Northern Lights
Explore Arctic Norway in Search of the Northern Lights
Our tour starts in Bergen, gateway to the Norwegian fjords, and from here we sail well beyond the Arctic Circle to spend the majority of our time in the far north. This not only gives you the best opportunity to see the Northern Lights but also the chance to take part in some fantastic winter excursions to areas of this frozen land that are seldom seen by tourists. We'll watch for the Aurora Borealis as we head to mainland Europe's most northerly point, the North Cape, and we'll visit Kirkenes, a remote little town close to the border with Russia where you may try your hand at dog sledding or snowmobiling!
For more details follow the tour information links shown above.
Photo credits: Northern Lights © Hurtigruten, Dog sledding © Hurtigruten, Northern Lights © Innovation Norway/Bjørn Jørgensen, Nidaros Cathedral © Trondheim, Northern Lights © Yvonne Reinholdtsen.
Our Inside Track
Richard and Dawn Furlong have escorted a number of Northern Lights voyages, travelled on most of the Hurtigruten fleet, and visited all 34 Norwegian coastal voyage ports - on numerous occasions!
This first-hand experience helps us select the best itineraries, ships and hotels. We make sure you get the most out of your tour, and give you insider tips about the best shore visits and excursions. With Furlongs you'll also benefit from a number of optional extras at no extra cost, including guided walks, presentations, and a reception with the ship's officers.
Richard and Dawn will also be delighted to accompany you on some of Hurtigruten's optional activities ... the Dog Sledding in Kirkenes and the Midnight Concert in Tromso are among our favourities!
Tour Dates
Wednesday 6th to Thursday 14th February 2013
Itinerary - 9 days
Day 1 - Personally escorted by Richard and Dawn Furlong, we fly from London Heathrow to Bergen, Norway's Gateway to the Fjords. Here we embark our ship, the MS Trollfjord, get settled in and begin to enjoy the relaxed ambience of life on board.
Day 2 - Today we visit the pretty Art Nouveau town of Ålesund. our local expert guides will escort a walk around the town which is distinguished by its numerous spires, towers and highly detailed ornamentation. Later we visit Molde, known as the "City of Roses".
Day 3 - We spend this morning in the medieval city of Trondheim, once Norway's capital. Trondheim was founded by the Viking King Olav Trygvasson in 997. It is Norway's third largest city with a population of around 170,000. You may care to join an optional city tour which includes entry to the impressive Nidaros Cathedral, or simply walk into town with Richard and Dawn. This afternoon we hope to sail through a narrow sound called Stokksundet. This sound has such a sharp bend that we must sound the ship's horn to warn oncoming traffic that we are coming!
Day 4 - We cross the Arctic Circle so be ready for some excitement! After stopping at the town of Bodø, capital of the Norland region, we sail on to the Lofoten Islands. In Stamsund you have the opportunity of joining a Viking Feast, and after visiting Svolvaer we start our late evening sailing of Raftsund, the border between Vesterålen and Lofoten.
Day 5 - A relaxing morning at sea precedes our arrival in Tromsø, the capital of Arctic Norway. Modern shops and cafés provide a vibrant contrast to the stunning stained glass window of the Arctic Cathedral, while the Polaria Centre explore Arctic life over the centuries. We include admission to the interesting Polar Museum in Tromso. By the way, the Tromso area is recognised as excellent for viewing the Northern Lights.
Day 6 - Following the scenic sailing through Mageroysund and after an early stop in Hammerfest, we arrive in Honningsvåg. This small port is the gateway to the wonders of the North Cape which rises 300m from the ocean, and at 71 10' 21" north it puts you a mere 2,000 kilometres from the Geographical North Pole. Standing atop the North Cape plateau you'll get the eerie feeling of being at the end of the world. This evening, as we approach Kjøllefjord, we pass a rock formation that is sacred to the indigenous Sámi people and now the site of a light show called Finnkjerka.
Day 7 - The last port on the Voyage North is Kirkenes. And at longitude 30 east, you are actually further east than Istanbul and St. Petersburg. The well-policed Russian border and the Kola peninsula are both close by which explains why the road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian. The terrain, culture and geography of Kirkenes offer the opportunity to take part in some fabulous Arctic excursions. Dog sledding is very popular! After our morning visit we depart Kirkenes around lunchtime to visit Vardø, Norway's easternmost port, and then continue along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord before reaching Berlevåg in the evening.
Day 8 - Heading south the northbound ports visited by night are now seen by day. Havøysund is an early morning stop, followed by Hammerfest, Oksfjord and Skjervoy, before we arrive back in Tromsø for a late evening disembarkation. Despite the hour we strongly recommend you attend the Midnight Concert in Tromsø's Arctic Cathedral - it's a wonderful occasion. After this we head to our deluxe hotel, the Radisson Blu for a well-earned rest.
Day 9 - Enjoy some free time in Tromsø before we head to the airport for our afternoon departure to Oslo and onward to London Heathrow.
Optional excursions
You may complement your voyage with one or more options from a wide selection of excursions, activities and Arctic experiences. Choose an exciting winter activity, gain a real insight into life in Arctic Norway, or take some time to explore one of Norway’s fascinating coastal communities. A selection of excursions are shown below (with 2012 prices as a guide). Most options may be booked in advance. Full details are available on request and will be circulated to guests in due course.
- Trondheim City Tour - 2.5 hrs duration, £38 per person
- Viking Feast - 3 hrs duration, £82 per person
- Tromsø City Tour - 2.5 hrs duration, £45 per person
- North Cape Excursion - 3.5 hrs duration, £82 per person.
- Visit the Russian Border - 2 hrs, £36 per person.
- Snowmobile Safari - 2.5 hrs, £124 per person.
- Kirkenes Snow Hotel - 2.5 hrs, £50 per person.
- Husky Adventure - 2.5 hrs, £108 per person.
- Midnight Concert Tromsø - 1.5 hrs, £41 per person.
Coastal Voyaging with Hurtigruten
We sail aboard one of Hurtigruten's modern ships. For our February 2012 tour we were aboard MS MIDNATSOL and for the February 2013 tour we're aboard MS TROLLFJORD. Both are similar in size and facilities.
The ships offer comfortable cabin accommodation, each cabin with two lower berths and private facilities including a shower, washbasin and WC. Cabins may vary slightly in size and location but, as a general rule outside cabins on the higher decks have large round picture windows while cabins on deck 3 have a porthole. Inside cabins have no window or porthole.
The ship's reception is on deck 4, the restaurant, cafe and shop on deck 5, and the library, bar and panorama lounge on deck 8. The Panorama lounge gallery, sun decks and jacuzzi are on deck 9.
Cabin types:-
I-cabin (Inside) decks 4, 6 and 7.
L-cabin (Outside) decks 3 and 4.
J-cabin (Outside no view) decks 6 and 7.
N-cabin (Outside) deck 4.
P-cabin (Outside) deck 6.
U-cabin (Outside) decks 7 and 8.
QJ-Mini Suite (Outside limited view) decks 6 and 7.
Q-Mini Suite (Outside) decks 6 and 7.
M-Suite (Outside) deck 7.
MG-Grand Suite (Outside) decks 7 and 8.
MX-Owners Suite (Outside) deck 8.
What's Included?
- Economy class flights, from Heathrow to Bergen outbound, and from Tromsø to Heathrow on the return.
- Transfer from Bergen Airport to the city centre, and to the quayside.
- Bergen city tour.
- 7-night coastal voyage on board a modern Hurtigruten coastal voyage ship.
- Assigned ship cabin accommodation of your choice.
- Breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board ship.
- Port visits as scheduled.
- Guided walking tour of Alesund.
- Admission to the Polar Museum in Tromso.
- One night at the 4-star SAS Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromsø.
- Breakfast in Tromsø.
- Transfer from Tromsø hotel to Tromsø airport.
- Port charges.
- Current airport and prepaid air taxes.
- Gratuities.
- Comprehensive travel tickets.
- Personally escorted by the Furlongs Travel proprietors.
Tour Prices 2013
Tour prices for 2013 will be finalised in April 2012. As a guide, our February 2012 tour prices are shown below. We expect some increase in costs but hopefully not too much!
Advance Register for 2013 No Obligation
Our escorted tours often sell out well in advance so we recommend you secure your place as early as possible. Simply make an advance registration either by post or online and we'll hold your places as a priority. A £50 per person deposit is required. When final tour details and prices are circulated (in April 2012) you then decide whether you wish to confirm your booking. You may cancel at any time during the advance registration period and receive a full refund of your £50 paid. In the meantime your payment is 100% protected by out ATOL, licence number 3710. It's a great way to secure tour places without obligation or financial risk. To make an advance registration now, click here.
Tour Prices 2012
Tour prices depend upon the ship cabin and hotel room chosen. Please note, unlike many Northern Lights voyages, our tour allows you to choose your ship cabin upon booking. Our tour price also includes full board on the ship. For a full list of what's included please see above. Prices sharing a twin berth cabin and twin hotel bedroom for our 2012 tour were as follows:-
- I-cabin (Inside) decks 4, 6 and 7 - £1,395 per person
- L-cabin (Outside) decks 3 and 4 - £1,475 per person.
- J-cabin (Outside no view) decks 6 and 7 - on request.
- N-cabin (Outside) deck 4 - £1,495 per person
- P-cabin (Outside) deck 6 - £1,575 per person
- U-cabin (Outside) decks 7 and 8 - £1,645 per person.
- QJ-Mini Suite (Outside ltd view) decks 6 and 7 - £2,375 per person.
- Q-Mini Suite (Outside) decks 6 and 7 - £2,495 per person.
- M-Suite (Outside) deck 7 - on request.
- MG-Grand Suite (Outside) decks 7 and 8 - £3,395 per person.
- MX-Owners Suite (Outside) deck 8 - £4,945 per person.
Singles / Sharing
Some ship cabins are assigned for sole occupancy. These are generally standard twin cabins capable of accommodating two people. At the SAS Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromsø, single bookings will likely be dedicated single rooms or standard twin or double rooms allocated at the hotel's discretion. The single supplement for our 2012 tour added £150 to the twin-share prices shown above for cabin categories I to U inclusive. Sole occupancy prices for mini-suites and suites will be on request. If you are booking alone but may be happy to share (and thereby avoid any single supplement) we will be pleased to help you find a sharer.
Frequently Asked Questions
This A-to-Z section gives you useful travel information about the Northern Lights tours including health advice, passport requirements and details about our airport services. If you have any questions not covered here, please don't hesitate to contact us. Richard and Dawn will be delighted to help you.
Airport Hotel and Parking
We will need to check-in at Heathrow Airport early on the morning of departure, so we anticipate that many clients may wish to stay overnight at an airport hotel the night before departure. Furlongs Travel is offering a specially discounted accommodation rate at the Premier Inn Hotel in Bath Road, Hounslow, which is immediately adjacent to the airport. Also included is a private transfer from the hotel to the airport terminal on the morning of departure. If you are driving to Heathrow, we offer discounted car parking arrangements. Further details and costs are on request and will be circulated to all guests approximately 3 months prior to the holiday.
Departure Service
For this tour we're offering optional complimentary transfer from our office in Kent to Heathrow at the beginning of the holiday, and a return from Heathrow back to Kent at the end. You may park in our car park for the duration of the holiday (parking is free but at your own risk).
Flights
Included are economy class scheduled flights with Scandinavian Airlines from London Heathrow. The expected flight itinerary is:-
-
Outbound: Flight number SK802, departing Heathrow Terminal Three at 07.20 hrs, arriving Oslo 10.25 hrs local time. Connecting to flight SK259, departing Oslo 11.30 hrs, and arriving Bergen at 12.20 hrs local time.
- Return: Flight number SK4417, departing Tromso at 14.00 hrs, arriving Oslo at 15.50 hrs. Connecting to flight SK811, departing Oslo at 17.10 hrs, arriving London Heathrow Terminal Three at 18.30 hrs, UK time.
Health
Under the terms of the EEA Regulation, you are covered for emergency treatment whilst visiting Norway. You should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. (Form E111 is no longer valid). The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Norwegian nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Norway and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website http://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo publishes essential travel tips and up-to-date information about travelling abroad. You may also ring them on 0870 6060290. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention visit the websites of the NaTHNaC (The National Travel Health Network and Centre) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
How to book
Places are strictly limited so please book promptly to avoid disappointment. To confirm a reservation please telephone 01580 240240 or book instantly online via our secure server. To advance register, £50 per person refundable deposit is payable. If you confirm your place when final tour details are circulated a further £450 per person deposit is then payable. The balance of your holiday costs is due 90 days before departure. We accept payment by cheque and by most major debit and credit cards and we do not charge (and never have charged!) a levy for card payments.
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that all guests have adequate travel insurance for this tour. We recommend "Holiday Extras Travel Insurance" which is underwritten by Mapfre, but we are happy for you to arrange your own cover so long as it provides suitable cover. For details of the recommended insurance please call Holiday Extras direct on 0870 844 2742 and quote "WZ679", or click here.
Meals
This tour includes full board on the ship. Breakfasts and lunches are presented buffet style. Evening dinners are a variety of set, three course meals or buffets. The food is Norwegian in style and breakfasts will feature cold meats, cheese, eggs, cereals and fruit, plus a hot selection, tea and coffee. Lunch is the famous Smorgasbord, a wonderful buffet selection of hot and cold dishes. Dinner is a three-course set menu. Dinner menus are advertised in advance and you may request an alternative dish if you prefer. The Hurtigruten ships are fully licensed and the prices on board are the same as in Norway, i.e. quite expensive! Breakfast, buffet style, is also included for our overnight stay at the SAS Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromso. The ship and hotel restaurant will be delighted to assist with any special diets you may have, but please be sure to let us know well in advance.
Money
The local currency in Norway is the Norwegian Kroner. Furlongs Travel offers clients a foreign currency service free of commission and full details will be circulated to guests in due course. Most major credit and debit cards may be used on board ship and in local shops.
Passports and Visas
Visas are not required for tourist visits to Norway but you should be in possession of a valid British Passport. There is no minimum validity required but you should ensure that your passport is valid at least until your return journey!
Singles/Twin Shares
Some ship cabins are assigned for sole occupancy, these are generally standard twin cabins capable of accommodating two people. At the SAS Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromso, single bookings may be allocated dedicated single rooms or twin rooms for sole occupancy at the hotel's discretion. There is a single supplement for sole occupancy bookings and please note cabins and hotel rooms for sole occupancy are strictly limited in number and therefore subject to availability at the time you enquire. If you are booking alone but may be happy to share we'll be pleased to help you find a sharer.
Terms and Conditions
Itineraries and prices are subject to change. Reservations are subject to our terms and conditions of booking, to review these please click here.
