Tromsø, Norway - Northern Lights Sailing and Whale Watching Expedition

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Northern Lights and whale watching small-ship sailing expedition from Tromsø, Norway

Price from £2,665pp

HOLIDAY TYPE: Small Group VISITING: Norway BROCHURE CODE: 20043

            All prices include: 
            flights, transfers, accommodation, meals and guided activities; 
            all as listed.
          

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01670 785012

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Our Opinion

Speech mark

The Norwegian coastline is resplendent in its beauty. Cruising along in awe of the dramatic scenery has been a bucket list destination for a long time. If you combine that with two other major bucket list contenders – Whale watching, and seeing the Northern Lights, then this short break is an incredible opportunity to experience each of these natural wonders. The team on board this boat elevates the expedition with their dedication to ensure each guest gets the best possible experience and due to the small number of guests onboard they can really tailor their lectures and give 1:1 support throughout the journey.

Speech mark

Amy Hope

Overview

Experience the Arctic wonders of Northern Norway on this Northern Lights small-ship expedition. Ideally placed for Aurora hunting, you will spend 4 nights on board a small comfortable expedition ship and one night in the lively city of Tromsø. Enjoy the dramatic coastline of the surrounding fjords and get up close to the marine wildlife, that inhabit these waters. With onboard expedition experts, you will learn about marine biology, the science behind the Northern Lights and the art of landscape photography. A visit to a local wilderness activity camp and a trip to the world’s northernmost distillery are both included as well as a visit and tour to Hamnes.

What's included?

ALL OF THE EXPERIENCES AND SERVICES LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY PRICE

Flights: return from London to Tromsø (either direct or via Oslo depending on departure date). Flight routes are subject to change.
Transfers: return airport transfers and all activity transfers in the itinerary
Accommodation: 4 nights in a standard twin cabin (upgrades may be available depending on availability and subject to supplement), 1 night in a standard double/twin room at Clarion Hotel - The Edge
Meals: 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
Activities: Fjellheisen cable car visit, multiple whales and other arctic animal watching excursions (either by zodiac or onboard the MS Quest), guided tour of Aurora Spirit distillery, Northern lights hunt on land, guided tour of Hamnes followed by Northern Lights hunt, wilderness camp visit and activity and Northern Lights hunt by sea
Multiple lectures and photography workshops and mentoring with the onboard expert expedition crew headed up by Roger Brendhagen
Coffee and tea whilst onboard
Cold weather outerwear and boots for the duration of your time onboard
Aurora alert service from the crew onboard
24/7 assistance from our UK-based operations team and in-destination support from our local partners

Cruising the dramatic Norwegian coastline has been a popular holiday for many years, either in the fjord region further south or right up to the northernmost point in Europe. The beauty of this small-ship cruise is that you can still enjoy the stunning, dramatic coastline located in the fjords around the city of Tromso but due to the small size of the ship, you can also get much closer to the whales which frequent these waters. You are also in the best place to see the Northern Lights during your Arctic sailing expedition.

On board, our highly skilled expedition team, led by Roger Brendhagen, will teach you all about marine biology, the science behind the Aurora Borealis, landscape photography and much more.

Your team of expert local guides on board are in constant communication with their network of local guides in the region so if whales are spotted in one of the fjords by a tour, they will adapt the itinerary to incorporate that area to give you the best chance of whale watching without disturbing their natural behaviour. Similarly with the Northern Lights, if they have been seen in the local area then they will alert everyone onboard to wrap up and head outdoors.

There will be plenty of opportunities to experience some of the local culture in the region, including a visit to a local wilderness activity camp, where, depending on the weather and availability, you will either enjoy dog sledding, snowmobiling, visiting the ice domes, or meeting a Sámi herder and their reindeer. You will also explore the more modern culture of the region at the Aurora Spirits distillery which is located at 69°North, far within the Arctic Circle and is the World’s northernmost distillery. It is built within a disused NATO base and has the most fascinating history to learn about during the tour here. As part of the holiday itinerary, you will also visit the small village of Hamnes and the expedition team will guide you through the gallery and the historical buildings.

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Key facts

Duration:	5 nights
Pace:	Balanced

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Dates & Prices

Price Comparison Guarantee

Expertise and knowledge are key to witnessing the Northern Lights. We’ve been running Aurora hunting holidays longer than any company in the UK and with no lead in prices, no hidden costs and more included, we’re confident our tours will come out on top.Please note that the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply.

Activities: please note that if you are travelling early in the winter season and there is not enough snowfall, then some activities may be adapted by the local team, or alternatives provided, to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. For more information on this, please see our booking terms and conditions.

Prices
Terms

Prices

Departure dates between	Adult Price Between Price is per person
Fri 01 Dec 2023 to Sat 03 Feb 2024 Enquire	Adults £ 2,665	Enquire

Prices are based on 2 people sharing. Our holiday prices are based on the lowest available airline fares. These fares can sell out quickly and, as a result, prices may increase and supplements may be applicable. We recommend booking at the earliest opportunity to secure the best possible fares and flight times.

Terms

For our full booking terms and conditions please click here

The Specifics

Group Size

We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.

Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.

Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate

Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.

Minimum and maximum age

If a specific minimum age applies to this holiday, it can be found in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page.

Unless otherwise stated in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page, the minimum age for participation in an Aurora Zone holiday is typically 12 years old (there may be younger children in some destinations who have booked with other companies). If an adult-only environment is important to you, then please contact our Travel Experts and they will advise on the best dates and destinations for you. If you are looking for a holiday designed specifically for families then please see our sister company www.activitiesabroad.com.

Itinerary amendments

The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.

Medical History and Advice

We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.

In order to give us the best possible chance to do this, we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.

In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.

Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.

Insurance

Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.

It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.

If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.

Booking Activities Locally

Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).

When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.

In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are properly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.

Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.

The UK Foreign Office Advice

Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice

We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.

The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade https://www.mfat.govt.nz/

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.

If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.

If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.

If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.

Brexit information for British Passport holders

Information for British Passport Holders

It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport and/or any required visas are up to date for your holiday. Please take special note of rules relating to passport validity as these have changed since Brexit. You can find more general advice from the UK government on their Passport rules for travel to Europe and then country specific advice on the Foreign Travel Advice page under the entry requirements section.

Please also check the UK Governments ‘Get Travel Smart’ campaign for up to date information on travel advice by country, information on Travel Insurance and information on how to renew your passport if required.

Passport rules for Travel to Europe after Brexit

The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

Passport rules for Travel to Europe after Brexit

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

Passport rules for Travel to Europe after Brexit

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation

On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.

Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.

Booking your own flights - cancellation disclaimer

If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.

If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.

Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.

Terms and Conditions

Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.theaurorazone.com/booking-conditions

Agenda

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Accommodation

Included in price

MV Quest

Nights: 1-4

The Mv Quest has a rich history of Arctic sailing expeditions. The ship was originally built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a passenger ferry along Greenland’s west coast. In 2005, this sailing ship was completely refurbished to become a comfortable expedition ship with a maximum capacity of 52 guests, with 26 cabins in total, all with ensuite facilities keeping guests warm and comfortable throughout their sailing expedition in the Arctic.

The dining room on this ship has a panorama lounge, a small bar and a quiet library. In the lounge, there will be entertaining talks on the area’s history, wildlife, and other relevant topics by the team of expert local guides onboard. There are also five zodiac boats which can be used to take guests ashore, or pretty much anywhere you choose to explore! The Mv Quest is a slightly smaller ship than most, which allows you to discover the untouched areas that some of the larger cruise ships along Northern Norway and the zodiacs can take you even closer to the stunning scenery and wildlife in this area.

The food onboard is “pure, fresh and straight from the source” and the onboard chefs use the freshest local ingredients, including seafood and game, to provide a cultural experience through their menu choices. Any dietary requirements can be catered for, please let us know at the time of booking.

Room types

Twin cabins

Most of the cabins on board the MV Quest are twin cabins with two separate twin beds. They all have an ensuite shower/WC and a small desk and chair. They all have a hairdryer and private safe too. The standard twin rooms are around 10 metres squared.

Double Superior cabin and owner’s cabin

There are three double super cabins and one owner’s cabin onboard MV Quest. These are the only cabin types with a double bed. These cabins are located on decks 3 and 4 and are more spacious than the standard cabins and they are also the only cabins with TVs and armchairs in the rooms (please note that the TVs are meant for guests to link and stream from their personal devices, they do not pick up channels).

Clarion Hotel - The Edge

Nights: 5

Situated right in the centre of Tromsø, the Clarion Hotel The Edge puts you in a prime location to explore the ‘Paris of the North’ and is an excellent base to transfer to your memorable activities.

Hotel Facilities

Enjoy great views of the brilliant architecture of the city as it reflects in the waters just outside the hotel or head to the 11th-floor sky bar – the only one of its kind in the city – for a vista like no other (open Thursday to Saturday only)
The hotel puts great emphasis on being eco-friendly and is built with an environmental classification A.
Keep up with your fitness in the onsite gym with stunning sea views
Enjoy a delicious meal at your culinary home from home, The Living Room

Room Facilities

Twin/Double Rooms: the hotel offers standard double rooms as well as a standard twin room (two single beds). All rooms are ensuite and come with WiFi, minibar, iron and ironing board.
Deluxe Double/Junior Suite/Family Room: for larger groups, we can offer an upgrade to a deluxe double (sleeps up to 3 persons) or a junior suite or family room for 4 people.

NB: The hotel is cash-free. They take payment by credit or debit card and accept all major international cards.

Personalise

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Our pick

Daytime Dog Sledding Safari (Tromsø)

From £202pp

During this safari, you’ll be driven by an expert guide as you sit and relax in the sledge, giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the fantastic mountain scenery that surrounds you.

After being collected in Tromsø, you’ll be driven to the husky camp where you will have the chance to meet the dogs and their puppies. Your expert musher will then take you on a safari lasting between 45-60 minutes, across the wintery landscape. Returning back to the camp, a warm meal around a campfire awaits.

Duration: 4 hours in total (Approximately, including transfers. 45-60 minutes dog sledding)

Available: November (depending on snow cover) to March

Minimum 2 participants

Other options

Activities

Activities

Northern Lights Chase (Tromsø)

From: £176pp

Tonight takes you out of the city lights in search of an incredible Northern Lights display.

Travelling by minibus allows you to outrun any potential cloud cover and go further in search of the Northern Lights. Your guide will use the weather forecast and their expert knowledge to determine the best location for potential viewings.

Upon arrival at your chosen spot, you will keep warm by the campfire and enjoy warm drinks and a local meal as your guide helps you look for the lights. If conditions are favourable and they do make an appearance, you can also get tips on how to capture the moment on camera. Your guide will also be taking photos which will be provided to you. The activity starts at 6pm.

Duration: Between 6 and 9 hours depending on weather conditions and including transfers.

Available: September to March

Reviews

Traveller Reviews

All I had to do was show up! 23 November 2022 by Elizabeth Parrington

Every detail was thought of and all trips were seamless meaning all I had to do was show up! I was even given the right clothes to wear. Safety on board was paramount and the zodiac boat guys clearly knew what they were doing - transfers on and off were so easy even when a little choppy. The zodiacs were only launched when the conditions were safe to do so and when it was too choppy the…
Read more captain made every effort to ensure we saw the orcas. Trips out were excellent - seeing Tromso from the snowy cable car and being treated to a showing of the Aurora on our first night was incredible. Then our guide telling us about the whales the following day in time for their arrival enhanced the experience, including how the zodiacs would be conducted to ensure the whales would not be stressed by our presence. To witness the majesty, strength and grace of so many humpback whales so close was an emotional and unforgettable moment. The following day we saw orcas, again extraordinary to be so close to a pod "dancing" in the water by us. The trip to the Aurora Distillery and the associated NATO bunker was another highlight - what a location! Transferring by zodiac in still waters under the stars in a snow covered fjord was another "pinch me" moment. The distillery was fascinating to me - stunning building, beautifully presented with great hosts. And the whisky and gin was great too! The visit to the small village of Hamnnes gave an interesting insight into the past lives (and current) of its inhabitants - the little museum gave an interesting view of its history - we particularly liked the 2 thumbed mittens! The dried fish was an eye opener and showed how small villages still play a part in its production. Dog sledging - another great experience - we were given top quality warm suits to wear and were taking out by very experienced handlers in a beautiful environment - the animals were well cared for as we were on return when we were treated to cake and coffee heated on an open fire - fabulous! Food on board - absolutely first class - from the delicious breakfasts, to excellent lunches and dinners, I wasn't expecting dishes such as chateaubriand to be on the menu! The staff could not have been more helpful. It all sounds too good to be true - but it was THAT amazing!
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