Norway Beyond the Porthole
A signature journey combining the best of cruising and in-depth exploration, with Hurtigruten and Up Norway
Duration
15 Days
Season
May - October
Best suited for
Curious, conscious travellers who want to experience Norway beyond the postcard.
There are two Norways: the one you can gaze at from the deck of a cruise ship, and the one you can actually walk around in. This handcrafted journey invites travellers to move beyond the porthole view and meet the country head-on: its rural landscapes, its stories, and its people.
For curious, conscious explorers – especially those who have travelled halfway round the world – this is a rare opportunity to experience Norway to the full. You’ll enjoy the comfort and iconic coastal heritage of Hurtigruten’s Svalbard Line while Up Norway seamlessly curates immersive experiences on land.
At its core, this journey follows Up Norway’s signature approach: a smooth arrival, meaningful connections, staying true to your reasons for travelling, and ending on a high note. These are guaranteed to spark lasting joy for travellers, the communities you travel to, and the ones you return to.
Impact Statement
By combining Hurtigruten’s Signature Voyage with Up Norway’s carefully curated land experiences, your journey supports small-scale hosts, local guides, and family-run businesses across Norway, supporting UN's SDG 12. You travel at a human pace, using existing infrastructure and low-impact transport where possible, while contributing directly to regional livelihoods from the Arctic to the fjords.
Your itinerary
This cruise and land itinerary is designed by our travel curators in collaboration with Hurtigruten and local partners to give you the most rewarding experience possible. Our itineraries can be tailored to your specific wishes when you make an inquiry.
Day 1:
Welcome to Oslo
Soft Landing, Total Arrival
Ground yourself in Norway’s capital with an Up Norway insider-guided city walk tailored to your interests: Nordic design and architecture, coffee culture in our favourite neighbourhoods and iconic must-see spots.
One of our favourite ways to experience the city is with a guide who opens doors to hidden corners – while also sharing simple tips and tricks for capturing beautiful photos using your mobile phone.
Day 2–10:
Signature Coastal Voyage, The Svalbard Line - South
Hurtigruten Cruise: The Svalbard Line
Fly north to Longyearbyen and settle in for a night at Funken Lodge, a warm Arctic sanctuary. We'll help you explore Svalbard's expedition history, and grasp its facinating transition from a mining community to a sustainable tourism destination. Dinner is served at Gruvelageret; an epic restaurant which conveys Svalbards mining history.
Before you embark on your cruise the following day, set out on a hike to Blomsterdalshøgda, a viewpoint overlooking the Adventfjord and slopes covered with flowers. On the way down you will pass the Global Seed Vault – carved deep into the permafrost, the seed vault preserves an incredible array of the world’s species of plants.
Hurtigruten’s Svalbard Line - South is a legendary eight-day voyage that carries you from the High Arctic to the lush fjord landscapes of Western Norway.
This is slow travel at its finest: glaciers, seabirds, Arctic settlements, coastal towns, and the ever-changing Norwegian coastline. Unlike large international cruise ships, Hurtigruten’s vessels, MS Trollfjord or MS Midnatsol are small (max 650 passengers), and deeply connected to local communities for more than 100 years – a feelgood way to move through the north.
When you arrive in Bergen on Day 10, we'll get your luggage safely stored while you get a taste of the colourful, historic Hanseatic wharf with a local food guide.
From Bergen, you'll catch the local express ferry towards Hafslo in Luster for an Up Norway signature stay. At BesteBakken you're welcomed as a friend, and new perspectives are revealed through connection and quiet space.
Day 11–13:
True Norwegian Culture
Fjord Landscapes & Stories in the Sognefjord Region
You’re invited for a narrative-rich excursion to the remote mountain village Veitastrond, where glaciers, UNESCO-protected pastures and local legends intertwine.
Furthermore, enjoy a gentle e-bike excursion or drive to the fjord village Solvorn and the UNESCO-listed Urnes Stave Church, one of Norway’s architectural treasures. Crossing the fjord on the local ferry is worth the trip alone.
This region is where travellers consistently describe moments of insight – where nature’s scale meets human warmth, and where the ‘reason to travel’ – often centred around Norway’s beautiful natural fjord landscapes – becomes more tangible.
From Luster, your route goes by a private car transfer to Flåm. Onwards, you travel back to Oslo on the spectacular Flåm and Bergen railways. The Flåm Railway is often called ‘the world's most beautiful train journey’ – 20 km dreamline connects to the high-altitude Myrdal station on the Bergen railway. This unforgettable ride passes by steep mountainsides, flourishing valleys and cascading waterfalls.
Settle back into Oslo for a final day of cultural adventures.
Day 14:
End on a Cultural High
Final Days in Oslo – Digest, Discover, Depart
On your final day in Norway, we take you beyond the city to discover two memorable highlights just outside Oslo. Kistefos Museum – an amazing art space and sculpture park in the forest – adds a touch of wonder before you continue to Auli. Here you’ll experience life on an ecological Norwegian farm: meet the cows, learn about Nýr cheese, enjoy supper with the farm hosts, and connect to the rhythms of rural life. This is where bridging connections truly begins.
Personalize and book the Norway Beyond the Porthole journey
Personalized itinerary
This journey has been curated to offer a Norwegian cruise experience. It can be booked as proposed or further personalized to you.
Worry-free booking
With our flexible terms, we hope to provide you with all the certainty and adaptibility you need when booking your well-deseved escape.
Pricing
The indicated price per person is based on two travellers travelling together. Read more about our pricing here.
Want to cruise along Norway, on a journey fully tailored to you?
Our travel curators create bespoke itineraries based on your wishes.
Karin Andresen
Booking Manager & Head of Partners
