The Inner Fjords Explorer, a Round Trip from Bergen
Eight all-inclusive days aboard MS Trollfjord, sailing to the innermost ends of the Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord and Nordfjord, with Stavanger, the Lysefjord and Ålesund along the way. Autumn 2027 and spring 2028 departures from £1,782 per person.
Most fjord cruises show you the mouth of a fjord, perhaps the first village or two, and then turn round. The Inner Fjords Explorer does the opposite. Over a week from Bergen, MS Trollfjord follows four of western Norway's great fjords to their innermost ends: the Hardangerfjord to Eidfjord, the Sognefjord to Skjolden, the Nordfjord to Olden, and the Kvinnheradsfjord branch of Hardanger to Rosendal. Add a day in Stavanger with the Lysefjord, and a day in Ålesund, and you have the whole of fjord Norway in seven nights.
It is one of Hurtigruten's Limited Collection voyages, Signature sailings that run only at certain times of year. That means all-inclusive dining and selected drinks, an Expedition Team on board, and longer stays in port so that the small communities at the heads of the fjords are something you explore rather than glimpse. Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are within reach: Bryggen in Bergen and the Urnes Stave Church near Skjolden.
£1,782per person, from
Three departures in September 2027 and three in April and May 2028
This is an 8 day voyage sailing in spring and autumn, so it does not carry Hurtigruten's Northern Lights Promise, which applies only to voyages of 11 days or more. If the aurora is your goal, see our Northern Lights voyages.
Why This Voyage
Who the Inner Fjords Explorer suits
This is the voyage for people who come to Norway for the landscape. Each day brings a different fjord with its own character. Hardanger is soft and fruitful, lined with orchards below the glacier. Sogn is long, deep and grand, reaching almost to the middle of the country. Nordfjord is greener, with farms, lakes and glacier valleys. The Lysefjord is narrow and severe, its granite walls rising straight from the water.
Timing is the other attraction. The September sailings arrive as the birch and rowan turn gold and the harvest comes in across Hardanger. The spring sailings in late April and May catch the fruit blossom, with snow still bright on the peaks and waterfalls at their fullest as the melt begins. Either way you avoid the busiest weeks of high summer.
Because it starts and ends in Bergen, the logistics are simple, with direct flights from the UK and no open jaw tickets to arrange. It also works well as a first taste of Hurtigruten's Signature style. If you enjoy it, the longer winter voyages such as the North Cape Line or the Arctic Line sail the same ship in a very different season. Hurtigruten notes that this is not a completely fixed itinerary: the ports stay the same, but the order and the days of some excursions may change slightly, and the Captain can alter the route for weather and light.
The Ship
MS Trollfjord in the fjords
MS Trollfjord is a comfortable size for fjord sailing, with plenty of deck and lounge space for watching the scenery and a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere on board. Since her Signature refurbishment she has three restaurants, Flora, Brasserie Árran and Røst, the last included for Expedition Suite guests, with menus drawn from Norway's Coastal Kitchen and the farms and fishing boats along the way.
The two storey panoramic lounge and the Observation Deck are where you will spend most of your sailing time, with the panoramic sauna a close third. The Expedition Team give daily talks on geology, history and culture, guide on deck as the ship sails, and run a Canon certified photography programme, which is useful when every bend of the fjord looks like a postcard. Norwegian and English are the official languages on board, and many of the crew also speak German.
Your Voyage
Day by day, Bergen and the inner fjords
The days below follow the autumn version of the itinerary. Optional excursions are listed under each day where Hurtigruten has published them; they are not included in the fare and can be booked with us when you book, or on board with the Expedition Team. Spring sailings visit the same ports, though the order may differ.
Day 1
Bergen, gateway to the fjords
Ports today · Bergen
Bergen is often called the Gateway to the Fjords, and it is the right place to begin. In the eleventh century this was the home of King Olav Kyrre; today it is Norway's second largest city, but the old harbour at Vågen still feels like the centre of everything. Along its eastern side runs Bryggen, the line of tall wooden merchants' houses left by the Hanseatic traders who dominated the city's commerce for centuries, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cobbled lanes behind the facades are full of small workshops and boutiques.
The fish market at the head of the harbour is the place for a first plate of Norwegian seafood. Once aboard, you will meet the Expedition Team and sit down to your first dinner on the ship. Departure is just before midnight, when the ship heads south towards the fjords.
Day 2 · Rosendal and the Kvinnheradsfjord
Ports today · Rosendal
The first morning brings you into the Kvinnheradsfjord, a branch of the Hardangerfjord where steep mountainsides carved by ancient glaciers drop to the water, and waterfalls run straight into the sea. Rosendal sits on its shore, framed by orchards and by the Folgefonna Glacier, Norway's third largest, which has been protected within Folgefonna National Park since 2005.
The village is best known for the Barony Rosendal, a manor house completed in 1665 for Karen Mowat, one of the wealthiest heirs in Norway, and her Danish husband, the nobleman Ludvig Rosenkrantz. It is often described as Scandinavia's smallest castle. Its gardens span more than three centuries of history, from a Renaissance garden to a romantic landscape park and a famous rose garden, and there are art exhibitions, a garden café, and the Folgefonna National Park Centre nearby.
Optional excursions
Guided Walk in Rosendal A three hour walk through the village and its history with a local guide.
Hike to Lake Bondhusvatnet Four hours on foot up the Bondhus valley to the lake below one of Folgefonna's glacier arms.
Hardangerfjord RIB Adventure Two hours at speed on the fjord in a rigid inflatable boat.
Blådalen Scenic Tour A two hour scenic tour into the Blådalen valley.
Day 3 · Stavanger and the Lysefjord
Ports today · Stavanger
The Lysefjord is narrow, around 42 kilometres long, and lined with cliffs that rise more than 1,000 metres. Its name means the fjord of light, after the pale granite of its walls. Watch from the deck for Preikestolen, the Pulpit Rock, a flat topped ledge some 600 metres above the water and one of the most famous viewpoints in Norway. From below it looks impossibly small.
In Stavanger, the old town of Gamle Stavanger holds around 170 white painted wooden houses from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries along cobbled lanes, now home to cafes, small galleries and craft shops. The waterfront has museums and seafood restaurants, and the cathedral, begun in the early twelfth century, is one of the oldest in Norway. It is a good day for shopping too, from Norwegian design to traditional woollen sweaters. Offshore, Flor og Fjære is a small island garden of subtropical planting and palm trees, unlikely at this latitude and all the more striking for it.
Day 4 · Eidfjord and the Hardangerfjord
Ports today · Eidfjord
Hurtigruten calls the Hardangerfjord the Queen of the Fjords, and at about 179 kilometres it is the second longest in Norway. Glaciers sit above orchards and villages scattered on the slopes, and Hardanger has grown fruit since the Middle Ages, when monks are said to have brought the first apple trees. In spring the slopes are white with blossom beneath snowy peaks; in autumn it is harvest time, and the local cider, made under its own protected name, is worth tasting. The fjord inspired one of Norway's best loved paintings, Bridal Procession on the Hardangerfjord, painted in 1848 by Adolph Tidemand and Hans Gude.
Eidfjord lies at the fjord's innermost reach. Close by is the Hardangervidda Nature Centre, gateway to Hardangervidda, the largest mountain plateau in northern Europe and home to Europe's largest herd of wild reindeer. Then there is Vøringsfossen, which plunges 182 metres in total, its longest single drop 163 metres, into the Måbø valley.
Optional excursions
Vøringsfossen Waterfall and Nature Centre Three and a half hours visiting the great waterfall and the Hardangervidda Nature Centre.
Hardanger Heritage and World Class Cider Three and a half hours exploring Hardanger's fruit growing traditions, with cider from the region's orchards.
Day 5
Skjolden and the Sognefjord
Ports today · Skjolden
The Sognefjord is the King of the Fjords: the longest in Norway at more than 200 kilometres, stretching almost to the middle of the country, and more than 1,300 metres deep at its deepest point. Sailing in, look up at the abandoned farms and homesteads perched on ledges high on the cliffs, some reachable only by steep paths or ladders. The ship follows it all the way to Skjolden, at the very end of the Lustrafjord, the Sognefjord's innermost arm.
Skjolden has long drawn artists and thinkers looking for solitude, among them the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, who first came here in 1913 and later had a small hut built on the hillside above the lake. Nearby rises Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in mainland Europe, and a short way down the Lustrafjord stands the Urnes Stave Church, built around 1130, the oldest of Norway's stave churches and a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its carved animal ornament. To the north, the Sognefjellet road climbs over the highest mountain pass in northern Europe.
Optional excursions
Hike to Mount Senjaberg Viewpoint A three hour guided hike to a viewpoint high above the fjord.
Kayaking in Sognefjord Two hours paddling on the calm water at the head of the fjord.
Lustrafjord RIB Adventure A fast hour and three quarters on the Lustrafjord by RIB.
Sognefjellet Mountain Pass by Bus Three hours up into the high mountains on the Sognefjellet road.
Sognefjord's Glacier Landscapes by Bus A six hour tour of the glacier country around the inner Sognefjord.
UNESCO Stave Church and Traditional Boatyard Three and a half hours visiting the Urnes Stave Church and a traditional boatbuilding yard.
Day 6
Ålesund, Art Nouveau by the sea
Ports today · Ålesund
After the quiet of the fjord heads, Ålesund feels almost metropolitan. The town burned in January 1904 and was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style, so its streets are lined with turrets, towers and floral carvings that all date from the same few years. It sits on a cluster of islands framed by the Sunnmøre Alps, and the Jugendstilsenteret, the Art Nouveau Centre, is the place to understand how it all came about.
Spend the day on the waterfront cafes and the fish restaurants around Brosundet, browse for Norwegian crafts, and climb the 418 steps up Mount Aksla for the panorama over the islands and the mountains. The Atlantic Sea Park on the edge of town is one of the largest saltwater aquariums in northern Europe, and the Hjørundfjord, one of the quietest and least developed fjords in the region, is within reach on a day trip.
Optional excursions
Silent Hjørundfjorden A seven hour excursion into the Hjørundfjord and its mountain villages.
Kayaking in Ålesund Two hours and a quarter paddling among Ålesund's islands.
Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Ålesund Two hours at the Atlantic Sea Park and around the town.
Hurtigruten currently lists these Ålesund excursions as winter season options, so we will confirm which run on your departure.
Day 7 · Olden and the Nordfjord
Ports today · Olden
The Nordfjord stretches more than 100 kilometres inland, linking the open sea with glacier carved valleys and lakes. Its shores are gentler and greener than Sogn's, with red boathouses, summer pastures, waterfalls and snow dusted peaks. At its innermost reach lies Olden, beside the turquoise Oldeelva river that runs down from the Jostedalsbreen glacier.
From the neighbouring village of Loen, the Loen Skylift climbs to the summit of Mount Hoven, 1,011 metres above sea level, in a matter of minutes. It opened in 2017 and is one of the steepest cable cars in the world, and the view from the top over the Nordfjord and the mountains is extraordinary. Up the Olden valley, Briksdalsbreen, one of the best known arms of Jostedalsbreen, can be reached by the open troll cars that carry visitors up the valley.
Optional excursions
Loen Skylift Three hours including the cable car ride to the summit of Mount Hoven.
Loen Skylift and Hike Four hours combining the Skylift with a walk on the mountain.
Explore Olden by e-bike A two hour guided ride around Olden and its valley.
Nordfjord Kayak Adventure Two hours and a quarter paddling on the Nordfjord.
Briksdal Valley and Glacier by Troll Car Three hours up the Briksdal valley towards the glacier.
Day 8 · Bergen, closing the circle
Ports today · Bergen
The ship arrives back in Bergen this morning, and you disembark at the quayside. If you are not flying until later, there is time to revisit Bryggen, browse the fish market, look in at one of the city's museums, or ride the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen for a last view over the city and the sea.
Bergen is one of the easiest places in Norway to add a few extra days, and we can arrange hotel nights here before or after the voyage. See our Bergen hotels for ideas.
Fares
Inner Fjords Explorer fares 2027 and 2028
Six departures, three in September 2027 and three in spring 2028, all on MS Trollfjord. Prices are in pounds per person, based on two sharing, voyage only. Each figure is the lowest fare found for that cabin category on that departure, and fares rise as cabins sell.
Departure date
Polar Inside
Polar Outside
Arctic Superior
Expedition Suites
13 September 2027
from £2,360
from £2,832
from £3,854
from £9,538
20 September 2027
from £2,119
from £2,601
from £3,545
from £8,775
27 September 2027
from £1,903
from £2,486
from £3,237
from £8,202
Departure date
Polar Inside
Polar Outside
Arctic Superior
Expedition Suites
24 April 2028
from £1,782
from £2,091
from £2,909
from £4,697
1 May 2028
from £2,000
from £2,316
from £3,243
from £5,166
8 May 2028
from £2,000
from £2,377
from £3,264
from £8,603
Fares are per person in pounds, based on two 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 to check current availability.
All-Inclusive
What is included
The Inner Fjords Explorer is an all-inclusive Signature voyage. The cabin column applies to Polar Inside, Polar Outside and Arctic Superior cabins, and the suite column to Expedition Suites.
What's included
Cabin Polar Inside, Polar Outside and Arctic Superior
Suite Expedition Suites
Food and drink on board
All-inclusive meals Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Included
Included
Unlimited selected drinks Selected beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks during opening hours
Included
Included
Fine dining at Røst
Not included
Included
Unlimited premium drinks and cocktails
Not included
Included
Afternoon tea On occasion
Not included
Included
Life on board
Expedition Team Daily themes, lectures and on-deck guiding
Included
Included
Photography programme Canon certified
Included
Included
Gym and sauna
Included
Included
Onboard pianist
Included
Included
Daily turndown service
Not included
Included
Not included: flights, hotels and transfers unless booked as a package, shore excursions, travel insurance and gratuities. You can arrange travel insurance online here.
Flights & Packages
Flights to Bergen from London or Manchester
As a round trip from Bergen, this voyage is simple to reach. We can quote flight-inclusive packages from London or Manchester to Bergen and back, with transfers between the airport and the ship. Booking the complete package through Hurtigruten also gives you access to 24 hour assistance while you are away.
The ship sails just before midnight on the first day, so most guests can fly out the same day. If you would like a little longer in Bergen, add a hotel night before or after.
Package
Starts / Ends
Included in price
Price
Inner Fjords Explorer Flight Package
Bergen / Bergen
Flight from London or Manchester to Bergen, transfer to the ship, then transfer to the airport and flight back to the UK
Call
Inner Fjords Explorer Extension Package
Bergen / Bergen
As the flight package, with a hotel night in Bergen before or after the voyage
Call
Package prices are per person in pounds, based on two sharing, and depend on your date and airport. Call 0333 405 0194 for a quote.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What makes the Inner Fjords Explorer different from other fjord cruises?
It sails deeper into the fjords than most, reaching the innermost ends of the Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord and Nordfjord, and spends longer in the small communities there. It is also an all-inclusive Signature voyage with an Expedition Team on board.
Which fjords does the voyage visit?
The Kvinnheradsfjord branch of the Hardangerfjord at Rosendal, the Lysefjord near Stavanger, the Hardangerfjord to Eidfjord, the Sognefjord to Skjolden, and the Nordfjord to Olden, with a day in Ålesund as well.
Which UNESCO World Heritage Sites can I visit?
Bryggen Wharf in Bergen, at the start and end of the voyage, and the Urnes Stave Church near Skjolden, which you can visit on an optional excursion.
Is the itinerary fixed?
Not entirely. The ports stay the same, but the order and the days of some excursions may differ slightly between departures, and the Captain may change the route or the order of fjords because of weather and light.
Should I choose spring or autumn?
Spring brings fruit blossom in Hardanger, snowy peaks and full waterfalls. Autumn brings golden forests and the harvest. Both avoid the summer crowds. The cheapest fare currently available is on the 24 April 2028 departure.
What weather should I expect?
Weather can change quickly in fjord country, so pack layers and good waterproofs. Days are usually mild in spring and autumn, but it can be much colder higher up on excursions to glaciers and mountain passes.
Does the Northern Lights Promise apply?
No. The Promise applies only to voyages of 11 days or more departing between 20 September and 31 March. This is an 8 day voyage sailing in September, April and May.
Are shore excursions included?
No. Excursions cost extra and can be booked when you book your voyage or on board with the Expedition Team. We list the published options under each day above.
What should I pack for exploring the fjords?
A daypack, a reusable water bottle, binoculars and a camera are all useful, along with layered clothing, waterproofs and comfortable walking shoes. A travel journal is a nice addition if you like to write things down.
Which languages are spoken on board?
Norwegian and English are the official languages on board, and many of the crew also speak German.
Can you arrange flights?
Yes. We can quote flight-inclusive packages from London or Manchester to Bergen, with transfers to and from the ship. Call 0333 405 0194 for a quote.
