Highlights
- Get a taste of Alta—Finnmark's city hub with great restaurants and interesting museums
- Spend a free day choosing between a number of fun winter activities
- Let a private guide teach you the ropes (literally) of dogsledding
- Feed the dogs and enjoy your own meals in the peaceful wilderness
- Spend evenings stargazing and watching for the Northern Lights
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive to Alta | Alta |
| Day 2 | Winter Activities in Alta | Alta |
| Day 3 | Dogsledding Adventure from Alta - Day 1 | Finnmark |
| Day 4 | Dogsledding Adventure from Alta - Day 2 | Finnmark |
| Day 5 | Dogsledding Adventure from Alta - Day 3 | Finnmark |
| Day 6 | Depart Norway |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive to Alta
Welcome to Alta—nicknamed City of the Northern Lights!
Alta is the largest town in Norway’s northernmost county and lies in the inner reaches of the Alta Fjord. Once you touch down at Alta's airport, you'll transfer to your hotel in the city center by taking a short 10-minute taxi ride (alternatively, there's also an airport bus).
Once you're settled in your hotel, head out and wander around town, which is laid out along Norway's northern coast. There are several restaurants to try for dinner, like Alta Bistro, Restaurant Havblikk, Trine og Trasti for local ingredients, and even a chic, cozy space called Du Verden Matbar that serves Nothern Norway's traditional dried fish.
Day 2: Winter Activities in Alta
After breakfast at your hotel, you will have a free day in the Alta area to enjoy some outdoor activities. Some ideas include:
- Skiing: Just outside of Alta, you’ll find an alpine center that offers downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and even ice skating. A café on-site serves hearty food, hot drinks, and lounge areas to warm up and relax before heading out again.
- Snowshoe tour: Take a trip into the wilderness using the ancient method of snowshoes (although the shoes themselves are thoroughly modern). You'll feel part of the nature that surrounds you as you tramp along. Keep an eye out for animal tracks from animals like reindeer and moose as you go along.
- Winter hiking: Alta has extraordinary nature, and winter offers hikes and tours that range from moderate to strenuous in many locations and destinations in the Arctic wilderness. Hikes can be arranged for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
- Snowmobiling tour: Snowmobiling is a favorite activity for the area. Join the fun, whether you are experienced or a newbie. With a tutorial, climb aboard your snowmobile and follow the guides along the forest trail.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Dogsledding Adventure from Alta - Day 1
After breakfast at your hotel in Alta, it's time to start your dogsledding adventure!
Your private guide will arrange for an early start time so you can make use of the available daylight. First, you'll be picked up and transferred to the kennel where you will be given a list of the names of the Huskies that will be part of your dog team. Then, you'll be given a tutorial on how to drive the sleigh before you pack up and head on your way.
The first section is a 2.5-mile (4 km) ride along the Alta River. This route can get steep and the Huskies will need a little encouragement. When this more challenging part is out of the way, you will continue to climb upwards, though the hills will become gentler from here. You'll ride over some small lakes before stopping for lunch cooked over an open fire where you can relax over a hot meal.
The site of the Finnmarksvidda Mountain Plateau starts the final 6.2 miles (10 km) ride of the day. Upon completion, you'll reach the mountain lodge in Jotka where you can take in the early evening Arctic blue light. You'll help stable the dogs, prepare their food, and attend to them before they rest for the night. Then, the guide will prepare your dinner while you keep an eye out for the Northern Lights.
Day 4: Dogsledding Adventure from Alta - Day 2
After waking up at the mountain lodge, you—along with the help of your guide—will feed and take care of the dogs. While the Huskies are digesting their food, you will have breakfast and plan the day's round-trip journey. There are several options to choose from and you can select the route based on the prevailing snow and weather conditions. This is a participatory experience, as you play a part in deciding where and how long you will ride.
Like yesterday, you will stop midday and have a relaxing lunch around an open campfire. When you return to the mountain lodge, you'll feed and take care of the dogs before they head to sleep. Dinner is then served for the two-legged participants before you wait and see if the Northern Lights decide to appear.
Day 5: Dogsledding Adventure from Alta - Day 3
Today is your last day with the Huskies!
Like yesterday, you will wake up to feed the dogs, eat breakfast, and pack up your gear before setting off for your return trip to the kennel. This day is noticeably easier as you head down all the hills that were climbed on your first day. Like the two previous days, you will stop for lunch en route.
Upon arrival, you will remove the harnesses and return the dogs to their respective kennels. Say your heartfelt goodbye to these hard-working canines and take any last photos together. Enjoy a light meal and have fun recapping the experience with your guide before you return to Alta for your last night in Norway.
Day 6: Depart Norway
After breakfast, head to the airport and catch your departing flight. Although it's time to say goodbye to Norway, the memories from your trip will surely stay with you forever!
Map
