Hurtigruten Expeditions is adding yet another new region to its global reach, with the expedition cruise line to explore Russia’s White Sea in 2022.
Russia will be offered on a 17-day itinerary from Bergen, Norway that will also encompass Murmansk, the UNESCO-listed Solovetsky Islands, and Norway’s North Cape.
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The itinerary follows the recent additions of expedition cruises to the Galapagos Islands, the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde in Western Africa, and the Canary Islands and Madeira Islands, all launching in 2022.
“After a very challenging year for the entire travel industry, we are thrilled to finally return to cruising. 2022 is set to be our most exciting year ever, introducing a number of new exciting itineraries in three different continents. We see a huge pent-up demand for adventure travel, and much more to come still,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen.
Hurtigruten Expeditions’ Expedition Cruise to the White Sea – Norway and Russia Adventure itinerary will depart Bergen on 6 October 2022, and sail north along the Norwegian coast and include several of the country’s highlights: fjords, the Lofoten Islands, visiting settlements rich in fishing traditions and Sami history, and the North Cape, the northernmost point of the European mainland.
After which is a week in Russia, travelling to one of the least visited parts of the country.
The itinerary combines modern-day Russian cities and historic ports with expedition landings, coming ashore at rarely visited and isolated villages on the shores of the White Sea. The trip also includes visiting the Solovetsky Islands, one of Northern Russia’s iconic sights.
“Russia’s White Sea is another dream destination our patrons have asked for when surveying our previous guests, just like the Galapagos and Western Africa. Finally, guests will now be able to go to Russia’s best-kept secret, the White Sea, which very few travellers ever get to experience. And considering we carried out our first expedition cruise to Russia more than 100 years ago, we’re extremely excited to have Russia as a destination again finally,” said Lassesen.
Among the many highlights of this new itinerary, guests will be able to soak up Russian culture and history in two of its most northern cities. They will see old Soviet-era monuments and learn about the wartime and maritime past in Murmansk before taking in the beautifully preserved architecture of Arkhangelsk, the cultural and historical capital of Russia’s north.
The itinerary will be offered aboard the 180-guest MS Spitsbergen, which features a variety of expedition equipment, as we all as Hurtigruten Expedition’s signature state-of-the-art Science Center.
Prices for the 17-day itinerary start from AU$9,435 per person twin share.
View the full itinerary here.
Lead image: Murmansk region, Russia