Few places have a greater association with the Northern Lights for travellers and scientists alike than Tromsø. It is therefore appropriate that your Northern Lights quest should begin in this great Arctic capital.
A leisurely coastal voyage then carries you to the Lofoten islands, commonly recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos. Their dramatic and hopelessly romantic landscape has enchanted travellers for many years and Svinøya is the perfect location from which to absorb the very special atmosphere of the islands’ vital fishing industry, their magical panoramic views and a further opportunity to see the Northern Lights dance.
Day 1 - Arrival in Tromsø
Fly from the UK to Tromsø (via Oslo). Take a taxi or the airport bus to your hotel (pay locally). Remainder of the day free. For those who would like a really special welcome to the Arctic we recommend the 5-course Arctic gourmet dinner at Emma's Drømmekjokken– out of this world! (See the Excursions tab for more information and price).
2 nights Tromsø - Scandic Ishavshotel (B)
Day 2 - Sightseeing and Northern Lights searching
Spend the morning and afternoon exploring the fabulous city of Tromsø, or why not join our Whale safari (Nov-Jan) or alternatively how about dog-sledding (Jan-Mar)? See Excursion tab for details.
At 1915 you depart Tromsø by mini-bus (maximum 16 passengers) for your included Northern Lights hunting excursion. During the evening your guide will tell you interesting information about the Northern lights, both the science and the folklore. You will also be shown how to adjust your camera settings for pictures of the Northern Lights, and your guide will take pictures of you with the lights which are available to download once you return home. If the hunt has taken you within the proximity of your hosts' basecamp you may also have the opportunity to visit their lavvu (a modern Sami shelter) and sit around a nice warm bonfire, roasting marshmallows. Return to your hotel approximately 6 hours later.
Day 3 - Exploring Tromsø
Full day to explore Tromsø before your late evening departure on board Hurtigruten for the Lofoten Islands. The ship arrives into Tromsø at 2345 and you have an outside 2-berth cabin with shower and WC for your journey southwards. Delicious buffet breakfast included.
1 night ONBOARD - Hurtigruten (B)
Day 4 - Sail on the Hurtigruten
Enjoy stunning views of sheltered bays and glorious mountain landscapes. The ship calls at Stokmarknes on the Vesterålen Islands before continuing through the Raftsund arriving in Svolvær at 1830. Met on arrival by pre-booked taxi for transfer to Svinøya Rorbuer. As a welcome to the islands we have included dinner for your first night at Børsen Spiseri, Svinøya’s wonderful atmospheric restaurant.
3 nights SVOLVÆR - Svinøya Rorbuer (B)
Would you like to say hello to your hosts before arrival? Meet the People - Svinøya Rorbuer.
Day 5 - Introduction to the Lofoten Islands
Today you take part in your pre-booked chosen activity; either the Lofoten Panorama Tour or Lofoten Snowshoe Hike. The Lofoten Panorama Tour departs at 1000 and is a memorable excursion by minibus introducing you to the Lofoten Islands. Your local guide will help you to explore the dramatic coastline, historical fishing villages and white sand beaches, surrounded by rugged mountains. Lunch is served in the fishing village of Kabelvåg. The mini-bus returns to Svinøya at 1400 giving you the remainder of the afternoon to relax and enjoy local food. Your alternative included excursion is a snowshoe hike with a local guide which departs at 1000. You are fitted with modern aluminum snowshoes and a pair of adjustable walking poles before exploring the spectacular nature and scenery of the Lofoten mountain side with your experienced guide. Breathtaking views of the Lofoten peaks, villages and the magnificent Vestfjord. You return to Svolvær at 1300 with time to relax in the afternoon.
At 2000 you depart on your Northern Lights Hunt with local guide. Photo instructions are provided and you receive warm drinks during the trip.
Day 6 - Optional Excursions
Today you are free to try one of the exciting land and water based options detailed under the Excursion tab. During the evening why not try one of Svolvær’s alternative restaurants or have another delicious meal at Børsen Spiseri?
Day 7 - Return Home
Morning in Svolvær before transfer to Svolvær Airport for return flight to the UK.
Days: Mondays or Fridays
Dates: 4 September 2016 – 25 March 2017
Duration: 6 nights (2 in Tromsø, 1 on board Hurtigruten, 3 in Svolvær)
Prices: 4 Sep - 11 Dec 2016 £1690 per person, single supplement £330
1 Jan - 25 Mar 2017 £1845 per person, single supplement £330
Price includes (based on two people sharing a room/cabin/rorbu):
Svinøya Rorbuer***
30 original and newly built rorbu cabins of a high standard. Each cabin has from one to three double bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchenette in conjunction with the living room, and a modern bathroom with shower and toilet. All have cable-TV. All cabins are winter insulated. Considerable emphasis has been placed on maintaining the authenticity of the rorbu cabins. Time-honoured craftsmanship and timber have been preserved in order to provide a feeling of what a rorbu cabin was like in the days when the fishermen harvested the seas of Lofoten on boats with only oars and sails.
Svinøya Rorbuer also includes one of the most distinctive restaurants in the Lofoten Islands. The “Børsen Spiseri” is housed in a venerable quayside warehouse dating back to 1828. Most of the building’s historical attributes have been preserved, providing an atmosphere with an aroma of tar and rope! Both meat and fish dishes are served here, made from Lofoten’s unique and fresh, local ingredients. In the same building you find the former “krambua” or old general store, which is a tiny museum in its own right. Old wares and equipment from bygone times still hang from the ceiling there, taking you 100 years back in time.
Want to know more about your hosts? Meet the People - Svinøya Rorbuer
Scandic Ishavshotel ****
This hotel is something of a landmark, located directly in the harbour, with a view across the sound. This is the very heart of Tromsø and is situated amongst the city's shops, restaurants, bars and within close proximity to the airport bus stop and the Tourist Information Office. The hotel has a lovely modern restaurant, Roast Restaurant, serving delicacies from the sea and local meat. There is also cosy bar and lounge area on the first floor. All rooms are equipped with extremely comfortable beds, TV, telephone, mini-bar, trouser-press and hairdryer and all Taber clients receive a superior sea-view room as standard. All rooms have free WiFi. Lift to all floors. A truly fabulous buffet breakfast is served with a made-to-order omelette station, cold cuts of meat to raw fish, a cooked breakfast and fruit and muesli.
Hurtigruten
We don't like to use the word cruising for Hurtigruten since it is so much more. This is a wonderful means of transportation and accommodation; no fancy dress parties, cabarets or days at sea with no land in sight - this is a slow, gentle exploration of beautiful scenery with local food, tradition and community involvement. The true 'Norwegian Coastal Voyage'.
Hurtigruten ships have been a staple along the Norwegian coast since 1893. The current fleet consists of classic ships, ships built in the late nineties, and ships built after the millennium. The ships are regular service vessels carrying freight, mail and passengers along the 2,500 nautical miles of coastline from Bergen to Kirkenes. Accommodation is very comfortable in two, three and four berth cabins (all Taber clients receive outside cabins with porthole or window) and meals are of a very good standard with breakfast and lunch being substantial buffet meals and dinner being a 3-course served dinner. Particular focus is placed on locally sourced ingredients from local suppliers - chefs take the opportunity, when in port en-route, to purchase quality foods guaranteed to provide a true flavour of the destinations you visit. Please note, not all our holidays include lunch and dinner therefore do check what each holiday price includes.
The public areas of the ship offer plenty of lounge seating and there is a bar (certain ships will have more than one), cafeteria and shop.
Tromsø and Lofoten Aurora Hunt
FROM SVOLVÆR
Lofoten Panorama Tour
Mini-bus exploration of the Lofotens with several photo stops along the way. Explore dramatic coastlines, historical fishing villages and white sand beaches, surrounded by rugged mountains. Enjoy a final stop for a traditional bacalao lunch.
Duration: 1000-1400, Tue & Fri, 1 Sep-29 Mar.
Price: £95 per person
Lofoten Nature Safari
Get to learn more about the marine life in the Lofoten Islands. The day starts with a lecture and slide show on local birds, mammals, geology and climate in Lofoten. After the lecture you board the boat and sail into the Vestfjord, and the Troll Fjord. You are very likely to get close encounters with the white tailed sea eagle and many other sea birds.
Duration: 0900-1330, Wed & Sat, 2 Sep-30 Mar, except 12 Sep, 23 & 26 Dec & 12 Mar.
Price: £110 per person
Lofoten Northern Lights Hunt
If you want to maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights then why not book yourself an evening of hunting for them? Learn the basics on taking good photos of the Northern Lights. Your guide will pick you up from your reception/restaurant. The tour goes by minibus to an area with the best chances to see the lights.
Duration: 4 hours (approx 2000-0000)
Price: £95 per person
Snowshoe Hike
Not everyone is born with skis on their feet so snowshoeing is the perfect alternative! A fun activity for everyone, and a superb way to enjoy Lofoten’s splendid nature with a guide.
Duration: 3 hours, Dec-Apr.
Price: £95 per person
Sea Eagle RIB safari
RIB boat trip along the Lofoten coastline for a close encounter with sea eagles and spectacular nature spots.
Duration 0930-1130, Wed-Sat.
Price: £75 per person
Car hire for one day
Rental includes Unlimited Mileage, TP, CDW and tax and is based on a VW Golf or similar. Pick-up and drop-off from car hire office in centre.
Price for car: £85
FROM TROMSØ
Chasing the Northern Lights with Kjetil Skogli
Kjetil is the Northern Lights chaser who chased and found the Northern Lights for Joanna Lumley during her trip to Tromsø for the BBC. He specializes in small group trips (maximum 7 people) which makes it nice and easy to jump in and out of his mini-van at any given opportunity and, if necessary, head of to Finland in search of them! Of course, the smaller the group the more time he has to spend helping individuals with their own camera settings which is rather important if taking your own photographic evidence is an important part of your trip. Kjetil can be rather relentless so this trip is for those who are happy to be out for a lengthy period of time, are steady on their feet i.e. able to do night-time walking over uneven ground carrying photographic equipment and who love the thrill of the chase. The trip departs from outside the Radisson BLU Hotel at 1900 (until 15 March) and at 1930 (from 16 March) and has a duration of 6-8 hours - sometimes longer if necessary..... Transportation is by Peugeot Expert Tepee mini-van or similar which comortably seats 7 passengers. Distance travelled can be 150 kms or more one-way, depending on the cloud/weather conditions but the length of the tour is not the main thing if there is a chance of clear skies somewhere! The trip includes transportation, a woven Northern Lights Chaser badge to put on your clothes, coffee/tea, sweet snacks and a thermal suit if you need one.
Price: £185 per person or a supplement of £92 per person if exchanging an already included Tromsø Northern Lights trip.
Meet the People: Want to know a little bit more about your guides for this activity? Click here...
5-Course Gourmet Arctic Dinner at Emma’s Drømmekjokken
What can we say - delicious, delightful, scrumptious, divine……..all of them at the same time! Emma's is truly a treat. You will begin your gourmet delight with an aperitif…to set the tone…this is then followed by a 5-course gourmet dinner based on local produce – perhaps King Crab, perhaps reindeer, perhaps both, but don't worry they are also very well equipped for serving vegetarians and those with special diets too. Each course is presented by your waiter/waitress so you know where it is from and how it has been cooked, but don't ask for the menu in advance, these products are fresh and the chef will base the menu on what looks good on the day. Perfect for a special occasion or just to celebrate the first night of your holiday.
Price: £78 per person, accompanying wine menu £65 per person
Dog Sledding (daytime and Northern Lights departures)
Make friends with top trained dogs and enjoy the Arctic coastal nature with a fantastic view over Tromsø, surrounded with white covered mountains and long fjords. You can choose to sit in the sled or drive your own team of huskies. There’s a good chance of spotting some wildlife on the way through the snow covered landscape. After about one hour of dog sledding you'll return to the ranch where you will meet some gorgeous puppies, before being served a sami meal (Bidos) with coffee and cake for dessert inside a warm sami tent (lavvo). Vegetarian option is also available.
Duration: 0945-1400 or 1815-2230, departures 1 Dec-20 Mar. Includes 1-hour transfers in each direction. Includes traditional Sami meal of reindeer stew (Bidos) with coffee and cake for dessert plus warm clothing.
Price: £150 per person (1 Nov-20 Dec & 21 Mar-30 Apr, £160 (21 Dec-20 Jan) & £170 (21 Jan-20 Mar)
Whale Safari, RIB Boat or Big Boat
Experience Arctic wildlife on this exceptional boat safari. Frequently seen wildlife includes whales, orcas, dolphins, porpoises and sea eagles.
Duration: 0830-1330, departures 1 Nov-25 Jan (10 Jan for Big Boat). Includes return transfers, whale safari, tea/coffee & biscuits and warm/survival suit.
Price: £115 per person
Snowmobile Safari
This modern and exciting mode of transportation gives you the opportunity to venture further into the wilderness and experience the mountains of the far north. The trail has a distance of 15 kms each way, therefore 30 kms in total and the starting point is at 250 metres above sea level, rising to 875 metres during the trip. You will drive in pairs, one driver and one passenger on each snowmobile, with the opportunity to switch places during the trip. Due to the dramatic topography, a reduced speed is held during parts of the tour, however at the top point of the trail is a frozen lake, allowing for slightly faster driving. Weather permitting it is possible to try out ice fishing on this lake. At the end of the trip, you will be served a hot meal in a lavvu (Sami tent). Insulated body suit, boots, gloves, headwear, and helmet provided.
Duration: 0900 - 1600 or 1700 - 2400. NB. Duration includes transfer time of 75 minutes in each direction.
Price: £165 per person (2 per snowmobile). Children 4 - 15 years receive a 50% discount.
Reindeer Sledding and Sami Culture
Join a real Sami guide for an unforgettable experience with reindeer sledding (3 km) and Sami culture in Tromsø. Your guides are from Sami reindeer herding families and are eager to share their stories with you; how the Sami lived in times gone past, how they live today. Just remember NOT to ask them how many reindeer they have! During your visit you will experience: reindeer sledding, lasso throwing, sightseeing at the camp, traditional Sami food, storytelling, display of cultural artifacts and joik (traditional Sami song). The trip departs at 1000 and returns at 1400. Warm clothes, guide, hot meal, hot drink and return transfer (30 mins one way) are included. Children under 8 years old receive a 50% discount.
Duration 1000-1400, departures 1 Nov-31 Mar.
Price: £165 per person
Meet the People: Want to know a little bit more about your guides for this activity? Click here...
Northern Lights Dinner Cruise
This is a lovely trip which departs directly from the harbour in Tromsø on board an authentic fishing catamaran. The catamaran is certified to carry 12 passengers and a crew of four which makes for a nice cosy atmosphere on board. As you pull out of the harbour you have a lovely view of Tromsø by night with the majestic Arctic Cathedral, then gradually the city lights fade and you are shrouded in darkness out at sea. It has to be said that most of the staff at Taber Holidays have taken this trip and two of them, both terrible sailors, had NO PROBLEM at all which came as a surprise. The trip is in sheltered waters which makes it very comfortable and there is a cosy warm heated lounge where you can relax in between trips to the viewing deck to look for the lights. A delicious homemade fish dinner is served though vegetarian and other special diets are catered for if we know in advance.
Duration: 2000 - 2300
Price: £130 per person
Who is this holiday suitable for?
It is suitable for adults of all ages though not really for children under the age of 14. This is not because we don't like children, but actually because we do. Evenings of Northern Lights hunting can often have late finishes and children find this tiring and, dare we say, boring. There are exceptions however, we know that, and if you have a child who is an avid enthusiast we will do everything we can to encourage and accommodate them.
What sort of clothing will I need to wear?
The Lofoten Islands are warmed by the Gulf Stream which means that temperatures are relatively mild compared to many other Arctic regions. However, when you are spending a considerable amount of time outdoors admiring the scenery and waiting for the Northern Lights to appear it is important to be warm and dry. The layering principal is very important (base, mid, outer) with man-made thermal fibres or wool. In our opinion wool is definitely best, and merino wool is soft and cosy and certainly a good investment. A good, waterproof outdoor jacket is essential, and also over trousers are a bonus if you have them. Wool socks (we wouldn't wear anything else here), perhaps a couple of pairs, and good hiking boots or snow boots are very important. Gloves, scarf, hat and you're raring to go! Those joining a dog-sledding excursion in Tromsø will be provided with specialist thermal clothing for the trip.
Can special diets be catered for?
Absolutely, but we need to know at the time of booking so that we can inform all our suppliers and ensure delicious, suitable alternatives are provided.
Will someone help me with my camera settings?
Yes, assistance and guidance will be provided for your individual camera settings. It is important, however, to know your own camera well though as the guide will know the settings required but not necessarily where to find them on each camera. It would be a good idea to bring your manual along. Those really wanting to capture the best shots will need a tripod as a very slow shutter speed is required and the slightest hand movement (particularly when chilly!) will spoil the shot. Much more detailed information with a basic guide to photographing the Aurora Borealis will be provided with your Travel Documents.
What is the distance from Svinøya Rorbuer to the centre of Svolvær?
The distance is actually rather short; approximately 850 metres and 10 minutes of walking under normal conditions, however, in winter conditions this may take longer than you think. We estimate around 15-20 minutes in each direction. Again, good footwear is necessary with solid soles and, ideally, some slip on grippers.
How far is Børsen Spiseri from my rorbu?
You will be taking breakfast in Børsen Spiseri which is a short walk from your rorbu, in the main building. Svinøya Rorbuer is a complex of traditional and authentic fishermens' temporary housing during the fishing season and the very nature of these rorbus means that they are scattered in rows along the coastline. The ground around the rorbus can be uneven and very slippery in icy conditions and good footwear is essential. There are pathways, which will be kept as clear as possible and sanded, but care should always be taken.
I am a poor sailor, is the Nature Safari by Boat going to be a problem?
Hmmm, here we have to be honest and say the answer is probably yes. We would strongly recommend bringing sea-sickness tablets with you to take beforehand; many people do so and as a result have no problem at all. Alternatively, try the RIB boat sea eagle safari instead. Our own staff - Suzel and Terry - are both awful sailors, however neither of them have any problems whatsoever with RIB boats.
3rd October 2016
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