Day 1 : Start Oslo
God dag! That’s good day in Norwegian and it’s definitely a good day for an Arctic adventure, as we meet our Manager and Contiki crew to say ‘Hei’ here in the Norwegian capital. Oslo is a riverside metropolis back-dropped by mountains and filled with easy-going culture.
Accommodation : Comfort Xpress Youngstorget (or similar)
Day 2 : Oslo to Tromso
Bye Oslo! Today we’re taking a train to the airport and soaring over to Tromsø, our gateway to Arctic Circle.
We’ll start with an orientation tour of Tromso, and after that you’re free to sample the region’s nightlife. This is the world’s northernmost university town, and they truly do have the nightlife to match. Need to line your stomach while you’re here? This is your chance to sample local treats like grilled stockfish, reindeer sirloin, or even seagull eggs!
Accommodation : Thon Hotel Tromso (or similar)
Day 3 : Tromso
Even though the sun doesn’t rise, you’ll need to be ready to rise and shine for some Arctic action this morning. Glide through the Arctic fjords (on a super cool hybrid-electric boat). Panoramic views. Playful seals. And if you're lucky, once-in-a-lifetime sightings of humpback whales! Yep. Norway is a feast for the eyes. There's also a chance to immerse yourself in local culture with an optional MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™ Sámi Experience. Visit a Sámi camp, be welcomed into a lavvo-hut (Sámi tent) to warm up with a hot drink, get up close to the herd of reindeer at feeding time, and discover how the indigenous people of the Arctic live, with proceeds from the experience going back into the local community.
Accommodation : Thon Hotel Tromso (or similar)
Day 4 : Tromso to Overnight Cruise
Wake up to fresh Arctic air and a free morning. For panoramic views of the city, we'll ride the cable car up to Mount Storsteinen or, for the more adventurous, reach the top by climbing the 1200 stone steps of the Sherpa staircase. If you energetic this morning you could even try your hand at snowshoeing or snowmobiling for a true Arctic experience.
It'll be hard to contain our excitement as we board the Hurtigruten ship in the late afternoon and set sail for the next couple of days, following the wild coastline towards Skjervøy in search of the beguiling Northern Lights. Dinner is up to you this evening but you’ll be able to choose from the onboard restaurants serving authentic produce, fresh from local communities.
Accommodation : Hurtigruten Overnight Cruise
Day 5 : Overnight Cruise via Honningsvag
Ahoy! We hope the ship rocked you soundly to sleep. This morning we sail through the Magerøysund sound and after an early stop in Hammerfest, we arrive in Honningsvåg.
From here, you can join an excursion to the spectacular North Cape (subject to availability), the northernmost point of Europe, which is just 2000 km from the geographic North Pole. The ship continues northward along the coast of Lapland, passing by the Finnkjerka rock formation, the old sacrificial site of the Sami people. Don’t forget to look for the lights! While there’s no guarantee of seeing the elusive and mysterious Northern Lights we are definitely in the right place at the right time. The sky needs to be dark and clear of cloud and they will most likely show between 5pm and 2am, so grab yourself a coffee and keep your eyes peeled.
Accommodation : Hurtigruten Overnight Cruise
Day 6 : Overnight Cruise to Kirkenes
The last port on our voyage northward is Kirkenes. Located at 30°E, we’re now further east than Istanbul! The Russian border is close by, and all signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian.
Here in Kirkenes, you'll have the unique opportunity to go fishing for King Crab in the North Sea. Afterwards, we'll end our day in the town that brought us the very first snow hotel (made completely of snow and ice).
Accommodation : Thon Hotel Kirkenes (or similar)
Day 7 : Kirkenes to Oslo
By now you should be completely chilled. But pull on your mittens and make the most of our last full day, with time to explore Kirkenes before we head to the airport. In the centre of town you’ll find the Russia monument and the Wartime Mothers monument, which were erected after the Second World War. Be sure to let the good times roll on this final night of our trip.
Oslo is lively at night, fuelled by the fiery local spirit akevitt. Many Norwegians go out late after a vorspiel (pre-party), so hit the town after 10pm and live it up with the locals.
Accommodation : Comfort Xpress Youngstorget (or similar)
Day 8 : Oslo
It’s cold outside but our hearts are full of warm and lasting memories as we say our goodbyes after breakfast. The Norwegians have an expression meaning ‘see you soon’ - ‘Sees!’