Following the Lights
- Tour ID: HAM19
Tour Info:
- Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Seasons: Winter
- Travel Style: Cruise, Independent
- Countries: Lapland, Norway
- Available: December - End March
Join an Arctic adventure which travels to remote regions along the dramatic coastline and to the most northerly part of Norway. Although our journey will be at the same latitude as Siberia and Alaska, the influence of the Gulf Stream creates the longest ice–free polar coast. The entire duration of this tour is spent above the Arctic Circle, increasing your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis. During your stay it is possible to choose several fantastic activities. Visit the Russian border, try the Husky safari, enjoy a taste of Sami life or join the enormously popular Northern Lights Safari (more activities can be added on request).
Highlights:
- King Crab Safari
- Cruise the Norwegian fjords
- Dinner and overnight in Snow Hotel
- Stand on Europe’s most northerly point
- Chance of a selfie with the Northern Lights
Price Includes:
Accommodation based on twin/double share. Single Supplement applies
- Two nights 3* accommodation in Tromso hotel
- Two night Cruise
- Overnight in Kirkenes Snowhotel
- Breakfast daily
- Three dinners
- Excursions as per itinerary
Itinerary:
Arrival at Tromsø Airport, upon arrival at the airport individual transfer (not included) to Tromsø center, the beautiful arctic city, by Flybussen (Airport Shuttle) or by taxi..
Check in at your hotel. This day is at your own leisure to explore Tromsø. Sights of interest include the Polar Museum, Northern Light Planetarium and Tromsø Museum. The arctic city of Tromsø is the most northern university town and the largest city above the Arctic Circle. The city lies between the sharp craggy peaks of the Lyngen Alps, and combines wild scenery with urban life. Due to the city’s location right in the middle of the planet’s Northern Light’s belt, Tromsø offers the world’s best chances of spotting the Northern Lights.
Breakfast at the hotel and morning at your leisure to discover the Arctic’s Capital including the visit of the Polaria museum. This museum is just five minutes’ walk from the center of Tromsø and you will discover more about the Arctic nature. In the evening, departure for your excursion. You will be picked up in Tromsø and you will go on a chase for the magical Northern lights. The guide with good local knowledge will find the best area for the lights. To find a clear sky you will drive as far as needed. During the evening your guide will tell you interesting information about the Northern lights, both the science and the folklore. We will also show you how to adjust your camera settings for pictures of the northern lights, and we will take pictures of you with the lights for you to take home to show your family and friends. For some extra fun in the snow we also bring our “butt boards”, just in case we find some nice hills to sleigh down! We may also visit our lavvo (our modern Sami shelter) and sit around the nice warm bonfire, and roast marshmallows (if we are within reasonable driving distance from the base camp).
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure in Tromsø before checking in for your next adventure – a cruise. Enjoy a beautiful north cruise along the spectacular Norwegian coastline. As the journey to Kirkenes hugs the coastline you visit remote settlements which rely on the Hurtigruten ships to maintain contact with the rest of Norway. Departure from Tromsø at 18:30. Overnight and dinner on board Hurtigruten in unspecified outside cabin (2 nights).
After a short stop in Hammerfest, your journey will continue to Honningsvåg. Breakfast on board Hurtigruten. At 11:45 arrival in Honningsvåg – from here you will join an excursion to mainland Europe’s most northerly point, North Cape. This is a wild and windswept headland where the cliffs rise dramatically 300 meters from the sea, and we gaze out with nothing but water between you and the frozen wastes surrounding the North Pole. Sailing on, you bear east, and eventually reach the sheltered harbor of Kirkenes, a mere 10km from the Russian border.
Breakfast on board Hurtigruten. While you sleep the ship continues sailing east along the Varanger peninsula, past Båtsfjord and Vardø. At 09:45 you will arrive in Kirkenes. At 13:00 you are met by a fisherman, you will be provided with warm clothes, boots and mittens before you set out to be a fisherman of king crabs for the day. The big catch, the king crab will be served as lunch at a home of one of the fishermen. The duration of the tour is four hours. After the tour you will be met and transferred to the Kirkenes snow hotel.
Overnight and dinner at Snow Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer by minibus back to town. Rest of your day at leisure and departure from Kirkenes according to your own itinerary (airport transfer not included).
Map:
Important Info:
An itinerary and quotation will be prepared for your consideration. Once accepted, a deposit is required to secure the booking.
For each traveller, we require:
- Full name exactly as shown on passport
- Date of birth
- Contact phone number
- Dietary, medical or other special requirements
No services are held at quotation stage and remain subject to availability until booked and confirmed. If a quoted service becomes unavailable, we will offer a suitable alternative where possible.
Deposit amounts vary by tour and supplier and will be advised before booking. Some accommodation, cruises, Christmas/New Year arrangements and special services may require higher deposits, full payment or non-refundable payment at booking.
Final payment is generally due 90 days before travel, unless an earlier date is required by a supplier. Your booking invoice will confirm the applicable payment schedule.
Where final supplier rates have not yet been released, provisional pricing may be provided. Any applicable conditions will be explained before booking.
Your confirmed itinerary will specify all inclusions. Unless stated otherwise, prices generally exclude:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed
- Optional activities
- Personal expenses
- Services not specifically listed
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended as soon as the deposit is paid, particularly where components are non-refundable.
Clients receive a 20% discount with GO Insurance. Please request a quotation.
Traveller names must exactly match the passport used for travel, including all given names and surnames. Incorrect details may result in fees or difficulties with travel arrangements.
Travellers are responsible for ensuring passports meet the validity and entry requirements of all countries visited. For the Schengen Area, Australian passports generally must:
-
- Be valid for at least 3 months after departure from the Schengen Area
- Have been issued within the previous 10 years
We recommend having at least 6 months’ passport validity remaining wherever possible. Travellers are responsible for obtaining required visas, travel authorisations and other entry documents. Requirements should be checked with relevant government authorities before travel.
Nordic itineraries may involve walking on snow/ice, uneven surfaces, stairs, boats, snowmobiles, carrying luggage and extended periods outdoors in cold weather. Activities may have age, height, health, mobility or licensing requirements.
Medical conditions, mobility limitations and accessibility needs should be advised at booking so suitable arrangements can be considered.
Dietary requirements and allergies should be advised at booking. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate them, but cannot guarantee this, particularly in remote or wilderness locations. Travellers with serious allergies should also confirm requirements directly with meal providers.
Travellers on self-drive itineraries are responsible for holding the appropriate licence for the destination and rental provider. A valid physical licence may also be required for activities such as snowmobiling.
Accommodation will be booked in the room category shown on your confirmed itinerary. Scandinavian rooms may be smaller than Australian equivalents and configurations can differ.
Twin rooms commonly have two single beds, sometimes positioned together. Additional beds may be sofa or rollaway beds. Double rooms may also use two single beds together, with separate doonas.
If accommodation must change due to circumstances outside our control, we will seek a similar or higher standard wherever possible.
Porterage is generally not included. Travellers should be comfortable managing their own luggage.
Some trains, flights, coaches, ferries, transfers and vehicles have luggage limits. Any applicable restrictions will be advised in your travel documents. One manageable suitcase per person is recommended. Excess luggage charges are the traveller’s responsibility.
Scandinavian and Lapland travel can involve very cold temperatures, snow, ice and rapidly changing weather. Appropriate thermal layers, waterproof outerwear, gloves, hats and suitable footwear are essential. Summer weather can also change quickly, so rain protection is recommended.
Weather, road conditions or operational issues may require activities or transport to be delayed, modified, rescheduled or replaced. Safety takes priority, and suitable alternatives will be arranged where reasonably possible.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. Sightings depend on solar activity, weather, cloud cover and darkness. Tours are designed to maximise viewing opportunities but cannot guarantee a sighting.
Weather, transport schedules, supplier operations and other circumstances may require changes to accommodation, transport, activities or itinerary order. Where possible, comparable alternatives will be arranged and significant changes communicated.
Changes and cancellations are subject to supplier conditions and may incur fees. Some services are non-refundable from booking, with Christmas/New Year arrangements often having stricter conditions.
Please refer to the full Terms & Conditions and quotation for applicable cancellation conditions.
Unused services are generally non-refundable, including those missed due to late arrival, early departure or choosing not to participate. Where services are missed due to circumstances outside the traveller’s control, we will assist where reasonably possible, subject to supplier conditions.
A live digital itinerary will be provided before departure with confirmed arrangements, important information, contacts and relevant documents/vouchers. It may be updated in real time if arrangements change.
We recommend it is kept accessible and checked regularly. If an issue occurs during travel, contact the relevant supplier and our team as soon as possible so we have the best opportunity to resolve it. Delayed reporting may limit what can be done.
Travellers should provide a mobile number that will remain active while overseas. Suppliers such as hotels, transfer companies and activity providers may use this number to contact you.
WhatsApp may not be available with all suppliers, so travellers may sometimes need to make a direct local or international call. Before departure, check roaming, international calling, SIM and eSIM options with your mobile provider.
All phone, roaming, SIM and international calling costs are the traveller’s responsibility.
Price Includes:
Based on 3* twin share. Request pricing for other categories.
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