
Overview
What's included?
ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY PRICE
- Transfers: return airport transfers
- Accommodation: 2 nights at Clarion Hotel The Edge and 1 night in a Husky Cabin at Vilmarkssenter*
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
- The following activities are included in the holiday price: Polar fjord cruise, guided tour of the husky centre and husky hike, access to Aurora Camp, Northern Lights minibus chase (order subject to change)
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
*Please note the Vilmarkssenter provides a Glamping experience and currently there are no showers on site for this night of your trip.
Travelling to Tromso and its surrounding wilderness at this time of year, not only provides the chance to witness the stunning colours of autumn but also exceptional Aurora viewing opportunities. This short break combines two nights in cosmopolitan Tromsø with a night in an innovative Glamping hut with an adjoining husky kennel. You’ll also take to the fjords searching for Arctic wildlife.
Your first and final nights in Norway are spent in Tromsø, which is a vibrant Arctic city, surrounded by islands, fjords and mountains. There is so much to do here (we can help you extend your holiday of course) but we strongly recommend a trip in the Storsteinen cable car to take in the incredible views. The city is alive with bars, cafes and restaurants and it is awash with Arctic history and heritage so there is much to see and enjoy during your stay.
The second night of your stay will see you sleeping in the stunning Norwegian countryside at the famous Vilamarkssenter, one of Europe’s leading husky and wilderness centres. As well as a tour of the centre, you will be able to take a husky for a hike in the pristine wilderness. Far from light pollution, you will enjoy stunning views with your new canine pal nearby and hopefully enjoy some duvet-based Aurora hunting!
From Tromso, we also take you out of the city lights in search of the Aurora. With the flexibility provided by a warm and comfortable minibus, your guide will take you to the best spots in the local area to see the Aurora dancing above your head.
Of course, we also show off this area’s surroundings during the day, and an ideal way to soak up the landscape is from the water. As standard, this holiday offers an exceptional polar fjord cruise, an ideal way to see marine life as well as sea eagles and take in the amazing views.
This three-night short break offers an incredible array of experiences in a short space of time. You’ll enjoy a cosmopolitan city, wildlife encounters, amazing Aurora accommodation and the chance to hopefully see the Northern Lights in all their glory.
©Tromsø Adventure, Tromsø Villmarkssenter & Ricardo Torres
Dates & Prices
Price Comparison Guarantee

The prices below are based on our allocated rooms. If these rooms are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement 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
Departure dates between | ||
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Fri 01 Sep 2023
to Tue 31 Oct 2023 |
Adults £ 1,115 To £ 1,248 |
Prices are based on 2 people sharing. Please note that flights are not included in the holiday price so that the best possible fares and schedule can be found at the time of booking. Our Travel Experts will happily provide you with a quote and arrange flights on your behalf.
Please note that the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply.
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
The Specifics
Holiday group size (approximate)
Minimum 1 person; maximum 25 (approximately)
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.
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
Agenda
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DAY 1
Arrival and Welcome
Tromsø is a cosmopolitan city located in Northern Norway. It has a vibrant mix of local restaurants, interesting attractions and picturesque Norwegian landscapes. We would recommend booking an early flight in order to maximise your time here for there is simply loads to enjoy.
After arriving at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel which has stunning views of the harbour and is ideally located for exploring the city. For dinner tonight, why not head into town to try some of the local cafés, bars and restaurants, there are plenty of fantastic options close by; it'll give you a great chance to explore the city, which despite its location north of the Arctic Circle, comes alive during the evening.
Included Meals: None -
DAY 2
Hiking and Glamping with Huskies
To the Norwegians, hiking in nature is so much more than a way of getting about or just another pastime. They hold it as the ideal way to clear one’s head and maintain your mental well-being in the frenetic modern world. The only way you could make such an activity more wholesome would be to take your hike with your own personal issue husky!
After breakfast inTromsø, you will be transferred to the wilderness centre which is just 30 minutes away. You will have a tour of the facilities and be issued with waterproof clothes and boots if necessary, but more excitingly you will also be issued with your husky! Huskies live not only to run but also to pull, so dogs are issued per party rather than per person as it can be best to rotate them between you. The dogs will be secured using a waist-belt for your comfort. Then you will have a guided tour through the surrounding countryside, enjoying the silence as you make your way through the birch trees and experience some of the cleanest air the world has to offer.
Following the hike, you will be served a delicious lunch of Bacalao, a fish dish that is part of the traditional Norwegian cuisine, around an open fire. You will be shown your husky cabin where a canine friend (or two!) will be excited to meet you. Each cabin has a doghouse that allows you to interact with the dogs when you're outside and watch them resting through a glass window when you're inside. Since you already know the terrain after the hike, you will have the chance to borrow the dog walking equipment and explore the wilderness further if you wish, with your husky buddies that are going to spend the night at your cabin. Please make sure to discuss your plans with reception first, so that they can help you prepare if necessary and advise on suitable routes.
For dinner, you will have the chance to try Bidos, this is a traditional Sami reindeer dish. With the right conditions, you may be able to see the Aurora from your cabin, but you will also have access to a nearby Aurora Camp where there will be a campfire and you can sit out for as long as you wish.
Please note: the Vilmarkssenter provides a Glamping experience and currently there are no showers on site for this night of your trip.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
DAY 3
Polar Fjord Cruise and Aurora Chase
This morning you will return to Tromso and follow in the footsteps of the Vikings and Sami and take to the Arctic waters around Tromso. You will learn more about its history and see as much wildlife as possible up close – you may encounter seals, porpoise, eagles and other seabirds. Once onboard, you can enjoy Arctic fish, snacks and hot drinks. You will also be provided with an insulated jacket and you can also keep warm in the cabins downstairs.
In the afternoon you will have time to explore Tromso or relax at your hotel. At 6pm you will depart on an adventure with one main goal, to find the best viewing spot for the Northern Lights. 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.
This tour can last from 6 to 9 hours depending on weather conditions and including transfers.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
DAY 4
Departure
Following breakfast, it will be time to leave the colourful autumn landscapes of Tromsø behind and you will be transferred to the airport in preparation for your flight home. For those looking to extend their stay and continue the search for the Aurora, then there are a number of Northern Lights-based activities which can be found in our 'Personalise' section.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Clarion Hotel - The Edge
Nights: 1,3
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 tastes of Manhattan made using Arctic ingredients in the ‘Kitchen and Table’ restaurant
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.
Vilmarkssenter
Nights: 2
Tromsø Vilmarkssenter is one of Norway’s largest and most established adventure companies. It is a family-run business founded by Tove Sorenson, who has a proven background in outdoor adventures and husky care, as a 19-time competitor in the Finnmarkslopet and also the Alaskan Iditarod.
The Vilmarkssenter has a well-earned reputation for its hospitality and has been welcoming guests in search of the Aurora for many years, and also providing them with tasty Norwegian and Sami dishes.
They have now embraced innovation in their new Glamping Cabins (there will soon be 4 of these available) which not only provide a cosy base for guests but also allow them to make friends with the one or two huskies who will be their bunk-mates. Each cabin has a comfortable kennel built on the side, so although the huskies are tethered they have access to the outside and also the warm inside area which shares a transparent wall with the cabin. Guests can interact with the huskies outside the cabins but also see them through the glass viewing panel inside.
Meals at the Vilmarkssenter will be served at the traditional Gamme hut which also serves as an Aurora Camp.
Please note that the Cabins here are not ensuite, with toilets located about 40 metres away. Currently, there are no showers on site (these will be added in 2023) so we recommend using these at the Clarion Edge before setting off for your wilderness experience.
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
Overall excellent. All arrangements flawless - everyone was expecting us and we saw amazing things. We were very lucky with the Aurora and whales! A bit more info on the coach transfers and the flow of the days would have been welcome. Whale safari slightly less perfunctory.
This was one of the best vacations I have ever had! The choice of accommodations was excellent and the customer service throughout was phenomenal. But the best part were the local guides and companies that they partnered with. Green Gold of Norway was especially fantastic. We had the most magical day, whale watching (saw so many orcas and grey whales!) during the day, and watching the breathtaking…
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Northern Lights at night. Cannot say enough about what an amazing trip this was. Thank you!
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We were very lucky and had a clear sunny day for this trip and saw many whales close up.
Thoroughly enjoyed all the excursions and especially the night at the Crystal Lavvos on the Lyngen peninsula. We were so fortunate to see the Aurora on a number of nights and the local guides provided great information and photographic advice. The Clarion Hotel The Edge was excellent and the breakfast kept us going throughout the day. Many thanks to the whole Aurora Zone team and…
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their local guides.
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Crystal Lavvos (Lyngen) was a superb area to view the Aurora and Franciso and Norbert of Green Gold were excellent guides. Francisco's advice on camera set-up was invaluable and overall he made us so welcome at his home. Have to add that we were extremely fortunate with the weather and Aurora conditions.
The crystal lavvo overnight. Francisco is an interesting and communicative host. It is a great experience sleeping under the night sky but still having the comfort of a real bed.
Thank you so much for organizing a very good tour for us! We were lucky to see the Northern Lights! Honestly, it was the best trip we've ever had!