Northern Lights & Arctic Tromso

Today you fly north into the Arctic, to vibrant Tromso, the Gateway to the Arctic. Your scenic flight crosses the mountains and fjords of Norway to Tromso, an island city of colourful wooden houses set amid fjords and snow-clad peaks far above the Arctic Circle. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel and have time to explore the atmospheric streets, warm up in a cosy cafe, and prepare for the night ahead. This evening, wrapped in warm gear, you set out on your first Northern Lights chase, as expert guides drive away from the town lights, tracking the clearest skies beside frozen fjords or in snowy valleys, watching for the aurora to ignite the polar night with shimmering curtains of green. A warming meal or hot drink accompanies the wait. Rest well after your first taste of Arctic magic, deep in the auroral zone.

Today brings one of the great thrills of the Arctic winter, dog sledding through the snow. Near Tromso you meet a team of eager, affectionate huskies and, wrapped in warm gear, glide across the snow through silent snow-clad forests and valleys, the only sound the panting of the dogs and the hiss of the runners, taking in the pristine white wilderness. You can help harness and cuddle the friendly dogs and learn about life at the kennel, perhaps warming up with a hot drink by the fire. Later you return to Tromso to rest and warm up. This evening, you set out again on a guided Northern Lights chase, tracking clear skies away from the town, watching in wonder as curtains of green, violet and gold ripple across the star-filled sky. Rest well after a magical day of Arctic adventure and aurora, deep in the Norwegian winter.

Today you immerse yourself in Arctic culture and wildlife. You visit a Sami camp near Tromso, meeting reindeer herders in traditional dress, feeding and getting close to their gentle reindeer, perhaps taking a short reindeer-sled ride across the snow, and gathering in a warm lavvu tent around a fire to hear the haunting joik song and stories of their ancient culture. Later you take a winter fjord cruise, gliding beneath snow-clad peaks on the still, dark water, watching for majestic sea eagles and, in season, for whales and orcas feeding in the fjords. The scenery of snowy mountains meeting the sea is sublime. This evening, you set out once more on a guided Northern Lights chase, hoping for the aurora to dance overhead. Rest well after a rich day of Sami culture, Arctic wildlife and aurora, deep in the beautiful Norwegian winter.

Today you explore vibrant Tromso, the cultural capital of the Norwegian Arctic. With your guide you admire the striking Arctic Cathedral, whose soaring white form evokes ice and mountains and glows against the winter sky, and ride the cable car up Mount Storsteinen for a sparkling panorama over the twinkling town, fjords and surrounding snow-clad peaks. You explore the colourful wooden houses, museums of polar exploration and Arctic life, and cosy cafes and pubs of this surprisingly cosmopolitan town, warming up over coffee or a local craft beer. You might browse for Arctic and Sami crafts as souvenirs. This evening, wrapped up warm, you set out on a final Northern Lights chase under the polar sky, savouring one last chance to see the aurora shimmer overhead. Rest well after a magical day in vibrant Tromso, reflecting on your Arctic winter adventure. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final morning in vibrant Tromso, perhaps a last wander among the colourful wooden houses, a warming coffee in a cosy cafe or some souvenir shopping for Arctic and Sami crafts, you are transferred to Tromso Airport for your onward departure. You leave having experienced the magic of the Norwegian Arctic in winter, chasing the shimmering Northern Lights night after night, gliding through snowy forests behind eager huskies, meeting Sami reindeer herders, riding the cable car above the twinkling town, and cruising the fjords in search of whales and eagles. The images stay vivid long after you land, curtains of green and violet rippling across the polar sky, the eager huskies against the snow, the gentle reindeer and warm lavvu fire, and the Arctic Cathedral glowing against the mountains. Norway's Arctic offers wonder, thrills and beauty in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to the magical polar winter.