This short break in Arctic Norway combines two of the region’s most exhilarating experiences: whale watching and spotting the Northern Lights. First, you’ll spend a night in Tromso and have some time for optional excursions before boarding MV Quest for an unforgettable overnight boat trip, staying in an en-suite, ocean-view cabin. Once darkness sets in, head out on deck to keep a lookout for the Northern Lights, which frequently illuminate the night sky at these latitudes. At sea, there’s minimal light pollution, so with a little luck regarding the weather conditions, you’ll have ideal viewing conditions for this mesmerising spectacle. With expert guides by your side, the following day presents the opportunity to see the likes of humpback whales and orcas in their natural habitat – a truly awe-inspiring and humbling experience. Finally, you’ll sail back to Tromso for one last night, capping off a truly extraordinary adventure.
Whale Watching & Northern Lights Adventure in Tromso
To book call us on:
At a glance…
An exhilarating Arctic adventure offering the unique opportunity to spot whales and see the Northern Lights out at sea.
» 4 day tailor-made break
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £1,475 pp incl. flights
Day by day itinerary
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Day 1 » Fly to Tromso
Your trip begins by flying from the UK to Tromso, the largest city in Northern Norway, around 350 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle. On arrival, a shuttle bus transfer will take you to your downtown hotel, right by the harbour. After settling into your accommodation, feel free to take advantage of the complimentary afternoon waffles and the light buffet service (available daily between 6-8pm).
Spend the evening at leisure getting a feel for life in one of the world’s northernmost cities. The centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, with a plentiful choice of excellent restaurants where you can enjoy authentic, Arctic-inspired cuisine, as well as lots of cosy bars serving locally brewed craft beer.
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Day 2 » Optional activities & board MV Quest
After breakfast, make the most of your time in Tromso with a choice of optional activities – either in the city itself or in the nearby nature*. You may be keen to visit some local huskies or head to a reindeer farm for the chance to feed these beautiful creatures alongside a fascinating introduction to Sami culture. Closer to town, you could pay a visit to the Arctic Cathedral and take a trip on the Fjellheisen cable car to Mount Storsteinen, which offers magnificent views overlooking Tromso and the surrounding region. Or, you may be tempted to check out some of Tromso’s superb museums, such as the Polar Museum or the Polaria aquarium.
In the evening, head to the harbour to board MV Quest, which will be your home at sea for the night. Accommodating a maximum of 52 guests, the ship offers a warm and intimate ambience, and is designed to access remote areas that are off limits for larger vessels. Once you’ve familarised yourself with your en-suite, ocean-view cabin, the expedition team will introduce themselves and provide a safety briefing before a delicious three-course dinner is served on the lower deck.
After dinner, be sure to check outside to see if you can catch an early glimpse of the Northern Lights, which regularly illuminate the night sky in this part of the world. As ever, you’ll need a slice of luck when it comes to cloud cover, as the Northern Lights can only be seen when the sky is clear or partially clear. Seeing them often requires some patience, so while you wait, take the opportunity to relax in the panorama lounge with a drink while enjoying an informative talk about the science and mythology behind this natural wonder. Hopefully, before heading to bed, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary spectacle.
* Please note that the availability of certain activities such as husky sledding and snowmobiling depend on snow cover, which is much less reliable earlier in the season. From mid-December onwards, more snow-based activities tend to be up and running.
Stay: MV Quest
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3 » Whale watching
Awake this morning at sea and enjoy a delicious breakfast on board as you prepare for an exciting day ahead. Join your expert guides in the panorama lounge for a short introductory talk about how to spot whales and which species you might encounter in this area, such as orcas, humpback whales and fin whales. Once the ship reaches an optimal viewing location, head out on deck to keep your eyes peeled for these majestic creatures, which the expedition team will assist you in spotting.
At around midday, lunch will be served on board, after which you will begin sailing back towards Tromso. On the way, enjoy another fascinating talk from your guides, this time about whale behaviour and conservation practices. You’ll arrive back in Tromso around 7pm, in time to check into the hotel and enjoy your final evening reflecting on your adventure at sea. Perhaps you’ll be tempted to squeeze in a visit to Ølhallen, the oldest pub in Tromso, which serves a vast array of Norwegian and international craft beers.
Stay: Home Hotel Aurora, Tromso
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 4 » Return to UK
Depending on the time of your return flight, you might have time to fit in one more excursion today before returning to the airport for your journey home. If you wish to extend your stay, either in Tromso or elsewhere, our experts will gladly take you through the various possibilities.
Meals: Breakfast
To book call us on:
At a glance…
An exhilarating Arctic adventure offering the unique opportunity to spot whales and see the Northern Lights out at sea.
» 4 day tailor-made break
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £1,475 pp incl. flights
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