Highlights
- See Oslo's famous landmarks while dining on a river cruise
- Go dogsledding in the Arctic and overnight in a glass igloo
- Explore the gorgeous Lofoten Islands on foot and horseback
- Marvel at the northern lights from a luxury wilderness lodge
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Oslo, Dinner Cruise on the Oslofjord | Oslo |
| Day 2 | Oslo Highlights Tour: Museums & Parks | Oslo |
| Day 3 | Fly to Alta, Three-Course Dinner at Maku | Alta |
| Days 4-5 | Alta Wilderness Adventures | Alta |
| Day 6 | Fly to Tromsø, Transfer to Lyngen | Lyngen |
| Day 7 | Lyngen Dogsledding Adventure | Lyngen |
| Day 8 | Havila Overnight Ferry Cruise | Havila |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Gimsøya, Northern Lights Horseback Ride | Gimsøya |
| Days 10-11 | Gimsøya Horseback Adventures & Northern Lights | Gimsøya |
| Day 12 | Transfer to Å, Optional Activities | Å |
| Day 13 | Outdoor & Culinary Activities in Å | Å |
| Day 14 | Transfer to Bodø, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Oslo, Dinner Cruise on the Oslofjord
Welcome to Norway! The westernmost nation in Scandinavia occupies a large slice of Northern Europe, with a coastline that runs over 62,000 miles (100,000) up into the Arctic Circle. You'll arrive in the south, in the capital of Oslo. This city is the center of the nation's finance, trade, and shipping industries, but there's plenty of culture here as well. With a host of museums, galleries, and world-class restaurants sprinkled along the fun waterfront areas, you'll never want for things to do.
A private driver will pick you up at the airport terminal for the ride to The Thief. Not a criminal—rather, this luxury waterfront hotel is where you'll be staying. It features spacious guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and rainshower baths. There's also a spa on site where you can take the edge off the flight with a massage, facial, hammam, or other treatment. And regarding stars, The Thief is second to none—British newspaper The Independent has rated it as Norway's first six-star hotel.
In the evening, transfer to the pier at the Oslofjord, where you'll board a ship and set off on a three-hour dinner cruise. Enjoy a three-course meal featuring locally sourced ingredients complemented by views of the beautiful Oslo skyline. You'll pass famous landmarks in and around the city, like the modernist Opera House and the 19th-century Dyna Fir lighthouse.
Day 2: Oslo Highlights Tour: Museums & Parks
You've got the entire day to hit the highlights of Oslo. Meet your guide at the hotel in the morning for a private tour that will take you all around the city. This excursion mixes culture, beauty, and history as you visit its most famous landmarks and highlights.
These include the 19th-century Royal Palace, the Gustav Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Kistefos Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Nobel Peace Center, inspired by the lives and works of Nobel Peace Laureates. You'll also visit Holmenkollen, a northern suburb and mountain featuring a 1,640-foot (500-m) ski jump that's a regular venue for international skiing competitions.
Other highlights include the Gustav Vigeland Sculpture Park, which is the largest sculpture park in the world created by a single artist (Gustav Vigeland). You'll also stop in at the Fram Museum, which showcases the rich history of polar exploration through a variety of exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. At the end of the afternoon, you'll return to your hotel and can have dinner in the city.
Day 3: Fly to Alta, Three-Course Dinner at Maku
Return to Oslo's airport this morning and board a two-hour flight north to Alta. Located in Finnmark, the northernmost county in Norway, this charming town lies within the Arctic Circle, offering the chance to experience the mesmerizing phenomena of the midnight sun in the summer and the northern lights in the winter.
The Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge sits on the banks of the Alta River and is one of the most luxurious hotels in Norway's high Arctic region. The 24 well-equipped rooms feature panoramic windows and balconies with river views—perfect to marvel at the northern lights. Also on site are an expansive lounge, bar, and Maku, a fine-dining restaurant. Tonight, you'll sit down to a three-course dinner here featuring the best ingredients from Arctic Norway, including reindeer and moose, fresh seafood, vegetables from local farms, and berries foraged in the wilderness.
Day 4-5: Alta Wilderness Adventures
Over the next two days, you'll embark on a series of exhilarating outdoor adventures that immerse you in the pristine Arctic landscapes around Alta. Highlights include spending the day with a local Indigenous Sámi family, learning about their seminomadic lifestyles and the importance reindeer herding has to their culture. Take an invigorating ride along the Alta River in a reindeer sled, then gather around the fire in a traditional lavvu tent as your hosts share Sámi stories and traditions.
You'll also bundle up for an adventurous snowmobiling adventure to witness the spectacular colors of an Arctic sunrise and set off again as darkness falls for an evening of northern lights chasing across the high plateaus. In between activities, warm up in your room's soaking tub with panoramic views over the river, head to the sauna for some rejuvenating downtime, and enjoy meals that highlight local ingredients in innovative ways at the lodge's excellent restaurants. You even have the option of spending a night in a nearby igloo for the ultimate Arctic experience.
Day 6: Fly to Tromsø, Transfer to Lyngen
Say goodbye to Alta as you return to the airport for the 30-minute flight to Tromsø, the largest city in northern Norway. A driver will pick you up at the airport for the three-hour drive out of Tromsø to Lyngen. It's a scenic trip during which you can relax and enjoy panoramic views of the shimmering fjords and snowcapped peaks of the Lyngen Alps.
Soon, you'll arrive at Lyngen North, where you'll settle into a luxury glass igloo nestled on the shores of the Lyngenfjord. Your cozy hut features wraparound glass windows to marvel at the Nordic sky once the sun goes down, and if you're lucky, you'll be treated to a dazzling show of the northern lights overhead. Kick back with a cup of hot tea and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your double bed.
Day 7: Lyngen Dogsledding Adventure
After breakfast, you'll transfer just east of Lyngen to the mountainous Reisa Valley. A thrilling experience awaits as you on a dogsledding trip guided by a team of enthusiastic huskies. After meeting the dogs and a quick safety briefing, you'll step aboard your sled and set off along a scenic forest trail through the unspoiled Reisa National Park.
There will be stops along the way to snap photos, as well as at a wilderness camp where you'll break for a snack. Throughout the adventure, you'll be treated to details about the life of a husky musher in the frozen north, learn about the dogs, and gain insight into the winter wonderland around you. Afterward, return to Lyngen North, where you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to put your feet up before heading over to the nearby Restaurant Solvind, where a three-course dinner of elevated local dishes is served within an airy wood-and-glass dining room.
Day 8: Havila Overnight Ferry Cruise
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
It's another travel day as you meet your driver in the morning for the three-hour transfer back to Tromsø. There, you'll head to the port and board a luxurious ferry for an overnight cruise. Havila is the first name in coastal travel, featuring eco-friendly cruise ships that can sail for hours with zero emissions.
Onboard, the spacious cabins feature Nordic decor and are equipped with flatscreens and WiFi. As for dining, the ship's team of chefs has created a menu featuring traditional dishes from the local towns and villages along the route. They even handpick the freshest ingredients.
After settling in, feel free to spend the rest of the day on deck enjoying the fjord and mountain views. You can also view the northern lights and the midnight sun while seated in a comfortable lounge chair under the glass roof. Or perhaps you'd prefer to enjoy the views from a Jacuzzi heated by the ship's surplus heat? Whatever you decide, relaxation is the order of the day as you cruise down the coast to your ultimate destination: the gorgeous Lofoten Islands.
Days 9: Arrive in Gimsøya, Northern Lights Horseback Ride
The boat will dock early at the port in Stamsund, a fishing village located in the center of the Lofoten archipelago. At the pier, you'll disembark and meet your personal driver for the hour-long ride north to Gimsøya. One of the most beautiful destinations in the archipelago, this island is sparsely populated (there are fewer than 200 residents here) and known for its wild beauty.
You'll be staying on the island's rugged north coast at the Lofoten Links Lodges. Ideally situated on the wide and inviting Hov Beach, you can witness the majesty of Arctic Norway right from the patio of your luxury lodge, complete with picture windows facing the Norwegian Sea and a roaring fireplace.
As night falls, stroll over to the nearby restaurant for dinner, where you'll feast on traditional Norwegian fare in a rustic, converted 70-year-old barn. Then, it's time to bundle up and set off on a gentle two-hour horseback ride—the perfect chance to acquaint yourself with your equine partner for the next few days and hopefully catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
Days 10-11: Gimsøya Horseback Adventures & Northern Lights
Over the next two days, you'll embark on a series of thrilling winter horseback riding excursions. One adventure starts with a visit to the local Viking Museum. Here, you'll learn a bit about Nordic history before setting off on a 5-6-hour ride to the Åland cheese farm, where an organic lunch featuring artisanal goat cheeses awaits.
Another half-day route takes you along the ancient Vikingvei (Viking Old Road), trotting and cantering past breathtaking scenery as you enter the picturesque Vinje Valley. You'll break at a cozy Sámi lavvo for a traditional lunch before returning to the comfort of your lodge, where you can relax in front of a crackling fire, take a dip in your private outdoor hot tub, or head down to the beachfront sauna to warm up. Your lodge faces north, and Gimsøya is remarkably free of light pollution, so as darkness falls each night, you'll have more chances of spotting the northern lights.
Day 12: Transfer to Å, Optional Activities
Leave Gimsøya this morning on a two-hour drive south to Å. The southernmost village in the Lofotens is a storybook fishing town surrounded by raw and beautiful Arctic scenery, from craggy mountains to glassy fjords. Upon arrival, you'll transfer just outside of town to Holmen Lofoten. This hotel and "kitchen on the edge" concept offers culinary adventure over multiple days in the Arctic wilds. While here, you'll stay in a former fisherman's cabin that has been transformed into a cozy suite with a shower, sauna, and even a kitchenette.
You can choose to spend the afternoon relaxing amid the sensational views or opt for one of the many available activities, like a cocktail-making class or a fishing excursion. Dinner is a set menu affair served family-style around the chef's table, with views into the open kitchen. Sip on craft cocktails as you watch the artistry of your meal come together with seasonal ingredients grown, caught, and foraged from the islands.
Day 13: Outdoor & Culinary Activities in Å
Today, you'll enjoy a bespoke itinerary of culinary experiences and activities that are catered around the season, the weather, and your interests. Highlights might include a knife-making workshop, where skilled artisans guide you through the intricate process of crafting a one-of-a-kind blade, or a cooking class, during which you'll learn to cook Norwegian classics using fresh ingredients and local seafood. Outdoor excursions like sailing, skiing, fishing, and kayaking will also make up part of your day. As evening falls, enjoy another one-of-a-kind dining experience in the "Kitchen at the Edge of the World."
Day 14: Transfer to Bodø, Depart
More Great Norway Itineraries
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