21 Days Northern Lights Group Tour – 24th February 2024
Starting in Oslo, we’ll make our way north to Tromsø, a prime location for viewing the spectacular Aurora Borealis. Along the way, we’ll visit charming coastal towns, explore breathtaking fjords, and experience the unique culture of Norway’s indigenous Sami people.
In Tromsø, we’ll spend several nights in a cozy lodge where we’ll have the best chances of spotting the Northern Lights. Our knowledgeable guides will lead us on night-time excursions to the most picturesque locations, where we’ll watch the sky light up in a dazzling array of colors.
Aside from Northern Lights hunting, we’ll also have plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures, including dog sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. And of course, no trip to Norway is complete without sampling some of the country’s delicious cuisine, including fresh seafood and traditional Nordic dishes.
DAY 1: Depart Burnie for our flight to Oslo via Melbourne
DAY 2: Arrive in Oslo Independently travel from the airport or train station to your hotel. In the evening meet the rest of your group and guide at our welcome dinner.
Day 3: Oslo Day free to explore the capital of Norway
DAY 4: Oslo An Oslo grand city tour including Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo Opera house, Holmenkollen Ski Jump and more awaits.
DAY 5: Flåm Begin your ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ tour with a morning train to Myrdal, where we transfer onto the famous Flåm Railway. Watch spectacular fjord views all the way to the beautiful, tiny village of Flåm.
DAY 6: Bergen We take the ferry from Flåm to Gudvangen, then continue by bus. Waterfalls line the road as we weave through the valley to Voss. For the last leg of your ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ journey, we travel via train to Bergen.
DAY 7: Bergen, embarkation Enjoy a walking tour of Bergen, including St Mary’s Church, Håkon’s Hall and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Bryggen, before heading to Troldhaugen, home of Norwegian famous composer Edvard Grieg. Later, relax in our exclusive guest lounge before embarking your Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express ship.
DAY 8: Ålesund Navigate skerries and islands before reaching Ålesund, renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture.
DAY 9: Trondheim Trondheim greets us today, with plenty of time to explore Norway’s first capital. A must-see is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed ‘Norway’s Notre Dame’.
DAY 10: Lofoten Islands Cross the Arctic Circle, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. The stunning Lofoten Wall welcomes us in the afternoon, as the ship sails into the archipelago.
DAY 11: Tromsø Uncover Tromsø, a major cultural hub above the Arctic Circle and famed viewing point for the Northern Lights. The city’s historic centre is distinguished by its centuries old wooden houses and the distinctive 1965 Arctic Cathedral.
DAY 12: Honningsvåg The nearest port to the North Cape and only 2000km from the geographical North Pole.
DAY 13: Kirkenes – disembarkation – Saariselkä Discover Inari, an area famous for its large Sámi population and also visit the newly renovated Siida Sámi museum.
DAY 14: Saariselkä Enjoy an evening Reindeer Safari with the chance of experiencing the Northern Lights. Here you’ll also have the opportunity to meet a local Sámi family.
DAY 15: Sinettä Explore Santa Claus Village and in the evening, check into an Arctic SnowHotel where you’ll slumber in a toasty glass igloo.
DAY 16: Sinettä – Rovaniemi Take a tour of a husky dog kennel and enjoy a thrilling husky sled ride through the Lapland wilderness.
DAY 17: Rovaniemi Spend the day at your own leisure, with a range of exciting additional excursions to choose from.
DAY 18: Rovaniemi – Helsinki Trade the capital of Lapland for Finland’s capital, Helsinki.
DAY 19: Tallinn A full day excursion to the medieval town of Tallinn in Estonia awaits. Take the ferry followed by a combined bus and walking tour of the city. Stops include the baroque Kadriorg Park, the seaside district of Pirita, home of Estonian Parliament Toompea Castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Back in Helsinki, enjoy a special farewell dinner.
DAY 20: Helsinki Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before the tour’s end
DAY 21: Fly Home Transfer to Helsinki Airport for our flight back home.
Departing Burnie – 24th February 2024