Capitals of the Northern Lights

DAY 1 Tromso
Welcome to Tromso! Upon arrival make your way to the Flybussen bus stop for your transfer to the city centre. After check in at your hotel, the rest of your day is at leisure to begin exploring Tromso at your own pace. This evening, you have the opportunity to join an optional tour, taking the Tromso Cable Car up to Storsteinen, enjoying the panoramic views from over 400 metres above the city. And if the Northern Lights make an appearance... it will make the moment even more amazing.

Stay at: Clarion The Edge or similar (4 star) or similar

DAY 2 Tromso
This morning, be introduced to Tromso on a guided city sightseeing tour. Learn about the indigenous Sami people, their traditional culture, and most recent history. Tour around the island, passing Lake Prestvannet where the Meteorological Institute is situated before travelling across the bridge to the most iconic landmark of Tromso, the Arctic Cathedral. It can be seen from a plane or from a boat in Tromso sound, its glass façade and concrete slabs that shape this building, creating an architectural masterpiece to admire externally and from the inside. Visit this masterpiece by Jan Inge Hovig built in 1965, the cathedral reflects North Norwegian nature, culture, and faith with a monumental stained-glass window.

This afternoon is at your leisure, but if you are wanting to discover more, there is an optional tour on offer to visit a couple of Tromso's most popular museums. A visit to the aquarium Polaria is a must, to see up close the amazing sea life of this region and the Tromso University Museum offers a diverse and insightful look into the northern culture including the Vikings.

This evening, you will have the opportunity to partake in one of the most memorable optional tours, the Aurora Husky Visit. Drive out of town to the husky camp, where 300 friendly Alaskan huskies are waiting to greet you and enjoy your cuddles. After, a traditional Norwegian dinner is served in a cosy Gamme hut (turf home). As you sit around a warm bonfire, your guide will keep a close eye on the sky, in case the Aurora appears.

Stay at: Clarion The Edge (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3 Tromso – Alta
It's a long drive to Alta today that offers some of the most stunning scenery. Marvel at the magnificent nature and breathtaking vistas along the way including two ferry crossings. Lunch will be en route, with an afternoon arrival into Alta. Downtown Alta is located just below the 70th latitude and is closer to the North Pole than Central Europe. Being at a very high latitude, midnight sun or polar nights are present for majority of the year.

Tonight offers another chance to experience the Northern Lights. Join an optional Sleigh Ride that follows the Alta River travelling through the magical forest at night. On a sleigh pulled by a Norwegian Fjord Horse, you will be taken to a wilderness shelter where a traditional dinner will be served around a warm fire.

Stay at: Thon Hotel Alta (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 4 Alta
Alta is known as Norwegian Lapland, being the largest town located in the North of Norway. It offers wonderful opportunities to interact with the nature that surrounds it and today you will be offered optional tours to experience these unique adventures for yourself. Located in the town centre, you should make time to visit the modern Northern Lights Cathedral. It is an elegant and modern construction featuring concrete and wood with external cladding of titanium sheets and a towering spiral with belfry.

After breakfast, there is an optional King Crab Safari, rated as one of the best experiences in the world. Heading out on the Alta Fjord, you will come face to face with this giant of the sea, which can reach up to two metres claw to claw and weigh up to 15 kilograms. After making the catch for the day, you will be transferred to a remote cabin where the crab will be prepared for a delicious lunch!

In the early afternoon, you will be departing for the EMYA award-winning Alta Museum. This museum is situated on the site of the early settlement, Finnmark, dating from around 11,000 years ago. Its exhibits are on the local culture and historic industries which you will learn about from a guided tour of the museum before having some free time to walk around on your own.

The remainder of the day is free unless you wish to join the optional tour Northern Lights and Sorrisniva Ice Hotel, this evening. Visit the world's most northern ice hotel, where everything is built from pure snow and ice every year with different themes. Wander among handcrafted ice sculptures or enjoy an ice drink in the bar (own expense). Afterwards, you will begin your chase of the Northern Lights with your knowledgeable guide, who will explain more about the local history of Alta and the natural phenomenon, Aurora Borealis, as well as assist you with photographing this phenomenon if spotted.

Stay at: Thon Hotel Alta (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 5 Alta – Levi
Early departure from Alta today, as you cross the border and travel south through beautiful Finnish Lapland. Sit back and relax as your eyes feast on the breathtaking landscape as it unfolds. On your way, you will visit Finnmark's first silverwork shop (est.1959) Juhls Silver Museum, which offers traditional and exclusive modern jewellery locally manufactured. International art and handcrafts are also presented in this beautiful and special setting.

Arrive in Levi, at The Northern Lights Village, your unique accommodation for the next 2 nights. You will be staying in an Aurora Igloo Cabin, a magical way to experience the wintery star filled sky and with some luck the dance of the Northern Lights, all while lying comfortably in your warm bed. Settle into your cabins before gathering together tonight to enjoy dinner at the local restaurant.

After dinner, there will be an optional tour on offer to go Aurora Hunting by Heated Sleigh. This tour is the best option if you do not wish to ride a snowmobile and would rather sit in the comfort of a heated sleigh pulled by the guide. Travel into the forest through the snowy, moonlit landscape away from the light pollution. Arrive at a fire and enjoy warm drinks and prepare your camera to take photographs of the northern night sky and if you are lucky, the Northern Lights will appear.

Stay at: Northern Lights Village Levi (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 6 Levi
The natural beauty, diverse wildlife, varying terrain and, of course, the Northern Lights make Lapland and Levi very special places. From its river valleys and frozen lakes up to the fells with their spectacular views over the artic landscape, Levi is all about northern nature at its best. Today, you will have opportunity to get familiar with Lappish animals and the life of the locals and enjoy the magical tranquillity the Arctic nature offers.

This morning, you will get acquainted with the Sami Reindeer as you visit a local farm and take a sleigh ride. Meet the traditional Sami farmers who will tell you about the reindeer and their importance to the Sami culture. Then you will head out in pairs on two person sleighs pulled by the reindeer to experience this traditional and peaceful way of travelling through the serene landscape. You will visit a cafe and museum followed by a traditional 3 course home made lunch.

The afternoon is then at leisure to relax or partake in the following optionals offered at the Northern Lights Village that would make this stay an even more authentic Finnish experience.

For some Finns, the sauna is a daily ritual, with such a space being common in many homes. Take a sauna in the Igloo Sauna with its large sky window that offers a perfect combination of viewing the night sky while warming up in the Sauna and relaxing in a hot tub.

Or you may want to make the most out of the opportunity to photograph the Northern Lights. There is the option to join a photography workshop where you will learn all the tricks you need to capture the Northern Lights and the night sky in such a way that your photos are an accurate representation of reality. Your instructor has vast knowledge and experience of photographing the Northern Lights and will provide tips on how to handle your camera and set the exposure and shutter to be able to share the magic of the Northern Lights with your friends with the best possible photos.

Perhaps try snowshoeing this evening. The deep snow crunching under the shoes, the snow-hooded trees, and the pearly-white willow grouse watching you from afar – the winter nature is a magical world of its own. On this optional tour you will hike through the forest in snowshoes to a nearby fell where you will build a fire, enjoy a delicious meal outdoors, and enjoy the spectacular scenery including watching out for the Northern Lights. Your guide will provide information on the nature and animals of Lapland, and with any luck you may see a Siberian jay, a willow grouse, or a herd of reindeer wandering by. This trip is especially suitable for nature-lovers, who wish to take great photographs and enjoy the natural scenery in an ecological way.

Stay at: Northern Lights Village Levi (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

DAY 7 Levi
Enjoy breakfast and your day at leisure until your transfer to Kittila Airport for your onward journey. Hope you have had a wonderful time exploring the Capitals of the Northern Lights!

Meals included: Breakfast

Please note: All the optional tours require pre-booking as they are not available to be booked once on tour.