Havila Voyages: Southbound Summer Explorer from Kirkenes to Bergen

Your Norwegian summer adventure begins in Kirkenes, a small town tucked away deep inside the Arctic Circle in Norway’s northeastern corner. On arrival, a private transfer will bring you from the airport to your centrally located hotel where you’ll spend the night ahead of your cruise the next day. This evening, take your pick from the small cluster of local restaurants for dinner. If you’d like to extend your stay in Kirkenes to explore more of the surrounding area, perhaps venturing out on a king crab safari or a mountain hike, please discuss the options with one of our specialists. 

Stay: Scandic Kirkenes

After breakfast at your hotel this morning, make your way to the ferry port in Kirkenes where you’ll board a modern, eco-friendly Havila ship – your home at the sea for the next five nights. Settle into your stylish sea view cabin and take some time to familiarise yourself with the ship’s communal areas as you prepare to depart Kirkenes. The first leg of your voyage sees you sail north and then west along the rugged Finnmark coastline, calling in at the remote fishing communities of Vardø, Båtsfjord and Berlevåg. 

Stay: Havila Voyages

Following brief stops in Mehamn and Kjøllefjord overnight, you’ll arrive in Honningsvåg this morning, where there’s the opportunity to disembark for a bus tour to the North Cape plateau. Here, dramatic cliffs plunge into the meeting point of the Atlantic and Barents Seas, close to the northernmost point of mainland Europe. If you join this excursion, you’ll enjoy breakfast here and have the chance to take photos at the famous globe monument before returning by bus to Hammerfest, where you’ll rejoin the ship.

In Hammerfest, you may wish to join a guided walking tour in which you’ll learn about how the town has risen from the ashes following major fires and wartime destruction; alternatively, you might be interested in visiting a traditional Sámi reindeer camp for an immersive introduction to the culture of the region’s indigenous Sámi people. Later on, you’ll sail past the jagged peaks of the Lyngen Alps, eventually arriving in Tromsø, Norway’s ‘Capital of the Arctic’, where the Midnight Sun reigns supreme throughout the summer months. 

Stay: Havila Voyages

Continuing south today, you’ll weave through the wild and rugged Vesterålen archipelago and have the option to sail through the narrow Trollfjord before arriving in the Lofoten Islands, home to some of Norway’s most striking landscapes. Think razor-sharp granite peaks rising directly from the ocean above colourful, timber-clad fishing villages and pristine white sand beaches lapped by turquoise waters. You’ll dock in the largest town, Svolvær, where you’ll be able to choose from a host of optional adventures. Go hiking on some of Norway’s most resplendent beaches, visit the idyllic fishing village of Henningsvær, join a local brewery tour, or go in search of sea eagles on an exhilarating RIB boat safari. This particular stretch is sure to be one of the highlights of your voyage.

Stay: Havila Voyages

Having started your voyage in Norway’s far north, today you’ll leave the Arctic Circle behind as your journey continues south along the Helgeland coast. At Sandnessjøen, there’s the option to disembark for a RIB boat journey through the UNESCO-listed Vega Archipelago before rejoining the ship in Brønnøysund. In Brønnøysund, there’s the choice of visiting a local salmon farm, venturing out on a guided e-bike ride, or hiking to Torghatten, a distinctive mountain renowned for the hole running straight through its centre. The final stop of the day is the fishing village of Rørvik in the Vikna Archipelago. 

Stay: Havila Voyages

Early this morning you’ll arrive in Trondheim, Norway’s third-largest city and ancient capital during the Viking era. Take the opportunity to visit the majestic Nidaros Cathedral, take a stroll through the charming Bakklandet neighbourhood, or perhaps join a kayaking excursion on the Nidelva River. Once back onboard the ship, you’ll continue to Kristiansund, where you may wish to disembark for a journey along the spectacular Atlantic Ocean Road, which weaves through a picturesque archipelago of islands and skerries. There’s also the possibility to visit the mystical marble caves at Bergtatt. The penultimate leg of your voyage then passes through Molde and Ålesund. 

Stay: Havila Voyages

After nighttime stops in Ålesund and Torvik, you’ll awake to the final stretch of your voyage this morning, sailing across the mouth of Sognefjord – Norway’s longest and widest fjord. In mid-afternoon, you’ll arrive in Bergen, where your journey comes to an end. Upon disembarkation, a private transfer will bring you from the ferry port to your elegant city centre hotel, where you’ll check in ahead of the final night of your trip. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Bergen at leisure. Be sure to explore the colourful, UNESCO-listed harbour district of Bryggen and enjoy a return journey on the famous Fløibanen funicular, which brings you to Mount Storsteinen for magnificent views overlooking Bergen and the surrounding mountains and fjords. 

After breakfast at your hotel this morning, you may have some additional time to explore Bergen before returning to the airport for your onward journey home.