Astronomy Voyage Norway
Astronomy Voyage Norway
Hurtiguten Astronomy Voyage Norway with Dr John Mason, MBE or Ian Ridpath – Royal Astronomical Society
Join this popular voyage to learn more about the Arctic night sky and the greatest lightshow on Earth, the Aurora Borealis. You will be joined by your own expert lecturer, explaining everything you’re seeing above you plus a visit to the Northern Lights Planetarium in Tromso.
VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS
– A full tour of the Norwegian Coast and 34 ports
– The chance to see the Northern Lights
– Lectures on board about the night sky and the Northern Lights.
– A visit to the Northern Lights Planetarium in Tromsø
YOUR LECTURERS ON BOARD
Dr John Mason, MBE
On Astronomy Voyages departing 6 Oct and 9 Nov 2015
An Applied Physicist by profession, Dr John Mason has been actively involved in Science for over 30 years, with Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Technology as his main interests. He is currently Principal Lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester, has been a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society since 1976, and is a full member of the International Astronomical Union. He lectures extensively in the UK and overseas on a wide range of scientifi topics and is a frequent broadcaster on radio and television, having appeared many times with Sir Patrick Moore on BBC TV’s ‘The Sky at Night.’
Ian Ridpath
On Astronomy Voyage departing on 9 Oct and 4 Dec 2015
Ian Ridpath has been a full time writer and broadcaster on Astronomy since 1972 and has previously worked at the University of London Observatory and in publishing. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (Council member 2004-07), as well as a member of the Society of Authors and of the Association of British Science Writers. He is also the Editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy and Norton’s Star Atlas, a publication now in its twentieth edition since 1910.
Day 1 Embarkation in Bergen
Our journey starts in Bergen. As you make your way north, you have the chance to enjoy interesting presentations and activities. Many of these activities happen out on deck or on land, so you get the chance to feel the crisp and fresh air. Enjoy the relaxed ambience of life on board and the opportunity to meet fellow passengers as you take in the spectacular winter landscapes.
Day 2 Ålesund
We navigate through the skerries and islands further north before reaching the town renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, Ålesund. We recommend the excursion to Mount Aksla for a perfect winter panoramic view.
Day 3 The Royal City of Trondheim
Trondheim was Norway’s first capital. The storehouses along the river built on wooden stilts are a colourful contrast to the pure white snow that covers the city during winter.
Day 4 Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands
As we cross the Arctic Circle the hunt for the Arctic light begins. This occasion is marked with an Arctic Circle baptism on deck. You have the chance to learn more about the Aurora Borealis and to experience an authentic Lofotr Viking Feast. Later we enter the dramatic and narrow Raftsund. If the weather and ice conditions allow it, we also sail to the entrance of the famous Trollfjord, where you can enjoy freshly made fish cakes on deck.
Day 5 Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic
After a morning stop in Finnsnes, we continue to the Arctic capital Tromsø. Perhaps take part in a polar dog sledging excursion or a trip to Polaria. As we sail along the coast there is a chance of seeing the Northern Lights. We gather on deck to search for this breathtaking phenomenon.
Day 6 Honningsvåg and the North Cape
Honningsvåg is the nearest port to the North Cape. An excursion to this breathtaking site puts you at 71° 10’ 21” N, only 2,000 kilometres from the Geographical North Pole. Join the presentation of the Sámi culture and history in pictures, words and music. Later on we pass a rock formation that is sacred to the Sámi people, Finnkirka. Enjoy the spectacular lighting on this famous rock. At the next port, Kjøllefjord you can join a snowmobile trip to Mehamn, where you might see the Northern Lights on a clear, starlit sky.
Day 7 Kirkenes, the voyage turning
The turning point of our Coastal Voyage is just 10 kilometres from the Russian border. Kirkenes is home to the fantastic Snow Hotel and the base for several exciting excursions, including dog sledging and King Crab fishing. Kirkenes also boasts several fascinating small museums, recounting the history and heritage of this remote frontier. The polar nights extend from 21 November to 21 January. It is not completely dark during this time; the light and colour in the sky are amazing when the weather is favourable.
DAYS 7-12 Southbound Voyage
Day 7 Kirkenes The voyage back south
As we turn south the northbound ports visited by night are now visited during the day. In the afternoon the ship docks in Vardø. Depending on the weather conditions, we invite you to take an ice-dip in the Arctic Ocean!
Day 8 Hammerfest and Tromsø
Before stopping in Hammerfest, you can enjoy an “Energy coffee” and a short introduction to “Melkøya – The northern- most natural gas terminal” on board. Our next major stop will be Tromsø where you have the option to take part in a very special musical experience, the Arctic Cathedral Midnight Concert.
Day 9 Vesterålen and Lofoten islands
Enjoy the stunning views of sheltered bays and glorious mountain landscapes wrapped in the cloak of a polar winter. We stop at Stokmarknes – home to the Hurtigruten Museum, before continuing through the Raftsund, a picturesque and narrow channel between the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands. As a tribute to the fishing history in Lofoten, our chef shows how to fillet the catch of the day on deck.
Day 10 Arctic Circle, Seven Sisters
Enjoy a spectacular winter scenery of the picturesque Helgeland coast with its myriad islets and steep granite walls. As we cross the Arctic Circle again and sail past the famed peaks of the Seven Sisters we enter a world of legend and folklore.
Day 11 Trondheim and Kristiansund
Today you have the opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim again. Nidaros Cathedral, where three Queens and seven kings have been crowned, is Scandinavia’s largest medieval building. Later, on our way to kristiansund, you can see the steep, pointed and snow-covered peaks of the Romsdal Alps.
Day 12 Bergen, disembarkation
Today your journey with Hurtigruten has come to an end, but before we reach the finishing line there are still a few nautical miles of fascinating winter scenery ahead of us.
