Overview

Introduction

At a latitude of nearly 70 degrees north, Tromsø is the largest city in the Nordic countries north of the Arctic Circle. Surrounded by the Lyngen Alps, vast forests, blue fjords and an archipelago of hundreds of islands, this lively university city has much to offer the visitor whether summer or winter.

The winter months, with its moderate arctic climate of -4°C, brings the natural phenomena of the Polar Nights (November 21 and January 21) and Northern Lights (September to April) as well as a host of activities to suit all interests from dog-sledding, glacial walking, snowmobile safaris and snow shoe excursions. 
 
For two months in the summer (May 21 to July 21) the Midnight Sun is visible and the mild temperatures (average of 12 degrees rising to a maximum of 28 degrees) make this the perfect time of year to explore the beautiful landscape around the city or wander in the countryside.

The evocative and lively city of Tromsø, with its mix of wooden buildings and modern developments, has much to offer the visitor. Popular attractions include: the Polar Museum which tells the exciting story of the polar expeditions which departed from the city; the much photographed Arctic Cathedral which, during the summer months, plays hosts to midnight concerts; Polaria, an arctic themed visitor centre, Tromsø museum with its exhibition of Sámi cultures past and present, and the wonderful cable car ride to the top of Mount Storsteinen (421m) which affords a fantastic view over the city and the surrounding archipelago.

Surrounding Tromsø is a breathtaking landscape of lofty mountains, traditional fishing villages, vibrant coastal communities, green fertile lands and white sand beaches. Contrasting with modern Tromsø, within a short drive you will find a landscape almost untouched by time and age-old traditions still very much alive.

The Lyngen Alps with its peaks reaching up to 1833m, gushing rivers, blue glaciers, rugged, weather beaten lands and marked walking trails are wonderful to explore by car or on foot.

Protecting Tromsø is the island of Kvaløya – Whale Island – a photographer’s dream with its steep mountains falling into the fjords and colourful fishing villages. From Kvaløya it is possible to visit the islands of Musvaer (2 inhabitants), Risøy (1 inhabitant) and Lofoten Husky dog-sled excursion Sandøy (3 inhabitants) and truly experience the meaning of island life.

In the winter months the snow-capped mountains of Kvaløya Island and the mainland form a magical backdrop for the city of Tromsø. With the winter months in Tromsø comes the natural phenomena of the Polar Nights (November 21 to January 21) and the Northern Lights (September to April), as well as a host of activities to suit all interests.

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Winter activities 2023-2024

Winter activities 2023-2024

Arctic Adventure Dog Sled Tour

Experience the fantastic arctic landscape on this personal, small group dog-sled tour. With two people on a sled, each guest will have the opportunity to mush (steer) their own team of dogs, as well as enjoying time as a passenger watching the world go by. The scenery on the island of Kvaloya, where the kennels are based, is beautiful and the shimmering water of the fjords will accompany you on the tour.

  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00  (01Nov-31Mar)

Price: £201.00 per adult / £181.00 per child (7-12 years) 

Notes: 

  • Pick up outside Scandic Ishavshotel.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to excursion time.
  • The transfer to/from the excursion by minibus/coach takes approximately 30 minutes each way.
  • Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes is spent on board the sled.
  • The rental of snowmobile overalls, boots, gloves and hat is included.
  • Each sled accommodates two people (one driver and one passenger - who take it in turns to mush).
  • A hot drink and cake will be served at the end of the tour.  

 

Aurora Dinner Cruise

Cruise on-board a silent hybrid-electric catamaran under the dark Arctic sky and away from the artificial lights of Tromsø.  You will be served an Arctic Tapas dinner made with fresh local ingredients while you wait for Lady Aurora to dazzle.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 19:00 (01Oct-10Apr)

Price: £149.00 per adult / £93.00 per child (3-11 years)

Notes: 

  • Pick up at the pier beside Skarven Kro Restaurant in Tromsø (Kaigata 6). Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.
  • Drinks may be purchased on-board.
  • Life jackets are available.
  • The dinner is held inside in the heated lounge area, so there is no need for winter gear there. The dress code is casual. However if the Northern Lights appear and guests want to go out on deck then it is advisable to bring some warm clothing such as a warm winter jacket, hat and gloves.

 

Evening Dog Sled Tour

This 12km dog-sled tour will take you through the beautiful arctic landscape of the Tromso region of Norway. Sit back, relax, enjoy the silence and watch the world go by from the seat of your sled, or try your hand at mushing.  This tour offers you the chance to see the magical Northern Lights.  At the end of your tour you will return to Camp Tamok where a hot meal will be served in a lavvu. 

  • Duration: 7 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 17:00 (15Nov-31Mar)

Price: £174.00 per adult / £87.00 per child (4-15 years)

Notes: 

  • Pick-up from outside the Magic Ice Bar.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to excursion time.
  • The transfer to/from the excursion by minibus/coach takes approximately 75 minutes each way.
  • A hot meal is included and served in a lavvu (Sami tent).  Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
  • Winter clothing is provided.
  • Each sled accommodates two people (one driver and one passenger - who take it in turns to mush). 

 

Camp Tamok Northern Lights visit by minibus

This tour operates during the day and in the evening (Northern Lights experience). The day tour travels through the valley of Finn to the lake of Tamok, crossing frozen lakes and rolling hills en route. As you climb higher on the mountainside wonderful views over the surrounding nature will be unveiled. 

The Northern Lights evening visit to Camp Tamok wilderness camp is an excursion with the main purpose of watching the Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis. The guide will focus specifically on sharing tips and techniques on how to photograph the Aurora. During the visit you will be served a hot meal and enjoy time by the open fire in a big lavvu (Sami herdsmen’s tent). This excursion includes a 2 kilometre hike through the valley at night.

  • Duration: 7 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 09:00 or 17:00 (15Nov-31Mar) 

Price: £111.00 per adult / £56.00 per child (4-11 years)  

Notes:

  • Meeting point is at Samuel Arnesens gate 7, 9008 Tromsø.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to excursion time.
  • The transfer to/from the excursion by minibus/coach takes approximately 75 minutes each way.
  • A hot meal is included and served in a lavvu (Sami tent).  Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
  • Winter clothing is provided

 

Northern Lights Chase with Norwegian Charm

In old Lapp folklore the Northern Lights represented a powerful energy source that could be harnessed by shamen to solve the community’s problems. The lights could also help cure sickness, and shamen would make “spirit journeys” into the aurora to enable the sick to be cured. They could be dangerous too: it was believed that if you whistled under the Northern Lights, they would swoop down and take you away into the sky.

This small group (16 people max) tour will take you away from the artificial lights of Tromso in search of the Northern Lights. During your drive you will be told interesting facts about the Aurora Borealis, both scientific and folklore.  Your local guide will help you adjust your camera settings (if required) to enable you to capture the magical moment the Aurora Borealis appears in the sky above your head. 

  • Duration: 6 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 19:15 (15Sep-31Mar. No tour between 23-26Dec and 31Dec-01Jan)

Price: £128.00 per adult / £95.00 per child (6-12 years)

Notes: 

  • Pick up, by minibus, from Scandic Ishavshotel.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to excursion time.
  • The destination of the tour will be determined by the local climate conditions.
  • A winter overall is provided.
  • Hot drink (tea, coffee or hot chocolate), cake and marshmallows included.
  • Tripod included.

 

Northern Lights Reindeer Sled Tour

Try reindeer sledding, the oldest means of travel in the north, on this 5 hour excursion. Under the cover of darkness, there is also the chance to see a display of the Aurora Borealis.  After your tour, you will be served a hot traditional Sami meal whilst your guide shares stories about life in the Arctic and performs a joik (traditional Sami song).  This is a small-group tour operated by a locally-owned company. If you want to learn about life in the Arctic and the Sami people, their way of life, their history and their animals, this would be an ideal tour to choose. 

  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 18:00  (01Nov-31Mar) 

Price: £168.00 per adult / £154.00 per child (13-17 years) / £84.00 per child (4-12 years)

Notes: 

  • Pick up from Radisson Blu Hotel.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to excursion time.
  • The transfer to/from the excursion by minibus/coach takes approximately 30 minutes each way.
  • Winter clothing included.
  • A traditional Sami meal is included.  Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

 

Reindeer Sledding and Sami Culture Tour

This tour is operated by a locally-owned company. If you want to learn about life in the Arctic and the Sami people, their way of life, their history and their animals, this would be an ideal tour to choose.  The excursion includes a reindeer sledding experience and the opportunity to try lasso throwing. There is also plenty of time to ask questions of your local guide and to listen to their stories. You will even be treated to a joik performance (a traditional Sami song). 

  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 10:00 (01Nov-31Mar)

Price: £168.00 per adult / £154.00 per child (13-17 years) / £84.00 per child (4-12 years)

Notes: 

  • Pick up from outside the Radisson Blu Hotel.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to excursion time.     
  • The transfer to/from the excursion by minibus/coach takes approximately 45 minutes each way.
  • Winter clothing is provided.
  • Hot traditional Sami meal (bidos) and hot drinks included.  Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

OR

  • Duration: 7 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 09:00 or 17:00 (15Nov-31Mar)

Price: £162.00 per adult / £81.00 per child (4-11 years) Daytime

Price: £157.00 per adult / £79.00 per child (4-11 years) Evening

Notes: 

  • Pick up at Samuel Arnesens gate 7, 9008 Tromsø.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to excursion time.     
  • The transfer to/from the excursion by minibus/coach takes approximately 45 minutes each way.
  • Winter clothing is provided.
  • Hot traditional Sami meal (bidos) and hot drinks included.  Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

 

Silent Whale Watching Fjord Cruise

During the winter months, herring are known to migrate through the waters of Northern Norway, all the way from the Lofoten to the Tromso archipelago and beyond.  Accompanying the herring are pods of hungry humpback whales, orca, fin whale and harbour Porpoise.  

The scenery of the Tromso archipelago is a sight to behold especially in early November and late January when the sun rises above the horizon after the period of the polar nights.  On this tour you will explore the fjords on a hybrid electric ship which will allow you to get close to the whales without disturbing them.  An underwater drone and microphone will be launched to capture images and sounds of the whales as they hunt the herring rich fjords. On the way, you can take in the frozen landscapes as it slowly wakes up. You can relax in comfortable, panoramic lounges and multi-level decks. The friendly crew will share their personal stories about interesting sights along the way and give you in depth knowledge about the Orca and Humpback Whales. 

Please note that the duration of this trip depends on the whales’ migration pattern and can therefore range from 6-8 hours.

  • Duration: 6-8 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 08:00 (01Nov-31Jan) 

Price: £163.00 per adult / £135.00 per child (12-16 years) / £107.00 per child (3-11 years)

Notes: 

  • Pick up at the pier beside Skarven Kro Restaurant in Tromsø (Kaigata 6). Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.
  • Life jackets are available.
  • Food and drink may be purchased on-board.
  • We cannot guarantee that you will see a cetacean.
  • Fitness level - suitable for all.

 

Snowmobile Safari

This tour operates during the day and in the evening (Northern Lights experience). This 30km tour travels through the valley of Finn to the lake of Tamok, crossing frozen lakes and rolling hills en route. As you climb higher on the mountainside wonderful views over the surrounding nature will be unveiled.  A hot meal is served at the end of the experience. 

  • Duration: 7 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 09:00 or 17:00 (01Dec-30Mar) 

Price: £171.00 per adult (shared snowmobile) / £86.00 per child (4-11 years)  Daytime

Price: £166.00 per adult (shared snowmobile) / £83.00 per child (4-11 years)  Evening

Price: £277.00 per adult (single snowmobile) Daytime and £266.00 for the Evening

Notes:

  • Pick up at Samuel Arnesens gate 7, 9008 Tromsø.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to excursion time.
  • The transfer to/from the excursion by minibus/coach takes approximately 75 minutes each way.
  • A hot meal is included and served in a lavvu (Sami tent).  Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
  • Clients drive the snowmobile in pairs taking turns to be the passenger.
  • The rental of snowmobile overalls, boots, gloves and a helmet is included.
  • To drive a snowmobile, participants must hold a valid driving licence and be aged 18 years or older.

 

Tromso Ice Domes and Reindeer visit

Treat yourself to a guided tour at the magical winter wonderland of Tromsø Ice Domes, a scenic 90-minute bus drive away from the city centre of Tromsø. Join the guided tour through the domes and get to marvel at the incredible ice sculptures and snow carvings. As part of this guided tour, there will be some free time to walk around and visit the reindeer that are herding next to the Ice Domes. There will also be some time to warm up around a fireplace and relax in our warm wooden lavvu with soup included..

  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Departure: Daily at 10:30 (10Dec-31Mar)

Price: £86.00 per adult /  £43.00 per child (4-10 years)

Notes: 

  • Pick up from Samuel Arnesens gate 7, 9008 Tromsø.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to excursion time.
  • The transfer to/from the excursion by coach takes approximately 90 minutes each way.
  • Winter clothing is not included.  Please note that the temperature is minus 5 ˚C inside the ice domes.
  • Minimum 2 people.
  • Lunch (homemade stew) is included.  Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

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Yasmin Zaidi
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Time Difference

GMT+1 hour

Currency

Norwegian krone

Language

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Average flight times

3 hours 30 minutes (direct flight) and 5 hours 10 minutes ( via Oslo)

  • Average temperature

    Average rainfall

Note: Map is for guidance purposes only.

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Rosanna Melaragni
Rosanna Melaragni

Rosanna is the head of our Discovery Department which covers tailor made holidays to Portugal and the Azores, Italy and Sicily, Scandinavia and the new programme to Spain. She is our longest serving member of staff having joined in 1994 after completing an honours degree in French and Italian and subsequently working for a tour operator in Yorkshire. She is responsible for brochure writing, contracting accommodation, programme costing, computer inputting and generally troubleshoots where necessary. She has global knowledge of our tailor made programme.

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We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).

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