra comes down to the sea. Varanger is one of the best places in Europe for Arctic birds, and in summer the ship's route passes waters where seabirds gather in huge numbers. Vardø, Båtsfjord and Berlevåg follow one another into the evening.
Day 4
Finnmark's coast, from Kjøllefjord to Tromsø
Mehamn · Kjøllefjord · Honningsvåg · Havøysund · Hammerfest · Øksfjord · Skjervøy · Tromsø
Overnight the ship calls at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord, where a sea stack known as Finnkirka, the Sámi church, stands on the cliffs at the mouth of the fjord. By early morning you are at Honningsvåg, the port for the North Cape, and then Havøysund, before reaching Hammerfest in the early afternoon. The harbour is overlooked by the Salen hill, an easy climb for a view over the town and the islands.
South of Hammerfest the scenery softens as the ship passes Øksfjord, below the Øksfjordjøkelen ice cap, and Skjervøy, a fishing community on its own island. Tromsø comes just before midnight. From late May to late July the sun is still above the horizon at that hour.
Optional excursions
- Breakfast at the North Cape An early start from Honningsvåg for breakfast on the plateau above the Barents Sea. About 6 hours.
- Mountain hike in Hammerfest A walk above the town. About 1 hour 30 minutes.
- The northernmost town in the world A guided tour of Hammerfest. About 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Midnight concert in Tromsø Music in a cathedral in the small hours. About 1 hour 15 minutes.
Day 5
Into Lofoten by way of the Raftsund
Finnsnes · Harstad · Risøyhamn · Sortland · Stokmarknes · Svolvær · Stamsund
Finnsnes, the gateway to the island of Senja, comes at first light, and Harstad follows, with its medieval church at Trondenes. The ship then crosses into Vesterålen, a group of islands with gentler hills than Lofoten and long sandy bays on its outer side, calling at Risøyhamn and Sortland and then Stokmarknes, home of the Hurtigruten Museum. The waters here are good for white tailed sea eagles, the largest birds of prey in northern Europe.
The afternoon is spent in the Raftsund, the strait that separates Vesterålen from Lofoten, with sheer peaks on both sides. If the weather is right and the Captain gives the go ahead, the ship turns into the Trollfjord, a short, steep sided branch so narrow that the mountains seem almost to touch the ship. Svolvær comes in the evening and Stamsund late at night.
Optional excursions
- Sea eagle safari From Stokmarknes, out on the water looking for white tailed eagles. About 2 hours.
- A taste of Vesterålen From Harstad, a tour of the islands with local food. About 4 hours 15 minutes.
- Lofoten Islands From Svolvær through the islands' villages and landscapes. About 3 hours 30 minutes.
- RIB adventure in Lofoten A fast boat ride from Svolvær. About 1 hour 30 minutes.
Day 6
The Helgeland coast and the Seven Sisters
Bodø · Ørnes · Nesna · Sandnessjøen · Brønnøysund · Rørvik
The ship leaves Bodø during the night and calls at Ørnes at seven. Soon after breakfast you cross the Arctic Circle southbound, and anyone willing is offered a spoonful of cod liver oil to mark the occasion. Then comes the Helgeland coast, thousands of low islands and skerries with farms on the larger ones and a long line of mountains behind.
After Nesna and Sandnessjøen the Seven Sisters range comes into view, seven summits in a row on the island of Alsten, and later Torghatten, the mountain with a natural tunnel straight through it, near Brønnøysund. The islands of the Vega archipelago, out to the west, are a World Heritage Site for the way people have lived there for centuries, harvesting down from wild eider ducks by building them shelters to nest in. The day ends at Rørvik.
Optional excursions
- UNESCO Vega Archipelago From Sandnessjøen to the islands of Vega. About 5 hours.
- Hike to Torghatten mountain From Brønnøysund up to and through the hole in the mountain. About 2 hours.
- Visit the salmon From Brønnøysund, an introduction to salmon farming. About 2 hours 30 minutes.
Day 7 · Trondheim and the island road to Kristiansund
Trondheim · Kristiansund · Molde
The morning is in Trondheim. Nidaros Cathedral is the great sight, and from the cathedral it is a short walk to Gamle Bybro, the old red bridge over the Nidelva river, and the cafes of Bakklandet, where restored warehouses and wooden houses line the riverbank. Kristiansten Fortress, on the hill above, has the best view of the city.
The afternoon voyage threads through islands to Kristiansund, a town spread over several islands with a working harbour. From the Varden lookout the whole of it is laid out below. Kristiansund is also the starting point for the Atlantic Road, which runs for just over eight kilometres across islets and skerries on a series of low bridges and has become famous far beyond Norway. Molde, at the mouth of the Romsdalsfjord with a famous view of more than two hundred mountain peaks, is the last call of the day.
Optional excursions
- Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral A guided tour of the city and the cathedral. About 2 hours.
- The Atlantic Road From Kristiansund along the road across the islands. About 4 hours 30 minutes.
Day 8
Nordfjord, Sognefjord and Bergen
Ålesund · Torvik · Måløy · Florø · Bergen · Overnight in Bergen
The ship calls at Ålesund and Torvik during the night and by morning is at Måløy, at the mouth of the Nordfjord. Somewhere inland lies the Jostedal Glacier, the largest on the European mainland. After Florø the ship passes Stabben lighthouse, perched on a tiny rock, and crosses the mouth of the Sognefjord, which runs more than 200 kilometres inland and is the longest fjord in Norway.
In the afternoon you leave the ship in Bergen and a bus takes you to your hotel, the Clarion Admiral or similar. Spend the evening on Bryggen, take the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen, or find a seafood restaurant; dinner is at your own expense tonight.
Day 9
Over the Hardangervidda by train
Bergen · Finse · Oslo · Overnight in Oslo
After breakfast a bus drops you at Bergen station for the Bergen Line, the railway that crosses the roof of southern Norway. Out of the fjord country the train climbs through Voss and up onto the Hardangervidda, one of the largest mountain plateaus in Europe and home to Europe's largest herd of wild reindeer. At Finse, at 1,222 metres, the line reaches its highest point beside the Hardangerjøkulen glacier. You arrive in Oslo in the afternoon or early evening, depending on your train, and walk two minutes from the station to your hotel.
Day 10 · Oslo
Oslo
A Norwegian breakfast buffet, and then the tour ends. If you would like to stay on in Oslo, we can book extra nights.
Fares
Discover Norway with Arctic Cabin fares 2027
There are regular departures throughout the summer of 2027. For each month the table shows the number of departures and the lowest fare found for any departure that month, by cabin category. Remember that the cabin category is your cabin on the Coastal Express ship; the price covers the whole package as described, including the Oslo to Kirkenes flight, the gamme cabin night, the hotels, the Kirkenes excursions and the train, per person sharing and without international flights. Flight-inclusive packages from London Gatwick or Manchester can be quoted.
| Month | Departures | Polar Inside | Polar Outside | Arctic Superior | Expedition Suites |
|---|
| May 2027 | 19 | from £2,938 | from £2,990 | from £3,518 | from £4,635 |
| June 2027 | 16 | from £3,027 | from £3,259 | from £3,814 | from £5,006 |
| July 2027 | 21 | from £2,955 | from £3,111 | from £3,677 | from £5,006 |
| August 2027 | 20 | from £2,799 | from £2,946 | from £3,470 | from £4,635 |
| September 2027 | 19 | from £2,729 | from £2,879 | from £3,357 | from £4,416 |
Fares are per person in pounds, based on two people sharing, and were checked on 20 October 2026. They are subject to availability and may change at any time before booking. Single supplements are available on request. Call 0333 405 0194 for the current price on your preferred date.
Your Package
What is included
| What's included |
|---|
| In Kirkenes |
| Domestic flight, Oslo to Kirkenes Economy class, taxes and fees included | Included |
| Private transfer from Kirkenes Airport | Included |
| One night in a gamme cabin at Snowhotel Kirkenes With a three course dinner and breakfast | Included |
| King crab safari by RIB Including the crab meal | Included |
| Guided excursion to the Norwegian Russian border | Included |
| On the coast |
| Coastal Express from Kirkenes to Bergen Five nights in your chosen cabin category, full board | Included |
| Bergen and Oslo |
| One night in Bergen Clarion Admiral or similar, with breakfast | Included |
| Transfers in Bergen Ship to hotel, and hotel to the station | Included |
| Train from Bergen to Oslo | Included |
| Nights in Oslo An airport hotel before the tour and a hotel close to Oslo Central Station after, with breakfast | Included |
Not included: international flights, airport transfers outside the itinerary, drinks unless specified, optional excursions on the ship, meals not listed and travel insurance. You can arrange travel insurance online here.
Flights & Packages
Flying from London Gatwick or Manchester
Because the tour begins and ends in Oslo, you only need a simple return flight. Hurtigruten can include flights from London Gatwick or Manchester, and we will quote the flight-inclusive price for your date. A package with flights is ATOL protected under Hurtigruten's licence.
| Package | Starts / Ends | Included in price | Price |
|---|
Arctic Cabin tour
Without flights | Oslo / Oslo | Everything listed under What is included | See fares |
Arctic Cabin tour
With flights | London Gatwick or Manchester | The tour with return flights between the UK and Oslo | Call |
Flight package prices are per person based on two sharing and depend on date and availability. Call 0333 405 0194 for a quote.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is a gamme cabin?
A gamme is a traditional turf covered hut used for centuries by Sámi people, fishermen and hunters in northern Norway. The gamme cabins at Snowhotel Kirkenes are modern versions, with twin beds, a private bathroom, underfloor heating and a large window.
How does this tour differ from the Snowhotel version?
The route, ship, excursions and fares are the same. The difference is the night in Kirkenes: here you sleep in a heated gamme cabin with its own bathroom, while the Snowhotel version puts you in a snow room kept below freezing, with shared bathroom facilities.
Is the gamme cabin warm?
Yes. The cabins have underfloor heating and air conditioning, so they are comfortable whatever the weather outside.
Does the cabin category in the fare table refer to the gamme cabin?
No. The cabin categories, from Polar Inside to Expedition Suites, are for your cabin on the Coastal Express ship. Everyone on the tour has the same gamme cabin night in Kirkenes.
Which meals are included?
Full board on the ship, breakfast at every hotel, a crab meal on the king crab safari and a three course dinner in Kirkenes. Drinks are not included unless stated, and dinners in Bergen and Oslo are at your own expense.
Is the tour escorted?
No, it is self-guided. Hurtigruten books everything, and the Kirkenes excursions are guided, but you travel independently and explore Oslo and Bergen in your own time.
Can I visit the Russian border?
Yes. A guided excursion through the Pasvik valley to the border crossing at Storskog is included on day 3. Photography is not permitted at the border itself.
Are flights from the UK included?
No. The fares exclude international flights, but Hurtigruten offers this tour with flights from London Gatwick or Manchester and we can quote for your date.
What wildlife might I see?
King crab on the safari, and from the ship sea eagles, seabirds and sometimes porpoises and whales. The Pasvik valley is home to brown bears, though they are rarely seen. Nothing can be guaranteed.
Is it suitable for limited mobility?
Hurtigruten does not recommend this tour for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility. Guests who can manage short walks and a few stairs should be able to join most activities.
