North Norway Winter Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tromso

Arrival at Tromso Airport followed by a transfer to your accommodation. Check in at the hotel, and if you have enough energy, have a look at our supplementary options for an evening excursion to ‘kick start’ the tour. Check in at the Home Hotel With or similar.

Day 2: Tromso your own way & Northern Lights Chase 

Enjoy a Scandinavian breakfast at the hotel. The day is free to discover the Arctic Tromsø known as ‘Paris of the North’.  Tromsø is the largest city in the Nordic countries north of the Arctic Circle and is home to the world’s northernmost university, brewery and cathedral. We recommend a visit to the Arctic Cathedral that, with its large, angular form and light colour, can easily be associated with an iceberg.

In the evening, join a small group tour in search of the Northern Lights. Overnight at the Home Hotel With or similar incl. late check-out. 

Day 3: Tromso – Lofoten on board the Hurtigruten

Breakfast at the hotel. Another full day to explore all that Tromsø has to offer.  We have requested a late check out at the hotel for you today. You can enjoy the city and the optional activities. At midnight, board Hurtigruten for your departure to Svolvaer.  Accommodation onboard the Hurtigruten (polar outside cabin incl. breakfast).

Day 4: Arrival in Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands

Breakfast onboard Hurtigruen, where you continue travelling south until you reach the islands of Lofoten. Arrival in Svolvær at 18:30 – check in at the Svinoja Rorbu Hotel. 

Day 5: Lofoten - Discovering the Archipelago Tour

Breakfast at the hotel. On this 5-hour excursion you will discover Lofoten islands - you will not only visit some of the characteristic fishing villages which have made these islands famous and are appreciated all over the word, but also explore the un-spoilt nature, the most genuine and extraordinary part of this beautiful archipelago. Head towards Kabelvåg, and enjoy a visit to an ancient fishing village. There is time to take many beautiful photos. Continue your journey towards the western part of the islands, in the direction of Eggum. Eggum faces the ocean and here nature expresses herself with all her extraordinary strength and beauty. Eggum has become famous in the last few years for its amazing light. It is the best location to catch the authentic atmosphere of the North Sea. You then continue to the stunning Utakleiv and its unforgettable views with the mountains, the crystal sea, the white sand and silence of “genuine” nature… It will be difficult to believe that you are 200 km above the Arctic Circle as you gaze upon nature of such lush and varied colours. The beaches of Haukland were defined in the “Times” magazine as one of the most beautiful locations in the world. You’ll then carry on to Unstad, a small town with a handful of little houses perched at the foot of the mountain, from where you will be able to admire the striking seascape. After you’ve enjoyed the beautiful view, you’ll journey on towards the famous beaches of Ramberg, where we will stop for a brief snack. You’ll then depart for the stunning village of Nusfjord. Nusfjord is a small fishing village on the Nus Fjord. This ancient village is a UNESCO world heritage site and all of its wooden buildings date back to the 18th century. Nusfjord is an original and picturesque village, surrounding a narrow and imposing inlet. 

Day 6: Sea Eagle & Trollfjord Safari

Enjoy a Scandinavian breakfast at the hotel.. Today you will explore Lofoten`s coastline on a 2-hour Trollfjord and Sea Eagle Safari by RIB. We will take you safely to the magical Trollfjord, which is surrounded by mountains rising 1000 meters right from the ocean where you are likely to experience sea eagles at close range. We guarantee an adventure close to the nature elements. Our experienced guides offer plenty of good stories and local knowledge. Lofoten from the sea side will guaranteed give you memories for life. The safari includes white sand beaches, the idyllic Haversand and Skjoldvær. The route may vary according to weather conditions.

Day 7: From Lofoten Islands to mainland 

Breakfasts at the hotel and early departure by ferry from Svolvaer to Bodo (06:00 - 09:20). Upon arrival in Bodo, make your way to the hotel for an overnight stay. Time to explore Bodo.

Surrounded by sea and fjord, the light in Bodø constantly shifts with the wind and weather. And then there’s the exotic fact that both the midnight sun and northern lights can be seen from here. Bodø is the capital of Nordland county and lies just north of the Arctic Circle. Another unique feature is the closeness to the countryside and the sea. The strongest tidal current in the world, Saltstraumen, with water speeds reaching 22 knots, is situated just southeast of Bodø. Kjerringøy is a well-preserved old trading village on the coast just north of Bodø. With its scenic setting and authentic buildings, several movies have been shot at this little port. Bodo houses the Norwegian Aviation Museum as well as Bodo War History Museum.

 Accommodation in a Scandic Hotel Bodo or similar. 

Day 8: Departure from Norway

Breakfast and check out from the hotel.
Take a taxi to Bodo airport located about 5 minutes’ drive from the town centre.

This map uses Google Maps, so you can zoom and interact with it as we hope it is familiar to you.

For a larger version of this map which opens in a new window, click here

The lines shown give you an indication of our destinations and are not the exact route used.

You'll see...

• Lofoten Attractions And Activities »
• Northern Lights of Norway »
• Tromso – history, attractions and activities »
• Husky Dog Sledding in Tromso »
• History of Norway »
• Lofotr Viking Museum »
• Northern Lights »
• Photographing the Northern Lights »

Will I see the Northern Lights?

Please scroll down to see the specifics for the country you wish to visit:

Iceland:
The Northern Lights are in the Northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone. But it’s worth it to be patient. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly amazing event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod. Much of Iceland offers a very a good chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right. Remember – the Northern Lights are natural phenomena, not guaranteed, but appreciated all the more for their elusive qualities.

Norway:
Northern Norway is one of the world's best places to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In Northern Norway, Northern Lights occur in up to 90% of every clear night in the period from late September to late March. Most Northern Lights occur in the time span from 6pm to slightly after midnight, with an absolute peak at around 10-11pm. 

In Norway, the area north of the Arctic Circle is prime aurora territory. The various destinations in the High North have a distinct personality, and are well worth exploring. Major places in Northern Norway are Tromsø, Kirkenes, Alta, Bodø, Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Svalbard.

Finland:
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the Northern Lapland region, which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months here, when the sun rarely peaks its head over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October. The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.

The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowy fell landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.

As mentioned, Lapland is the best place to see the Finland Aurora Borealis, with the Kilpisjarvi area offering the most abundant opportunities. The best time of the day to see the Finland Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 11:30 pm, though they are certainly not restricted to this time frame.

Sweden:
In Northern Sweden, the Northern Lights usually occur during the winter months through late March or early April, but they can be spotted as early as September in the Northernmost parts. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights, which dilute the effects of these natural phenomena, so head out into the countryside. On clear nights, the Northern Lights can be visible from most locations in Swedish Lapland, occurring between 6 pm to and 2 am, with the strongest shows happening between 10 pm and 11 pm. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations in Swedish Lapland for viewing these phenomena:

Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park, a couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, is a prime location for viewing the Northen Lights. The scientifically proven “blue hole” — a patch of sky over the Torneträsk lake that usually remains clear despite overcast weather in surrounding areas — gives Abisko its own micro-climate, which is suitable for catching the lights.

Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley
Not only does the village of Jukkasjärvi (population roughly 541) boast the world’s first ice hotel (rebuilt ever year from Torne River ice), it’s also one of the best regions to view the Northern Lights. ICEHOTEL organizes guided tours for guests which takes the to the Esrange Space Center located 30 minutes from Kiruna. You can dine at a wilderness camp and get the chance to scan the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis.

Other regions in Swedish Lapland
As mentioned earlier, if weather conditions are just right (clear, dark, cold, and cloudless), you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from any location within subarctic and arctic Sweden — even close to larger towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur, and Gällivare.

Greenland:
The northern lights - or Aurora Borealis as it is officially known - actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April. If you are travelling during this period, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country, whilst in South Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August.

Transportation

Railway mostly serves domestic routes and is used as an easy and quick way to get from the capital to major cities of the country. There are some international routes, like to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but time spent on the way will be quite long.

Buses are one of the most convenient ways to travel between the Baltic States. Eurolines will get you between Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. One way tickets will cost £ 15 - £ 20 and approximate travel time is 5 hours between the cities. Ticket reservations in advance are recommended.

Taxis are the quickest and most convenient way of travelling round the city. You'll find them located close to the main hotels. Usually it's quite easy to catch a taxi on the street, however, it's much better and safer to order one by phone. Taxi costs in all of the Baltic countries and Poland are approximately the same and a ride in the centre of the city will cost you approx £ 5 - £ 7.  Taxis in Finland and Russia are considerably more expensive.  It is always a good idea to get your hotel to book a taxi for you and ask approximately how much the trip will cost before you get in.

We would not recommend you to take public transportation within the city, as it's usually crowded and it may cause you unnecessary anxiety about where to stop.