Day 1:Bergen
Northbound Voyage
The journey starts in Bergen, the capital of western Norway, with the colourful and UNESCO-listed warehouses in Bryggen. Take the funicular railway, Fløibanen, up to one of the lookout points, sample the seafood at the fish market or take a stroll through the narrow streets and along the quays of the lively harbour. Bergen is the gateway to the Norwegian fjords and the start of your coastal adventure.
Day 2: Florø-Måløy-Torvik-Ålesund-Geiranger*/Hjørundfjorden*-Ålesund-Molde:
After the first night on board, you can start your day by waving to the Havila Voyages headquarters just off Torvik. Ålesund, is renowned for its art nouveau architecture with beautiful brick houses and warehouses. In the summer, you can continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geiranger Fjord, which has steep mountainsides and dramatic waterfalls.
Optional excursions:
• E-biking in Norangsdalen
• Unique paddling experience Hjørundfjord
• Guided cultural walk in the fjords
• Hike to a mountain farm
• Art nouveau walk, Ålesund
• Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium, Ålesund
• Kayaking in Alesund, Ålesund
• Hiking at Sukkertoppen, Ålesund
• Winter cruise to the world heritage area of Geiranger, Ålesund
• Fishing Adventure in Ålesund
• The Mountaineering Capital of Norway
• Idyllic walk in a living, historic factory
Day 3: Kristiansund - Trondheim - Rørvik
It is morning when we dock in the historic city of Trondheim, which was founded over a thousand years ago. Nidaros Cathedral is the landmark of the city; it is Norway's national shrine and one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe. After our visit here, the voyage continues out into the fjord, into an abundant archipelago and heads for northern Norway.
Optional excursions:
• Trondheim and the Nidaros Cathedral, northbound
• Trondheim and Nidaros by vintage tram
• Historical city walk in Trondheim
• City cycling in Trondheim
Day 4: Brønnøysund - Sandnessjøen - Nesna - Ørnes - Bodø - Stamsund - Svolvær
On this stretch, we mark crossing the Arctic Circle with a ceremony and continue onward into the Arctic regions. It means midnight sun in the summer, while winter days are merely a shade less dark than night-time and, possibly, Northern Lights in the evenings. Nature is powerful with northern Scandinavia's largest glacier, the world's strongest tidal current and encounters with the majestic sea eagle. In the evening, Lofoten's fishing villages, steep mountains and Vikings await.
Optional excursions:
• Moose, Svartisen and Saltstraumen, Ørnes
• Experience Bodø and Saltstraumen,Bodø
• Taste the arctic outdoor, Bodø
• RIB-safari to Saltstraumen and the sea eagles, Bodø
• Feast with the Viking chieftain, Stamsund
• Meet the people of Lofoten, Stamsund
• Brewery visit and beer tasting, Svolvær
Day 5: Stokmarknes - Sortland - Risøyhamn - Harstad - Finnsnes - Tromsø – Skjervøy
The voyage continues on through narrow fjords and past wild mountains to Tromsø, a city characterised by hunting and fishing, polar expeditions and courage. Now you have also reached the land of the Sami, Norway's indigenous people. Meeting the Sami and their reindeer while hearing about the Sami culture is a unique experience you will remember.
Optional excursions:
• Tromsø – Capital of the Arctic, Tromsø
• Dog sledding and huskies, Tromsø
• Visit 300 huskies, Tromsø
• Reindeer sledding and Sami visit
• Walking theater in Tromsø
Day 6: Hammerfest - Havøysund - Honningsvåg - Kjøllefjord - Mehamn - Berlevåg
As far north as you can get - by land and sea. For many, the visit to the North Cape is a high point and a goal for voyages along the Norwegian coast. Up here in the polar landscape, nature is at its harshest and most desolate, but between bare plains and rugged cliffs people cling on and reap nature's bounty. You can also have a taste of the catch. How about some king crab?
Optional excursions:
• The North Cape plateau, Honningsvåg
• North Cape plateau ATV Summer Safari, Honningsvåg
• North Cape plateau ATV Winter Safari, Honningsvåg
• King crab experience, Honningsvåg
• Snowshoeing and ice fishing in the Arctic, Honningsvåg
• Birdwatching near North Cape, Honningsvåg
• Visiting a Sami family, Kjøllefjord
• Autumn visit to the Sami, Kjøllefjord
• Snowmobiling in the Polar Night, Kjøllefjord
• Birdwatching near North Cape, Honningsvåg
Day 7: Båtsfjord - Vardø - Vadsø - Kirkenes
You are now as far east on your voyage as you can go. The border with Russia is only a few kilometres away, and the road signs in Kirkenes are in Norwegian and Russian. You can go as far as the border on one of our excursions, or how about a visit to the Snowhotel where everything is made of ice and snow?
Optional excursions:
• Snowhotel Kirkenes
• King crab with a snowmobile on the frozen fjord, Kirkenes
• Dog sledding in the Arctic, Kirkenes
• Snowmobile safari in the Arctic, Kirkenes
• The Russian border, Kirkenes
• King crab fishing in a RIB, Kirkenes
Day 8: Mehamn - Kjøllefjord - Honningsvåg - Havøysund - Hammerfest - Øksfjord - Skjervøy - Tromsø
Southbound Voyage
The polar landscape changes as we sail towards the west and south again. The great expanses are replaced by steep peaks, and in the evening we sail into Tromsø. You can go to a midnight concert in the Arctic Cathedral, or take a stroll in the midnight sun or under the Northern Lights and explore the nightlife of the city dubbed "The Paris of the North".
Optional excursions:
• Snowmobile trip in the polar night, Mehamn
• Breakfast at the North Cape Plateau, Honningsvåg
• The best of the world's northernmost city, Hammerfest
• City walk and knighting ceremony in the polar bear society, Hammerfest
• Midnight concert in the Arctic Cathedral, Tromsø
Day 9: Finnsnes - Harstad - Risøyhamn - Sortland - Stokmarknes - Svolvær – Stamsund
We return to the wild, idyllic Lofoten Islands . Beneath the jagged mountains lie chalky white sandy beaches and fishing villages with a vibrant fishing industry and locals using the coastal ships for everyday trips and transport. If the weather permits, we will enter the narrow Trollfjord. There is a strong possibility of spotting sea eagles here.
Optional excursions:
• A taste of Vesterålen, Harstad
• Experience Lofoten, Svolvær
• Golfing at Lofoten Links, Svolvær
• A taste of Lofoten, Svolvær
• Horse riding in Lofoten, Svolvær
• Brewery visit and beer tasting, Svolvær
• Sea eagle safari in a RIB, Svolvær
• Sea Eagle Safari in Trollfjorden, disembarkation from the ship
• Hike by the best beach in Europe, Svolvær
Day 10: Bodø - Ørnes - Sandnessjøen - Brønnøysund – Rørvik
Now we have come so far south that we're crossing the Arctic Circle and sailing away from the polar night and the sunlit nights. But you can still see the Northern Lights in the winter, and it is never completely dark during the summer nights. Here you sail past a myriad of small islands, islets and skerries and past the special mountain, Trollhatten, which has a hole in the middle. If you wish, you can also go on the trip to the mountain and enter the hole.
Optional excursions:
• Hiking at Torghatten, Brønnøysund
• The Norwegian salmon adventure, Brønnøysund
• Experience the World Heritage listed Vega Islands, Brønnøysund
Day 11: Trondheim - Kristiansund - Molde - Ålesund
We sail through the wide Trondheim fjord that is bounded by rolling farmland on both sides and return to the coast and the open sea. You can disembark in Kristiansund and be driven along the Atlantic Ocean Road, which has been called the world's most beautiful drive. The road meanders along islets and skerries, and afterwards you can re-embark in Molde.
Optional excursions:
• Trondheim and the Nidaros Cathedral
• Experience the Atlantic Road, Kristiansund
• Atlanterhavsveien and Bergtatt marble mine, Kristiansund
Day 12: Torvik - Måløy - Florø - Bergen
The last day of the tour takes you through a diverse coastal landscape of bare rocky mountains and a maze of sounds and waterways between many islands. The great fjords and glaciers are situated inland. Bergen awaits at the end of the voyage. We hope you have many good memories from your journey along the Norwegian coast with Havila Voyages, and we look forward to seeing you again.