Discovery of the Arctic

Day 1: Arrival in Alta

Arrival at Alta Airport, transfer (not included) to the city centre. Check-in at your hotel and explore this small city surrounded by the arctic tundra and mountains. Located at 70 degrees North, it is also nicknamed “the city of Northern Lights”.

Accommodation in Alta 3*.

Day 2: Dogsledding

Breakfast at the hotel. Alta is home to the world’s northernmost dog sledding race – and Europe’s longest: Finnmarksløpet. There is no better place to discover for yourself the thrill of dogsledding! After a short transfer (included) leading you outside of the city centre, you will be given warm clothing and instructions by professional local mushers. Harnessed in pairs per sled (one driver, one passenger), you will traverse magnificent raw winter landscapes. Afterwards, you will get cozy with snacks around the fire under a Sami tent. Transfer back to Alta (included).

Accommodation in Alta 3*.

Day 3: Day at Sorrisniva

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Sorrisniva, about 20 km from Alta (transfer included). There, you will visit the world’s northernmost igloo hotel. Every year, skilled artists and builders craft a brand-new hotel from ice and snow. The hotel is constructed using 250 tons of crystal-clear ice and 7,000 cubic meters of snow. The ice is sourced from nearby Sierravann, a lake just a few kilometres deeper into the Alta Valley, while the snow is made using water from the Alta River, located only meters away from the hotel. At the end of the visit, enjoy a drink at the ice bar. Afterwards, inspired by the amazing ice sculptures in the igloo, you will try your artistic hand at ice carving.

You will have the chance to discover the importance of Sami culture in the region and be introduced to their unique and vibrant traditions while sledding through the nordic forest pulled by reindeers. If the weather is right, you might observe spectacular Northern Lights, and your Sami guide will share how the aurora was and is featured in their culture and mythology today. Once arrived at a Lavvu, you will hear stories about their lifestyle and culture around a bonfire. Transfer back to Alta (included).

Accommodation in Alta 3*.

Day 4: Alta and Northern Lights chase

Breakfast at the hotel. Explore Alta at leisure. Make sure you visit the beautiful Northern Lights Cathedral and try Alta’s cuisine, influenced by its multi-ethnic heritage featuring both Sami and Finnish elements. Since the Stone Age, Alta has been a meeting place for a variety of indigenous groups.

In the evening, you will join a tour around Alta’s region in the hope of admiring Northern Lights. You will travel in a minivan in search of clear skies and a suitable location for aurora observation.

Accommodation in Alta 3*.

Optional: During the day, we suggest a cruise on the Alta fjord to discover the magnificent nature from the sea. If you are lucky, you might also observe local wildlife. It is also possible to book a Northern Lights excursion by snowshoes. Please contact us for this.

Day 5: Departure from Norway

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure and transfer (not included) to the airport for your return flight.