1-14 February 2023 Hurtigruten Coast 7 February

This morning we arrive in Kirkenes near the Russian border. In beautiful winter weather, we explore the city on foot. Winter is still here, with loads of snow. Kirkenes is located in the far northeastern part of Norway, on the Bokfjord, an arm of the Varangerfjord, near the border with Russia. The city is about 400 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and actually just as far east as St. Petersburg. The majority of its approximately 7,000 inhabitants have Norwegian roots, but there is a minority of Sámi people. Other residents are originally from Finland, while about 500 people have immigrated from Russia. In winter, Kirkenes offers a fantastic ice hotel and activities such as snowmobiling and dog sledding. In summer, you can enjoy boat trips, hiking, fishing, canoeing, climbing, and diving. In the afternoon, we head back towards Tromsø. In the early evening, we see beautiful Northern Lights in Båtsfjord.