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Norway - Journey to the Arctic Circle (Nov - Mar)
Enter into the far-flung remote corners of Norway in the chase for the Northern lights and experience a magical winter landscape of exceptional beauty in the Lofoten Islands, Uloya, Alta and Karasjok as we journey to the Arctic Circle.
HIGHLIGHTS
Journey north to the Arctic Circle of Norway
Witness extraordinary landscapes and geology
Experience unique Norwegian culture and gastronomy
Stay in unique accommodations
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE OSLO / EVENES / SVOLVAER
Arrive into Oslo Gardermoen Airport and then connect onto a short domestic flight to Harstad-Narvik Evenes where on arrival, you will be met and transferred to Svolvaer (2.5hrs drive) in the beautiful Lofoten Archipelago. Check into the amazing Anker Brygge - a collection of fisherman cabins that has been renovated and converted into boutique lodgings to celebrate and reminisce Lofoten's fishing past and present. This evening, enjoy a private Northern lights safari (weather-permitting) on an unforgettable experience with a private photographer showing you the best spots for viewing and taking exceptional photos of the mysterious Aurora Borealis.
Overnight: Anker Brygge, Svolvaer
Meals: NIL
DAY 2: SVOLVAER (THE LOFOTEN ARCHIPELAGO)
Today, we will enjoy a full day excursion of the spectacular Lofoten Archipelago adorned with amazingly-beautiful coastal fishing villages, spectacular beaches and superb landscapes. Starting from Svolvaer, we take a short drive to the ancient fishing village of Kabelvag before heading west to Eggum, possessing stunning views of the North Sea. Another signature stop will be the rocky beach of Utakleiv - perhaps the most photogenic beach in the Lofoten archipelago.
On the second part of the day, we will visit the stunning beaches of Ramberg as well as the well-preserved fishing hamlet of Nusfjord - under waitlist to be inducted into UNESCO.
Overnight: Anker Brygge, Svolvaer
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: SVOLVAER (ANDENES)
Today we travel north to village of Andenes in the Vesteralen archipelago - home to some of the world's largest populations of whales such as the Orca, Humpback Whales and dolphins where in the winter season, congregate on feeding on schools of herring. Embark on an experiential and scenic journey and get on a private RIB boat safari for a wildlife spectacle of these amazing marine mammals.
Overnight: Anker Brygge, Svolvaer
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: SVOLVAER / EVENES / TROMSO
Today, bid farewell to the Lofoten Islands and transfer 2.5hrs to Harstad-Narvik Evenes Airport for a short flight to Tromso. On arrival, be met and transfer to the Clarion Hotel The Edge. Later at your leisure, consider a self-visit the Arctic Cathedral or the Polar Museum which depicts legacies of arctic explorers and polar expeditions. Thereafter,
Overnight: Clarion Hotel The Edge, Tromso
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: TROMSO / ULOYA
Today, be met and transfer by private helicopter to the island of Uloya as we arrive at the intimate Arctic Panorama Lodge, nestled on the eastern frontiers of the Lyngen Fjords with amazing landscapes of spectacular mountain peaks such as Blatind, Uloytind and Kjelvagtind. Be welcome warmly by your hosts where you enjoy 3 amazing nights here in a home-away-from-home environment. This evening, experience a Sami evening with stories around a camp fire in a traditional lavvo tent and learn about the Sami culture and heritage while tasting authentic and traditional food.
Overnight: Arctic Panorama Lodge, Uloya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: ULOYA
Today, we will experience a 3 hours Snowmobile Safari where we reach the top of Uloya for wonderful views of the Lyngen Alps and the surrounding mountains and islands around Uloya.
Overnight: Arctic Panorama Lodge, Uloya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: ULOYA
Another spectacular day beckons as we summit on snowshoe trekking to the top of Aarontinden. At 563m above sea level, we will enjoy exceptional panoramas over the island of Uloya and enjoy outdoor BBQ on open fire.
Overnight: Arctic Panorama Lodge, Uloya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: ULOYA / ALTA / SORRISNIVA IGLOO
Say farewell to your hosts as we then travel by private helicopter further north in the Arctic Circle to Alta, the largest town in Norway's northernmost county, Finnmark. On arrival, transfer by road and arrive at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, the world's northernmost igloo hotel. Be dazzled by a world of ice, recreated every winter from scratch.
Overnight: Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Alta
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 9: SORRISNIVA IGLOO / KARASJOK
We leave the Sorrisniva Igloo today and journey by road to the Sami capital of Karasjok (2hrs drive). Arrive at the stunning Engholm Husky Lodge, owned by Sven Engholm, an 11-time winner of Europe's longest sled dog race; situated next to the Karasjohka River where you will enjoy an experiential 2 nights stay in designed and conceptualized log houses. Engholm Husky Lodge is home to its husky farm with about 50 highly-trained sled dogs for long-distance racing, expeditions and tours.
Overnight: Engholm Husky Lodge, Karasjok
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 10: KARASJOK
Enjoy an extraordinary day where you will mush your own team of dogs for an excursion of the wonderful winter landscapes in the wooded forests of Karasjok. Prepare food for the dogs and learn about the techniques required on dog sled racing.
Overnight: Engholm Husky Lodge, Karasjok
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 11: KARASJOK / LAKSELV / OSLO
Today, we come to the end of the journey and transfer 1hr to Lakselv Airport for a short domestic flight return to Oslo.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Anker Brygge is perhaps the Lofoten Islands' finest hotel, built in a quayside building from 1880 and a former fish landing station with a saltery and barrel factory. Today, it is furnished with charming "rorbuers" - fisherman cabins converted rooms and suites.
Opened in May 2014, the centrally-located Clarion Hotel The Edge is located at the Tromso harbour overlooking Tromso Sound and the Arctic Cathedral. Rooms are modern-contemporary style with modern amenities and house a contemporary restaurant by Manuel Samuelsson serving fusion-style cuisine.
The Arctic Panorama Lodge is located on the sparsely-populated island of Uloya offering an intimate home-away-from home experience and a "front row seat" for admiring the northern lights. With only 6 double rooms, be treated like a friend instead of a customer in this charming arctic lodge.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is the world's northernmost igloo hotel and spans over an area of 2500 square metres. Each winter, different ice themes are conceptualized to carve ice rooms completely from new. Reindeer leather sleeping pads and ultra-warm sleeping bags are provided to keep you warm and cosy.
Engholm Husky Lodge is the brainchild of 11-time winner of Europe's longest sled dog race, Sven Engholm who aims to provide an intimate retreat for travellers to understand the interesting world of dogsled. Engholm hand-decorated all the wood cabins himself conceptualizing an authentic and unique lodge experience with ancient traditions of the landscape. Here you will interact closely with your own team of husky dogs.
