It is highly recommended that tourists who have a strong desire to see the northern lights consider arranging a trip with Hurtigruten.
Anyone who schedules a voyage of 11 days or longer “during the auroral season,” which is defined by Hurtigruten as extending from September 26 to March 31, is eligible to get a “Northern Lights Promise” from the firm, which has been delivering freight and passengers along the coast of Norway since 1893.
In the event that the enchanted phenomena does not shimmer and swirl within the line of sight of your ship at any point throughout the trip, you will be eligible for a complimentary additional six or seven days of a typical maritime tour down the coast.
As a result of a lengthy pandemic break, Hurtigruten is bringing back two out of the three Nordic excursions in the next months. This enticing assurance applies to two of the itineraries. The midnight sun is still another one of the world’s most extraordinary arctic phenomena, and it is included on the itinerary that does not include the northern lights.
One of the returning options is an astronomy-focused voyage that will showcase the night sky above the Norwegian coast, beginning and concluding in the city of Bergen, which is located in the southwestern region of Norway. Two of the returning offerings are land-and-sea adventures that encompass areas of northern Finland as well as Scandinavia.
Starting at $3,015 per person in double occupancy, the 12-day astronomy expedition is the first to leave, with nine trips scheduled between December 2023 and March 2025. Meals are included in the price of the trip.
When passengers are traveling on Hurtigruten’s original Coastal Express service, they have the opportunity to participate in lectures and on-deck stargazing sessions that are taught by renowned astronomers. These astronomers will cover many topics, including the northern lights, planets, constellations, meteors, and all of the myths and tales that are related with these phenomena. There is also a plan to visit the Northern Lights Planetarium in Tromsø, which is included in the itinerary.
The many peaks and fjords that are located along the coast will, of course, attract a great deal of attention. Activities such as snowmobiling, birding, and trips to natural and historical landmarks are included in the list of optional excursions.
An even more ambitious endeavor is the 15-day Follow the Lights trip, which will return in October 2024 for the first of 11 departures that will continue through March 2025. The tour will begin at $7,498 per person at double accommodations, and meals will be included. The journey begins with an overland journey via northern Finland, and then passengers take a Coastal Express journey along the coast of Norway to Bergen. After that, they join a land tour to Oslo, or you may do the whole thing in reverse.
During your trip, you will travel over the Arctic Circle, explore icy woods in Finnish Lapland, learn about the Sámi people, and have several chances to see the northern lights. There are a variety of stops here, ranging from peaceful seaside towns to bustling metropolis like Helsinki and Oslo.
A map illustrating the itinerary for the Follow the Lights trip that Hurtigruten is doing in Finland and Norway | Credit: Hurtigruten
In the summertime, the summertime equivalent is the 15-day Follow the Midnight Sun trip, which begins at $7,848 per person at double occupancy and includes meals. This trip follows a similar route, but it begins in Sweden this time, with a city tour of Stockholm before the ferry ride to Helsinki. Departures are scheduled for June and July 2024.
At that time of year, the sun stays above the horizon for about twenty-four hours a day in the Arctic area, which is an astounding sight for individuals who live in lower latitudes.
Please visit Hurtigruten.com for further information, which includes specifics on the lodgings, meals, excursions, and stops that are included in the program.
