northern lights safari at paestum

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Northern Lights Safari

We at Pæskatun want to share with you our fascination for the amazing and mythical Northern Lights and the overwhelming dark winter sky filled with countless stars. Come with us to hunt the Northern Lights by bus!

Description

According to the weather forecast and with our specific knowledge about the topography surrounding Alta, we will go for the clearest skies and best locations to see the Northern Lights and to take pictures. To make sure that you feel comfortable during our trip you can lend thermal dresses, warm winter boots, hats and gloves for free. Our local and experienced guides will explain the history and science behind the Northern Lights and will give camera support. They also take portraits of you and the best pictures will be sent to your e-mail address.

Duration can vary depending on how early the Northern Lights appears and how far we need to drive to find the phenomenon. Our main goal is that you see the Northern Lights to provide your most unique experience in the Arctic RegionDuration can vary depending on how early the Northern Lights appears and how far we need to drive to find the phenomenon. Our main goal is that you see the Northern Lights to provide your most unique experience in the Arctic Region.

ⓘ EXCLUSIVE, private group bookings (up to 8 per minibus) available. Contact us!

Contact us for booking >

• Pick-up at your hotel in central Alta
• Hot beverages
• Light soup and bread
• Camera help
• Your portrait taken and sent to your email

Thermal clothing and shoes available for use during the tour. Tripods for free lending.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee finding the Northern Lights.

Additional information

Related products.

Daytrip to the North Cape

Alta, The Slate City

Northern Lights safari

The mythical Northern Lights with their fantastic formations and colors are just as fascinating every time they occur.

Winter and spring

The experience of being there, out in the nature and seeing the Northern Lights flame over the star-filled sky, that is what we here at Pæskatun want to share with you! Join us in the hunt for the Northern Lights!

We pick you up at the hotel by bus, drive out of Alta and put the light pollution from the city behind us. Our goal with the safari is to find the clearest sky and the best places to see and photograph the Northern Lights. The weather forecast in combination with our in-depth knowledge of the terrain in the area gives us important information for which direction we are going to drive. To ensure that you feel comfortable during the trip, you can borrow warm winter suits, winter boots, hats, and mittens from us.

Our local and experienced guides will explain the history and science behind the Northern Lights, and they will provide camera assistance. They also take portraits of you, and the best photos will be sent to your email address. The duration of the safari can vary depending on how early the Northern Lights appear in the evening, but also how far we must drive. We always do our utmost to ensure that you see the Northern Lights in all their glory, one of the most unique things we have here in the Arctic area.

Join us in the hunt for the Northern Lights!

The experience of being there, out in nature and seeing the northern lights flame over the star-filled sky, that is what we here at Pæskatun want to share with you!

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Fantastic northern lights safari with... - Paeskatun Tours

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• Northern Norway    
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• Paeskatun Tours

We had such a wonderful northern lights experience with Aksel as our guide. Everything was... read more

We had the most outstanding experience for a family with two young boys. Our guide Trond could not... read more

Fantastic northern lights safari with the best service you can imagine!!!

We went on the northern lights safari with Paeskatun in february 2019. The service of Paeskatun already started before we arrived in Norway, Alta. I had contacted Paeskatun the week before from Germany per Email to get some more information and to ask which day would be the best for seeing the northern lights and therefore booking a nothern lights safari. I told them that I was a little bit scared, to book the tour on a day with bad conditions or to get no place if I wait too long. One of the guides, Elinor, answered directly and offered me to put me on a list and to contact me during our stay in Alta as soon as they see any possibility to see the northern lights on a safari. That was a great deal and they kept their promise. They contacted me on the second day of our stay, one day before they planned the safari and we confirmed. At 8 pm the next day our guide Trond took us from our hotel (Scandic hotel Alta) and together with some other participants (I think we were about 15) we first went to the Peaskatun office to get some more warm clothes (big snow boots and warm socks) if we want to. The guides recommended us at least some snow boots, so that we wouldn't get cold feet while waiting for the northern lights. Around one our later, at 9 pm, the safari started. With a touring coach they took us over one hour and a half through no man's land to see the northern lights even if there really weren't the best conditions. The most important thing to see the northern lights is to have a clear sky. Searching for that it felt really like a hunting for the northern lights. It was so exciting. And suddenly there was it!! We stopped, got out of the coach and could share this fascinating experience of nature. Trond took pictures of all of us in front of the lights and even helped me with the camera settings. Thanks to him that I shot my PERFECT NORTHERN LIGHTS PHOTO! Back into the coach the greatest guide ever,Trond, even perpared warm soup, tea or hot chocolate and provided us with cookies and other pieces of chocolate. On our way back we stopped two other times and saw another wonderful northern lights!! An unforgettable experience! Thanks to Trond and Ellinor, thanks to Paeskatun!!!!

We visited Alta on our cruise ship Viking Sky in February and wanted to try cross country skiing again. Paekastun offers friendly guides and a lovely forested course about 25 minutes from the ship’s berthing spot. The guides even take photos and share them with you for no added fee. It was great fun to be back on the skis for the first time in almost three decades. The countryside was covered with clean white snow and beautiful. The three miles-plus of skiing really wore us out, and the speedy downhill runs had us taking a few spills in the snow. They give you hot cocoa and a chocolate snack too. They provide all the equipment including suits that keep you warm.

Booked the camp, prior to leaving the UK to pay on pickup - however the conditions on the night were more Arctic than expected! snowing heavily and very windy - Paeskatun contacted us to cancel, with an option to rebook for the next evening. We watched coaches leaving from our cruise ship with no chance of seeing a streetlight never mind the northernlights, at a far greater price than we would have paid. Due to other prior booked tours we could not go the next night, however fellow passengers did and reported a great interesting night but alas no lights!

I’m very sorry to have to write a bad review for this experience. Hopefully the company will take my comments into account. Firstly they offer hotel pickup, but we had to make our own way from our ship to the information centre. Given that there is such a large cruise market, I would have expected them to make the short drive to collect us from the ship. Then they were 30 minutes late while we waited in the cold. When we boarded the bus, most of the seats were taken up with what seemed to be a disorderly pile of boxes and gear. There were only 5 guests but we were squeezed into the front seats. The driver and guide were very nice and helpful. But I did get the impression that our guide wasn’t quite the expert we expected, given that he wasn’t from the region. They told us we were heading south to find a hopefully good viewing area. I must admit we kind of thought that our chances of seeing the lights weren’t good, given the conditions. But, I certainly didn’t expect to park in a lay by on the side of a major highway for 2 hours! I asked the guide about toilet facilities and was told that I’d have to make do with nature. What???? On the side of a busy road with cars passing, and impossible snow drifts to traverse if I wanted privacy. What ever happened to public care and liability? You can’t take out a tour group for 3-4 hours without providing some contingency plan. These are, after all, paying guests. We spent considerable time there, in the lay-by, sadly with no luck. No fault at all on the guide who was ever positive. Had a hot chocolate, but certainly no sign of soup & bread. Bit difficult on the side of a highway. We then moved to another location (via a gas station with a toilet which I had seen on the way), again on the side of the same highway. But no sighting. The lights no show was just our bad luck, but I felt the entire tour was poorly planned, certainly didn’t live up to expectations, was uncomfortable and not enough care was given to the guests. We paid a lot of money to sit on the side of a highway. You can’t tell me this was the best site in the region for a hopeful viewing. On a positive note, the guide and driver were friendly and tried hard. And they delivered us back to our ship. But it’s a night I wouldn’t ever want to repeat.

Dear woowooSydney. First of all so are we truly sorry that your experience of the tour did not match your expectations! We always try to do our very best to create a positive memory for all our guests. The guide that was out with you is a very friendly and service minded guide that has been working with us for a couple of years now. We consider him as experienced and hard working. A safari can bring us in any direction out of Alta, and sometimes we have to use the lay-by's to get the views. Some of them are bigger, and some of them will be smaller. We try to avoid the smaller ones if it is possible. And when it comes to the toilet facilities there will be few of them as soon as we leave the town. This arctic region up north is sparsely populated and there will be long distance between hotels/gasoline stations/and such. If possible we will drive to populated areas to find these services. A final comment, here in the arctic we always bring with us a lot of gear when going out a winter night. But of course the gear could have been placed better and not occupying more space than necessary! Finally we appreciate your honest respond! It give us the possibility to improve ourselves. Thank you! Team Pæskatun

Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon so there's no guarantee of seeing them, but our guide did everything possible to help us. We were taken to a small warming hut on the top of a mountain overlooking Alta where he described what we'd be doing and the photography aspects. We were offered hot tea, coffee, cakes, soup. When nothing appeared after 2 hours we moved to an open area on another mountain where he built a small fire and offered more hot drinks. At -20 degrees, they were welcome, Unfortunately we did not see the lights but I can't fault the company for their efforts.

We did the northern lights hunt with Paeskatun, as recommended by the tourist information office. While we did see the northern lights, there were many things we did not like and so would probably not return. To start, they were thirty minutes late in picking us up. They did not contact us or the hotel to let us know they would be so late. There were four of us waiting for them at the Scandic. When we were finally picked up, we were very confused about what was happening, where we were headed, etc. This unclear communication persisted throughout the night until we got on the bus. We were under the impression when we booked that this would be a small group tour, which was one of the main reasons that we booked with Paeskatun. However, after we arrived at the camp, we discovered that due to the cruise ship being in town, we would be joined by more than 20 other people. We were ushered to the back bench of the seating area in their barn, where we were shown a slideshow about the northern lights history. Then confusion persisted as there were mixed messages and limited communication about whether we would stay at the camp or go out on the huge tour bus to find clear sky. Soup and bread were advertised on the website and through the tourist office as part of the tour, instead, they only provided tea, coffee, and a couple packages of cookies, which were very quickly devoured. After over an hour of milling around in the barn, we all got on the big bus. We drove over an hour out of town to find clear sky. They did manage to find us a small patch of clear sky, where we were able to observe approximately 20 minutes of the lights from the side of the road. They did assist everyone with setting their cameras and taking photos, but this whole experience was far from what we expected. I can not recommend this particular experience.

Dear Michelle! We're sorry for how you perceived the tour! Especially about the confusion whether we were to stay or go on. The weather was quite difficult to predict but we knew there would be an opening in the cloud cover some times during the night. The question was if we were to stay at our Northern Lights Camp and wait for that clearing to come to us, or go searching for it. The decision was to go and as you remember we went quite far, but got the clearing in the skies just when the most powerful Northern Lights appeared. When we decided to use a bigger bus for the tour it was because we got more bookings than predicted, and the comfort with a bus would be better for you all. We would have anyway gone with all the smaller minivans together to the same spot so we would have all been there at the same time. We are though happy for that we found the Northern Lights for you under such difficult conditions. Kindest regards from us here at Pæskatun

• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Northern Lights Safari At Paeskatun or In Search Of The Northern Lights

By smwg , January 26 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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Cruising on Princess June 14th.  I was wondering if anyone has participated in either of these excursions and what your thoughts are of them?  Both are offered in Alta.  I'm I wasting my time for hopes to see any lights?  I know June is the Midnight Sun, so I am being realistic, but if there is a slight CHANCE to see the lights, I'd like to do one or the other.

Northern Lights Safari At Paeskatun or In Search Of The Northern Lights.

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Barring another 'Carrington Event' there is zero chance of seeing aurora when the sun is in the sky.

Late September into April or so are better times for aurora - and even then a full moon will wipe out your dark adaptation [camera can see them, but your eyes will have, at best, difficulty picking them out from clouds]

Have you joined the 'roll call' thread for your sailing?

7 hours ago, smwg said: I'm I wasting my time for hopes to see any lights?

Yes,  absolutely no chance - enjoy the midnight sun.

What company is selling Northern Lights tours in Alta in June?!?! Surely not Princess or any other reputable tour company?

Alta has full-on daylight for the entire month of June:

https://www.gaisma.com/en/location/alta.html

There isn’t even any twilight after mid-May.

Any company offering Northern Lights excursions at that time of year is a flat-out scam.

On 1/26/2024 at 4:11 PM, TheOldBear said: Barring another 'Carrington Event' there is zero chance of seeing aurora when the sun is in the sky. Late September into April or so are better times for aurora - and even then a full moon will wipe out your dark adaptation [camera can see them, but your eyes will have, at best, difficulty picking them out from clouds]   Have you joined the 'roll call' thread for your sailing?

Yes, but not much going on there. 😞

18 hours ago, hallasm said: Yes,  absolutely no chance - enjoy the midnight sun.

That's what I'm figuring, but Why would the cruise line sell this excursion if there is NO chance? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

9 hours ago, kaisatsu said: What company is selling Northern Lights tours in Alta in June?!?! Surely not Princess or any other reputable tour company?   Alta has full-on daylight for the entire month of June: https://www.gaisma.com/en/location/alta.html There isn’t even any twilight after mid-May.   Any company offering Northern Lights excursions at that time of year is a flat-out scam.

These excursions are listed through the Princess excursion list for our cruise.  I thought it seemed a little weird, too.  That's why I am asking.   I thought "well, maybe they know something I don't?"  LOL!!  

Looks like it's become more active since the last time I checked.  I'll post over there.  Thanks!

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Northern Lights Safari Pæskatun

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BASECAMP - If the weather permits, we will drive to our basecamp approx. 20 minute' drive from the town center. We have a couple of warm slate-cottages where we can wait for the Northern Lights in comfort. At Pæskatun our guide will introduce the unique Northern Lights history of Alta, and give a presentation about the phenomenon of the Northern Lights. Toilets and telescopes at Pæskatun.

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Northern Lights Safari At Paeskatun

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Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Delight in an evening of stargazing and celebration of one of nature's greatest spectacles. Set near the top of the slate quarry at Paeskatun, offers fantastic views over the valley, the surrounding mountains and, of course, the dark winter sky filled with countless stars. Once you arrive, you can watch a Northern Lights film presentation that highlights the myths, history and science behind one of Mother Nature's most fascinating wonders. To make your evening even more enjoyable, there are several warm slate cottages where you can sit down with hot beverages and cakes plus a 'lavvu' (Sami tent) where you can gather around a campfire. On-site guides can help you with camera settings if you want to take your own Northern Lights pictures or you can purchase a portrait of you with the Northern Lights as background taken by one of the photographers

Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Board your motorcoach and travel to Paeskatun

Visit pæskatun northern light camp, including coffeebreak, and slate cutting demonstration, reboard your motorcoach and return to the ship.

Northern Lights Safari

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Last updated: 01/02/2024

Source: Visit Norway

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Northern Lights Safari

The wonders of northern norway.

For generations, the magical Northern Lights have filled people with enthusiasm and awe. Given its location at 69 degrees North and beneath the Northern Lights Oval, we have exceptionally good conditions for “chasing” the lights.

Even though we have considerable experience and extensive knowledge of the Northern Lights and the local surroundings, it’s impossible to guarantee a successful chase. No one can!

However, we will do our utmost to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. During the 2015/2016 season, we spotted the Northern Lights on 96 % of our chases.

We will pick you up outside Magic Ice  in a minibus (the maximum number of passengers is 15). We provide ourselves on providing excellent, personalized service.

From here we will drive you into Norway`s wide open landscape. Sometimes we drive quite a distance from Tromsø, other times a much shorter distance. We decide, where to go, just before we set off, based on the weather forecast and our knowledge for the Northern Lights and local surroundings. There may be snow and poor conditions on the coast but excellent conditions somewhere else.

We never know for sure when or where the Northern Lights will appear or how intense the activity will be. Consequently, it is important to reach places where the vastness of the spaces and the darkness will give us the highest prospects of seeing and experiencing the Northern Lights, even on nights when the activity is not so intense.

On the way your guide will provide you with information about the area and the Northern Lights. We will be more than happy to answer your questions and will do our utmost to ensure you have a memorable trip, regardless of the weather.

We provide warm thermal suits in varied sizes. We also have a selection of hats, mittens, socks and boots. If you have your own winter clothes, please bring them otherwise we will do our best to provide suitable gear. Please, remember to wear woollen underwear or similar as dressing in layers is important. Even though it is not that cold along the coast when you consider the latitude, it can get quite cold when you are outside at night over a longer period.  Hence, it is important to dress warmly in order to enhance your overall experience.If you feel unsure about your clothing, please, trust our experience and recommendations.

• Departure Magic Ice Bar or at the agreed departure place
• Departure Time 18.30 (please meet up at 18:20)
• Return Time approx. 01:00
• Included Transport Thermal suit Tripod on request Educated guide Snacks and warm soft drinks (tea/coffee) Transport back to your accommodation in Tromsø

0047 99 34 18 14

Terminalgata 120, 9019 Tromsø, Norway

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Northern Lights Tours in Lapland

Northern Lights Experiences

Lapland is the perfect destination to witness one of nature's most spectacular phenomenos – the Northern Lights. On average the Aurora Borealis appear in the sky about 200 times a year, so there are plenty of opportunities to spot them.

Leaving the bright lights of the towns and resorts behind provides the best opportunity to see the Northern Lights in their full glory. There are a number of ways that you can reach the optimal places and search for the Aurora Borealis with us.

During winter season you can choose to embark on your northern lights excursion on snowmobiles, with reindeers or on snowshoes. During summer and autumn our organised searches for Aurora are made on foot, by boat or by floating. Good luck and happy Aurora hunting! The experience is bound to be unforgettable whether it takes place on a warm summer night, surrounded by snowy trees and fells or in the deep darkness of autumn that creates a black canvas for Aurora art.

Choose a pace that suits you best, or better still, increase your chances of a sighting and join us on a number of evenings.

Choose the season when you'd like to see northern lights

Travelers' choice 2023.

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• Destination

Experience a breathtaking moment standing on the North Cape - the northernmost viewpoint in Europe! The large mountain plateau ends in a 307 metre high cliff that plunges into the sea. Maybe Aurora will dance for you, too? 

Welcome to a winter wonderland at the northernmost point of mainland Europe. At 71° degrees, Nordkapp is so far north that the strength of the aurora borealis hardly matters, as long as the sky is clear. 

The North Cape Plateau on Magerøya island is the main attraction in the area, and offers the best views over the Barents Sea. Seeing the northern lights here is a big bonus! You might even get to experience a few hours of daylight and a streak of sunlight on the horizon. This is a popular destination for travellers, where multiple operators offer guided tours.

Visit The North Cape Plateau and choose from numerous other activities and tours to discover in the area. Explore the white, treeless winter landscapes on a snowmobile, go ice fishing, join a king crab safari, drive an ATV, or try snowshoeing, all while remaining on the lookout for the aurora borealis.

See the geological wonder Kirkeporten (The Church Gate), a rock opening in a cliff overhang that's shaped like a big gate,  a perfect window to the northern lights . You can get fantastic views from Storfjellet in Honningsvåg, a 170-metre high mountain located just above the city centre. Be aware that the trail is quite steep and can be slippery, so it's recommended to go in the spring, summer, and early autumn.

Honningsvåg is the nearest town, with shops, restaurants and hotels. The Norwegian coastal express Hurtigruten stops here, and there are also excursions to the North Cape leaving from the town. You can also visit nearby Skarsvåg, the northernmost fishing village in the world. 

The best places to see the lights

• Go out to  Nordkapplatået  (The North Cape Plateau).
• Kirkeporten ( The Church Gate ).
• Hike up to  Storfjellet in Honningsvåg or the  Tufjord hills.

Plan your trip to The North Cape

North Cape Holiday and Fishing Camp

Fisherman's cabins in gjesvær, kirkeporten camping, scandic hotel honningsvåg, rorbu rental (fisherman's cabin).

The closest airport is Honningsvåg Airport 32 kilometers from the North Cape.

You can also travel to the North Cape by bus or car from Lakselv Airport (3 hours) and Alta Airport (3–4 hours).

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You can drive all the way to the North Cape, whether by car, mobile home, or motorcycle. The North Cape is located at the end of the E69 motorway. The motorway passes through a 212-meter deep undersea tunnel.

There is also a bus service from Narvik. Please check local bus operators for timetables and prices.

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The Norwegian Coastal Voyage Hurtigruten calls at Honningsvåg twice a day. Both calls offer an excursion to the North Cape.

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Aurora Dinner Cruise

Join our Northern Lights Cruise and enjoy a delicious arctic tapas menu from our local partner in Tromsø while we look for the Northern Lights! | Brim Explorer.

Lofoten & Northern Lights

4-day tour with Aurora Chase Guided tour, RIB boat tour,  and accommodation  in a traditional fisherman's cabin. | 50 Degrees North

Northern Lights Cruise

Tromsø winter break.

4-day winter break to Tromsø in Northern Norway, including dog sledding and a northern lights chase by minibus. Additional winter activities can be added. | Authentic Scandinavia

Northern Lights Safari to Tromsø

Tromsø wildlife & northern lights.

4-day break to Tromsø including a wildlife cruise and hunt for the northern lights. With one day free, you will have the opportunity to add additional winter activities like dog sledding, a reindeer safari, and more. | Authentic Scandinavia

Magical Northern Lights

This journey encourages you to create your own magical connection in Alta, going on adventures such as dogsledding, snowmobiling and ice-fishing, and seeking the illuminations of the polar night. | Up Norway.

Arctic Winter Adventure

Northern lights dinner cruise outside tromsø, short winter cruise, norwegian fjords & northern lights.

6-day winter adventure. See the fjords and the Arctic city Tromsø. Amazing winter activities like dog sledding, northern lights safari, and much more can be added. | Authentic Scandinavia

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Northern Lights Safari

Northern lights safari, go on an adventure of a lifetime and chase the northern lights, 19:00 northern lights safari.

Tromsø is one of the world’s best locations for a Northern Lights Safari. This is the ideal tour for people wanting a comfortable and high-quality experience while maximising their chances of seeing the Northern Lights. The hunt begins from Tromsø and takes you into the wild by coach with a stop at an Aurora Camp.

Chase the magical Northern Lights! With 10 years’ experience in Northern Lights tourism, the focus during this safari is on quality, comfort and ensuring that you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Northern Lights coach will pick you up from Tromsø town centre and take you to a location with the best weather & solar conditions for spotting the Northern Lights. After finding the ideal scenic backdrop and conditions for photos, your professional guides will help you with camera settings and photography to get the best shots of the Northern Lights.

After around two hours, there will be a break at an exclusive Aurora Camp out in the wilderness. These camps have two comfortable lavvos (Sami tents) and toilet facilities. You will be divided into groups of no more than 20 people in each lavvo and served hot drinks. Listen to enchanting Arctic stories while grilling your own supper on an open fire.

Although Northern Lights sightings are never guaranteed, we find them most of the time. Join us for a chase and experience the thrill!

02:00 Approx. Arrival back in TRomsø

NB: Video shows other scenarios Arctic Holiday offers for Northern Lights watching. Contact us for details.

Want to see more? Check out the Northern Lights image gallery 

Pick up at 19:00 from Clarion The Edge Hotel

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Overnight Northern Lights & Whale Watching Safari

Join us on a 24-hour expedition for a unique chance to see the whales, bright and early, and witness the magical Northern Lights dance above you.

Get 25% discount on 2024 / 2025 season if you book before April 30th

This journey takes you to one of the best places in the world to observe this unforgettable spectacle. Sail right through the Aurora Oval Zone and watch the sky come alive with dancing flickers of green. Find warmth and comfort in your heated cabin, the cozy panoramic lounge, or brave the crisp Arctic air on our spacious deck for a clearer view of the auroras. Indulge in a culinary experience featuring delectable Norwegian delicacies crafted with locally sourced ingredients.

Let the gentle lull of the waves rock you to sleep as we drift closer and closer to the whale location.

Wake up to a new and exciting adventure, with the possibility of spotting whales right outside of your cabin. Spending the night out at sea gives us the opportunity to reach the whale area almost before anyone else does.

Get a unique chance to spend several hours at sea with these magnificent creatures. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring experience of observing magnificent whales. Our expert guides will provide fascinating insights into the whales’ behaviour and biology, making this an educational and exhilarating experience.

Our vessel, MV Quest

MV Quest welcomes up to 53 passengers, ensuring an intimate atmosphere. All 26 cabins have ocean views and private facilities. Our triple cabins offer both upper and lower berths, while other cabins feature either two lower berths or a comfortable double bed. Quest's clever, compact design unlocks extraordinary possibilities, allowing us to access destinations that remain off-limits to larger vessels. Here, we believe in more than just observing from a distance – we invite you to immerse yourself, up close and personal, in the wonders of the Arctic.

Gaze in wonder as the Auroras dance across the Polar night.

We will meet you at the Norwegian Travel Sales shop in the city center of Tromsø, from where you will travel by bus to our ship, MV Quest. After familiarizing yourself with the ship, the safety on board and settling into your cabin, we invite you to join us for an exquisite 3-course dinner at our Arctic restaurant. Enjoy dinner while sailing into the night, away from light pollution and thus optimizing our chances of catching the northern lights. Watch from the warm and comfortable panorama lounge inside, or witness the lights outside on the deck.

Wake up to a new and exciting adventure, with the possibility of spotting whales right outside of your cabin.

Waking up at sea, a sumptuous breakfast buffet awaits you, especially curated to energize and prepare you for the day's excitement. After breakfast, we continue the day with a thrilling whale-watching experience, offering a unique opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Enjoy the comfort of a larger vessel and engage in whale watching directly from the boat. At midday, we will serve a nourishing lunch at our restaurant on board, and kindly ask you to check-out from your cabin after.

In the afternoon, join our expert guides in the panorama lounge for an interesting lecture on whales and make the most of your remaining time on board our ship while we sail back towards Tromsø. Upon arrival at the harbour, we will travel back to the city center of Tromsø by bus.

Location or meeting point

Important information, meeting time and place.

19:00 (7PM) at the Norwegian Travel Sales Shop, Sjøgata 16 (entrance from Storgata) in Tromsø.

19:00 (7:00PM) - ±19:00 (±7:00PM) the next day ( overnight - 24 hours)

• Coffee, Tea & Snacks
• English speaking guides
• Professional Expedition Team
• Exceptional Service and Crew
• Wildlife & Nature Photography tips
• Ocean facing cabins with private bathroom
• Thermal flotation suit
• Safety equipment
• Northern Lights Chase
• Whale Watching

Restrictions

• Children (age 7 - 11) are welcome on board our expeditions. However, we do recommend a minimum age of 12 years old.
• All children must be accompanied by an adult.

What to bring or wear

• Warm clothing
• Overnight bag/luggage
• Camera (and tripod)

Questions and answers

More experiences at this destination, whale watching safari on high-speed catamaran.

Step aboard our high-speed modern catamaran and join an exhilarating journey to the heart of the whale's winter wonderland. Our swift vessel ensures that we are the first boat at the whale sighting area on every tour, maximizing your time among these magnificent creatures.

Dog Sledding Adventure Daytime - Excl. Transport

Drive your own dog sled through snowy terrain, surrounded by Arctic mountain landscape!

Dog Sledding Adventure Daytime _ Incl. transport

Drive your own dog sled through snowy terrain, surrounded by the Arctic mountain landscape!

Fjellheisen - Cable Car Ticket - Both Ways (Roundtrip)

Enjoy a spectacular view of Tromsø and its beautiful surroundings from above, daytime or evening.

Camp Tamok - Cabin Overnight Package

With our Overnight Programme, you can spend the night at Camp Tamok.

Fun & Easy Dog Sledding Adventure - Early Bird

Drive your own team of huskies! This is an experience out of the ordinary and a must-do!

Fun & Easy Dog Sledding Adventure - Morning Tour

Drive your own team of huskies! This is an experience out of the ordinary and a must-do for anyone visiting Northern Norway.

Husky Experience and Dog Sled Driving - Early Bird

Driving your own team of huskies is an out of the ordinary experience and a must-do for anyone visiting Northern Norway!

Husky Experience and Dog Sled Driving - Morning Tour

Advanced dog sledding daytime - incl. transport, advanced dog sledding daytime - excl. transport.

Drive your own dog sled through snowy terrain, surrounded by the Arctic mountain landscape! For those seeking an unforgettable Arctic adventure, dog sledding offers the perfect blend of a unique active outdoor adventure and the relaxing tranquillity of the Arctic wilderness.

Camp Tamok - Full Day Package

Spend a whole day at Camp Tamok by creating your own combination of activities with this Full Day Package.

Snowmobiling Daytime - Incl. Transport

Join an unforgettable snowmobile safari at wilderness center Camp Tamok and experience the magical winter landscape and the spectacular fun of snowmobiling!

Snowmobiling Daytime - Excl. Transport

Join an unforgettable snowmobile safari at wilderness center Camp Tamok. Experience the magical winter landscape and the spectacular fun of snowmobiling.

Snowmobiling Evening - Excl. Transport

Join an unforgettable snowmobile safari into the magical winter landscapes of Tamokdalen! If you are lucky the Northern Lights will be dancing above you all evening!

Snowmobiling Evening - Incl. Transport

Snowmobiling midday - incl. transport, snowmobiling midday - excl. transport, fjellheisen cable car ticket - one way (up or down).

A one-way cable car ticket. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views.

Daytime Snowshoe Hike at Fjellheisen

Picture the perfect fusion of serene beauty and a hint of adventure as we introduce you to the breathtaking vistas atop 'Fjellheisen' mountain, paired with an invigorating snowshoe expedition.

Evening Snowshoe Hike at Fjellheisen

Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime! Breathtaking views from the summit of 'Fjellheisen' mountain, an exhilarating 1-hour snowshoe hike, and the chance to witness the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights Visit - Incl. Transport

Join us at our wilderness center Camp Tamok which offers a great setting for Northern Lights observation.

Northern Lights Visit - Excl. Transport

Northern lights safari with guarantee.

Tromsø is the perfect place to chase the Northern Lights. Cruise towards ideal viewing conditions.

Fun & Easy Dog Sledding Adventure - Noon Tour

Fun & easy dog sledding adventure - midday tour, husky experience and dog sled driving - noon tour, introduction to cross-country skiing.

Ski along existing trails or create your own. Cross-country skiing is a great way to exercise, and you will feel a real sense of satisfaction once you overpower the tracks! This tour is appropriate for both beginners and intermediates.

Reindeer Sledding Daytime - Incl. Transport

Keen to meet the indigenous Sami people, hear their stories and have a close-up encounter with their reindeer? Join us for an authentic experience at our wilderness center Camp Tamok, a 90-minute scenic bus drive away from city center of Tromsø.

Snowmobile Excursion Evening Tour with North Experience _ Incl. Transfer

Enjoy riding a snow scooter for about two hours in this beautiful Arctic environment and, if you are lucky, the Northern Lights might dance above you!

Snowmobile Excursion Daytime Tour with North Experience _ Incl. Transfer

We invite you to join us on a fun varied terrain snowmobile safari, heading out where the locals drive. You will be in a small group and get to explore the nature outside of Tromsø with great views of the Arctic snow-covered mountains.

Reindeer Sledding Daytime - Excl. Transport

Keen to meet the indigenous Sami people, hear their stories and have a close-up encounter with their reindeer? Join us for an authentic experience at our wilderness center Camp Tamok.

Reindeer Sledding Evening - Incl. Transport

Keen to meet the indigenous Sami people, hear their stories and have a close-up encounter with their reindeer?

Reindeer Sledding Evening - Excl. Transport

Arctic fjord cruise from tromsø.

Embark on this Arctic Fjord Cruise and explore the stunning landscapes surrounding Tromsø.

Polaria – Entrance Ticket

Be captivated by a world where nature's wonders unfold, with an extraordinary opportunity to witness majestic, bearded seals up close.

Reindeer Camp Dinner with Chance of Northern Lights

Venture deep into the heart of the wilderness, where you'll walk amidst our 300 gentle reindeer, even having the chance to hand-feed these incredible animals.

Long Reindeer Sledding, Reindeer Feeding and Sami Culture

Embark on a 25–30-minute sleigh ride, guided by our trusty reindeer companions, as they lead you through the valley and along the coast. After this thrilling adventure, you'll have the incredible chance to feed our over 300 gentle reindeer.

Short Reindeer Sledding, Reindeer Feeding and Sami Culture

Greetings from Tromsø! We're a Sami reindeer herding family with roots that run as deep as the snowy valleys that cradle our 300-strong reindeer family. Our heritage is an open book, and we're eager to share it with you.

Silent Whale Watching

Experience the magnificent winter landscape as we get closer to the majestic humpback and killer whales.

Aurora Dinner Cruise

Join our Northern Lights Dinner Cruise and enjoy a delicious dinner from a local restaurant in Tromsø while we look for the Northern Lights!

Arctic Fjord Cruise

Cruise with us on our hybrid-electric boat and amplify your experience with unspoiled nature. Spot wildlife both above and below the water. Explore a fjord with a surprising remnant from the war and step ashore at an old fishing facility to learn about the industry that is the lifeline of many Norwegian coastal towns and has formed the culture of Northern Norway.

Fjord & History Cruise

Join the trip with the beautifully restored wooden boat Hermes II. You get to experience both the city and the islands around from the seaside, while you get to hear about the boat's exciting history.

Arctic Light Evening Cruise with Hermes II

Join us on an adventure into the Arctic light – summer or winter. It is truly beautiful – whether it is during the long, bright summer evenings in the midnight sun or on boat trips enveloped in the Arctic blue tones of autumn and winter, with darkness that can suddenly explode in a spectacular Northern Lights dance.

1 Hour Photo & History Cruise

Join us aboard the Hermes II as we embark on a captivating fjord and photo cruise around the breathtaking landscapes of Tromsø. This remarkable journey not only offers you a selection of carefully curated photo opportunities amidst our awe-inspiring surroundings but also unveils the rich history of our cherished authentic wooden vessel.

Fishing & Fjord Cruise - Hermes II

Welcome aboard the Hermes II for an unforgettable fishing and fjord cruise. This beautifully restored vessel promises a day filled with adventure and tranquillity on the open sea. You have the option to bring your own fishing gear or use ours, or simply join us to soak in the maritime experience.

Advanced Dog Sledding Midday - Incl. Transport

Advanced dog sledding midday - excl. transport, northern lights chase by bus.

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey with us, chasing the magic in the Arctic skies from the heart of Tromsø. We will be chasing low light pollution and trying to dodge those pesky clouds that might try to steal the show of the aurora borealis from us.

Norwegian Travel is a premium brand aiming to offer high-quality experience-based tourism in selected unique destinations in Norway. From the fjords to the mountains. From the sandy beaches to the rough cliffs. From urban buzz to the massive stillness of the old mountains. We wish to inspire people to explore the treasures to be found in Norway. At our destinations you can explore amazing nature, good food and exciting activities all year round.

Full refund 7 day cancellation (NB! Does not apply for expedition cruises)

• Wide range of unique experiences
• Quick, safe and easy online booking

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• Northern Lights
• Snowshoes and Skiis
• Fjords & Sea
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• Dog sledding
• Train Journeys

Aurora Safari Camp in Tromsø

Join in on an Aurora Safari Camp in Tromsø and experience the magical Northern Lights! Enjoy an evening in a safe and private camp where you get the opportunity to take unique photos of the dancing Northern Lights.

Tromsø is located in the center of the Northern Lights zone and one of the places in the world where you can most likely experience this unique natural phenomenon. The Northern Lights can be seen from the city center, but our recommendation is to get out of the city, together with a local guide who knows the best places to see this magical light.

Tour description

Your guide will pick you up in Tromsø and bring you to a private and safe Aurora Safari Camp where you can experience the magical Northern Lights. There are several camps located in different areas to cover different weather conditions, giving you a great chance of seeing this natural spectacle. In the camp, there are local hosts, warm shelters, toilet facilities, thermal winter suits, and tripods, as well as campfires and benches outside.

Based on the guides vast experience, the latest weather forecast, and wind direction, your guide will choose the Aurora Safari Camp with the best chances of clear sky and, therefore, of experiencing the Northern Lights. If the weather changes and clouds move in, your guide checks with his network if it would be better to move to another location. The focus of this trip is always to show you the Northern Lights!

In the Aurora Safari Camp, you will be served a locally prepared hot soup, as well as hot drinks, and “lefse”, a local sweet snack. 

Did you know?

By joining this tour, you support local landowners, food producers, and transport companies and contribute to a sustainable local economy and destination.

Other things to do in Tromsø

Hotels in tromsø.

Clarion Collection Hotel With

Thon Hotel Polar

Thon Hotel Tromsø

• Travel Guides
• April 27, 2024
• Rovaniemi — Finland
• Traveling with Children
• Christmas and New Year

New Year in Lapland: Santa Claus Village, Northern Lights and Huskies

• Santa Claus Village or Joulupukki (Santa Claus Village)

Husky safari

Snow village, northern lights.

• What you need to know before traveling to Lapland

Lapland is the northernmost and harshest region inhabited by the Sami people. The capital of Lapland is the city of Rovaniemi in Finland. It is in the vicinity of the city that you can see the northern lights, visit Santa and ride in a carriage with real sled dogs.

Santa Claus Village or Joulupukki (Santa Claus Village)

Joulupukki is the amusing name for Santa Claus, or Santa Claus, in Finland.

A few kilometers from the capital of Lapland — Rovaniemi, works the most real village of Santa Claus. He lives there not alone, but with his wife and helpers-elves, who run the whole household and adore visitors and tourists from all over the world.

Next to Santa’s residence there is a post office where letters from children from all over the world arrive. The envelopes are piled up in huge sacks waiting for their turn — Joulupukki tries to read every letter.

What to do at the Santa Claus Residence:

• Take a picture with Santa.
• Watch a performance at the puppet theater.
• Buy a gingerbread house at the gift and bake store.
• Cross the Arctic Circle and get an official certificate.

In the central square of Santa’s village, there are poles with a clear line of white paint between them. You can’t see it in winter, but each pole has the inscription «Arctic circle» on it. The invisible line is jumped over, walked over, driven over by a car — and you get a certificate. The ceremony costs 4,5 € and can be booked in  advance .

• The address of Santa Claus' residence in Lapland is JOULUMAANTIE 1, 96930 ARCTIC CIRCLE, Rovaniemi.
• Visiting the village is  free , open daily, all year round
• How to get there: the nearest town to Santa Claus' residence is Rovaniemi. From Rovaniemi city center, Santa Claus Village can be reached by local bus number 8 (schedule ) or the Santa Claus Express (schedule ).

Not far from the residence there is a Christmas amusement park. The holiday program includes reindeer sleigh rides, baking gingerbread in Mrs. Claus’s kitchen, learning at the elf school and really helping Santa!

In this fairy-tale atmosphere, even adults turn into children.

• Unlike the free admission to the Village, admission here costs 28—30 € for children and 34—36 € for adults. Children under 3 years of age can visit Santa Park for free. The ticket price, which is valid for two consecutive days, includes all the attractions of Santa Park and can be purchased at the ticket office from the elf.
• Santa Park website

If you like speed and blue-eyed dogs — welcome to safari! During the walk you will ride in a real sled pulled by reindeer or huskies. For those who are afraid of freezing, there are organized breaks for hot tea and lunch.

• The walk lasts 2—3 hours and costs 130—200 €.

We all used to build ice forts and castles as children, but in Lapland this childhood pastime has been turned into a tourist attraction.

The village of Lainio is 200 kilometers above the Arctic Circle. One of the most popular and beautiful ice hotels is located there, with a bar and restaurant made only of ice. In the evening it looks especially beautiful because of the illumination throughout the hotel, and the temperature does not rise above -5 ° .

Want to stay all night and spend the night in a special Arctic sleeping bag? A night in the Ice Hotel costs from 400 €.

The Aurora Borealis Northern Lights can be seen in these places up to 200 nights a year, but it is not easy to catch it — the Aurora hides from tourists.

In order not to miss the aurora borealis , you should check the special website of the Aurora Borealis  — here the probability of  aurora borealis is displayed in real time. You can download a special paid application on your smartphone, which will inform you in advance when the probability of aurora borealis becomes high.

For better visibility, you should get away from the city lights, preferably in the middle of the forest or in  Levi , where the famous ski resort is located. While in Levi, you don’t have to travel far — just drive 8—10 km away from your hotel, where the night sky will be clear and impeccably dark — against such a background the Aurora plays with all its colors.

What you need to know before traveling to Lapland

• Lapland is a beautiful and harsh region. The temperature ranges from -9 to -20C, at night it is cold, so you should take a lot of warm clothes and thermal underwear. It is desirable that the outerwear is waterproof and windproof.
• For a relaxing vacation in Lapland, the optimal trip is 5—9 days. During this time you can have time to ski or snowboard, visit excursions, go sledding and catch the northern lights.
• You can book a husky ride or northern lights hunt here and here .
• How to get there. Santa Claus Village is located 2 km from Rovaniemi Airport and 800 km from Helsinki. It can be reached by regular bus and train services or by car: renting a car from Rentalcars and Economybookings costs from 25 € per day.
• Where to stay? Rooms in Lapland in the winter season are not cheap: a  bed in a shared room in a hostel will cost from 30 €. It is more profitable to go as a group: apartments for two or even four people can be found from 90 €. For the best service — 5* Arctic Light Hotel with rooms from 200 €, which is constantly included in the lists of the best hotels in Lapland.
• What else to do while visiting Santa: Rovaniemi travel site and guided tours .

Moscow Sky Lights Up With Strange Glow After Explosion at Electrical Substation: Reports

N ew footage has emerged showing bright flashes lighting up the night sky in southern Moscow during the early morning hours of November 22.

Knewz.com has learned that there was an explosion at an electrical substation on the outskirts of Russia's capital city followed by an alleged power outage in "several" homes.

Video snippets, shared on Russian news channels like ASTRA , captured a series of flashes that caused the sky to change color. Smoke could also be seen rising from a building.

Corroborating the video, several Russian Telegram accounts reported an explosion near the south of Moscow and a subsequent fire at the Lyublino electrical substation, southeast of central Moscow, per Newsweek .

The local authorities from the area have since confirmed that an explosion occurred in the village of Molokovo, but they reassured the public that all vital facilities were operating as normal.

Russian outlet MSK1.ru reported the blaze at the substation and noted “several” power outages.

The town of Lytkarino, located to the southeast of Moscow, was one of the affected areas, as reported by the independent outlet, Meduza .

Additional power failures were reported in the southern Domodedovo section of the city. However, electricity was later restored to these areas.

One local resident speculated that a drone may have been responsible for the explosion, but additional sources are yet to support this theory.

Newsweek reported that messages on the ASTRA Telegram account run by independent Russian journalists showed residents near the substation panicking. One concerned Russian called it a "nightmare."

The incident follows an attack by Russia on a power station in southwestern Ukraine that left 2,000 people without electricity .

Knewz.com reported previously:

“ Russian forces launched a total of 38 Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 drones during the later hours of November 17 and 18.

The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that 29 of these drones were shot down [...].

One civilian was injured as a result of the attack that targeted energy infrastructure in the southwestern Odesa Oblast.”

The assault came after repeated warnings by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia would try to cripple its power grid as winter approaches.

Ukraine's leader warned that if Russia resorted to attacking its power utilities, it would respond in kind.

Ukraine has conducted numerous long-range aerial drone strikes on Moscow since May 2023.

Most recently on November 20, it was reported that one such incursion was intercepted close to the city, per Kyiv Post .

Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed this and elaborated that the region's air defense systems intercepted the unmanned craft over the city of Elektrostal to the east of Moscow, as well as another over the Bogorodsky district, northeast of central Moscow.

The details of the recently surfaced video footage have yet to be independently verified.

Refuelling underway at Russia’s floating NPP

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The fresh fuel cassettes were delivered to Pevek by in special shipping containers along the Northern Sea Route in October by Rosatom’s fuel company TVEL and were immediately transferred aboard the FNPP. The manufacturer of nuclear fuel for all Russian nuclear icebreakers, as well as the Akademik Lomonosov, is the Mashinostroitelny Zavod (MSZ - part of TVEL) in Elektrostal, Moscow Region.

The loading of fresh fuel cassettes is being carried out into the reactor on the starboard side of the FNPP. Refuelling of the second reactor is planned for 2024. “When carrying out work to transship the nuclear fuel, all necessary measures were taken to meet radiation safety requirements,” said Alexey Fedotov, chief engineer at PATEC. “Before loading them into the reactor, each of the 121 fuel assemblies passed strict acceptance control. After a thorough check by specialists, all assemblies are sequentially placed in the reactor using automated crane equipment.” The reloading operation is planned to be completed before the end of this year. Maxim Shamambaev, the head of nuclear safety for the FNPP, said the radiation background in the region did not change during the work and remained at the natural background level for Pevek.

The installation of the FNPP in Chukotka aimed to solve two key problems. First it was to replace the retiring capacities of the Bilibino NPP, which began operating in1974, as well as the Chaunskaya thermal power plant, which is already more than 70 years old. Second, it was to supply energy to the main mining enterprises located in western Chukotka - a large ore and metal cluster, including gold mining companies and projects related to the development of the Baimskaya ore zone.

By the end of 2023, power generation to Pevek from the FNPP since it began operation in 2020 will total 200 GWh. The population of Pevek is just over 4,000. However, the plant can potentially provide electricity to a city with a population of up to 100,000.

Image courtesy of Rosatom

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