Follow the Northern Lights – Norway to Finland (Autumn 2027–Winter 2028)

Welcome to Oslo. Despite its compact size, our capital offers a wide range of experiences, from contemporary architecture to long-standing cultural traditions. Make your own way from the airport to your centrally located hotel and settle in. The city is easy to explore on foot. Grünerløkka is known for its independent cafés and relaxed atmosphere, while the Barcode district showcases modern waterfront design. Art is central to Oslo’s identity, so pay a visit the Munch Museum, home to an extensive collection of works by famed Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, including The Scream . Ekeberg Park combines outdoor art with elevated views across the city and fjord. For a broader insight into Norwegian history, the Bygdøy Peninsula is home to several museums, including the Norsk Folkemuseum, where traditional buildings and a preserved stave church illustrate life through the centuries. This evening, meet your guide and fellow travellers before enjoying a welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Oslo.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before boarding your private coach and meeting your English-speaking local guide for a three-hour city sightseeing tour. This guided introduction to Oslo takes you past some of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks. Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, home to more than 200 sculptures set within Frogner Park. Continue to the Oslo Opera House, where contemporary architecture rises directly from the waterfront, and to Holmenkollen Ski Jump, a symbol of Norway’s deep-rooted skiing tradition. (Please note that entrance fees are not included.) The tour offers a broader perspective on the city – from historic districts to modern developments – while your guide provides context on Oslo’s culture and daily life. The afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore further, or perhaps enjoy one of the city’s restaurants.

After breakfast at the hotel, take a short walk to Oslo Central Station to begin the renowned Norway in a Nutshell journey. Travel by train to Myrdal, passing through farmland, forests and increasingly dramatic mountain scenery as you climb inland. At Myrdal, change trains for the iconic Flåm Railway, one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. The descent towards the fjord is striking, with waterfalls, steep valley walls and wide views unfolding along the route. On arrival in Flåm, walk the short distance to your hotel and check in. The afternoon is at leisure to explore this small fjord-side village at your own pace, perhaps along the waterfront or in the surrounding landscape. Dinner is served in the hotel restaurant this evening. Overnight in Flåm.

After breakfast, depart Flåm and begin today’s fjord journey. Cruise through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, one of the narrowest arms of the Sognefjord. Sheer mountain walls rise from the water, waterfalls thread down the rock face and small farms cling to the slopes, offering a sense of scale that is distinctly Norwegian. On arrival in Gudvangen, continue by coach through a valley landscape shaped by rivers and cascading falls. Travel onward to Voss, where you board the train for the final stretch to Bergen. Once we arrive in Bergen, transfer by private coach to your hotel and check in. The remainder of the evening is at leisure to explore Norway’s second-largest city or enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants along the harbour. Overnight in Bergen.

After breakfast, meet your local guide for a walking tour of Bergen, Norway’s historic gateway to the fjords. Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen, where colourful wooden warehouses line the harbour and reflect the city’s Hanseatic heritage. Continue to St Mary’s Church and Håkon’s Hall, both reminders of Bergen’s importance during the medieval period. Your tour concludes with a return journey on the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. From here, enjoy wide views across the city, surrounding mountains and open sea. Later, transfer to the Hurtigruten terminal for check-in and embarkation procedures. In the evening, your ship departs Bergen and we begin our northbound voyage along the Norwegian coast. Dinner tonight is served on board.

Enjoy early morning in the breathtaking Nordfjord near Torvik. We then sail past West Cape for our approach to Ålesund . You’ll have most of the day to explore this picturesque town. Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. Enjoy wandering around pastel-coloured buildings, picking up details such as semi-circular windows and charming rounded fairy-tale-like towers. For a lovely panorama over the town, head up to Mount Askla . There’s also Atlanterhavsparken , one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums. The last port of the day is Molde which has an amazing view of 222 mountain peaks across the fjord, called ‘the Molde Panorama ’.

We arrive early in the morning at Trondheim, with plenty of time to explore Norway’s first capital either on your own or on an optional excursion. Founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997, Trondheim today is Norway’s third largest city and a mix of historic buildings and a vibrant student population. A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral , nicknamed “Norway’s Notre Dame” for its Gothic style and considered the most sacred building in all of Norway. Nearby, the old city bridge Gamle Bybro sits over Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet . The neighbourhood’s colourful wooden wharves propped up on stilts by the river’s edge now house a variety of eateries. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fort which offers beautiful views. In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the ochre-coloured Kjeungskjær Lighthouse towards charming Rørvik.

We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. We mark the moment with a traditional ceremony that’s sure to wake you up! Above the Arctic Circle in autumn, winter, and spring, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve. At 10am, we call into Ørnes, near to Norway’s second-largest glacier, Svartisen . We then sail to Bodø, the second-largest city in Northern Norway, overlooked by the Børvass peaks . That afternoon, the ship enters the Lofoten archipelago . The 1,000 metre-high Lofoten Wall is a stunning sight stretching for miles on the horizon. Stamsund is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands, busy catching Arctic cod called skrei which swim from the Barents Sea in the north down to nearby Vestfjord to spawn. Come evening, when you see rows of traditional fisherman’s huts on stilts, known as rorbuer , you’ve arrived in the pretty harbour of Svolvær, the main town of the Lofoten Islands.

We dock into Harstad just after 7am. You can go for a peaceful early morning stroll around town. The ship will then continue to Finnsnes which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge. We then sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø where you’ll have four hours to explore the city or join an optional excursion. Along the waterfront you’ll find Polaria , a centre exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium. Take your pick from the many shops and restaurants in the city centre, including Mack Brewery and favourite local watering hole Ølhallen pub . There are also cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns where baristas create innovative coffee art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, you should be able to see the iconic Arctic Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic. Leaving Tromsø in the early evening, we head north for the trading post of Skjervøy, founded in 1622. On our way, we’ll pass the Lyngen Alps which rise majestically from the sea.

The ship makes early morning stops in the town of Hammerfest and at Havøysund before arriving at Honningsvåg mid-morning. This is the portal to the North Cape where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. An optional excursion will take you to North Cape from Honningsvåg by bus, passing herds of reindeer on the way, depending on the season. The ship continues north. Near the entrance of Kjøllefjord village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka , an ancient sacrificial site once used by the indigenous Sámi. We reach Mehamn, in the evening. If visiting in the months of February and March, you might spot tons of cod drying on outdoor wooden racks called hjell , mainly destined for export. The ship then sets off for Berlevåg. On the way, we pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse , the northernmost mainland lighthouse on Earth.

We’ll arrive at Vardø in the morning, and we’ll continue south towards our next port, Kirkenes. You’ll be treated to dramatic coastal vistas as we approach the shore. Here, we leave our ship behind as we continue our journey south toward Finland on land. We’ll board a coach and enjoy a scenic drive through the town of Kirkenes, and after crossing the border into Finland, we’ll begin heading south through Lapland . We’ll stop at Inari , a village in Finland’s largest municipality. The area is famous for its large Sámi population and is seen as the centre of Finnish Sámi culture. At the newly renovated Siida Sámi museum , you can see exhibits and artefacts that document the rich culture of the Finnish Sámi. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to Saariselkä, a small skiing village in the middle of the Finnish Lapland wilderness. After a day of travelling, learning, and exploring, you’ll spend your first night in Finland.

This morning we travel to Inari, widely regarded as the cultural centre of Finland’s Sámi community. Here, traditions remain closely connected to the land, lakes and forests that shape daily life in the north. Accompanied by a local guide, spend the day learning more about Sámi history and contemporary culture. At the Siida – Sámi Museum and Nature Centre, exhibitions explore reindeer herding, seasonal rhythms and the deep relationship between people and the Arctic environment. Set beside Lake Inari, the museum’s location reflects how closely culture and landscape are intertwined. Later, head out onto frozen Lake Inari by snowmobile sleigh and try your hand at traditional ice-fishing – a quiet, hands-on experience that offers a glimpse into everyday northern life. During the excursion, enjoy lunch at a local wilderness hotel, where simple regional dishes are served in warm surroundings. Return to Saariselkä in the afternoon. Dinner is at your own leisure this evening.

Today is a day at your leisure in Saariselkä. This small village sits on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, where forests and open fell landscapes stretch far beyond the last houses. You may choose to explore independently, relax at the hotel, or join one of the optional excursions available locally. In the evening, gather for dinner at the hotel before setting out on a guided aurora hike. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll walk at a gentle pace into the surrounding landscape. The trail is accessible and suitable for all abilities, leading to a sheltered Aurora hut where you can warm up and learn more about the science and stories behind the Northern Lights. Away from artificial light, this quiet setting offers an ideal vantage point to watch for movement of the aurora across the darkness. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel later in the evening.

After breakfast, we depart Saariselkä and travel south towards Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. En route, we pause in Sodankylä for a short stop to view its historic Old Church, a simple wooden structure that reflects Lapland’s rural heritage. Continue to the Santa Claus Village, located on the Arctic Circle. Here, you’ll have time to explore at your own pace – cross the Arctic Circle line, browse local shops, or simply take in the atmosphere of this well-known landmark. Lunch is at your own arrangement. In the afternoon, travel onward to Sinetta and check in at the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos. This evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant before settling into your Glass Igloo accommodation. The heated glass roof offers uninterrupted views of the night sky from the comfort of your bed. The evening is at your leisure. Optional activities such as snowshoeing or aurora photography excursions may be available, weather permitting. Overnight in a Glass Igloo.

Enjoy a relaxed morning before departing for one of today’s highlights – a husky safari in the forests of Finnish Lapland. At the kennels, learn how the enthusiastic dogs are trained and cared for, and get an insight into the preparation required to keep them fit for the Arctic environment. Then set out on a guided husky ride through the landscape. Depending on conditions, the journey takes place by sled or cart, but the route and overall experience remain the same. This is not a self-driving tour, allowing you to focus on the scenery and the energy of the dogs as they move along the trail. Please note that the sleds will only be used if there is enough snow, otherwise the pulled carts will be used. Following the safari, warm up with a simple soup lunch before spending time with the huskies. Later, continue to Rovaniemi and check in to your hotel. The evening is at leisure, with optional excursions available locally.

We’ll continue heading south and transfer to Rovaniemi railway station for your train journey to Helsinki. As the train departs Lapland, the landscape gradually shifts from Arctic forest and open fells to lakes, farmland and small towns, offering a final view of Finland’s changing scenery. You’ll arrive in Helsinki in the late afternoon and make the short walk to your centrally located hotel. Finland’s capital presents a different pace – broad boulevards, neoclassical architecture and a strong maritime character shaped by its position on the Baltic Sea. This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner at the hotel. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the experiences shared over the past 17 days – from Norway’s fjords and Arctic coastline to the winter landscapes of Finnish Lapland. Note: If you have chosen to extend your journey another night in Helsinki, you will have an additional day to your itinerary.

Note: This only applies to guests who have extended their journey by 1 night in Helsinki. For all other guests, their journey ends on the previous Day 16. After breakfast at the hotel, your escorted journey comes to an end. Depending on your onward travel plans, you may have time for a final walk through Helsinki’s centre or along the waterfront before making your own way to the airport or onward destination. From Norway’s coastal voyage to the winter landscapes of Finnish Lapland and the vibrant capitals of Oslo and Helsinki, this 17-day journey has followed the light northward and back south again. Post-programme available for those staying on in Helsinki If you’re still in the mood for adventure, why not consider our post-programme, on which you’ll travel to Tallinn in Estonia. Enjoy a self-guided return ferry crossing between Helsinki and Tallinn, followed by a three-hour guided walking tour of Estonia’s capital. Explore the lively Rotermann Quarter before entering UNESCO-listed Tallinn Old Town, one of Northern Europe’s best-preserved medieval centres. Discover cobbled streets, Gothic spires and historic merchant houses, then enjoy free time to dine, browse galleries or visit museums independently.