Northbound Excursions |
2A
GEIRANGER PANORAMA 1
Geiranger to Alesund
Available Dates: 15 Apr - 30 May
Duration: 4 h 30 min,
Price - please call us for details
National Geographic magazine named the Norwegian
fjords the world's most untouched holiday
destination. Welcome to one of the world's
most beautiful travel destinations - the
Geirangerfjord - officially praised by National
Geographic and placed on UNESCO's list of
World Heritage Sites. At the Geirganger
Fjord Centre you will enjoy an informative
introduction via a multimedia presentation
that takes you through all four seasons
of Geirganger. This is followed by a drive
up Orneveien ("Eagle Road") and
a stop at Ornesvingen ("Eagle Bend"),
where a breath-taking, panoramic view of
the fjord, the magnificent mountains and
the waterfall "De Syv Sostre"
("The Seven Sisters") provides
an excellent photo opportunity. The tour
continues to Alesund, a distinctive town
known for its unique Art Nouveau architecture.
An afternoon here is best enjoyed from the
town's highest point - Aksla ("Town
Montain"). You enjoy a short sightseeing
trip around Alesund itself, before heading
to the Hurtigruten pier.
2B GEIRANGER PANORAMA 2
Geiranger to Molde
Available Dates: 31 May - 14 Sep
Duration: 7h 30 min, Price: from £109pp
National Geographic magazine named the Norwegian
fjords the world's most untouched holiday
destination. Welcome to one of the world’s
most beautiful travel destinations –
the Geirangerfjord- officially praised by
National Geographic and placed on UNESCO
’s list of World Heritage Sites. Your
day begins with a drive up Ørneveien
(“Eagle Road”), enjoying magnificent
views of Geiranger Fjord, en route to the
beautiful Eidsdalsvatnet Lake. From there
we take a picturesque ferry ride from Eidsdal
to Linge, no doubt marvelling at the strength
of the river as it cuts through Gudbrandsjuvet
gorge, heading for the stark, wild high
alpine areas. One of the many highlights
of this trip is negotiating all of the 11
hairpin turns on the way down the winding
Trollstigen pass. Once safely down at the
bottom, it’s time for a hot drink
and a bite to eat before we continue on
to the gentler landscape of the Romsdalsfjord.
We conclude with dinner in Molde before
boarding the Hurtigruten ship again.
2C ART NOUVEAU TOUR OF ÅLESUND
Alesund
Available Dates: 15 Sep - 14 Apr
Duration: 2 hours, Price: £20pp
Ålesund is a colourful and picturesque
coastal town that is renowned for its charming
Art Nouveau architecture. Its history and
architectural highlights are best appreciated
on foot, Ålesund is spread over a
series of islands, linked by bridges. Rebuilt
after a disastrous fire in 1904, the town
was recreated to reflect the Art Nouveau
trend of the age and this fascinating guided
tour brings the town, its history and the
symbolism of its architecture to life.
3A NIDAROS CATHEDRAL & RINGVE
Trondheim
Available Dates: 15 Apr - 30 Sep
Duration: 3 hours, Price: £37pp
Few large cities have managed to preserve
their intimacy and charm in the same way
as Norway’s third largest city, Trondheim.
An ancient city, it was founded by the Viking
King Olav as Tryggvason as early as 997.
Your tour of the city starts from the pier
and takes you to Norway’s national
shrine, Nidarosdomen (Nidaros Cathedral)
- Norway’s only Gothic style cathedral,
built over the burial place of St. Olav,
Norway’s patron saint. After a guided
tour of the cathedral, you have some free
time to explore. From Nidaros Cathedral,
the bus then takes us directly to the Ringve
Museum of Musical History, where enthusiastic
tour guides will take you on a musical journey
through history.
3B TRONDHEIM WITH NIDAROS CATHEDRAL
Trondheim
Available Dates: 1 Oct 2009 - 14
Apr 2010 & 1 Oct 2010 - 14 Apr 2011
Duration: 2 hours, Price: £32pp
Trondheim is a town full of contrasts, with
monastery ruins, impressive wooden buildings,
colourful wharves, and a beautiful red-painted
city bridge dating back to 1861. You will
hear all about the city’s many features
as the bus takes us through Trondheim’s
streets and boroughs,including a short stop
at “Utsikten” (“The View”)
to admire the city from up high. As no sightseeing
trip to Trondheim is complete without visiting
one of its premier cultural treasures, we
will of course make time to take in the
impressive Nidaros Cathedral. Built over
the burial place of St. Olav, the patron
saint of Norway, the construction of this
enormous building, with its countless details
and decorations, began as early as 1070.
After a guided tour around the Gothic-style
cathedral, you will soon understand why
many describe it as the most beautiful church
in Norway.
3C SVERESBORG, TRØNDELAG
FOLK MUSEUM
Trondheim
Available Dates: 29 Apr - 28 Sep
Duration: 2 hours, Price: £27pp
Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum
is one of Norway’s largest open-air
museums. The tour includes a visit to the
museum and a wander around the ruins of
the medieval castle, Sion, which was built
by King Sverre in 1182-83. This is where
you will find Norway’s northernmost
stave church, with the new visitors’
centre featuring a modern heritage exhibition
that presents life in the region around
the 1900’s. We begin our journey through
history at Haltdalen stave church, built
back in 1170, when Norway was a Catholic
country. The trip continues past the ruins
of the medieval castle, with its panoramic
views across Trondheim’s Fjord, and
onto a working farmyard. From here we continue
on to the Old Town, which features buildings
that used to stand proudly in the very centre
of Trondheim. Finally, we enter the visitors’
centre, and the ‘Life Pictures’
exhibition.
4A GLACIER ADVENTURE, SVARTISEN
Ornes - Norway's second largest glacier
Available Dates: 28 Apr - 27 Sep
Duration: 6 hours, Price: £94pp
Today we will visit Norway’s second
largest glacier, Svartisen, situated near
Ørnes. After setting sail for Ørnes,
about half an hour before reaching the port,
the ship stops to allow passengers to transfer
to another, smaller vessel. This versatile
vessel then slips easily between islets
and skerries. The most impressive views
along the way are best enjoyed on deck.
Be sure to bring your camera because this
icy world is the domain of sea eagles. Svartisen
is Norway’s second largest glacier
and has been attracting tourists for well
over a hundred years. You are aboard the
vessel for a little over an hour before
going ashore. Arriving at Svartisen Tourist
Centre, we admire the beauty of the ice
world whilst enjoying a hot beverage and
a selection of cakes. The journey beyond
this point travels along the very pretty
Helgeland Coast where you have close-up
views of the local community. Your travel
here is either by bus or modern express
boat and the guide keeps you well informed
about this awesome, timeless landscape.
Continue onward to Bodø, where you
rejoin your Hurtigruten ship.
4D SALTSTRAUMEN - SEA EAGLE SAFARI
Bodo
Available Dates: 29 Mar - 28 Oct
Duration: 2 hours, Price: £80pp
Today, we head to Saltstraumen, where you
will witness the world’s most powerful
tidal current. On our exciting journey through
this wild landscape there is a good chance
we will be able to observe sea eagles, whilst
also taking in the awesome scenery, and
observing parts of the Caledonian fold belt
– a range of mountains that is over
250 million years old. While we sit safely
and comfortably in sturdy rubber rafts -
operated by highly experienced and knowledgeable
pilots – you can be sure to enjoy
a day of rare adventure, in harmony with
nature, eagles and the deep blue sea. Welcome
on board!
4E LOFOTEN VIKING FEAST, STAMSUND
Available Dates: 12 Oct - 31 Dec 2009,
1 Jan - 28 Mar & 28 Sep - 31 Dec 2010
Duration: 3 hours, Price: £71pp
At the Lofotr Viking Museum, the largest
Viking building ever found has been recreated.
From Stamsund we travel by bus to Lofotr
Viking Museum, where you are invited to
experience the largest house known from
the Viking age. The Chieftain’s house
has been recreated in full size with exhibits
of finds from the Viking age. The Chieftain
and the Lady of the house would like to
give you an unforgettable night as they
invite you to join in a Viking feast in
the banqueting hall. Experience the magic
and excitement as they make sacrifices to
the Gods, hoping that the sun will turn
to avoid Armageddon. Will we receive a sign
from above? After a meal fit for the gods,
served with real mead, you travel by bus
to Svolvær, where you board your Hurtigruten
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Northbound Excursions |
4F LOFOTEN VIKING FEAST, STAMSUND Available Dates: 29 Mar - 27 Sep
Duration: 3 hours, Price: £71pp
Join us on a historical journey as the bus
takes us from Stamsund to Borg, and on to
the Lofotr Museum. On the trip to Lofotr,
the guide will tell you about the Viking
Ages and how life was for the Vikings who
lived here. Upon arrival we are invited
in to experience the Chieftain's house,
which has been recreated in full size, with
exhibits of finds from the Viking age. The
Chieftain and the lady of the house welcome
us to join them for a real Viking feast
in the banquet hall; a taste of the Viking
Ages, with traditional food, costumes, singing
and dancing, After the feast , served with
home-brewed mead, we then travel by bus
to Svolvaer, learning more about the history
of Lofoten along the way before re-joining
your Hurtigruten ship.
5A THE ARCTIC CAPITAL, TROMSØ
Available Dates: All year round
Duration: 2 h 30 min, Price: £37pp
Tromsø is the largest town north
of the Arctic Circle, and it has a unique
history that includes hunting in the Arctic
Ocean for walrus and polar bears, the transporting
of logs from Russian rivers, the Pomor trade,
coal mining and sealing. During our excursion
here, we will visit the interpretive centre
Polaria. Here you’ll be able to watch
the movie ‘Svalbard - Arctic Wilderness’,
which will take you on a fantastic journey
through Svalbard’s spectacular scenery.
The tour also includes a stop at the famous
Arctic Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece
and town landmark.
5B DOG-SLEDGING, TROMSØ
Available Dates: 28 Oct 09 - 26 Apr 10,
28 Oct 09 - 26 Apr 11
Duration: 3h 30 min, Price: £98pp
Complete your winter holiday experience
with a thrilling husky dog sledge ride!
Our tour begins with a drive to the island
of Kvaløya where we change clothes
and footwear, before hopping aboard the
sledges and letting the huskies pull us
over the frozen landscape; enjoying stunning
views of the ocean, mountains and open plateaus.
If we’re lucky enough, we will see
the magical Northern Lights.
5C SCENERY & HUSKIES, TROMSØ
Dramatically located, just 30 minutes outside
Tromsø, Kvaløya is home to
a rich variety of flora and fauna. Here
you can meet some of the 250 huskies and
learn more about the skills of dog sledging,
complete your visit with coffee and cakes
in a Lavvo by the campfire.
Available Dates: 28 May - 27 Aug
2010,
Duration: 3h 30 min, Price: £40pp
5D POLAR HISTORY WALK, TROMSØ from £32pp
Guided walking tour of Tromsø, highlighting
the town and its vital links with polar
exploration. Visit the statue of Roald Amundsen,
then explore the fascinating Polar Museum
and “Mack Ølhallen”,
Tromsø’s oldest pub, to enjoy
a taste of the locally made brew.
Duration: 3 hours, Price: £29pp
6A NORTH CAPE – EUROPE’S
NORTHERNMOST POINT, HONNINGSVÅG
An unforgettable experience travelling from Honningsvåg across the sub-arctic landscape to North Cape Hall, carved into the side of a cliff on top of the North Cape Plateau. Explore the North Cape tunnel and the unique chapel, the small museum and the post office, where postcards are franked with a North Cape postmark.
Available Dates: All year,
Duration: 3 hours, Price: £72pp
6B BIRD WATCHING SAFARI, HONNINGSVÅG
Travel across the dramatic landscape of Magerøya Island to the tiny fishing hamlet of Gjesvær. Here you board a boat to Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve, an archipelago of islands that is home to three million nesting birds. Unsurprisingly the majestic sea eagle is often seen hunting these rich waters.
Available Dates: 26 Apr - 26 Aug
2010
Duration: 3 hours, Price: £94pp
6C A TASTE OF LAPLAND
A unique opportunity to meet a family of Sami reindeer herders and visit the Foldal Coastal centre, this fascinating excursion offers an insight into the rich history of the Finnmark area. Start with a visit to the Foldal centre, continue through Kjøllefjord to the summer camp of the Utsi family, whose traditional lavvo presents an ideal venue to learn about Sami life and tradition.
Available Dates: 5 May - 5 Sep 2010
Duration: 2h 20mins, Price: £61pp
6D SCOOTER TRIP IN LAPLAND, KJØLLEFJORD
After being properly kitted out and receiving some driving instructions from our guides, this spectacular snowmobile adventure journeys across the snow covered wilds of Finnmark, to the Hurtigruten quay in Mehamn (weather permitting). Driving licence required.
Available Dates: 10 Dec 09 - 5 May
10
Duration: 2h 15mins, Price: £198pp
7A KIRKENES AND THE RUSSIAN BORDER
This journey takes us through a strategically important region steeped in dramatic history. Travelling via the spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Pretfjellet fjord we travel through Kirkenes – the only town in Norway where West meets East – to Storskog, the border post on the Russian frontier.
Available Dates: All year
Duration: 2 hours, Price: £32pp
7B RIVER BOAT SAFARI TO THE RUSSIAN
BORDER, KIRKENES
Best appreciated from the water, the Pasvik River has long borne witness to the often turbulent history of this area and, as you travel upstream through the wonderful scenery, you’ll pass beneath the Kjerringstupet cliffs and Trifon cave, en route to the border.
Available Dates: 26 May - 24 Sep
2010
Duration: 2h 30 mins, Price: £79pp
7C SNOW MOBILE SAFARI, KIRKENES
An invigorating ride by snowmobile across ice-covered fjords and the serene landscapes of Arctic winter. Guides will explain the fascinating history of the indigenous Sami people and welcome refreshments will be served in the warmth of the Lavvo. Weather dependent, warm clothing and training is provided. Remember to bring your driving licence.
Available Dates: 9 Dec 09 - 29 Apr
10
Duration: 2h 30 mins, Price: £110pp
7D VISIT THE SNOW HOTEL, KIRKENES
Our adventure here begins with a stroll
up to the hotel and into Norway’s
largest ice bar. The guide will show us
around the Snow Hotel, including some of
the magnificent suites. After the tour there
is time to meet the reindeer. You can also
visit Gabba Kennel, taking a look at some
of the many Huskies who live there. Afterwards,
we go to the Gabba restaurant, where we
are served sausages with potato pancakes
and mustard, before returning to Kirkenes
where we make a stop at Prestfjellet Mountain,
with its magnificent views of both the town
and your Hurtigruten ship.
Available Dates: 9 Dec 09 - 24 Apr
10
Duration: 2h 30 mins, Price: £42pp
7E QUAD SAFARI TO THE RUSSIAN BORDER,
KIRKENES
After receiving instructions on how to drive a quad bike you will set off to Kjerringstupet viewpoint and then continue to the border with Russia. Learn about the history and culture of the area, opportunity to buy local souvenirs and we make a stop for coffee and muffins. Return to ship.
Available Dates: 25 Apr - 24 Sep
2010
Duration: 2h 20mins, Price: £94pp
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