Oslo, Norway (January 21, 2026) – Up Norway announces Norway Beyond the Porthole, a 15-day journey that invites travelers to experience Norway from both sea and land. Combining Hurtigruten’s iconic Svalbard Line cruise with carefully curated land experiences, this signature itinerary offers conscious explorers a chance to experience the country beyond fleeting glimpses from a ship’s deck. Available from May through October, the journey represents a shift in Norwegian travel: moving from observation to immersion, from tourist to engaged explorer.
There are two Norways – the one visible from the deck of a cruise ship, and the one travelers can actually walk around in, touch, and connect with. This handcrafted journey bridges both perspectives, offering the comfort and coastal heritage of Hurtigruten’s ships while Up Norway seamlessly curates meaningful experiences on land. The itinerary follows Up Norway’s signature approach centered on meaningful connections, authentic experiences aligned with travelers’ deepest motivations, and purposeful travel. This methodology creates lasting impact not only for travelers but also for the communities they visit and those they return home to.
“No one knows Norway like Up Norway and Hurtigruten, so we are proud to join forces to ensure travelers will experience the very best of what the country has to offer, both along the coast and across land, from north to south. Our premium itinerary, the Svalbard Line, combined perfectly with Up Norway’s bespoke services, offers an unforgettable journey throughout one of the world’s most stunningly beautiful and exciting countries,” said Carly Biggart, Head of Hurtigruten Americas.
The 15-day experience begins in Oslo before flying north to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, where travelers explore the High Arctic’s expedition history and hike to the Global Seed Vault carved deep into the permafrost. From there, guests embark on Hurtigruten’s southbound premium eight-day Svalbard Line, traveling aboard MS Trollfjord or MS Midnatsol – intimate ships carrying a maximum of 500 guests, continuing a century-long tradition of connecting Norwegian coastal communities. The journey carries them from Svalbard’s remote research station of Ny-Ålesund, which only a few thousand people get to visit each year, southward along Norway’s dramatic coastline, passing towering glaciers with opportunities to spot Arctic wildlife including whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds, with stops in the Lofoten Islands and scenic sailing into Hjørundfjord. Throughout the voyage, travelers witness majestic fjords, mountains, coastal settlements, and isolated hamlets as they journey from the High Arctic to Western Norway’s lush landscapes.
The journey continues with land experiences curated by Up Norway in the Sognefjord region – Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. Here, travelers meet local hosts at boutique accommodations where guests are welcomed as friends. They’ll explore the remote mountain village of Veitastrond with its UNESCO-protected pastures and visit the architectural treasure of Urnes Stave Church by e-bike, the most ancient of Norway’s distinctive intricately carved wooden sanctuaries. The itinerary culminates with rides on two of Norway’s most spectacular railways. The Flåm Railway is one of the world’s steepest standard gauge lines. Recognized by Lonely Planet as “the world’s best train ride,” the journey passes waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and farms clinging to steep mountainsides. This connects to the Bergen Railway, which crosses Europe’s largest high mountain plateau. Before departure, travelers will visit outside Oslo to Kistefos Museum – a contemporary art museum and sculpture park featuring over 50 works by internationally renowned artists including Anish Kapoor, Olafur Eliasson, and Fernando Botero. The day concludes at an ecological Norwegian farm where guests connect with rural life, meeting farm hosts and experiencing traditional food culture.
The journey includes seven nights onboard Hurtigruten’s premium Signature concept Svalbard Line South, with full board, accommodation in stylish and modern cabins with breakfast, five curated dinner experiences showcasing regional cuisine, private guided experiences throughout, scenic train journeys on the Flåm and Bergen Railways, all transfers, ferries, and domestic flights, a climate investment of 100 NOK per person, and Up Norway Digital Guide and Services.
The experience begins at $16,000 USD per person based on double occupancy. Norway Beyond the Porthole is available for booking now for travel between May and October. Each journey can be tailored to individual preferences while maintaining its core focus on authentic cultural connections and natural beauty. For more information please visit https://upnorway.com/journeys/norway-beyond-the-porthole.
