You start with a short tour of the town, before the bus takes you deep into the surprisingly fertile landscape. Here you will awe at the expanse of green hills, dotted with scrubs, birch and pine trees that manage to survive despite the harsh Arctic climate.

The region has experienced an exciting and at times hugely dramatic history, so this also promises to be an educational morning. Next you will stop at Storskog - the border station between Norway and Russia. Though you will not cross the border itself, you are permitted to take pictures and are normally able to purchase Russian souvenirs. From here you travel the small mining community of Bjornevatn, before heading towards Pasvikdalen, which boasts an imposing landscape filled with rolling green hills and robust trees, an area known to have Norway's largest population of brown bears.

Back in Kirkenes you will stop at the impressive Prestfjellet Mountain, which overlooks both the town and your awaiting Hurtigruten ship.