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Tromsø & Sommarøy – City and Island Auroras

  • Details

Details

This 4-night break combines Tromsø, the cosmopolitan Capital of the Arctic with the peaceful island life of Sommarøy. You'll explore the fjords, go on two dedicated Northern Lights hunts and enjoy the leisurely pace of life on Sommarøy.

Your holiday begins in the city of Tromsø, which is often referred to as the Capital of the Arctic. Tromsø is no sleepy town; it is a vibrant hive of activity and offers many attractions. There are some seriously good eateries, a thriving cafe and shopping culture as well as the world's most northerly aquarium and the imposing Arctic Cathedral which dominates the city skyline.

Tromsø is predominantly built on a large island linked to the mainland, and the city's boundaries are marked by the fjords and mountains which surround it, meaning that the wilderness is always within easy reach. During your stay, you'll have time to explore the city and the surrounding fjords in comfort. The boat will travel just off Tromsø where the views will have you reaching for your camera. There is rich marine life in this area, including seals and various seabirds.

As most Aurora hunters know, city lights do not allow for the best Northern Lights viewing and so we have also included a dedicated Aurora hunt by minibus on your second night in town. Your expert local guide will lead the chase using the latest weather forecasts and solar activity readings to determine your route.

From Tromso, you continue to the island of Sommarøy where a mix of white sandy beaches (think tropical bays but with less heat), charming fisherman's cottages and rugged hills and mountains await you. The bright colours of the buildings tone wonderfully with the vibrant colours of autumn and the snow-covered surroundings of winter.

Sommarøy is about getting away from it all so your time here will be spent at a relaxed pace. You'll enjoy a visit to an Aurora Camp on your first night here. There will also be some free time for you to soak up your surroundings or book some more adventurous activities (please see the 'Personalise' section for details) and hunt for the Aurora on your second day. Famed for its Northern Lights displays, you don't have to venture far to witness the lights here if conditions are favourable.

In short, this break gives you the chance to take in a cosmopolitan Arctic city and the wonderfully peaceful island of Sommaroy, whilst enjoying some carefully chosen activities and dedicated Aurora hunts. 

Important Information

Special Offer
Complimentary Fjellheisen (cable car) and a bottle of wine on arrival for all new bookings made for travel September to November 2024.

One ticket per person and one bottle of wine per booking.

This offer applies to bookings made from 07 August 2024 to 30 November 2024 and must be claimed at the time of booking and not at a later date. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and is subject to availability.

Itinerary
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 will be emailed to you around a week prior to departure), or upon arrival.
 
Pricing
Please note that the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply.
 
Accommodation
Due to the pressure on hotel rooms that can arise in the Winter season, we may offer a range of hotel options to guests in Tromso (and this may occasionally have some impact on the price of your trip although this will of course be highlighted to you in any quote you receive). 
 
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.

Itinerary

Today you will arrive in Tromsø, where a taxi will be waiting to take you to your hotel. This is a lively, cosmopolitan city with a vibrant mix of restaurants and shops as well as fascinating attractions such as the Polar Museum to enjoy. We would highly recommend an early arrival (or we can help you arrange an extended stay at the start or end of your holiday) in order to maximise your time here. Our travel experts have spent many a happy day exploring Tromsø and will be happy to make recommendations.

Please note that the order of activities within your itinerary is subject to change and the agenda below should be used as a guide only.

Included Meals:  None

[TOS] Langnes Airport, Norway To Clarion Hotel The Edge
Airport Transfer
Duration
00:00
Clarion Hotel The Edge - Check In
Address : Tromso, Troms County, Norway

After breakfast at your hotel, you will join your boat tour through the stunning fjords that surround Tromsø and look out for the Arctic wildlife as you set sail through the Arctic waters. 

This five-hour sightseeing tour begins close to your hotel but soon you will be cruising through the beautiful fjords and travelling further out to sea. Your guide will point out any Arctic wildlife such as sea eagles as you admire the views. 

Onboard, you can enjoy Arctic fish, snacks and hot drinks. You will also be provided with an insulated jacket and you can keep warm in the cabins downstairs.

Following the tour, you will return to the city for the remainder of the afternoon. As darkness falls you will embark on your first Aurora hunt. The minibus used provides the mobility required to escape the city lights and to outrun any localised cloud cover. Your guide will use their knowledge along with the latest solar activity and weather forecasts to determine the best route for your search. You will be out searching for approximately six to nine hours.

As a natural phenomenon, the Northern Lights can appear at any time creating a wonderful sense of anticipation (which is all part of the fun). You’ll keep your eyes fixed on the skies as you explore the region with the mountains silhouetted around you. Hopefully, your efforts will be rewarded.

Included Meals:  Breakfast

Clarion Hotel The Edge - Stay
Address : Tromso, Troms County, Norway

Following breakfast, you will leave Tromsø and make for the small island of Sommarøy. It is not often that the transfer is part of the highlights but the drive to Sommarøy is breathtaking, showcasing the mountain and fjord landscape which is highlighted with autumn and winter colours. The hotel’s shuttle will leave Tromso at approximately 10:30 this morning. Private transfer upgrades are possible for a supplement.

Sommarøy has strong fishing traditions and the village is often a hive of activity as vessels make their way in and out of the small harbour. The beaches are strangely reminiscent of more tropical climes with white sands and crystal-clear water; it is only the cooler temperatures and the colourful fishermen’s cottages that give their location away (and the thick layer of snow in winter!).

You will be able to make your own way around this small gem of an island and explore at leisure.

This evening you will visit Sommaroy’s Northern Lights Park, also known as Halvar’s place. Halvar is a local legend who has lived on Sommaroy all of his life and he is a unique individual full of knowledge and stories about life in the Arctic.
Halvar built the Northern lights park stone by stone with his own hands and all the materials he used are recycled from the old school building and other structures around Sommaroy. The Northern Lights park provides a warm and cosy base (with toilet facilities) for guests searching for the Lights. It has a unique waterfront location is unique and the building blends in with its surroundings, with almost no light pollution, to ensure perfect photos of the Northern lights. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and biscuits are provided for guests also.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Clarion Hotel The Edge To Sommarøy Arctic Hotel
Shuttle Transfer
Duration
00:00
Clarion Hotel The Edge - Stay
Address : Tromso, Troms County, Norway
Sommarøy Arctic Hotel - Stay
Address : Sommaroy, Tromso, Norway

Today you will have the flexibility to set your own agenda and the value of having free time in Sommarøy should not be underestimated; it has the ability to really make you relax and unwind.

There are a number of ways in which to maximise your time here and perhaps one of the most highly recommended options is to simply stroll along the white sandy beaches and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. With only a small number of inhabitants, the pace is slower than you are likely to experience and is something to be savoured.

If you would like to be more active you also have the options of snowshoeing or kayaking to consider. Please refer to the Personalise Tour section for more details on these activities which can be booked subject to availability and for an additional fee.

Dinner will be enjoyed at the hotel restaurant this evening.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sommarøy Arctic Hotel - Stay
Address : Sommaroy, Tromso, Norway

Following breakfast will be transferred to the airport* having witnessed a slice of the Norwegian coast and hopefully the Northern Lights. If you still have a thirst for the hunt, then you can extend your stay in Tromsø and we can arrange additional activities for you. Please speak to one of our Travel Experts for a quotation.


 *Please note: the return airport transfer from Sommarøy is scheduled to depart at 9 am. For any departures outside this time, a private transfer supplement will apply.

Included Meals:  Breakfast

Sommarøy Arctic Hotel To [TOS] Langnes Airport, Norway
Airport Transfer
Duration
00:00
Sommarøy Arctic Hotel - Check Out
Address : Sommaroy, Tromso, Norway

What's included?

  • Flights from London to Tromsø (via Oslo). Flight routes subject to change
  • Arrival airport transfer and group shuttle transfers to Sommarøy and from Sommarøy to the airport
  • 2 nights at Clarion Hotel The Edge in a standard double/twin room, 2 nights at the Sommarøy Arctic Hotel in a standard double/twin room
  • 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Guided polar fjord cruise
  • Aurora hunt by minibus
  • Visit to Sommaroy Northern Lights Park
  • Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities

Accommodation

Clarion Hotel The Edge
moonstride   moonstride   moonstride   moonstride

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 refreshments and classic dishes in the Social Bar and Bistro
NB: The hotel is cash-free. They take payment by credit or debit card and accept all major international cards
Sommarøy Arctic Hotel
     
 

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, in the traditional fishing community of Sommarøy, this hotel offers a location with breath-taking views across the water. A recent full renovation and extension (which was completed in 2017) also ensures world-class facilities as well as plenty of Nordic charm.

The small island of Sommarøy (‘summer island’) is a thriving community with an active fishing industry so you can be sure of a genuine coastal experience and plenty of freshly caught delicacies to enjoy at meal times.

The hotel is located around 45 minutes from Tromsø yet its remote location provides a true sense of escape. Despite offering 155 rooms in total (with various room/apartment options) the hotel still has an intimate feel and guests will frequently spend evenings socialising in the bar or keeping watch for the Northern Lights together.

Hotel Facilities

  • Relax in the hotel’s seaside bathhouse which features a woodfired sauna and spacious hot tub. The hotel also boasts an outdoor hot tub with excellent views of the sea and night’s sky
  • The hotel has a wine lounge which features a glass wall overlooking the harbour and a central fireplace. This can be booked for small groups or is sometimes open for everyone.
  • The bar offers an excellent wine list and you can sample a drink from the hotel’s own vineyard in Italy
  • The hotel offers free private parking to all guests
  • Breakfast, which is included in your stay, is served within the on-site lobby restaurant which uses fresh local ingredients where possible
  • The 24-hour reception team will be happy to assist you in booking additional activities or pointing out local sights

Personalise This Tour

Tour Map

Additional Info

Please note: This holiday is a city break and as such operates quite differently to some of our other holidays in more remote locations. Because of your central base in the city, your activities will start at various meeting points (full details and directions will be provided in your final travel documents) which you will need to walk to (or arrange your own taxi unless otherwise stated) in good time for the activity to begin. You will then normally be met by a bus which will either take you directly out on your activity or to a central meeting point from where you will then head out on your adventure.

For environmental reasons and to pass on the cost saving benefit to our clients on some of our holidays based within a city, we may also make use of scheduled shared airport shuttle buses. These will stop near your hotel but there may be a short walk (with your luggage) due to traffic restrictions.  To check what is standard within your itinerary please check the ‘what’s included’ section. We can arrange private taxi transfers if you prefer (upgrade costs will apply). Our travel experts will be happy to provide more information.

Due to the city location, the group sizes for activities and transfers will be larger than some of our other holidays. We have lots of itineraries to suit everyone. So, if you enjoy the buzz of a city and like to explore its sights and sounds in your free time, then this holiday is a great option for you. If you prefer a more remote destination with activities on site, then please ask one of our travel experts who would be very happy to make some suggestions.

Price is based on 2 persons travelling

Tour terms, click here  

Booking conditions click here

Key Facts

Duration 3 - 4 Nights
Pace Relaxed
Holiday Type Package Holiday
Max Group Size NA
Cities / Destinations Norway, Sommaroy
Brochure Code 26025
Price from
£1,865 pp
5 days

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Tromsø & Sommarøy – City and Island Auroras

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