Arctic Norway Aurora Adventure
March 11th - 21st, 2024Cost: $5295 per person. Based on double occupancy. Single supplement available upon request.
(Booking is open with 10 spots available)
We are excited to announce the return of our Arctic Norway Adventure Tour. We will be taking a group of ten people above the Arctic Circle to Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands to witness and photograph the northern lights while exploring the incredible scenery of Norway’s northern coastline.
Auroral activity is continuing to increase in frequency and intensity as we move toward the next maximum in the sun’s 11-year solar cycle, so this is an opportunity to potentially experience peak activity in one of the world’s premiere aurora viewing destinations! Here is a brief description of the solar maximum from NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/solarmin-max.html.
We will meet in Oslo on Monday, March 11th, spend the night near the airport and fly to Tromsø the following day, where we will spend three nights. On Saturday, March 15th, we will make the scenic drive from Tromsø to the famous Lofoten Islands and spend one night in Narvik, two nights near the village of Gimsoy and two nights in the town of Reine. On Wednesday, March 20th, we will fly back to Oslo for the final night of the tour, departing Norway the following day, March 21st. The package will include all lodging & transportation within Norway, breakfast every morning, locally guided tours and for those who would like, photographic instruction from Mike and Colin.
Note: Flights from Oslo to Tromsø and from the Lofoten Islands back to Oslo are included with tour fee. Airfare to Norway is not included.
Day 1
Monday 3/11:
Oslo
The tour begins near Norway’s capitol city, Oslo. Upon your arrival at Gardermoen International Airport, you will take a shuttle to a nearby hotel where we will spend the first night. One of us will meet you at the airport if possible. At dinner, we will discuss the upcoming adventure then rest for our departure the following day.
Day 2
Tuesday 3/12:
Oslo to Tromsø
Depart Oslo in the morning and fly to the city of Tromsø on the island of Tromsøya, in arctic Norway. After arriving, we will go for a scenic drive before checking into our hotel, exploring the area and checking the prospects for auroras later that night. After dinner, we will drive to potential aurora viewing locations if conditions and activity levels are favorable. We will be monitoring solar activity and weather forecasts daily to plan for aurora viewing sessions. There is no guarantee we will be successful, but we will have 6 nights in some of the world’s most renowned aurora viewing destinations during what is typically the most active time of year, which gives us very good odds.
Day 3
Wednesday 3/13:
Tromsø
Good morning, Tromsø! We will explore the city and surrounding area today, searching for more potential aurora viewing locations. This will be the first of two full days in Tromsø, which offers a variety of winter recreational activities such as Nordic (cross country) and alpine skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and cultural experiences such as the Tromsø Polar Museum. In the evening, we will visit a Sami reindeer farm where we will go for a short sled ride, then have dinner and hopefully view the auroras! This dinner and guided tour are included with your fee.
Day 4
Thursday 3/14:
Explore more of Tromsø and monitor solar activity and weather forecasts for aurora viewing that evening. Chasing auroras is tiring, so we may decide to rest at some point during the day, and on other days throughout the tour as well. Dinner at a local restaurant and prepare for another possible evening aurora adventure.
Day 5
Friday 3/15:
Tromsø to Narvik
After breakfast, we will begin our drive from Tromsø south along the coast to the city of Narvik, near the famous Lofoten Islands. We will stop to enjoy the scenery of the fjords on this approximately 6-hour drive. We will check into our rooms and have dinner in Narvik, and prepare for a night of possible aurora hunting.
Day 6
Saturday 3/16:
Depart from the lodge after breakfast and continue our drive onto the Lofoten Islands to the area of Gimsoy, where we will spend the next two nights at the Lofoten Links Lodge. Dinner at a near by restaurant followed by potential aurora chasing.
Day 7
Sunday 3/17
Gimsøysand
After breakfast we will spend most of the day exploring the area and resting for the possible evening Aurora show. Other options are a hot sauna followed by a quick dip in the North Atlantic and/or a horseback ride along the coastline. Dinner at a near by restaurant.
Day 8
Monday 3/18
Depart from the lodge after breakfast and continue our drive through the Lofoten Islands to the town of Reine, where we will spend the next two nights. Dinner near Reine followed by potential aurora chasing.
Day 9
Tuesday 3/19
Reine
After breakfast we will take a scenic drive to a small fishing village at the end of the road pronounced “Oh”. Returning to Reine to explore the town and rest up for the evenings possible Aurora viewing. Dinner and Lodging in Reine
Day 10
Wednesday 3/20
Reine to Oslo
After breakfast, we will drive a short distance East to the town of Svolvær, where we will catch an afternoon flight back to Oslo and transfer to our hotel for the final night of the tour. Dinner and room near Gardermoen International Airport.
Day 11
Thursday 3/21
Gardermoen International Airport
Shuttle to Gardermoen international Airport for your flight home.
What is included with the tour fee:
- All transportation and lodging, including an airport pickup/drop off and flights within Norway
- Breakfast each morning
- Sami Reindeer feeding, sledding and dinner
- Entrance to the Polar Museum in Tromso
- For those who are interested, photographic instruction from Mike and Colin
What the fee does not include:
- Airfare to Norway
- Travel insurance – recommended
- Passport fees
- Lunch and dinner not specified “included” in the itinerary
- Drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, unless specified “included” in the itinerary
- Any optional excursions such as Skiing, Dog Sledding, Horseback Riding or any not listed in the original itinerary
- Personal items
- Gratuities
March 11th – 21st, 2024
Cost: $5295 per person. Based on double occupancy. Single supplement available upon request
A $1000 deposit will hold your spot. Remaining balance is due 45 days prior to the starting date of your chosen tour.
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