Hurtigruten Classic 12 Day Roundtrip Voyage
This journey is the ultimate voyage with Hurtigruten! It is a 12-day odyssey covering 2,500 nautical miles. You will see all 34 ports in daylight (unless you travel in winter, when there is not much light above the Arctic Circle - perfect conditions for seeing the Northern Lights!)
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Itinerary: The 12-day Classic Roundtrip Voyage starts in Bergen, a city surrounded by seven mountains. Bergen was founded in 1070 AD, and was the capital of Norway for several years. Today this vibrant city has retained a great deal of local character and history. One example of this is the historic UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with colorful wharfs that date back to the 14th century. Before sailing from Bergen in the evening, you may wish to take a stroll around this charming, compact city. As the ship starts its northbound journey you can enjoy the myriad views of islands, small fishing communities and fjords. Day 2 Ålesund – the Art Nouveau City, Geirangerfjord or Hjørundfjord If you wake up early the next day you have the chance to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Nordfjord, followed by a delicious breakfast. As we sail past the West Cape, we enter open sea for one of the few times during this voyage. The ship then navigates through skerries and islands before reaching Ålesund. This city is renowned for its unique concentration of Art Nouveau architecture. From the top of Mount Aksla you can enjoy an amazing panorama of the area. In the summer months we set course for the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord passing sheer, 2,600 feet cliffs and impressive waterfalls en route. In fall we explore Hjørundfjord, situated amidst the majestic Sunnmore Alps. Its seclusion and unspoiled natural landscape are what give this fjord its special character. Far from the tourist bustle, we take passengers past steep rock walls, green meadows, isolated mountain farms and small villages. Day 3 Trondheim – The medieval capital of Norway In Trondheim you can discover the city’s secrets by strolling through its charming streets or sitting by the peaceful harbor. Be sure to enjoy the views from Gamle Bybrua (the Old Town Bridge) which dates back to 1861 and the restored wooden buildings of the backland district. Nidaros Cathedral, built between 1070 and 1300, is Norway’s largest Gothic edifice. In the afternoon the ship sets a northwest course, passing the distinct Kjeungskjær lighthouse and numerous charming islets and rocky outcrops. After passing through the narrow Stoksund, the ship arrives in Rørvik. Day 4 Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands Today we cross the Arctic Circle between Nesna and Ørnes, marked by a globe on a small islet. Passengers sailing in Arctic waters for the first time can participate in the Arctic Circle ceremony on deck. After a break at Bodø you can enjoy the sight of the 3,280ft high Lofoten Wall appearing on the horizon. The charms of the Lofoten Islands are revealed in all the small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere. Tucked in between majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches, these islands are an experience that is out of the ordinary. Stroll between stockfish racks and “rorbuer”, the traditional fisherman’s huts. Between Stamsund and Svolvær you can take part in an optional excursion stepping back in history at the authentic Lofotr Viking Feast which takes place in an impressive reconstruction of the largest Viking house ever found. Day 5 Tromsø – Gateway to the Arctic During the night the ship navigates the narrow Raftsund strait. After a stop in Harstad, we continue to Tromsø for a prolonged stay. Many epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point. 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 city’s most famous landmark with its progressive design and extraordinary stained glass window. The world’s northernmost university and large numbers of tourists have created a vibrant cultural scene and the numerous restaurants and cafes are always teeming with life. Day 6 Honningsvåg and the North Cape After a brief stop in Hammerfest and Havøysund we arrive in Honningsvåg, the gateway to the spectacular North Cape. The optional excursion to the North Cape Plateau puts you at 71◦ 10’ 21” N, only 1,2 miles from the Geographical North Pole. Standing atop the 1,000ft North Cape plateau gives you a sublime feeling of being at the end of the world. The area is also known for its birdlife. As we approach Kjøllefjord this evening, we pass the rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient sacrificial site of the area’s indigenous Sami people. Day 7 Kirkenes – the wild and beautiful northeast When we arrive in Kirkenes, at 30 East, we are actually further east than Istanbul and St. Petersburg. The Russian border is close by, and you may find it intriguing that the road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian. Spending time in Kirkenes gives you an opportunity to take part in some of the adventurous activities offered in this Arctic environment. SOUTHBOUND As the ship starts its voyage south, you can first enjoy a delicious lunch followed by views of arctic wilderness from deck or the panorama lounge. The ports previously visited by night on the northbound journey are now seen by day. In the afternoon the ship docks in Vardø, Norway’s easternmost port. We continue along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord before reaching Berlevåg in the evening. Day 8 Hammerfest and North Cape When we reach Honningsvåg early in the morning, you can start the day with an excursion to the North Cape and have breakfast 1,000 ft above the churning Atlantic Ocean, together with a visit to a Sami family. Hammerfest, where signs of settlement dates back to the Stone Age, still pays an important role as a fishing settlement. Here you can also see the Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise measurement of the globe – an achievement so important it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As we arrive in Tromsø you may choose to book a seat at the Midnight Concert at the Arctic Cathedral. Or why not check out one of the town’s many friendly pubs and try the local brew, Mack’s Arctic Beer. Day 9 Vesterålen, Trollfjord and Lofoten Islands The Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands are on today’s schedule. You’ll pass through the Risøyrenna, a channel constructed especially for Hurtigruten providing an “inside route” between Harstad and Sortland. In Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded, you will find the Hurtigruten museum. Entry is free for all passengers. Continuing through the narrow Raftsund, the captain may choose to take a detour into the spectacular Trollfjord where steep cliffs hug the ship’s sides. Then we continue to Svolvær, the main settlement on the Lofoten Islands. In addition to beautiful nature, Lofoten is known for cod fishing. The season starts in January and lasts through April. We leave the Lofoten Islands during the evening and set course for the mainland. Day 10 Crossing the Arctic Circle, Seven Sisters The Helgeland coast with hundreds of islets, fertile farmlands and steep mountains is worth getting up early to experience. Legends and myths are numerous along this part of the coast. Crossing the Arctic Circle again is another important “rite of passage”. We celebrate this with a taste of our Arctic traditions out on deck. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vega Islands, is close to our call in Sandnessjøen and can be visited on an optional excursion during summer. Day 11 Trondheim and cities of the west coast Today gives you another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. Passing the islands of Munkholmen and Hitra we then cross the open sea to Molde, which is also known as the “city of roses” due to its lush Gulf Stream location. The town of Kristiansund is regarded as Norway’s “cured cod capital” and has long been the main export port for this popular salted dry fish. Day 12 Fjords, glacier and Bergen Make the most of your final impressions of Norway as today we say goodbye. But before that, you still have a few nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of you such as the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedal Glacier. A few nautical miles south of this we navigate the estuary of the mighty Sognefjord. You also get the best views of the archipelago en route. You disembark in Bergen, taking with you memories of a unique journey. |
Trip Details at a Glance Duration: 12 days 2021 Departures: Daily Departures 2020 Seasons: Included: Not Included: *Sample Excursions: The North Cape Snowmobile Trip in Lapland Lofoten Islands Sea Eagle Safari RIB Adventure in Lofoten
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Trollhaugen Tours
612-816-1177
