Hurtigruten Ship beneath the Northern Lights

Pre- and post-trip winter programs round off the Norway Experience Brilliant prospects for fans of the Northern Lights: Thanks to strong solar activity, the coming Norwegian winter once again promises a particularly impressive Northern Lights season. A winter voyage on a Hurtigruten ship offers the optimum conditions for observing polar light phenomena, along with the other delights of the voyage and the many and varied activities by land and sea. Exceptional pre- and post-trip programs set the seal on the voyage and the experience of winter in Norway.

Solar scientist Pål Brekke of the Norwegian Space Research Centre reports optimum conditions for spectacular Northern Lights observations this winter: "it is highly probable that we shall be seeing even more of the Northern Lights between September 2012 and April 2013 than we did last winter, because solar activity, which varies over an 11 year cycle and affects the intens ity of the Northern Lights, is expected to reach a new climax in the coming season." Anyone who wants to experience the fascination of the Northern Lights will be well-placed on the Hurtigruten ships, and Pål Brekke can explain why: "the Hurtigruten ships sail furthest away from sources of light interference, for example the larger towns. They thus offer optimum conditions for observing the Northern Lights."

Apart from sky watching from the ship's deck, Hurtigruten's winter land excursions are also a good opportunity to experience the Norwegian winter and see the Northern Lights, as dog sled tours, snow scooter safaris or reindeer sleigh rides venture far from disturbing light sources through white winter landscapes overarched by the wide polar skies.

Also, ahead of the voyage, or in continuation of it, Hurtigruten's exceptional pre- and post- trip program offers wonderful opportunities for getting to know wintertime Norway. For instance, guests can enjoy a particularly Arctic or "cool" night's sleep by booking into the Snow Hotel in Kirkenes. The hotel is constructed afresh every year from snow and ice and lodges its guests in illuminated snow suites with decorative snow sculptures. A right royal culinary experience awaits participants on the Red King Crab Safari at Kirkenes: at the end of a snow scooter trek to a frozen fjord, participants can saw their own hole in the ice and try their hand at fishing for the Red King Crab. These crustaceans, which can reach a leg span of 2 metres and weigh up to 15
kilos, will subsequently be prepared in a traditional fisherman's hut and served as a meal truly fit for a king.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising and is represented in Australia by Discover the World Marketing.

For more information or to make a booking, contact Discover the World Marketing on 1800 OCEANS (1800 623 267) or email

For media information and images please contact Olga Korobko (02) 9959 3696 or email