Tromsø & Senja Winter Adventure - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Tromsø

Welcome to Tromsø, the largest city in Northern Norway!

Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, Tromsø is a lively place with 65,000 inhabitants. In addition to its lovely scenery and rich history, the city has a large student population and is famous for its robust music and film culture, so get out and explore this self-proclaimed 'Gateway to the Arctic'.

A good place to start is taking a ride on the cable car, which runs up to a mountain ledge in just four minutes. The two gondolas, known as Seal and Polar Bear, each have a capacity of 28 passengers. From the viewing platform at the upper station, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Tromsø and the surrounding islands, mountains, and fjords. 

If you want to stay for dinner, Fjellstua restaurant on top offers dinner with views. Otherwise, head back down to Tromsø for a variety of pubs and restaurants.

Day 2: Explore Tromsø - Chase the Northern Lights

After breakfast, you will have the day to explore Tromsø. You can explore on your own, or join either or both of these great activities with local guides:

• Walk Through History: Meet your local guide and set off on a three-hour walking tour of Tromsø. Visit the largest city in the north—street by street—and take in its rich culture and beautiful architecture, including historic wooden houses dating as far back as 1789. View relics and buildings dating back to medieval times, and learn about the city’s extensive fishing culture, which was established when trade in Norway was at its peak. You will also tour the stunning Arctic Cathedral.
  
  
• Northern Lights Chase: In the evening, get ready to chase the Northern Lights*! Your guide will pick you up in Tromsø and take you on this fun after-dark excursion as they find the best locations away from the city lights for viewing and photographing this spectacular natural occurrence. Throughout the evening, your guide will offer interesting information about the Northern Lights, including why and how they occur, as well as legends and folklore of the indigenous Sami people. Your guide will even be able to assist you in adjusting your camera settings for the best photographs. If the weather allows, there will be a campfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows to end your night. 

If you remain in the city in the evening, great restaurants and lively nightlife await.

*The tour provider will check the latest weather update in the early evening. If the likeliness of clear skies is low, the guide will inform you about the situation at pickup time and you can choose to have your money refunded. If you choose to take your chances, the guide will do his/her best to succeed, but there is no guarantee.

Days 3-5: Transfer to Trapper's Farm - Overnight Excursion

After breakfast this morning, you'll be picked up and transferred to Trapper's Farm, less than two hours outside of Tromsø, for a unique all-inclusive excursion in the great outdoors. 

Each tour offered by the farm varies slightly depending on the time of year and weather patterns, but you can expect to take part in a range of day-time trapping and fishing trips as you travel through the countryside by dogsled (snowy months only).

The small, modern cabins at the farm will be your base camp for the night where you'll participate and enjoy traditional meals together made from local ingredients, many of which you helped catch. An expert guide will also provide a broad insight into the area's local history, culture, and traditions along the journey. Of course, you'll also get plenty of time to spend with the faithful Greenland husky dogs who join your adventures every day, while keeping an eye out for other species of wildlife. 

Depending on the tour, you might have the option to sleep in a tent or under the open sky next to a warm bonfire as you search for the Northern Lights.

This type of adventure does not require previous experience but it does require participants to be in good physical shape. You and your travel companions will receive a list of essential items to pack to ensure your warmth and comfort.

Day 6: Breakfast at Trapper's Farm - Bus to Senja

Today you will have breakfast at the farm before saying your goodbyes to the host and huskies. You'll then be transferred to a bus stop for your journey onwards to Senja, Norway's second-largest island, where you will stay for the next few days at Mefjord Brygge with a range of accommodation types. This year-round resort is located between the mountains and fjords on Senja, in the old fishing village of Mefjordvær. 

Once you reach the resort, check out the staggering diversity of the landscapes around you, with ocean views, mountains, beaches, lakes, forests, and fields within short distances of each other. Staying in this off-the-beaten-path location allows you to partake in a wide variety of winter adventures all on the same day. It is also a great place to chase the Northern Lights, if the skies are clear, and connect with locals.

Restaurants and eateries in Senja also reflect the region’s scenery and nature. To get a real taste of local delicacies, keep your eye out for char from Altevatn Lake, cod from Senja, and goat cheese from Balsfjorden.

Day 7: Discover Senja with a Local Guide

Rise and shine in Mefjord Brygge and have breakfast at your hotel. You'll then meet a local guide who will present you with activity options for the day, which will be modified for current weather conditions.

If daylight hours permit during your visit, this list might include an Arctic Boat Safari to see wildlife and marine landscape (about 3 hours).

You can also go on a Whale Watching Excursion. January has been statistically the best month to see humpback and killer whales, but these species may return to the area in late winter (March and April). It's not possible to predict whale behavior each year but local guides do their best to make your visit filled with plenty of other memorable experiences.

In the afternoon, you'll return to the hotel and have time to relax. If you're still feeling energized, go for a winter hike or put on snowshoes and explore Senja's magnificent island landscape.

A traditional Norwegian dinner will be served at your hotel in the early evening. After that, get ready for a Northern Lights excursion (about 3 hours). Your guide will take you to some remote spots on the island visiting scenic vantage points where it's possible to admire the natural show without light pollution.

Day 8: Ferry to Tromsø

After breakfast in Senja today, you will be transferred to Finnsnes in order to catch the morning or afternoon ferry back to Tromsø. Enjoy the views!

Upon arrival, you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy Tromsø, perhaps taking advantage of any sites or activities that you may have missed at the beginning of the trip. 

Often called, 'Paris of the North', Tromsø has a notable restaurant and cocktail bar scene, so take advantage of your last night in Norway! A sample of options includes Fiskekompaniet for seafood, Presis Tapas for Spanish food, and Bardus Bistro for the locally-harvested Arctic seaweed cocktail.

Day 9: Depart Tromsø

It's time to say goodbye to Norway! Before your flight, spend some time wandering this cozy city center and charming pedestrian streets for unique souvenirs before heading to the airport.