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EXPERIENCE THIS UNIQUE JOURNEY TO NORTHERN NORWAY AND BE AMAZED BY A BLEND OF FIRST CLASS TRAVEL, WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND MAGNIFICENT NATURE. YOU WILL STAY IN HARSTAD AS WELL AS SVOLVAER, TROMSO AND ALTA. WEATHER PERMITTING, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO SEE THE BREATH TAKING NORTHERN LIGHTS DURING AN AURORA BOREALIS TOUR IN HARSTAD. EXPERIENCE THE HURTIGRUTEN TOUR FROM HARSTAD TO SVOLVAER AND GET A CLOSE LOOK AT THE SEA EAGLES WHILE SAILING IN A RIB BOAT IN SVOLVAER. THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ADVENTURE ARE THE AURORA HUSKY VISIT IN TROMSO, YOUR VISIT TO THE POLAR PARK AND THE AWARD-WINNING ALTA MUSEUM.

Itinerary

Arrival to Gardermoen Airport in Oslo and transfer (not included) to the hotel on your own for check-in. Please consult the welcome letter, which you will receive upon check-in to your hotel, and kindly note where and when to meet your Tour Director.

*Group arriving on Dec. 28, 2018 will be accommodated at Thon Hotel Bristol Oslo .

Evening walking tour of Oslo 7.30pm - 8.30pm Get ready for a walking tour of the Norwegian capital. You begin your visit outside with a walk around the new Opera House, which opened in April 2008. From the spectacular outdoor terrace, you will be able to enjoy stunning views across the Oslo fjord. During the tour you will walk through the cozy Karl Johan walking Street where you can see the Royal Palace and the end. The tour will pass by Aker Brygge where you can admire the modern architecture of Oslo and perhaps enjoy dinner in one of the many cosy restaurants of this popular area of the capital. Return to the hotel by your own.

OPTIONAL: THE OSLO GOURMET TOUR

5.00pm - 7.00pm Min 4 persons

This exclusive and delicious gourmet tour will show you a totally different side of the city to what you have seen during your city sightseeing tour. If you would love to experience the new style of the Norwegian cuisine, this tour is something for you. You will have around 4 to 5 different tastings on your tour, which makes up for a whole meal. The tour will be directed by an English-speaking guide taking you through Oslo city by foot. The tour will be a two-kilometer walk. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

Early breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to the Oslo airport, from where you will take a direct flight to Harstad (included). Your private bus is waiting for you at Harstad/Narvik Evenes Airport and will drive you to Harstad. The trip to Harstad city is approximately an hour ride during which you will enjoy many beautiful impressions on the way. Check in at the hotel.

Group starting in Oslo on December 28, 2018 will be accommodated at Thon Hotel Harstad

OPTIONAL AURORA BOREALIS TOUR; SNACKS & TYPICAL NORWEGIAN STEW DURATION: 7.00pm - 11.00pm

Min 4 persons

On this Aurora Borealis tour, you will go to Solli mountain, where you will visit the Aurora Summit Lodge on the top of the mountain, which is 535 meters above sea level. You are transported to the summit by snowmobiles and sleds, dressed ina warm snowsuit, shoes, gloves and helmets. On the top of the mountain you have the chance to experience the dancing Aurora Borealis and inside the summit lounge you can keep warm by the big bonfire. You are served Aurora Cocktails in glasses made of ice and you can have a taste of the very typical Norwegian dried reindeer meat chips. An Aurora film on the snow will be shown while you are sitting around the fire. Transfer back to the hotel. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

Early breakfast at the hotel. Your luggage will be transferred on land by your private bus for you to enjoy your time on the Hurtigruten even more. The pier from where the Hurtigruten departs is within walking distance from your hotel.

Cruise 8.30am - 6.30pm.

Since 1893 the Hurtigruten ships been very well-known in the northern coast of Norway. Experience Norway’s most beautiful fjords, nice harbor and amazing sceneries on your way! From the panoramic lounge you will be able to see the magnificent nature of Norway. During your time on deck you will have timeto enjoy lunch at your own. Upon arrival in Svolvaer you will check in to your hotel located right next to the Hurtigruten Terminal in Svolvaer. Evening at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Make yourself ready to meet in Svolvaer centrum at 11.00 where your RIB safari will start. TROLLFJORD & SEA EAGLE RIB SAFARI INCLUDED DURATION: 11:30am – 1:30pm

Experience the magnificent Lofoten Islands by sea! With a bit of luck, you can see both eagles and seals, and a great variation of bird life on a trip to the Trollfjord. You will drive up the strait of Oyhellsundet and to the spectacular Trollfjord. Here you find historic sites, sandy white beaches (when there is no snow) and one of the most dramatic fjords of Norway. You also visit the whaling island Skrova with its charming harbour. All passengers will be outfitted with flotation suits. We recommend warm clothes as a base layer underneath as well as practical footwear.

FISHING VILLAGE WALK & DINNER AT BORSEN SPISERI; DINNER INCLUDED DURATION: 5.00pm - 8.00pm

Svinoya is the oldest part of Svolvaer, and has been a thriving, vibrant fishing village since 1828. You will experience a living fishing village and learn about the culture. Your guide will talk about how the fishermen lived 100 years ago and what happened in the Trollfjord in 1890. Hear all the stories, ask all the questions and smell and taste the stockfish. Remember warm clothes, sensible footwear and your camera to be able to capture the memories. You finish your evening with a 3-course dinner at Borsen Spiseri – the most distinctive restaurant in the Lofoten Islands. The restaurant is housed in a venerable quayside warehouse dating back to 1828. The dishes you will be served are all made with unique, fresh and local ingredients from Lofoten.

Breakfast at the hotel. Your journey continues by bus to your next destination Tromso. Your bus trip from Svolvaer to Tromso will take around 10 hours (400 km). On your way you will take a stop at the famous Polar Park which is the world’s northernmost animal park. There you will have the unique opportunity to meet the wolves, bears, deer, elk and reindeer. A local guide will show you the park and tell you everything you want to know about the animals. If you feel hungry after the guided tour you can enjoy a delicious traditional Norwegian meal indoors in the cozy restaurant (not included). After the visit at the Polar Park you will continue your journey to Tromso. Check in at your hotel. Evening at leisure

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we depart by private coach for a 3-hour city sightseeing tour. This tour will be the perfect introduction to Tromso where you will visit the world’s most northern Botanical gardens. Here you can enjoy the views of the mountains to the east and south. Tromso enjoys a subarctic climate, its location corresponding to the northern coast of Alaska. Visit the Tromso University Museum where you will learn fascinating facts on nature and culture in northern Norway. Learn about the indigenous Sami people, their traditional culture and recent history. Following this, you will continue on a tour around the island, passing Lake Prestvatn where the Meteorological Institute is situated. Travel across the bridge to the Arctic Cathedral for a visit to this masterpiece by Jan Inge Hovig. Built in 1965, the cathedral reflects north Norwegian nature, culture, and faith with a monumental stained-glass window.

AURORA HUSKY VISIT DINNER INCLUDED DURATION: 6.45pm - 11.00pm. What is a trip to Northern Norway without seeing the huskies? Therefore, you are going to meet the huskies and get the chance to see the Northern Lights, what a winning combination. Get close and personal with the fantastic sled dogs and enjoy the campfire while the guides tell you stories about the northern lights and Northern Norway. You will be picked up at your hotel and by arrival at the camp, you are provided with some additional clothing to keep yourself warm and dry for the activity. You will be guided in the dog yard with 300 Alaskan huskies here you also get the chance to meet some puppies. Later you will be served a 2-course dinner in the traditional roundhouse. You will enjoy Norwegian style Bacalao, made with local Cod and prepared with tomato sauce, followed by chocolate cake, tea and coffee.

Breakfast at the hotel. The ride from Alta to Tromso is breath-taking regardless of the time of year. Stunning scenery and magnificent nature. This trip will be something that stay with you just a little longer. The distance between Tromso and Alta is about 300 km, the journey takes approximately 8 hours and include two ferry crossings. The tour will make a stop to enjoy lunch (not included) at the Bios Café in Storslett. Arrival in Alta and check in at your hotel. Evening at leisure.

OPTIONAL: NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR - Storytelling

7:30pm – 11:30pm Includes: transfers between Alta and Sorrisniva, guide, sweets and hot drink during the trip Min 2 persons/ max 15 persons This adventure begins with a pick up from the Scandic Alta Hotel and a 20-minute bus ride into the countryside. The family owned Sorrisniva adventure facility is perfectly located to maximize your chances of seeing the magnificent Aurora Borealis in the time between September and March. In the company of a knowledgeable local guide you will take on the Northern Lights chase. Along the way you will have an excellent opportunity to learn more about the natural phenomenon as well as the local history of Alta. Your guide will also be very happy to help you catch some beautiful images with your own camera. During the trip you will be served sweets and a warm drink. You will return to Scandic Hotel around midnight.

Breakfast at the hotel before departing for the prestigious EMYA award-winning Alta museum. The museum is situated at the site of early settlement of Finnmark dating from around 11,000 years ago and presents exhibitions on local culture and historic industries. A must-see for anyone visiting the area. Afterwards we will pay a visit to the modern Northern Lights Cathedral located in the central part of town.

ALTA MUSEUM Experience the Northern Europe’s largest and richest rock carving site, inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Here you can walk on pathways arranged around the rock carving area while having a fantastic view over the Alta Fjord. The 2000 to 6200 years old rock carvings show the life of hunters and fishermen. You will have a guided tour at the museum with some free time afterwards to walk around in your own pace.

NORTHERN LIGHTS CATHEDRAL Included The impressive Nordlyskatedralen is a result of an architectural competition launched in 2001. Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects in collaboration with architect Kolbjorn Jenssen of Link Arkitektur, the elegant and modern construction features concrete and wood with external cladding of titanium sheets. The central feature being the towering spiral with belfry. Inside the church you will find art work by Danish artist Peter Brandes.

OPTIONAL: SLEIGH RIDE UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Min 2 persons/Max 8 persons 8.00pm - 12.00am.

Includes: Transfer, traditional dinner including dried meat chips w/dip, reindeer meat, lingonberry sauce, homemade cinnamon rolls, bonfire-coffee and glogg Dinner included. This tour offers you an evening of cozy adventure.You will be picked up in Alta and driven to a farm in the nearby countryside where you will climb aboard a sleigh and get bundled up in warm blankets. Your sleigh is then pulled by a Norwegian Fjord Horse through the forest and along the Alta River, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the peace and beauty all around you. Near the end of the ride, you will stop at a wilderness shelter where a light dinner will be served around a warm fire. Under the right conditions you might also be able to captures some beautiful images of the Northern Lights. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

Breakfast and the rest of your day at leisure until your departure transfer to Alta airport in good time for your departure flight.

Notes