Snowshoes and Northern Lights

Day 1: Paris of the North

Your adventure begins in Tromsø, nicknamed the “Paris of the North,” located in an area rich with Norse and Sámi history. Enjoy exploring this sub-Arctic Norwegian town, said to have been inhabited since the last ice age. Board the vessel by 1700, with the aim aim to depart from Tromsø in the evening, sailing through Grøtsundet and Ullsfjorden toward the northeast.

Day 2: Lighting out toward Lyngen

You arrive in the Nord-Lenangen fjord, just under Lyngsfjella (Lyngen Alps), and the ship may stay there for the night. If conditions permit, you may also take a walk along the coast of the fjord. Evening glimpses of the northern lights may appear, if the sky is clear enough.

Days 3-6: Into the Nordic Fjords

You then sail along the base of the Lyngen Alps, across the Lyngen fjord, and may stay for the night in Hamnnes, on the island of Uløya. Hamnnes is an ancient trade and fishing settlement originating in the 17th century, with typical wooden warehouses where residents store dried cod. (In fact, the town still exports this cod for the traditional Mediterranean dish, Bacalhau.) Uløya offers good hiking, often on snowshoes.

From Hamnnes, you sail farther northeast into the Kvaenangen Fjord. Part of the day you sail through the fjords, and in the afternoon you find a harbor to spend the night in one of the scenic fishing villages, such as Skjervøy, Seglvik, Reinfjord, or Burfjord. There are good hiking possibilities in the area, for example on the Island of Spildra, where we might climb the 240-meter-high (788 feet) Staurhammaren, with expansive views over the fjord. Great hikes can also be made in Burfjord, just 50 km (31 miles) from the northerly town of Alta.

During the evenings and nights, there are fine opportunities to see auroras if the sky is clear enough.

Days 7-8: Below the Northern Lights

Your next objective is to sail back toward the southwest, staying for the night in Finnkroken, a tiny hamlet that gives you a solid chance of seeing the northern lights. In the morning you embark on a final hike, hopefully with snowshoes, to the 315-meter-high (1,033 feet) Småvasshaugen.

On day seven, you sail back to Tromsø and arrive around midday. You will have enough time to shop for souvenirs in town, visit a museum, or simply take a walk in the fresh winter air.

After spending the last night on board, you disembark on day eight (Saturday) with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Your Voyage

During the trip, hikes are offered with snowshoes if required. It is recommended the you bring ankle-high, sturdy boots with gaiters. For wet shore landings via the Zodiac boats, bring insulated rubber boots with anti-slip soles.

No prior experience or technical knowledge of snowshoeing is necessary, as long as you are in good health and physical condition. 

Daily hikes of two to three hours are planned, in the morning and/or afternoon. You'll climb approximately 100 to 200 meters (330 to 660 feet) during each hike. At midday, you'll return for lunch aboard the vessel.

NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage may vary considerably from the route shown, depending on ice and weather conditions, availability of landing sites, and opportunities to see wildlife. The final decision as to where and in what way the hikes will take place is ultimately made by the expedition leader on board. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.