Best Excursions Offered on Hurtigruten Cruises In Norway
In A Nutshell:
Best Excursions Offered on Hurtigruten Cruises In Norway: Visiting the North Cape, Arctic Dip (Brrr!), Dog Sledding At Night, Snow Hike, Midnight Concert at Arctic Cathedral.
One of the best parts about cruising with the Norwegian Hurtigruten Company is the off-ship excursions offered, which draw people from all over the world. Seeing this long skinny country (it is roughly the length of the distance between Miami and New York) landscapes of fjords, inlets and islands from the boat is reason enough to book, but it’s the excursions that allow guests the opportunity to encounter nature close-up. Whether jumping into the Norwegian Sea for an arctic dip, snow hiking in the world’s northernmost town or dog sledding at night while looking for the Northern Lights, you are sure to find a one-of-a-kind adventure experience at every turn. Excursions are led by Hurtigruten approved local tour guides or well versed expedition team leaders from the ship. Here are six of my favorites.
1. The North Cape
The North Cape is the northernmost accessible point on Mainland Europe and lies 240 miles beyond the Article Circle and is one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever experienced. A visit here in summer and winter is drastically different. In summer, it’s the land of the midnight sun. Which means that between May until the end of July, the sun never sets. In winter, though, it becomes the land of the Polar Night with daylight limited to just a few hours of twilight. The dramatic cliffs the North Cape sits on wow upon arrival, and it’s easy to see why Vikings called this “the end of the world.” The Hurtigruten experience includes admissions to a visitor center where you check out a film and light show, which is best enjoyed with a hot coffee from the concessions.
Cost: $192 USD per person
2. Arctic Dip
The arctic dip is definitely one of the most chilling experiences. After we dock in Vardo, we walk quickly behind our expedition team leaders for a few hundred steps to take a polar bear plunge without the warm sauna waiting afterwards. For this experience, we walked gangplank style down wooden stairs into a makeshift enclosed pool in the Norwegian Sea, which eventually connects to the Arctic Ocean. The water is so cold it will take the air right out of you, but also earns some serious bragging rights if you are up for the challenge. I was called out for not getting my hair wet on the first dip, which meant take two- and you guessed it a plunge this time jumping into the water and scurrying out.
Cost: None
3. Dog Sledding at Night
Dog sledding at night is even better than by day, because there is a chance to see the Northern Lights, although it isn’t guaranteed (we sadly had no sightings on our tour, but is was still exciting thinking about the possibility of these stunning blue and green lights coming out for a dance).
Tromsø, in Northern Norway, is one of the most popular places for this expedition. I loved the experience of holding blankets close as our guide called out in Norweigian to the 10 dugs pulling our sled under the crisp winter air. The ride lasted about 30 minutes through wide-open snowfields with the occasional rolling hill.
Afterwards, we were allowed into a gated area with several puppies. It was hard to tell if us, or the baby huskies that were quick to offer kisses, were more excited by the visit. Before leaving, we headed into a hut modeled after ones indigenous Sami People use to keep warm, with the main difference being that ours has a heater while they keep warm via a fire burning in the center. Inside, we ate chocolate cake and drink hot tea and coffee before a bus ride back the ship.
Cost: $248 USD per person
4. Hiking Near the Russian Border
No armed guards to be seen here, but we could spot a portion of the Russian border into the distance from the port town Kirkenes on the hiking excursion near the border with Russia. The town sits in a bay and sits in a bay next to the Russian border and tells a historic story. Our expedition guides told us about how the town was destroyed during War II. The town is a mix of Norwegians, indigenous Sami People and Russian immigrants. After a hike of about one hour, our guides surprised us with a fire, hot cocoa and cookies before heading back to the boat.
5. Midnight Concert at An Arctic Cathedral
Another top attraction is seen in Tromsø, where you can easily spot the stunning triangular shape of the Arctic cathedral. It sits behind the staggering 4,000 foot Tromsdalstind peak just beyond the Tromos Bridge. The best way to experience it though is by rocking out to a Midnight concert. These are offered throughout the week allowing you too hear Norwegian folk songs backed by the fantastic acoustics. The sets are ever-changing but generally consist of solo vocals, piano, trumpet, a flute, cello and an organ. Beyond music, you will also have a chance to see the mosaic windows and icicle shaped chandeliers made of Czech crystals.
Cost: $88 USD per person
6. Snow Hike in the Northernmost Town in the World: Hammerfest
We followed the Norwegian flag our local guide carried up Mount Salen in our provided matching white coats and green hats to set the mood as a team of explorers for a trek to the top of the northernmost town in the world, Hammerfest, which is a fishing village. After about a 20-minute hike from the base of town to the top (about 262 feet high), our guide planted the flag at the top as we took in views of Hammerfest and the islands of Håja and Hjelmen. On the way down, we stopped at Camp Framheim, a Sami-style warming hut, where a chef made a traditional polar snack of pancakes with cloudberries. The recipes are the same used by the polar expedition chef, Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm.
Cost: $115 USD per person
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