Classic Voyage South

An unhindered rare wilderness surrounded by majestic mountains, deep fjords and long unspoilt beaches. This is just a snippet of what the Lofoten Islands have to offer. Its diverse landscape means that you can go hiking, fishing, ocean rafting, scuba diving or even skiing. Inspired? Lofoten will not let you down.

If you would like to experience the natural wonder of Lofoten, then our Classic Voyage South is definitely for you. With departures all year round, you can choose to hunt the Northern Lights in winter or enjoy 24 hours of daylight under the Midnight Sun in summer.

The Classic Voyage South

Whether you choose winter or summer, our 6-day Classic Voyage South, is a perfect way to discover the Arctic. Starting from Kirkenes, the capital of the Barents Region, the enchanting Norwegian landscapes, waterfalls, mountains and fjords, combined with visits to historic towns and cities along the way, make this a voyage that you are guaranteed not to forget

Gateway to the Fjords and The Northern Lights

Meandering through breathtakingly beautiful fjords and natural valleys, you’ll cross the Arctic Circle before sailing out towards Bergen.

• Discover fjords, mountains, islands and waterfalls that will take your breath away
• Cross the Arctic Circle to
• hunt the Northern Lights in winter
• enjoy around the clock daylight under the Midnight Sun in summer
• Take part in adventurous and exciting land and sea excursions
• Learn from our experienced Hurtigruten guides as they lead lectures and activities both at sea and on shore

Our itinerary will give you a few ideas about what you can expect to see and do on your coastal voyage but bear in mind that this is just an indication of what you can experience.

Day 1 Kirkenes – Berlevåg

The Capital of the Barents Region

This amazing voyage starts from the far northern town of Kirkenes. Steeped in history, Kirkenes has a number of small museums detailing the region’s rich heritage. Just a few kilometres from the Russian border, the area around Kirkenes was a common Norwegian-Russian district until 1826 when the present border was settled. Although renamed in 1862 strong bonds and cultural influences from Russian can still be found there today.

Kirkenes offers a wide range of classic winter activities but your trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to an Arctic Ice Dome.

Day 2 Mehamn – Tromsø

Unrivalled Views

A late-night stop at Mehamn gives you the chance to take advantage of an unforgettable snowmobile trip through the Arctic wilderness. Snowy plains and valleys, crisp winter air and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights in the starry sky above – what more could you ask for?

We dock at Tromsø in time to take in and enjoy either a magical Northern Lights concert at the Arctic Cathedral in winter or a Midnight Sun concert during summer.

Day 3 Tromsø – Stamsund

Quite Simply Nature At Its Best

The long-awaited islands of Lofoten and Vesterålen, renowned for their steep mountains, sandy beaches, wild nature and picturesque fishing villages await.

After a short stop at Risøyhamn, we continue to Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded over 125 years ago. While we’re here, why not pop ashore and visit the Hurtigruten Museum? As we continue south, we sail through a passage into the narrow Raftsund, flanked by peaks rising 1000m out of the sea.

We then set sail for Trollfjord. Guaranteed to thrill, this small (2km long and 100m wide) yet dramatic landscape is surrounded by majestic mountains and has been the inspiration of many troll legends and fairy tales.

Day 4 Bodø – Rørvik

Crossing the Arctic Circle

Join us as we celebrate crossing the Arctic Circle in true Arctic tradition – a fun ceremony highlighted by a spoonful of Cod Liver Oil. Not for the faint hearted!

As we continue to sail, we reach the Helgeland coast. Peppered with mountains, it’s home to Torghatten and the Seven Sisters mountain ranges. Torghatten, famous for its 160m long, 35m high and 20m wide distinct hole was created during the Ice Age. The Seven Sisters mountain range though is the stuff of true legend. The story goes that seven beautiful troll sisters got caught out at sunrise and turned to stone creating the beautiful peaks known as the Seven Sisters mountain range.

If you fancy something completely different, why not join an excursion to the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre when we reach Brønnøysund? Running from April – October, it’s a perfect opportunity to visit a working fish farm.

Day 5 Trondheim – Ålesund

Rich in History

Our penultimate day takes us once again to Trondheim, before moving on to Kristiansund, a city spread across four islands with a harbour that has been active since the Stone Age! Renowned for its centuries-old export of dried fish, today it is known as Norway’s ‘Cured Cod Capital’.

If you’re looking for something different, why not try an excursion to Bergtatt marble mine. Going inside the mountain, sailing across an illuminated subterranean lake and enjoying a meal in the mine’s ‘Grand Hall’, it’s one adventure you can’t afford to miss.

Day 6 Ålesund – Bergen

We Bid You Farewell

We call at Ålesund, Torvik and Måløy during the night as our voyage draws to a close. Before docking in Bergen, there is fascinating scenery to see, including the picturesque Nordfjord beneath Jostedal Glacier.

You get to create some final and long-lasting memories, as you take in the rugged, island-studded coastline one last time, as we navigate the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord before disembarking in Bergen.

Founded in 1070 AD, Bergen is steeped in history and still retains a great deal of its charm and character. With its colourful wharfs and cobblestone alleyways there’s plenty to see and do before you head home.

Life On Board

The Hurtigruten line was originally launched to transport people and goods along the coast of Norway. It was particularly prevalent in winter when infrastructure was still in its infancy and land travel was generally more difficult. Even though there are now alternative means of transport, the Hurtigruten line still runs, calling at 34 ports along the Norwegian coastline.

They are though, not traditional cruise ships and life on board a Hurtigruten ship is vastly different to what you might expect onboard a traditional cruise liner and offers less in terms of entertainment. However, as a majority of their ships are much smaller than traditional cruise ships (150 – 500 passengers as opposed to 1000s) it means that they can enter the fjords in both winter and summer. And because they stop at so many ports, you will get to see more of the Norwegian coastline as opposed to just the ‘highlights’.

They also don’t fall short when it comes to comfort and amenities. The cabins are all elegantly furnished with a choice of cabin to suit all budgets. One of the most popular ships, the MS Polarlys, was refurbished in 2016. Featuring a modern, Arctic-inspired interior, there are three restaurants offering a range of different cuisine, a Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. On deck you can while the time away and take in the view from one of the two hot tubs, or if you prefer, enjoy a drink at the bar at the front of the ship.

But Hurtigruten really does come into its own with its on-board Expedition team. Passionate and experienced about all things ‘Norwegian’, the team host lectures, presentation programmes and activities on a regular basis.

Features at a glance:

• Expedition Team
• Three restaurants
• Multe bakery and ice cream bar
• Explorer bar lounge
• Wi-Fi
• Sauna
• Hot tubs
• Fitness room
• Conference room
• Lift
• Car deck