Featured holiday Northern Lights experience in Norway Tromso, Norway

We recommend taking the direct flight from London with British Airways to Tromsø. It means an early afternoon arrival in the magical city of Tromsø, which occupies an island linked to the mainland by a bridge. The location is splendid with its proximity to the fjord and mountains beyond. Tromsø is known as the Arctic capital and is perhaps best-known for being an excellent location to see the Northern Lights. The Polar Night, from mid-November to mid-January, is the best period to witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon, as the sun never rises above the horizon. For an excellent view of these the Storsteinen mountain ledge, reachable via cable car, offers an uninterrupted outlook on the city. Some of the more adventurous activities offered in Tromsø are whale and dolphin safaris and fjord cruises, where you will witness stunning scenes of snow-capped mountains and cascading waterfalls, and possibly the occasional reindeer. Within the city itself the most striking feature is the Artic Cathedral. Consecrated in 1965, this aluminium and glass building is luminescent during the long polar nights and during the summer there are special Midnight Sun concerts given by professional musicians. Tromsø is also home to several museums: The Polar Museum offers an insight into the lives of polar pioneers, whilst the Tromsø Museum explores the history and geology of the region and its inhabitants. There are also excellent Norwegian clothes shops and a choice of bars and restaurants to sample a range of cuisine. The Fjellheisen cable car operates from the mainland at Tromsø to Storsteinen mountain with its upper station being at 421 metres above sea level; the trip takes about four minutes and is another vantage point to view the Northern Lights and perhaps to try your hand at snowshoe hiking too.

After a hearty Norwegian breakfast in your hotel, today offers you an included full-day excursion to Tamokhuset where you try your hand at dog sledding. You meet at 09.15 at the Tromsø Havn Prostneset (inside the main entrance hall), Samuel Arnesens gate 5, Tromsø for an 09.30 departure by coach. The journey lasts about 95 minutes and takes you through the Arctic winter scenery of mountains and fjords to Tamokhuset. Here you are divided into two groups. One group is kitted out with essential gear including thermal suits, boots and gloves. Explanations are given about how to steer the sled, and then the first group sets off. The second group in the meantime visits the dog yard where fascinating facts about the huskies are explained. A hot meal and drink are provided before the second group gets fitted out for the dog sledding. The first group then visits the dog yard whilst the second group tries the sledding. 

Important information:

You will pair up with another guest, with two of you sharing one sled. One takes on the role of musher, guiding the team of energetic huskies through the snowy terrain, while the other enjoys the ride seated on the sled. Halfway, you will have the chance to switch roles, allowing each person to experience both the thrill of leading a team of huskies and the joy of being a passenger.

This dog sledding ride has been carefully created as an activity accessible for most of you. Although you will need basic physical fitness walking around on snowy terrain and assisting the dogs on pushing the sled, the terrain is quite flat and open making the sledding comfortable and easy. The minimum age is seven years, but each child must be accompanied by an adult. Pregnant women are not allowed to participate in this tour.

You return to Tromsø by coach arriving back at about 16.30 hrs.

The evening is at leisure for you to enjoy dining out in town.

You have the whole day at leisure today, giving plenty of opportunity to explore on your own, or perhaps taking the Fjellheisen cable car. This evening you will be booked on an Aurora dinner cruise on a Brim Explorer designed to offer silent, sustainable and innovative sea experiences. The boat departs at 19.00 hrs and the cruise lasts about 3.5 hours, while sailing out in search of the Northern Lights. Meet 15 minutes before departure. Leaving Tromsø harbour, the boat switches on its electric engine and silently cruises into the darkness of the Tromsø fjords. Order a drink and settle down at one of the tables inside the lounge with panoramic floor-to-ceiling views. While the guide and captain will watch the night sky in search of the Northern Lights, the hosts will serve the dinner, which is cooked with locally-sourced, seasonal and fresh ingredients. If Northern Lights appear, you can go outside and watch them from one of the decks, surrounded by the darkness away from city lights and in total silence. Please note that Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed and the menu is a set menu.

Your British Airways flight leaves in the early afternoon, giving you some time in the morning to savour the last of this visit to Norway’s Arctic Circle.