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Peregrine Travel Centre

Northern Lights and whales Tour in Northern Norway

Northern Lights and whales Tour in Northern Norway

From USD $3,590

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Description

Join a unique winter adventure in Northern Norway! We will head into the fjords outside the small towns Tromsø and Alta to enjoy a grand natural wonderland and hopefully experience the magical Northern Lights. If we are lucky this expedition will also offer exclusive encounters with orcas and humpback whales. In addition, we visit the coastal town of Alta and the village of Kautokeino in Northern Sápmi (Lapland). We stay at an ice hotel, learn more about the Sami culture and visit the spectacular Northern Lights Cathedral. (More information under cabins and prices.)

For those who are interested in photography, the light this time of year is captivating. Even when the sun is below the horizon, we can enjoy enchanting dusks and dawns. In clear weather we have a great chance to see the spectacular Northern Lights (aurora borealis) dance in the sky. This region is known as a particularly good destination to see the aurora. Watching the greenish light dancing above our ship in the smooth, protected waters of the fjords is an extraordinary experience!

Huge shoals of herring overwinter in the fjords around Tromsø and Alta, which has attracted many orcas and humpback whales. As with any wild animals, it is difficult to predict if they will return but with some luck we will experience unforgettable encounters with these incredible marine mammals.

We will head out on exciting Zodiac cruises and go ashore to explore Tromsø’s dramatic islands up close. The snow-covered mountain peaks offer marvellous scenery together with the small picturesque houses and the beautiful fjords. The area is also a popular haunt for white-tailed eagles. Rebbenesøya, Skorpa, Ringvassøya and Seiland are examples on places we hope to explore.

On board, we listen to inspiring lectures, enjoy delicious food and keep a lookout for wildlife and Northern Lights out on deck.

Price includes
+4 nights on board MS Quest
+1 night ice hotel in Alta
+1 night Thon Hotel Kautokeino
+All meals
+Coffee and tea
+Experienced and knowleadgeable guides
+Guiding ashore and all excursions
+ Talks and lectures on board

Trip Name
Northern Lights and whales Tour in Northern Norway
Days
7
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 66 metres Passenger Capacity: 53 Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2005 / 2018 Normal 0 false false false EN-NZ X-NONE X-NONE M/S Quest was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland`s west-coast. In 2004/2005 she was redesigned as an expedition ship and has now a career as a small and comfortable expedition vessel. She was extensively renovated in 2018. Quest takes 53 passengers in 26 cabins, all with sea-view and private facilities. The triple cabins on deck 3 have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin you also find a desk with chair and ample storage space for clothes and equipment. The superior cabins on deck 3 and 4 are spacious and have a separate sitting area and TV/DVD. The Owner`s cabin, next to the Captain`s cabin, on deck 4 has a double bed, two large picture windows, a sitting area and TV/DVD. The owner’s cabin has a double bed, two large picture windows, a separate seating area and TV. In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. Here you can listen to entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna and history. In the lounge you also find a bar and a small library. The ship has spacious observation decks, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for. You are welcomed by an international crew and the atmosphere is relaxed and very friendly. There are five Zodiacs and five guides on board M/S Quest.

Itinerary



Day 1 - About the itinerary
During this expedition we spend four nights on board the small and comfortable expedition ship M/S Quest. In true expedition style, the itinerary is flexible due to weather and possible whale encounters. We also stay one night at the ice hotel in Alta and one in the remote village of Kautokeino in the heart of Lapland at the beginning or the end of the trip, depending on departure date.
Day 2 - Tromsø
The expedition starts or ends in the city of Tromsø (see departures), located 350 km north of the Arctic Circle, and beautifully framed by fjords and mountains peaks. The city has been the starting point for many polar expeditions and was referred to as “the Gateway to the Arctic” in the 1800s.
Day 3 - Expedition cruising with M/S Quest
We are now on an expedition cruise and our itinerary is flexible due to weather and wildlife. We travel during the second half of January, when the sun has just returned, giving us direct sunlight for a short time each day. For those who are interested in photography, the light this time of year is captivating. Even when the sun is below the horizon, we can enjoy enchanting dusks and dawns.In clear weather we have good chances to see the spectacular Northern Lights (aurora borealis) dance in the sky. This region is known as one of the best destinations if you dream about watching this fascinating phenomenon. Watching the greenish light dancing above our ship in the smooth, protected waters of the fjords is an extraordinary experience!Since 2010, huge shoals of herring have overwintered in the fjords around Tromsø and Alta, which has attracted many orcas, but also humpback whales. As with any wild animals, it is difficult to predict if they will return the winter of 2019/2020, but with some luck we will experience unforgettable encounters with these incredible marine mammals.During the trip, we hope to see both Northern Lights and whales, but when the opportunity arises, we will head out on exciting Zodiac cruises and go ashore to explore Tromsø’s dramatic islands up close. The snow-covered mountain peaks offer marvellous sceneries together with the small picturesque houses and the beautiful fjords. The area is also a popular haunt for white-tailed eagles. Rebbenesøya, Skorpa, Ringvassøya and Seiland are examples on places we hope to explore.On board, we listen to inspiring lectures, enjoy delicious food and keep a lookout for wildlife and Northern Lights out on deck.
Day 4 - Alta – The Ice Hotel & the Cathedral
The little coastal town of Alta, framed by high mountains and beautiful fjords is located an overnight journey with ship from Tromsø. The town is also known as the city of the Northern Lights. Here you have great chances of seeing the Northern Lights, but it was also in Alta that Kristian Birkeland in 1899 built the world’s first Northern Lights observatory. Of course, we explore the spectacular Northern Lights Cathedral! Alta has a long history of slate and during the day we visit a slate quarry to learn more about the handcraft. Our day ends with a dinner composed of local ingredients and a good night’s sleep at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – made of snow and ice. It is an unforgettable and surreal experience to fall asleep in a warm sleeping bag surrounded by ice.
Day 5 - Kautokeino – Wilderness & Sami culture
This day, we head out in the wilderness of Finnmarken. After a couple of hours bus ride from Alta we reach a Sami camp, located in the heart of Sápmi (Lapland) - the region traditionally inhabited by the Sami people. Here we learn more about the Sami culture and enjoy a typical Sami lunch in a Lavvu. We then check in at the beautifully located Thon Hotel Kautokeino, where we spend the night, enjoy a delicious dinner and keep a look out for the Northern Lights.
Day 6 - Please note:
The exact route will depend on weather and possible whale encounters. The captain and the expedition leader will do everything to maximise our experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
17-01-202023-01-2020USD $3,590Triple Cabin
17-01-202023-01-2020USD $4,390Twin Cabin
17-01-202023-01-2020USD $4,590Double Cabin
17-01-202023-01-2020USD $4,590Twin Cabin Superior
17-01-202023-01-2020USD $4,990Double Cabin Superior
17-01-202023-01-2020USD $5,390Owners Cabin
17-01-202023-01-2020USD $7,190Twin Cabin Solo
19-01-202025-01-2020USD $4,590Double Cabin
19-01-202025-01-2020USD $4,990Double Cabin Superior
19-01-202025-01-2020USD $5,390Owners Cabin
19-01-202025-01-2020USD $7,190Twin Cabin Solo
19-01-202025-01-2020USD $3,590Triple Cabin
19-01-202025-01-2020USD $4,390Twin Cabin
19-01-202025-01-2020USD $4,590Twin Cabin Superior

Inclusions

    • Have good chances to see the spectacular Northern Lights (aurora borealis) dance in the sky
    • Head out on exciting Zodiac cruises and go ashore to explore Tromsø’s dramatic islands up close
    • Head out in the wilderness of Finnmarken

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