Winter activity holiday in Norway
| country: | Norway |
| departures: | Departs Tuesdays and Saturdays January to May |
| price: | From £1995 (8 days) including flights from the UK. Price based on 2 people sharing. Single supplement £265. Includes accommodation, most meals, return airport transfers, activities, equipment and guides. Minimum age 18 |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Where else can you drive a team of huskies across terrain that combines fjords, snowy mountains and the Aurora Borealis? And, with direct flights from Stansted to Tromsø another world is just over three hours away.
Accommodation
Guesthouse Vollan: Urban sophistication is all very well but it’s even better when you can combine it with some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery. It’s not much more than an hour’s drive (unless you have to stop to watch the Northern Lights) into the heart of Lyngen, where the fjords meet the mountains. It’s wild and untamed terrain and definitely not somewhere to go without an experienced guide. Fortunately, we know just the right people.
This charming guesthouse is cosy and warm, the perfect retreat from the chilly winter outside its doors. With just 13 rooms it is also an intimate place which makes it ideal for relaxing after long days spent in the great Norwegian outdoors. All the rooms have en-suite facilities with a shower/WC, cable TV and wireless Internet access. The restaurant prides itself on producing genuine Norwegian cuisine from locally sourced ingredients. Bread and pastries are home baked - delicious!
Tromsø - Radisson SAS Hotel: Congratulations! You have just become privy to one of Europe’s best kept short break destinations. Tromsø may only be home to 50,000 people but it boasts more than it’s fair share of attractions, shops, bars, restaurants and, of course, the Northern Lights. If you do nothing else, you have to wander past the many coloured houses and buildings of the main street "Storgata" and down to the harbour. It was from here that Amundsen, amongst others, set out on his polar expedition giving Tromsø the name "Gateway to the Arctic".
The Radisson enjoys a seafront location and mountain views in the heart of Tromsø. There are 269 recently renovated en-suite bedrooms with all the modern conveniences including free Internet access. The hotel also offers a host of facilities with 2 restaurants, 2 bars, and a fitness, sauna and solarium area on the 10th floor with fabulous views of the cathedral and surrounding mountains,
Lavvu: A night in a Lavvu ( Norwegian teepee) does not just provide your accommodation but a real experience! The Lavvu is a strong symbol for the Sami as a cultural haven. It is heated by an open fire or a Lavvu oven centrally placed, which allows the smoke to escape through a smoke hole in the top of the Lavvu. The fire keeps you warm, allows you to dry your clothes and to cook your meals indoors.
You will sleep on reindeer hides in an Arctic grade sleeping bag, designed to keep you warm to -40 degrees Celcius. If you are really lucky the Northern Lights may also lighten the night sky for you. A truly memorable night!
Accommodation
Guesthouse Vollan: Urban sophistication is all very well but it’s even better when you can combine it with some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery. It’s not much more than an hour’s drive (unless you have to stop to watch the Northern Lights) into the heart of Lyngen, where the fjords meet the mountains. It’s wild and untamed terrain and definitely not somewhere to go without an experienced guide. Fortunately, we know just the right people.
This charming guesthouse is cosy and warm, the perfect retreat from the chilly winter outside its doors. With just 13 rooms it is also an intimate place which makes it ideal for relaxing after long days spent in the great Norwegian outdoors. All the rooms have en-suite facilities with a shower/WC, cable TV and wireless Internet access. The restaurant prides itself on producing genuine Norwegian cuisine from locally sourced ingredients. Bread and pastries are home baked - delicious!
Tromsø - Radisson SAS Hotel: Congratulations! You have just become privy to one of Europe’s best kept short break destinations. Tromsø may only be home to 50,000 people but it boasts more than it’s fair share of attractions, shops, bars, restaurants and, of course, the Northern Lights. If you do nothing else, you have to wander past the many coloured houses and buildings of the main street "Storgata" and down to the harbour. It was from here that Amundsen, amongst others, set out on his polar expedition giving Tromsø the name "Gateway to the Arctic".
The Radisson enjoys a seafront location and mountain views in the heart of Tromsø. There are 269 recently renovated en-suite bedrooms with all the modern conveniences including free Internet access. The hotel also offers a host of facilities with 2 restaurants, 2 bars, and a fitness, sauna and solarium area on the 10th floor with fabulous views of the cathedral and surrounding mountains,
Lavvu: A night in a Lavvu ( Norwegian teepee) does not just provide your accommodation but a real experience! The Lavvu is a strong symbol for the Sami as a cultural haven. It is heated by an open fire or a Lavvu oven centrally placed, which allows the smoke to escape through a smoke hole in the top of the Lavvu. The fire keeps you warm, allows you to dry your clothes and to cook your meals indoors.
You will sleep on reindeer hides in an Arctic grade sleeping bag, designed to keep you warm to -40 degrees Celcius. If you are really lucky the Northern Lights may also lighten the night sky for you. A truly memorable night!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Flights, arrivals and transfers. You will be met at Tromsø Airport from where your transfer heads towards the fjords and mountains of Lyngsfjord. On arrival at your accommodation there will be time to check-in before an introduction with your guide which will be followed by dinner. Get a good night's sleep. The coming days will be spent exploring the dramatic winter landscapes which can be very tiring in sub-zero temperatures. |
| Day 2: | Snowmobile safari. Initially, a moderate speed allows you to become familiarised with your skidoo. As you ascend above the tree line the pace will quicken and you'll begin to understand why so many people in Northern Europe rely on snowmobiles. They are fast, efficient and allow you to see as much as possible of this vast area in a short space of time. The route leads to the lake at Tamok where lunch is a traditional meal from Northern Norway. You will also get the chance to try some ice fishing. |
| Day 3: | Reindeer and Sami culture. Reindeer can run as fast as 45km per hour so keep a firm hold of the reins during your 30 minute reindeer-pulled sleigh ride in the Tamok Valley. The Sami and the reindeer are inextricably linked and today you will learn about the many traditions that surround these fascinating people. You'll also learn a few of their skills including lassoing and very likely get to taste the reindeer meat as well. Vegetarians fear not - you are also very well catered for! |
| Day 4: | Snowshoe survival. Just a few little tips can be enough to save a life in these Arctic tips. Today's snowshoe trek introduces a few of those essential skills. You will head out into the wild on snowshoes to the lake where your guide will help you drill through the snow to try your luck at ice fishing. Weather permitting, you'll also be shown how to build a fire and make a warm meal as well as building a snow cave. You will be outside for around 7 hours today so those tips on keeping warm could be invaluable! |
| Day 5-6: | Overnight husky safari. Today you will head off with your team of huskies on an overnight safari. You will recieve full tuition before heading our on the trails in the company of your highly experienced musher guide. Howls of excitement will make it plain that the dogs are as anxious as you are to be off. At first the huskies may look and sound like a pack of hungry wolves but once they are off and running you'll soon realise that they and you, their musher, are a team. You will have one team of dogs per person. Your route takes you through wilderness where occurences of the Northern Lights are extremely frequent. This safari really is about living the dream as you will have dinner and spend the evening and night in a traditional Lavvu If you are not too exhausted from the day's endeavours with the dogs, remember to pop your head out of the teepee from time to time in case the Aurora is shimmering in the night sky! After your return to camp late in the afternoon you will be transferred to the city of Tromso. Your hotel will provide welcome comforts after your adventure and the evening is free for you to try one of Tromso's many restaurants. |
| Day 7: | Tromsø. You will be awoken early by the dogs and after breakfast you set off on the return leg of your safari. After your return to Vollan, you will be transferred to Tromsø for a two night stay. With some excellent shopping, lively cafes and bars, museums and galleries there is plenty to recommend this lovely coastal city. |
| Day 8: | Departure or extend your stay. An early morning taxi ride takes you back to the airport for your return flight. You can alternatively extend your stay in Tromso if you would like further time to explore the city. Simply contact our reservations staff for a quotation. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment:
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 trace policy and absolutely all waste is removed from the wilderness camps. 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 Community: 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. 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 are included 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. The Guesthouse Vollan is a small family run establishment which is situated in the outskirts of a small town. It is an area which has very little contact with the tourism industry which cities such as Tromso experience and so the economic benefit of the tourism we bring in is felt strongly. 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. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |