Northern Norway – A Family Adventure in Tromsø And Sommarøy
- Details
Details
This holiday sandwiches two nights on the island of Sommarøy between two nights in bustling Tromsø, creating the perfect recipe for a family winter holiday in Norway. Tromsø is a very family-friendly city, everything is easy to reach and there is a lot to keep the whole family happy. Polaria, for example, is an incredible Arctic aquarium which offers an interactive way to explore the natural world. We include entry to Polaria in the holiday as it is just such a fabulous family destination; no family holiday is complete without getting up close to a bearded seal is it? From Tromsø you will then be transferred to the island of Sommarøy for two nights, getting you out into the Norwegian countryside for a taste of The Great Outdoors and some amazing wildlife encounters. Sommarøy will give your family the chance to witness the stunning scenery of Norway and even children are impressed by the landscape here. This family winter holiday has been designed to provide the most memorable experiences for your family and in Norway, animals and nature play a huge role in this. Your holiday includes encounters with huskies on two occasions, as well as the chance for you to go on a wildlife boat trip in search of seals, birds and maybe even whales. Of course, this region is renowned for its Northern Lights displays, and so we have included some family-friendly Aurora activities. You will visit a husky centre near Tromsø to meet the dogs and puppies, before an Aurora Camp visit. You will take part in an Aurora watch on Sommarøy and, to end the holiday, you will enjoy a visit to a traditional reindeer herders camp, deep in the Aurora Zone. Most of these activities also include time for snuggling up around a warming fire with your family and keeping an eye on the skies, hot drink in hand. With any luck, the dazzling Aurora Borealis will light up the night and add some extra magic to your trip. If not, it's still an amazing way to spend time together as a family.Itinerary
Once you arrive at Tromsø Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. This is only around a twenty-minute journey, so it won’t be long before you can check into your hotel and start your holiday in earnest.
We get things started straight away and so tonight, you will enjoy an evening of cuddling huskies, a delicious dinner and, hopefully, the spectacular Northern Lights.
You will head to a meeting point in downtown Tromsø (no more than a 5-minute walk away) in order to be picked up for your transfer to the husky yard, which is around 30 minutes away. The pups will be awaiting your arrival and will be more than ready for some time to play after a hard day’s work. After receiving your warm clothes, you will then have time to stroke, cuddle and play with the huskies. This will also be a perfect opportunity to take some family photos with your new furry friends.
Once you have had your fill of the adorable dogs, you will be taken to an Aurora Camp, which is positioned at a perfect Northern Lights viewpoint. Here, you can keep warm around a fire and a hearty dinner will be served as you keep watch on the sky for a potential Aurora display. This is an exceptional way to kick-start your holiday.
This activity will last around four hours in total.
Included Meals: Dinner
Today, you will have your first breakfast in Tromsø, before heading back to the huskies.
This time, the huskies will be much more excitable as they’ll know that you are here to take them out with the sleds, their favourite pastime. After a full safety briefing, you will set off with your expert guide driving the sled, giving you the chance to sit back and enjoy the views of the mountains and sea.
The dogs always make a lot of noise before they set off as they are so eager to get going, but as soon as the sled is moving they fall silent and focus on what they are doing. At first, it always feels like they are travelling quickly but they soon settle down into a happy rhythm and you’ll relax and enjoy the ride. You will be sledding for approximately 45-60 minutes and, upon your return, you will enjoy a warm lunch in a traditional Norwegian Gamme hut, around a crackling campfire.
After your morning with the dogs, you will return to Tromsø to collect your bags (you can store them at the hotel after you have checked out this morning) and enjoy some free time in the city before being transferred to Sommarøy for the next part of your adventure.
The road to Sommarøy is spectacular and the journey lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours approximately. Your family will check into their apartment on arrival and can soak in the sea views and the mountains in the distance.
A delicious dinner will be served in the hotel’s main restaurant, where all ingredients are based on traditions of the local area (don’t worry, children can be well catered for – please let us know of any dietary requirements at the time of booking). Then, you will join your guide in order to head out on your second Aurora activity; a visit to the Northern Lights Park. The park is a short walk from the hotel and there are several features, which have been hand-built by a local islander; it is perfectly situated to search the dark skies above for the Aurora.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, an incredible adventure awaits as you will head out onto the sea for a wildlife boat trip! After stepping into your cold weather clothing, you will receive a full safety briefing. You will then board a small vessel that holds a maximum of 20 passengers, and will set sail for prime wildlife-watching spots.
From November until mid to late January, there may be an opportunity to spot whales as they follow the herring shoals into the Atlantic Ocean. Although it is not guaranteed, Sommarøy is known to attract high numbers of orca, humpback and fin whales. Witnessing these gigantic mammals in their natural environment is quite a staggering sight.
In addition to whales, there is plenty more to watch out for on this excursion, including wonderful white-tailed eagles, sea otters, porpoises, puffins and adorable seals. The abundant marine and birdlife are amazing, but at any time of year, the views are beyond spectacular. This activity is around 2-3 hours in duration.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy your surroundings and tailor your time. Why not wrap up warm and take a walk around the local area; it’s fascinating for families to see what life is like in this remote corner of Europe. Or, return to your cosy accommodation and just spend time as a family.
Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant today. After your evening meal, we strongly recommend a stroll outside to keep an eye out for any Northern Lights displays, as they can often be seen from very close to the hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, you will have breakfast at the hotel, before taking a transfer back to Tromsø, where you will spend the final night of your trip.
After dropping your bags off at the hotel, your guide will meet you for a fun guided tour of Tromsø. There is so much to see in this small city, but all of the key areas can be reached on foot. The tour will be tailored to keep the children entertained and as it is private to your family, you can ask your guide to focus on your family’s interests. The activity will last around three hours in total.
After the tour and perhaps a stop for lunch (you can choose one of the wonderful local restaurants/cafés), you will have time to visit the Polaria Arctic Aquarium as the entrance fee is included in your holiday. This interactive visitor centre is extremely popular with families, as you can admire Arctic sea life up close. There are also films and displays which provide an interactive insight into the Arctic’s natural wonders.
Tonight it is time for your final activity, a reindeer camp dinner with Northern Lights watch!
You’ll transfer out into the countryside to a local reindeer farm, where you will be greeted by a Sámi guide (the Sámi are the indigenous people of Lapland). After pulling on your winter suit and being given an introduction to the life of the herders and their animals you will have the chance to feed them.
You will then be invited inside the Gamme (a Sámi hut) to warm up by the fire and enjoy a traditional three-course Sámi meal.
Following your dinner, you will be invited to a Lavu (Sámi tent) to gather around the fire and listen to stories about the culture and life as a herder. Your guide will also perform a traditional song, called a joik, as you wait in hopes for a Northern Lights display. You will be out for approximately 4 hours tonight, including transfers.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, you will leave Tromsø behind and take your transfer to the airport in time your flight home. If you would like to extend your stay then please do not hesitate to contact one of our Travel Experts for a quote.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Return airport transfers
- 2 nights at Clarion Hotel The Edge in a family room, 2 nights in a harbour view apartment at the Sommarøy Arctic Hotel
- 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
- Aurora husky visit
- Husky sledding
- Northern Lights Watch
- Wildlife boat trip
- Tromsø city tour
- One entrance to Polaria Arctic Aquarium
- Reindeer Camp Dinner with Northern Lights Watch
- Cold weather clothing during guided activities
- Return airport transfers are included from Tromsø Airport, as well as return transfers to Sommarøy
Excluded
- Flights are not included in the holiday price so the best possible fares and schedule can be found at the time of booking. There are low cost and scheduled flights operating this route and our Travel Experts will happily provide a quotation and arran
Our Expert Opinion
After having such a great time in Finland the previous year, my family insisted on repeating the winter holiday experience, but they wanted to visit somewhere a little different. This trip combined everything we could have wanted, as you still get to do the most popular activities like the huskies and the reindeer, but you also get to experience things like the city tour in Tromsø and a wildlife-watching safari in Sommarøy. We were also lucky enough to see the Northern Lights on the last night which was an amazing end to the trip.
Accommodation
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| 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
NB: The hotel is cash-free. They take payment by credit or debit card and accept all major international cards |
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| 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
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Tour Map
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
