This ultimate voyage with Hurtigruten is described by Lonely Planet as `The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage´. We take you from Bergen to Kirkenes and back in 12 days. See 34 ports and cover over 2,500 nautical miles, which allows you to explore every inch of the coastal magic Norway has to offer. Any time of year, it’s a voyage like no other. The drama of the scenery and the wildlife will stir the explorer in you. Twenty-two of the ports lie north of the Arctic Circle – and you are given the opportunity to join excursions tailor-made to match your exploration level. Whatever you miss on the northbound sailing during the night, you are able to see in daylight on the southbound sailing.
In the classics league
The Hurtigruten voyage rightly earns its place in the hall of fame of iconic traveller routes along with other classics like the Orient Express, Europe’s Danube, and the revered Route 66. Visit cities like Bergen, Ålesund and Trondheim, before we cross the Arctic Circle and sail into the Arctic. Southbound you get to see Lofoten and Trollfjorden in broad daylight, before we sail along the Helgeland coast, passing the Seven Sisters mountains. Let yourself admire the overwhelmingly beautiful west coast on our way to our final destination, Bergen.
Spectacular seasons
No matter what time of the year you travel with Hurtigruten, you are surrounded by beautiful nature wherever you turn. Still, every season has its charm.
Three seasons in one journey
With spring comes the return of the warmth and daylight, which is like an infusion of vitamins, kick-starting life along the Norwegian coast. The migratory birds return, meaning the coast is teeming with life. Spring is also a time of celebration and May witnesses the festivities of Norwegian National Day (17 May), when the coastal communities become a blaze of colour and tradition. We also visit the beautiful Lyngenfjord, with its majestic mountain backdrop and unique nature. Sail from summer temperatures in Bergen to the Arctic where you still can participate in our winter excursions.
The season of the eternal sun
Summer is the most popular time of year for exploring Norway’s coast. The long, light days during the summer months seem to energise both nature and people. Even as far south as Bergen, you can experience 19 hours of daylight. Flowers bloom, rivers fill with fish and giant waterfalls cascade towards the ocean, creating a picture-perfect setting for a summer holiday. This is when we sail into the Geirangerfjord on the northbound voyage. North of the Arctic Circle you can experience the midnight sun – a natural phenomenon. Daylight in the middle of the night is an intense experience, and you may have to force yourself to go to bed.
The season of colours
Our autumn sailings include a visit to the incredibly beautiful Hjørundfjord. Majestic mountains surround this narrow fjord, and we offer several excursions that let you explore this spectacular area. Enjoy a splendid voyage during this season, as the fresh and clear coastal air enhances the intense red and yellow vegetation that fills mountainsides, hilltops and woods. From the deck, you may see the sharp profiles of the highest peaks sprinkled with the first snow, against the background of an ice blue sky. Gradually, the evenings get darker and the days shorter. With a bit of luck, the Northern Lights will appear and provide you a magical experience.
Northern Lights season
Winter is perhaps the most special time to explore wild and untamed Norwegian scenery. The landscape is covered in white snow and the air is fresh, pure and crisp. Clusters of cosy houses glow on the shores like embers. The stunning backdrop of snow-clad mountains reflects the polar twilight. Sailing with Hurtigruten to Norway’s northern reaches, you can experience a magical winter wonderland and hopefully see the mesmerising Aurora Borealis. For thousands of years, locals, visitors, artists and scientists in the northern part of the world have marvelled at the spectacular displays that occasionally light up the night sky. Sailing with Hurtigruten provides the best chances of experiencing this magic colour show as it changes from light green to dark purple, flickering across the Arctic sky.
Expedition Teams on board
*Only available on selected ships in 2017: MS Nordkapp, MS Nordlys and MS Nordnorge, MS Richard With, MS Kong Harald, MS Polarlys and a limited programme on MS Spitsbergen. From 1 April 2018 available on 9 of 11 ships (all except MS Lofoten and MS Vesterålen).
On board you will meet dedicated experts with one single mission: to enhance your experience by leading activities and interpreting the cultural and natural treasures you will see during your voyage. When you sail with us, you not only observe – you have the chance to truly interact with the landscape you sail through. Not only do you experience one of the most beautiful areas on the globe, you have the chance to taste fresh local specialties prepared by Norwegian artisans. Guests from Norway and abroad love us - they want the original. They want to go where no one else goes, with a crew and a ship that belongs there. They want to experience and learn from guides who truly know this coast, who have Norway not only in their DNA but also in their soul. We invite you to join our Expedition Team on outdoor activities and hikes in Ålesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø, Honningsvåg, Kirkenes, Lofoten, and Brønnøysund amongst others.
Special offers
I would like to tell that both my wife and myself thoroughly our round trip with Hurtigruten. We thought that all the excursions we went on were very well organized from leaving the ship to arrival back at the ship. The departure and arrival at Bergen was very well organized and very easy... All the crew we had dealings with were very pleasant... We were a little surprised that we had a tour leader on the trip. This was unexpected and was a bonus. We appreciated the daily programme and the various snippets about places along the route as we came up to them... The major highlight for us was seeing the Northern Lights.