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Northern Lights on a Winter Arctic Cruise

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12 days From $4,499 per person
4.7 stars(3 reviews)
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From cultured Oslo take a spellbinding journey aboard the iconic Bergen Railway, before an epic voyage north along Norway’s remote coastline into the Arctic Circle

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

Mobility Rating 3

2027 Tour code: NJW27

About the tour

Experience Norway in magical winter, first exploring Oslo and Bergen with an epic journey on the spectacularly scenic Bergen Railway, before embarking on a six-night cruise into the enthralling Arctic wilderness.

Our northbound sea voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes passes beautiful fjords, and crosses the Arctic Circle, before a husky sled ride into winter wonderland scenery then sailing around the North Cape.

There's a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights as we travel through the remote Lofoten Islands into Arctic landscapes, where the everchanging light casts an enchanting glow.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Sailing into the Arctic Circle
Sailing into the Arctic Circle
Experience Norway’s amazing fjords and the Arctic Circle in winter from the comfort of our modern cruise ship. Sail into spectacular scenery during the best season of the year, seeking out the wondrous Northern Lights.
Cruising into the otherworldly Lofoten Islands
Cruising into the otherworldly Lofoten Islands
Sail through the atmospheric archipelago of the Lofoten Islands, passing fjordside fishing villages and snow-capped mountains, and learning about the islands’ rich cultural heritage.
Experiencing Norway’s world-renowned Bergen Railway in winter
Experiencing Norway’s world-renowned Bergen Railway in winter
Celebrated as northern Europe’s highest and most beautiful railway, the iconic Bergen Railway showcases Norway’s spectacular winter landscapes of fjords, snow-frosted forests and Europe’s largest mountain plateau.
Exploring the World Heritage waterfront of Bergen
Exploring the World Heritage waterfront of Bergen
Once the largest wooden city in northern Europe, the multicolored buildings along the picturesque Bryggen waterfront are now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We discover its long history on a guided sightseeing tour of Bergen.
Driving a team of eager huskies on an Arctic sled ride
Driving a team of eager huskies on an Arctic sled ride
Experience the thrill of dog sledding, in a stunning location beneath the Lyngen Alps, near Tromsø. This excursion includes expert guidance and a chance to ‘drive’ your own team of well-trained huskies.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Oslo

Your Northern Lights and Arctic cruise vacation begins as you touch town in Oslo. On arrival in the Norwegian capital, transfer independently to our central hotel, close to Oslo Central Station and the celebrated Norwegian Opera House.

Enjoy views of Christian Frederiks Plass, a lovely square between the hotel and the station, where the bronze 'Sun and Earth' statue stands facing the sea. Featuring a playground and groves of trees, this plaza is one of many celebrated green spaces dotting this innovative and environmentally conscious city. Regularly commended for its progressive architecture and pedestrian-friendly center, Oslo is pioneering a new future for European cities.

After checking in for an overnight stay, we walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner this evening. Overnight Oslo.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - An epic journey on the Bergen Railway

One of the highlights of our tour awaits this morning, a journey aboard the iconic Bergen Railway - northern Europe's highest and most beautiful line - on its spectacular journey to Bergen. From Oslo's center and suburbs, we head west into the countryside and the backdrop to our journey becomes more breathtaking, particularly when enhanced by snow.

After a couple of hours, we reach Flå in the pretty Hallingdal Valley, through which the Hallingdalselva River flows to Lake Krøderen. We pass the picturesque winter ski resort of Geilo, then our train climbs up to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, the largest in northern Europe. The highest point of the Bergen Railway is the tiny mountain village of Finse and from here we descend into glorious fjords, before approaching Voss, surrounded by icy mountains.

An hour later, we reach Bergen - the capital of western Norway, with distinctive colorful wooden buildings on the Bryggen waterfront, a UNESCO-listed site. On arrival we walk the short distance to our hotel for a two-night stay, where there is time to settle in or maybe to stroll along the World Heritage waterfront before dinner. Overnight Bergen.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Touring Bergen & a trip on the Fløibanen funicular

Following a leisurely breakfast this morning, we set off on a guided walking tour of Bergen. This attractive harbor city, once Norway's capital, is surrounded by seven striking mountains and renowned for its colorful waterfront buildings in the World Heritage area of Bryggen. This picturesque wharf was once the center of the old Hanseatic port, a key hub in trade between Norway and the rest of Europe.

Our tour ends around midday, after a ride on the Fløibanen funicular, which has spectacular views across the snowy landscape and countless scenic islands.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace and you could start with a visit to the fish market for some freshly caught lunch. This afternoon you may like to visit the Bryggens Museum to find out about everyday life in medieval Bergen and see the world's largest collection of runic inscriptions. Tonight, you dine independently and, while Bergen retains its traditional food culture, it also offers a wide choice of international cuisine - from pizza to seafood, Japanese to African. Overnight Bergen.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Joining our cruise for an epic voyage north

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Bergen, before the next awe-inspiring experience of our winter tour. After a transfer by coach to Bergen port, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle, we board our modern, environmentally friendly cruise ship, for a six-night journey north along Norway's stunning coastline.

Havila's ships are one of the most relaxing and comfortable ways to explore the northernmost part of Norway and are equipped to make the most of the breathtaking winter scenery. An observation lounge on the top deck has recliners under a glass roof so you don't have to step outside into the cold. There are two restaurants and a café on board, as well as a sauna and a gym where all the machines face the window.

After settling into our comfortable interior cabins and maybe finding a seat to look out from the top deck, we enjoy dinner together this evening, before commencing our incredible northbound voyage with an overnight sailing to the remarkable town of Ålesund. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Ålesund with an optional cruise into Geirangerfjord

Waking to views of the rugged Norwegian coast after the first night of our voyage north, we pass the ports of Florø, Måløy, and Torvik. After breakfast on board, we dock in Ålesund for the day, a town renowned for its art nouveau architecture, beautiful brick-built houses and warehouses.

You are free to spend the day here and could start with a walk along the waterfront among the unusual mix of architecture, a result of the rebuilding which occurred after 1904 when a fire destroyed many of Ålesund's original wooden buildings. Find out more about the town's history in the Ålesund Museum. Another option is to book one of the excursions on offer, such as a mini-cruise into the spectacular Geirangerfjord, one of Norway's best-loved destinations.

Lunch is served aboard the ship, or you may like to try some locally caught fish. A specialty is the salted dried cod known as klippfisk, which is reputed to be pretty salty! We return to our ship in the late afternoon and, over dinner, our northbound journey continues into the dreamlike landscape of fjords, islands and mountains. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Continuing our voyage north to Trondheim

Docking in the historic city of Trondheim this morning, we get to know this ancient 'Viking City', founded over a thousand years ago. There's time to look around and explore the city's fascinating history before lunch, maybe visiting the Nidaros Cathedral, Norway's national shrine and one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe. It is also possible to book a guided tour of Trondheim as an optional excursion onboard.

Back on board, our voyage north continues out into the open water of the fjord, traveling through an amazingly abundant archipelago. We pass the Kjeungskjær Lighthouse, a bright red octagonal structure situated at the meeting point of Trondheimsfjord and the North Sea, before navigating the narrow strait of Stokksund on our way to the coastal town of Rørvik.

After dinner onboard, as we sail towards Bodø find a comfortable place on deck to look out for that most magical of natural phenomena - the Northern Lights. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Crossing the Arctic Circle to Bodø

Continuing our voyage north, we cross the 66.5 degrees northerly latitude, celebrating as we enter the Arctic Circle. We drop anchor in Bodø, where we can disembark and explore or enjoy the charming harbor backed by beautiful mountains. Optional excursions to book onboard include a Bodø city tour, a trip to the stunning Svartisen Glacier or sea eagle spotting.

Back at sea in the mid-afternoon, we catch our first glimpse of the steep granite cliffs and silvery beaches of the Lofoten Islands. Described as Europe's most dramatic and spectacular isles, the Lofotens are tethered to mainland Norway by a series of bridges that resemble spiky teeth. Home to small fishing communities, we enter the breathtaking strait of Raftsundet, before reaching the sapphire waters of Trollfjord. Here, snow-covered granite peaks jut out of the water, narrowing the channel, before opening to reveal an ethereal landscape blanketed in pristine white.

In the Arctic winter, days are only a shade less dark than night-time, so we have the best chance of seeing the spectacular Northern Lights. Failing that, we can look out for the lights of Lofoten's fishing villages. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Tromsø and a thrilling husky dog sledding experience

As our cruise ship glides past remote coastal towns this morning, we catch glimpses of everyday life in the Arctic winter before disembarking in Tromsø, the largest city in northern Norway, where a special excursion awaits.

After a scenic drive to a winter wonderland location below the majestic Lyngen Alps, we are given a short introduction and training on husky dog sledding. Each sled is led by a team of well-trained huskies and paired with a partner, you can take turns as a driver and passenger for a thrilling ride into the crisp Arctic landscape, with views of fjords and snow-capped peaks. Instead, you may prefer a tour of the Arctic capital (bookable onboard), or explore independently, spending time at Tromsø's modern cathedral or one of its galleries and museums, such as the Polar Museum and the Troll Museum.

Re-boarding our ship later, we cruise through chilly waters which are home to orcas, humpback whales and hardy Arctic birds, before night closes in and we have dinner onboard. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Honningsvåg on the remote island of Magerøya

Today takes us to Norway's northern coast, where the icy waters of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans mix. In the summer months, we may chance upon herds of reindeer as the northernmost strip of land here is dotted with settlements of indigenous Sámi people whose main sources of livelihood are reindeer herding and fishing.

We disembark at Honningsvåg, situated in a bay on the southeastern side of Magerøya island, to discover the world's most northerly fishing village before continuing to where our afternoon is free to spend as we wish. Before leaving the ship, optional excursions to book and pay for include a trip to the North Cape plateau with time at the Northern Cape Hall visitor center, snowshoeing and ice fishing, or bird watching. Later, there's the chance to book another unique optional excursion - a cruise across to Kjøllefjord to learn about the traditional way of life of the Sámi people.

This evening, our voyage north continues as we cruise overnight towards the Arctic city of Kirkenes. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Disembarking in the arctic city of Kirkenes

With little light pollution in this striking part of the world, we hope to have had the chance to view the Northern Lights on our cruise. These colorful bouncing waves of light are unpredictable, but the required conditions are most commonly found north of the Arctic Circle.

After passing Vardo, the easternmost town in Norway, our cruise ends in Kirkenes this morning. This northern city situated near to the borders with Finland and Russia is known as the 'King Crab City' due to its rich waters.

On arrival, we transfer to Kirkenes airport for a flight back to Oslo, where spend the final two nights of our Nordic journey. This evening you are free to dine independently and may like to try one of the restaurants or bistros along the Harbor Waterfront of Bjørvika, Oslo's new cultural quarter. Overnight Oslo.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 11 - Touring modern, cultural and historic Oslo

With another full day ahead of us in the thriving historic and cultural city of Oslo, after breakfast, we set out with an expert guide on a 3-hour walking tour. Starting at the famous Oslo Opera House nearby, this distinctive all-white auditorium is designed to appear as if rising from the water like a glacier. Visitors are encouraged to walk on the building, weather permitting, to enjoy views across Oslofjord.

We continue to the Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle with twin spires which glimmer through the winter snow. From here, we explore 'Kvadraturen' - Oslo's oldest existing district, the Renaissance town of King Christian IV of Denmark, where a few 17th-century buildings remain.

With a free afternoon, you could visit one of Oslo's renowned museums such as the Viking Ship, the National Museum, or the Edvard Munch gallery which houses Munch's most famous work 'The Scream'. Or you could watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace.

This evening is the final dinner of our Nordic holiday. Overnight Oslo.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 - Traveling home

On this extraordinary winter tour, we've discovered the vibrant cities of Oslo and Bergen and experienced the breathtaking route of the Bergen Railway, before cruising into the ethereal Arctic wilderness. Highlights ranged from an exciting husky sled ride to a cruise around the North Cape, and - if we have been lucky - a spectacular show of the Northern Lights.

After breakfast at our hotel this morning, your vacation draws to a close. You can check out and transfer to Oslo airport independently and begin your journey home.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Hotels

Thon Hotel Bristol, Bergen

Thon Hotel Bristol, Bergen

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Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo

Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo

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Train

Bergen Railway

Ship

Havila Cruise Ship

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Upgrade your cabin on board the ship. Please contact us for details of the cabin types available.

Reviews

4.7 stars4.7 / 5 · 3 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (2)
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  5. 1 star
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Linda Brett

5 stars

Submitted 4/Feb

Trip of a lifetime!!!

Collected by Trustpilot

Benita Harris

5 stars

Submitted 12 Mar 2025

enjoyed the trip and the trip Manager Joe Royal went above and beyond to make the trip more meaningful

from Vacations By Rail
Greetings Benita - Thank you very much for the review! We knew you'd be in good hands while traveling with Joe and will be sure to pass along these kind words. If you'd care to share more, please drop us a line at XXX@XXX.
1 comment

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Eva Veitch

4 stars

Submitted 4/Feb

The ship was comfortable i appreciated the free laundry and ample places to view the scenery and socializing. The food was just ok that was a bit disappointing.

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