Hurtigruten continues to fine-tune its Norwegian coastal routes for the winter season so that travelers can enjoy the most beautiful sea voyage in the world with the Complete Original Journey, stopping at 34 ports, sailing through more than 100 fjords and 1000 mountains, or crossing the Arctic Circle while discovering the beautiful winter landscapes of the coast accompanied by the magical phenomenon of the Northern Lights.
The original route begins in Bergen, one of Norway's most beautiful cities, with its historic Bryggen district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other highlights of the autumn journey include sailing along the Hjørundfjord, surrounded by the majestic Sunnmøre Alps; Molde, the "City of Roses"; the historic and cultural city of Trondheim; the beautiful Lofoten Islands; Tromsø, the Arctic capital; and Kirkenes, the final stop on the Hurtigruten voyage and the only city in Norway where east meets west.
During the journey, passengers will also admire the stunning Arctic scenery as they cross the 71st parallel towards North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe, just 2,000 kilometers from the North Pole. An iron sphere marks this point, standing atop a cliff 307 meters above sea level and offering breathtaking views.
Winter is the perfect time to visit the Norwegian coast aboard Hurtigruten, as, in addition to the snow-covered landscapes seen during the day, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) appear at night. These are the undisputed stars of this season, occurring between October 1st and March 31st once you're in the Northern Hemisphere. The Nordic nights are colored by the unique spectacle of multicolored curtains, but aboard Hurtigruten, far from light pollution, visitors have the opportunity to see their green, red, and purple hues even more intensely. When the Northern Lights appear, the ship's captain, using the company's announcement system, notifies all guests in both public areas and cabins so they can witness this phenomenon, either outdoors or in the panoramic indoor lounges.
In addition, Hurtigruten is reinstating its Northern Light Promise to guarantee viewing of this natural phenomenon. This commitment means that if viewing the Northern Lights is not possible due to weather conditions on the full Classic Route, Hurtigruten will offer guests a free 6- or 7-day Northbound or Southbound voyage, providing another opportunity to witness this spectacular light show between October 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.
In addition, the traveler can combine sailing with a wide variety of optional activities including snowmobile safaris, snowshoeing excursions, a visit to one of the largest aquariums in northern Europe, husky dog sledding excursions, or delving into Norwegian culture and history with onboard lectures or discovering fishing villages and Viking settlements, among others.
