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There are not many places where you can combine mountains, fjord landscapes and urban sophistication so it’s not surprising that visitor numbers to Tromsø are on the up. We’ve designed this holiday to include all these elements.  There's time to explore Tromsø but we also get you outside the city and deep into the Aurora Zone.

Tromsø has earned a reputation for being one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights but the truth is that for an unblemished Aurora, you need to escape the dazzle created by the city's inhabitants.  On this trip you'll do just that.

Tromsø
Some Arctic ports are built to withstand the elements and aren’t always the prettiest places in the world. And then there’s Tromsø. If you fly in at night, the city sparkles in the winter chill and the street lights reflected against Arctic Ocean inlets recreate a tantalising impression of how the Aurora might appear in the night sky.

For somewhere so far north, Tromsø is a remarkably cosmopolitan place boasting far more than its fair share of attractions, shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife. If you’re staying in the city then two places in particular should command your attention, The Polar Museum and Polaria.

Camp Tamok
Leave the urban sophistication of Tromsø, follow the course of the Balsfjorden onto what is little more than a track seemingly leading to the absolute dead centre of nowhere. Just when you’re convinced that you are lost in a remote wilderness surrounded by towering snowy mountains, you find yourself at Camp Tamok.

You may recall the scene at the end of Dances with Wolves when Kevin Costner leaves the Indian camp on horseback. The teepees are covered in snow, the natives are wrapped in warm clothing and fires burn to ward off the winter chill. We’d describe Camp Tamok as a latter day Indian Camp but with a few (not a lot) more facilities.

Malangen
Malangen offers modern comforts and an absolutely stunning fjord setting. Situated on the Malangen Fjord, accommodation is in fjord facing apartments while the restaurant in main building serves delicious cuisine with local produce very much to the fore.

Malangen’s shoreline location means there is virtually no light pollution so there’s an excellent chance of seeing an unsullied Aurora Borealis. You can even do it in style by taking advantage of the glass fronted sauna or the outdoor hottub.

Day 1: Flights, arrival and introduction

On arrival at Tromsø Airport you’ll be driven to your fjord accommodation at Malangen Brygger.  Enjoy dinner in the excellent restaurant and then head for the glass fronted sauna that overlooks the fjord. Keep an eye on the sky at all times!

Day 2: Fjord Icebreaker and Northern Lights hunting

A mixture of fresh and sea water means that parts of the fjord can freeze during winter closing the small shipping lanes that are vital to the coastal economy. The Icebreaker VASS is charged with keeping the lanes clear by breaking the ice on a daily basis. Fortunately, there’s also room for an additional six passengers so you’ll be one of the very few lucky people who experience this remarkable aspect of life in the Arctic. It's quite simply the best way to see the fjord at close quarter.

This evening, your Aurora Borealis guide will collect you from the hotel. Prepared with the latest weather forecasts and Aurora predictions you’ll be taken out in a heated car or minibus in search of the lights. The beauty of Malangen is that it is far removed from Tromsø’s obtrusive city lights and your local guide has done this many times before. If anybody is going to show you the lights then it’s a local expert.

Day 3: Husky safari and Camp Tamok

You can’t have failed to notice that there are some pretty dramatic coastal mountains in the vicinity. After lunch, you will be driven to the wonderfully remote Camp Tamok which nestles quietly amidst these soaring snowy peaks.

Tamok has an atmosphere all of its very own. Look up the word remote in a thesaurus and you’ll get the idea.  It’s from here that you’ll set off on your 16km husky safari. The route follows the course of the steep sided valley formed by the mountains. It’s marvelous terrain made all the more remarkable by your mode of transport. It really is unforgettable stuff.

You’ll return to Tamok for dinner.  You will spend a few hours simply soaking in the atmosphere and gazing skywards in the hope of seeing the Aurora from Tamok before returning to Malangen

Day 4: Depart or extend your stay

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Tromsø for your flights home. However, if you’d like to explore Tromsø’s vibrant centre then we can arrange extra nights in the heart of the city.

Tourism in Norwegian Lapland has become a main source of employment and income, replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Working within this growth industry in rural and remote areas means that we must take a great deal of responsibility; socially, environmentally and economically. We fully appreciate the impact of tourist visits on local communities and their residents and strive to ensure that we are having a positive effect.

The area of Lyngsfjord which we explore during this holiday is a remote and wild place which is primarily untouched by tourism. We are fully aware that we are taking our clients in sometimes pristine winter environments and therefore we work very hard with our suppliers to ensure that the impacts of any visit are managed correctly. There is a strict leave no place policy and absolutely all waste is removed.

We have included a great deal of interaction with the Sámi culture & in addition we encourage our clients to get involved in local events and activities which help to sustain traditional values and customs. The reindeer and cultural experiences which include are arranged by people whose livelihoods depend on these animals and people who have grown up with them and appreciate the culture associated with that lifestyle. Clients learn some of the traditional skills and try some delicious local foods giving them a better insight into the local area.

We always encourage our clients to respect and embrace the lives and culture of local inhabitants by learning a few important words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you etc.

In all of our destinations we ensure that we use local suppliers, enabling locally owned businesses and the economies in which they work to benefit directly. Through the tourism multiplier effect, this all helps to generate incomes and employment where the drift might otherwise be towards larger employment areas such as towns and cities. Our use of small businesses means that the tourism income, generated by our presence, stays where it should, in the local economy.

We firmly believe in paying a fair price for all the services provided by our suppliers regardless of where they are in the world. In Lyngsfjord we work with a small consortium of activity providers whose entrepreneurial ideas have led to a very successful business and we are proud to support such diversification in the rural areas. We are also able to take full advantage of their local knowledge and enthusiasm, they know their area and they know their activities and add a great deal of local insight to the holiday.

We do appreciate that some may feel that snowmobiles should not be included in such itineraries however in areas such as this they are a way of life. The alternatives to snowmobiles would in most cases be large, gas-guzzling off road vehicles. All snowmobiles are regularly serviced and kept as fuel efficient as possible. The snowmobile service industry is also another vital source of employment in this remote area.