Northern Exposure
Norway
Tromsø was established in the 13th century, it is a place absolutely full of history. In the first decades of the 20th century, a number of explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen made Tromsø their starting point and frequently recruited sailors in Tromsø
Grading Level - T1 Easy
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Best months to go: November - March
Tromsø is the largest urban area in Northern Norway. Situated just 350 kilometres (217 miles) north of the Arctic Circle being the third largest city north of the Arctic Circle, and is just a 2 hour flight from Oslo.
The average January temperature hovers around -4 centigrade (24.8 Fahrenheit). The coldest temperature on record is -18 centigrade (-0.4 Fahrenheit). Rain and temperatures of up to -6 centigrade (21 Fahrenheit) are not unusual, even in mid winter. There are usually large quantities of snow between December and May.
There’s lots to see outside the city even if you only have a few days to spare. Although it is a relatively small place, it has so much going on, including souvenir shops, restaurants, bars plus many tours and experiences to enjoy.
The Perfect location for our Northern Exposure Adventure
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Trip itineraries are bespoke, so just tell us what activities your group would like to experience and we will do the rest.
Activities
Fjords
In Scandinavia, the word fjord means a narrow inlet of the sea.
During our fjord tour, we will take you to the three main areas located on the island of Kvaløya just a short minibus ride from the centre of Tromsø.
Our first stop is Ersfjord, a local coastal village. Traditionally it was used as a fishing village but is now a stunning tourist area. The next location is Sommarøy, a small island connected to Kvaløya via a bridge. Sommarøy is known for its stunning views of nature, with crystal-clear blue waters and sandy beaches and mountain peaks in the background. The last stop for this route is Hella, where you will find historic, old rock carvings that were carved out by hunters and fishermen between 7000 and 4000 years ago.
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During the tour, we will serve a light picnic and hot drinks. There may be time to make a few other stops at photogenic locations along the way, and there is always the opportunity to spot some reindeer, moose, eagles and other exotic wildlife along the way if we are lucky.
Whale Watching
The official whale-watching season runs from the end of October to mid-January, during which you are pretty much guaranteed a sighting. Humpback whales are usually still around off the coast of Norway until the end of March, so there’s a reasonable chance of seeing them at that time too, especially in the more sheltered waters around the fjords. Other whales, such as minke and sperm can also be seen in the fjords and off the coast of northern Norway in Tromsø.
In winter, the fin whales might also make an appearance as the locations are only a boat ride away from the whales’ favourite waters.
The best time of year to visit Tromsø for whale watching safaris is from November to the end of January as that’s the time they naturally pass through their route, much like the migration that happens every year in the Serengeti.
Northern Lights
The best time to see the Northern Lights is winter between September and March. During this time, Northern Norway is dark from the early afternoon until late morning, and the northern lights frequently soar across the sky.
But what exactly are the Northern Lights? On a basic level, they are an interaction between Earth's magnetic field and charged particles emitted by the sun. The sun has its own solar wind that sends out charged particles which spiral around Earth's magnetic fields causing the colourful sights in the sky.
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Our tour will consist of small groups with a maximum of 15 people, who will set out together into the polar night (away from light pollution and with clearest skies possible).
If it is cloudy above Tromsø, it is possible to find clear skies at a location further away. The team will carefully analyse the weather conditions before the tour while keeping in touch with other guides to monitor cloud movements in the local and surrounding areas.
Once settled in the best spot, it will be time to wait for the lights to shine while we set up campfire, hot drinks, a hot dinner & our cameras of course.
Dog sledding
There are countless ways to take in northern Norway's iconic winter landscape, but one of the most memorable is to explore the snow-covered wilderness behind a team of huskies on a dog sledding tour.
Dog sledding is an incredible adventurous activity where you get to drive the sled yourself!
Each sled is shared by two guests, with the opportunity to swap around and take turns being the driver and the passenger.
Drive your own sled or sit back & take in the unparalleled views of mountain peaks and sometimes ice-covered lakes as you go. All the gear you need is provided on site, including warm suits, winter boots, woollen socks, hats, mittens and headlamps if needed.
Snowmobiling
The area of the Lyngen Alps offers some of the most beautiful scenery in Northern Norway and is the perfect location for a snowmobile safari.
The whole area is a huge wilderness playground where we follow some approved and well-established trails.
As with all our trips, safety is paramount. You travel in pairs on the snowmobile and can change seats halfway. The snowmobile tour lasts from 60 to 90 minutes and focuses on sightseeing, playing in the snow, taking photos, and enjoying the fascinating surroundings of mountains, forests, and fjords.
Let us look after you
From the second you land in Tromsø you will be looked after. Out team will be at the airport to meet you and escort you straight to your chosen accommodation. You will have plenty of time to recover from your travels and relax at your accommodation as the adventures start the next morning.
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All transport to & from the airport & day excursions will be arranged by us.
You don’t need to worry about anything just bring your warm clothes & your adventure attitude.
Bespoke Itineraries
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We can plan and adjust your Northern Exposure adventure to suit you and your group. You can decide which adventures you want to experience and we will plan out the best schedule for you to fit in exactly what you want.
Activities will be subject to availability, so planing early is essential.
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Northern Exposure Norway
Example Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tromsø where you will be greeted by our team. Transported to accommodation in Tromsø.
Day 2: Met at meeting point at 10am for Fjords tour.
Transported back to accommodation.
Day 3: Meeting point at 10am taken to Dog sledding adventure. Back to accommodation.
6pm meeting point for Northern Lights chase. 1-2am transportation back to accommodation.
Day 4: Meeting point at 8am for Snowmobiling adventure. Transported back to accommodation.
Day 5: Depending on flight, morning cable car viewpoint visit. Transported to airport.
For more information regarding private group Safari
Please contact us below!