Northern Lights Expedition
Extra Small Group max 6 persons - Active Outdoor Tour - 4x4 Vehicle
THE MOST ACTIVE NORTHERN LIGHTS SMALL GROUP TOUR IN TROMSØ
Are you fit and confident in walking on ice and snow and want to reach the most scenic spots in a small, dynamic group? Then this might be the right tour for you, keep on reading!
Starting with a beast of a 4x4, a Toyota Land Cruiser Arctic Truck, we will overland to locations around Tromsø region with suitable skies in order to chase the elusive Aurora Borealis. Being an active outdoor tour, if the weather conditions and locations allow, we may go hiking or snowshoeing deeper in the backcountry, reaching quieter landscapes, pristine fjords, frozen lakes and the best spots that the Arctic has to offer away from the mass tourism crowds. Whether the ground will be covered in ice or snow, you will be provided with ice crampons or snow rackets (when needed) and thermal suits, as well as hand and foot warmers. Please remember you must wear your own warm snow boots. Your guide will take photos of you and the lights, but if you have a camera as well, do bring it along! You will also get tips on how to take your own Aurora photographs and use a professional camera tripod.
Upon finding suitable conditions and setting up camp, an expedition soup for dinner, cookies and hot drinks will warm us up in the wild, while enjoying the night Arctic sky!
TOUR DETAILS
PRICE: from NOK 2.450
GROUP SIZE: max 6 participants
DURATION: approx. 5 to 9 hours
TOUR TYPE: active, a good level of fitness is required
PICKUP: Musikkpaviljong - Vestregata 51
STARTING TIME: it varies on the season, see booking calendar
DROP OFF: your accomodation on Tromsø island
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Nico, the most adventurous guide!
Photos from the tour
Warm expedition soup, lactose / gluten free / vegan option available on request
Cookies & hot drinks: organic tea & hot chocolate
Thermal suit, hand & foot warmers
Ice crampons / snow rackets / head lamps
Professional camera tripods
WHAT TO BRING
Your adventure mood turned on!
You must have your own snow boots
Warm clothes, unsure how to dress?
Read “TOUR CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT”
Fresh water, your guide provides hot drinks only
Maximum one small backpack, space is limited in the vehicle
Your camera if you have one!
With 8 years of experience in guiding Northern Lights tours in Tromsø region, you can be sure to be in good hands while on tour with Arctic Photo Guide. Local knowledge, deep understanding of weather patterns and a wide network of fellow guides are the keys to unlock the best results in chasing Auroras! I always say that to be a Northern Lights Guide is a hard job but somebody has to do it: after more than 1000 seen Auroras I’m still proud of my job and eager to see and make other people see what Mother Nature can show us in a different way each day.
Are you up for the adventure?
What to expect from the tour and the gear provided - Please read before booking!
Having a clear sky is the top priority when chasing the northern lights, and possibly a nice landscape in the background too! Then it’s up to Mother Nature deciding whether the lights will appear or not. We only have a very short term forecast for the solar activity, of only about one hour in advance. Therefore, it is impossible to know how the lights will be over the whole tour.
In the last years, with the increase in popularity of this beautiful phenomenon, it has become crowded on the roads out there at night, and every tour bus must find a suitable parking place cleared from the snow in order to let the guests safely out. Needless to say, being alone on a road side parking is not a sure fact anymore!
That’s why, after thoughtful considerations, Nico from Arctic Photo Guide has chosen to run his tours with an unconventional mean of transportation: an off road 4x4 seven seater truck, which allows for much more parking flexibility when looking for a place to stop and see the lights. Quiet forest roads and snow covered spots are easier to access, thanks to the high ground clearance and large wheels of the vehicle.
This comes with downsides though: it is quite high and harder to crawl into for older people, and it has normal car seats (not like a spacious van or a minibus). When at full capacity like on this tour, larger sized or very tall guests do not fit in it, as sometimes long drives are required to see the lights and adequate comfort must be guaranteed to every participant on tour.
It might somehow sound discriminatory, and I wish there was a larger vehicle yet as capable in deep snow driving as this one in the Norwegian market, but there’s not, so it had to be a compromise. Make also sure not to bring unneccessary luggage or big backpacks - there is no place on board for them - maximum 1 small bag/backpack per person that can be tucked between your legs. Please get in touch by email here before booking if you have any doubt, or consider booking the private tour in order to have maximum comfort of the whole vehicle for you and your party!
The vehicle used, an Arctic Trucks Toyota Land Cruiser. When the high season hits Tromsø, this will help us finding quieter places where to stop and admire the lights away from crowds. And if that won’t be enough…we gear up and off we go for a hike!
Snow rackets, also called snowshoes, are a piece of equipment, a sort of wide platform, that straps over your own boots and allows you to walk on deep snow without sinking. When the ground will be very icy, you’ll get ice cleats instead.
If both weather conditions and locations allow, you will be taken on a (easy) hike to secluded spots. Although this is not always happening, you must be in good physical shape to walk on uneven, snowy, icy, wet and slippery terrain!
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS - READ BEFORE YOU BOOK:
Extra small group of maximum 6 participants!
The vehicle used on tour is a lifted 4x4 off road truck with normal car seats, not a spacious van nor a minibus. Unfortunately, when at full capacity like on this tour, larger sized / very tall guests do not fit in it, as sometimes long drives are required to see the lights and adequate comfort must be guaranteed to every participant on tour. Please get in touch before booking if you are in doubt!
Make sure to read “Tour Clothing & Equipment Checklist” page to be prepared for the tour!
Don't bring unneccessary luggage or big backpacks - there is no place on board for them - maximum 1 small bag/backpack per person
Age of the participants: minimum 13 maximum 60
For children younger than 13 or shorter than 150 cm you must enquire or click here for private option
You must be in good physical shape to walk on uneven terrain that will be snowy, icy, wet and slippery
This tour is not suitable for elderly participants, pregnant women, people with any injury, sickness, movement fatigue or disability, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches. It is an active tour!
Be aware to check your phone & emails on the days before the tour for possible tour updates
Vegan, lactose & gluten free soup is available on request, you must inform us on the booking form in case of any allergy or food requirements
Please read the Terms & Conditions
Now, after reading everything, you are finally ready to book your tour!
Availability is limited, being the smallest tour company in Tromsø - one man show, and running both day and night tours.
If you want to book a date that is not available on the calendar, make sure to also check the Photography Tours section for more small group tours packages, or please send an email at info@arcticphotoguide.com specifying the dates you will be in Tromsø and how many participants you are.
You will be added on the waiting list and be contacted if someone cancels, or recommended another trusted company I cooperate with!
