Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Norway – Tromso – North Cape – Alta – Lyngen Alps
100% customisable for you
Don your woolliest hat and fluffiest socks, because your icy Norwegian adventure begins today. Head to the airport, breeze through security and board your direct four-hour flight to Tromso. Nab a window seat if you can – on a clear day, you’ll be treated to views across the North Sea and into the Arctic Circle.
When you arrive, pick up your hire car and make your way to your hotel in the heart of the city. Drop off your bags and start exploring.
Your first stop? The Tromso Polar Museum. Set inside a former customs warehouse, it’s a deep dive into life on the Arctic frontier, with gripping tales of hunters and fearless explorers. There’s even a dedicated room celebrating Roald Amundsen – Norway's most famous polar explorer and the first person to reach the South Pole. Expect to leave with a few tips and tricks for surviving the wintry weather, a fitting introduction to the wild landscapes around you.
Come evening, ask our Concierge for their favourite spot for a bite to eat in Tromso. Try out hearty Norwegian dishes like kjottkaker (meatballs and gravy) or klippfisk (salted cod), best enjoyed after a day in the cold. Then it’s back to your hotel for an early night – tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.
Today is all about exploring Tromso, the largest city in Northern Norway and your gateway to all things wintry.
Bundle up (this is serious hat, scarf and gloves territory) and stroll along the waterfront, where crisp air and twinkling lights set the scene. The striking Arctic Cathedral is a must-see, and no winter walk is complete without a sweet treat, so pop into a cosy cafe to warm up and sample a few Norwegian pastries.
If you’re visiting between November and January, you’re in prime whale-watching season. Head out on a boat trip in search of humpbacks and orcas, often spotted feeding in the fjords just beyond the city.
As evening falls, make your way to the port and drive your car on board the Hurtigruten, Norway’s renowned coastal ferry. Long before it became a bucket-list experience, this ship was a lifeline for remote communities, carrying locals and goods up and down the coastline. Departing in the early evening, you’ll set sail on a northbound overnight journey of around 15 hours. Settle in for dinner on board, watch the Arctic scenery drift by or simply retreat to your cabin and let the ship’s rhythm lull you to sleep.
Rise and shine to a delicious breakfast on board as you sail into port. This morning, you’ll arrive in Honningsvag, on the island of Mageroya, your gateway to the North Cape.
Back on land, hit the road and set off to explore. The surrounding coastline is dotted with tiny fishing villages, including Gjesvaer, Skarsvag, Kamoyvaer and Repvag, where colourful wooden houses cling to the edges of the fjords and life moves at a slower sea-paced rhythm.
Then it’s onto the main event: the North Cape, Europe’s northernmost point. Head to the North Cape Museum, where a film brings the landscapes to life throughout the seasons, alongside exhibitions charting the history of travellers who’ve made the journey this far. Feeling romantic? Step inside St. Johannes Chapel, famous for its weddings and quite possibly the most memorable place to say ‘I do’.
After a jam-packed day, head to your home for the night: a cosy cottage overlooking the fjord. Don’t worry about dinner – freshly caught king crab awaits, served the traditional way, with bread, mayonnaise and a squeeze of lemon. Crack it open and dig in.
Today, buckle in for the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Alta, a journey through wide tundra, dotted with streams, groves and the occasional reindeer wandering by.
When you arrive, check into your hillside chalet for the next two nights. With a crackling fire and views stretching out over the fjords, it’s the perfect place to put your feet up after a morning on the road. Wrap yourself in a blanket, pour a hot tea, lose yourself in a good book and just enjoy the peaceful hush of the snow-dusted landscape.
Raring to go? We can also organise a snowshoe walk in search of the Northern Lights. Fingers crossed you’ll catch those famous green ribbons swirling overhead – the ultimate Arctic nightcap and a view you’ll treasure forever.
There’s no better way to speed across Finnmark’s ice-blanketed landscapes than aboard a snowmobile, and today is all about doing just that. Whether you’re behind the handlebars or clinging on to the person in front, you’ll tear through Arctic scenery from snowy forests to open plateaus and frozen lakes – an exhilarating rush for any adrenaline junkie.
By the time you roll back to your chalet, your cheeks will likely be rosy, your hair delightfully ruffled and your spirit buzzing from the ride.
After a day in the chill, we can organise the perfect antidote: private access to a sauna and hot tub. Sink into the bubbling water, glass of glogg (mulled wine) in hand – you’re on holiday after all.
Before you leave Alta today, take a quick detour to the Rock Art of Alta, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an incredible glimpse into the lives of people who lived here thousands of years ago. From there, follow the coast toward the?Lyngen Alps, a drive of around five hours. Snow coats this wild region every year, transforming jagged peaks and fjords into a true winter wonderland.
Tonight, you’ll stay in a small cabin on the edge of the Lyngen fjord. Step outside for a crisp stroll and you might just catch the Northern Lights dancing overhead – right when you thought you’d thoroughly filled up your camera roll, you’ll likely find yourself snapping hundreds more.
If the cold makes your fingers tingle, wander over to the world’s northernmost whiskey distillery. Warm up with a dram in hand and toast to the day’s adventures.
Kick off this morning with a proper Arctic classic – a dog sledding adventure through the Lyngen Alps. After a quick intro from your musher, it’s time to meet your lively pack of huskies. Learn how to steer and handle the sled, before setting off with your four-legged team across glittering plains, as the Lyngen peaks rise around you.
Halfway through, pause at a small camp where the huskies can enjoy a well-earned snack and snooze in the snow (with a few ear scratches, of course) before hopping back on for the return journey.
This afternoon, drive two hours back to Tromso and check into your final stay of the trip. You’re back where it all began, but with plenty more stories to tell.
Visiting over the summer? We can organise for you to hop aboard the Fjellheisen cable car, reopening this June, whisking you 1,300ft above the city. Time it right and you’ll catch the soft evening glow as city lights twinkle below.
For a truly special send-off, our Concierge can recommend their favourite spot in town, where you can enjoy one last taste of Norwegian cuisine and toast to your time in the Arctic.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Norway. This morning, drive to Tromso Airport, return your trusty hire car and check in for your direct four-hour flight back to home turf.
By the time you land, the temperatures in the UK might feel surprisingly mild – after all, anything above freezing will feel positively tropical after your time in the Arctic. As for what’s next, maybe somewhere sun-soaked, or perhaps you’re already plotting your return to the far north...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
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