100% customisable travel idea
Beyond the Arctic Circle, another winter Norwegian Lapland and Lyngen Alps
Norway - Tromsø - North Cape - Alta - Finnmark - Lyngen Alps
Winter break in the north
Your itinerary
You will fly to northern Norway on direct flights. To be completely independent and explore this remote region at your own pace, you will have a rental car at your disposal, complete with a mobile app and GPS. Your accommodation has been carefully selected for its comfort and location. In Tromsø, you will stay in a hotel in the city centre with a sauna and a beautiful view; in the North Cape region, you will stay in a charming little red house overlooking the fjord; in Alta and the Lyngen Alps, you will stay in hillside or mountain chalets that are perfectly equipped and located for viewing the Northern Lights. Not to mention that unforgettable night spent in a cabin on the Coastal Express, which is an iconic maritime route along the Norwegian coastline. Throughout your trip, some wonderful highlights are scheduled in your itinerary, including tickets to the Polar Museum in Tromsø and the North Cape Museum, a snowmobile trip in Finnmark and a dog sled ride in the Lyngen Alps. Or how to become part of a Lapland postcard. And, in case of any minor setbacks or a change in plans, our on-site concierges are there to assist you throughout your trip.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and stay for one night at a welcoming hotel in the city centre. The hotel has a relaxation area and an outdoor sauna with stunning views of the city. It's a lovely gentle introduction to your stay.
Already booked - Your tickets for the Polar Museum in Tromsø. Housed in a former customs warehouse, the museum traces the history of trappers and explorers in the Arctic regions. An entire room is devoted to Roald Amundsen and his polar expeditions.
You have a full day to explore Tromsø, , the largest city beyond the Arctic Circle, and its surroundings.
Things to do and experience - Admire the shifting colours and remarkable light throughout the day; bundle up for a walk in the fresh air, then warm up in one of the city centre cafes; head out to sea for some whale watching (in season).
At the end of the day, head to the port to board the Coastal Express with your car. This ferry route is part of everyday life in Norway. Before tourism developed, it was used for passenger and cargo transport. Departure in the early evening, dinner and one night on board.
Breakfast on board, then disembark on the island of Magerøya at Honningsvåg, the closest town to the North Cape. Set off to explore the region and visit the coastal villages of Gjesvaer, Skarsvag, Kamoyvaer and Repvag. These names may not mean much to you yet, but they are full of promise. The traditional fishing villages live up to expectations with their end of the world feel. Set along the shores of fjords, they create patches of bright colour. Their brick, scarlet, beige buildings are reflected on the polished surface of the water, as it ripples with the movement of the boats. To reach them, you drive along beautiful roads that wind between endless stretches of sea and majestic landscapes.
Already booked - Your tickets for the North Cape Hall. In the visitor centre you can watch a panoramic film about North Cape and its surroundings in the changing seasons. There is also an exhibition tracing the history of tourism on the North Cape and you can visit St.Johannes Chapel, famous for its weddings. The views of the ocean from the cave and the terrace, carved directly into the rock, are breathtaking and an added bonus.
Short drive to Sarnes, where you stay for one night in a small house overlooking the fjord. Typical of the region, the house has red wooden shingles and a grey roof. As well as comfortable rooms, there is a lounge with a large sofa, a stove, a fully equipped kitchen and a welcoming dining room. Just outside is a jetty where you can get a boat around the North Cape. After that, you can sink into the inviting hot tub overlooking the water.
Surprise, surprise - it’s crab for dinner! When you get to your accommodation, there will be a freshly caught crab waiting for you. And not just any kind of crab, one of the king crabs, or royal crabs, that are found in the area. These Norwegian delicacies are traditionally eaten with bread, mayonnaise and lemon.
The drive to Alta is over 200 kilometres (124 miles), on a beautiful road passing through expansive tundra. Wide open spaces stretch to the horizon, marked only by a few streams and bushes. Stay for two nights in a room in a charming chalet clinging to the hillside. By the fireside, sitting at a window seat, or wrapped up on the terrace, enjoy the cosy atmosphere and the precious calm of the place. The cabins are simply yet tastefully decorated with practical kitchens. Unless that is you prefer to eat at the restaurant, just a few steps away.
Optional extra - Northern Lights snowshoe walk.
Already booked - Snowmobile safari in the mountain plateau. In winter, snowmobiles are part of everyday life in Lapland. They're a comfortable, fast and versatile way of getting around, which makes them perfect for gliding through the snowy landscapes of Finnmark. Wrap up warm and watch the hills, plains and forests whizz by. It’s an exhilarating experience full of thrills.
Optional extra - Private access to your hotel’s sauna and hot tub.
Before leaving, be sure to visit the Alta rock carvings, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Drive along the coast to get to the Lyngen Alps, one of Norway's best kept secrets. Overlooking the fjord, this wild untouched region is covered with a thick layer of snow every winter. Stay for one night on the shore of Lyngenfjord, in a small cabin with a fully equipped kitchen, a cosy bedroom, and a large picture window so you don't miss out on the view or the northern lights. Right next door is the world's northernmost whisky distillery.
In your itinerary - Dog sledding tour. Try your hand at dog sledding through the white Arctic landscapes on an invigorating outing with a musher and a boisterous pack of huskies.
Drive back to Tromsø, crossing the Lyngen Alps. Stay one last night in your city centre accommodation.
Optional extra - Tickets for the Fjellheisen cable car, which takes you up to 421 metres (1,381 feet) above Tromsø.
Return the car at the airport and direct international flight home.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Extend your stay in the Lyngen Alps
You'll be passing through at the end of your trip, so why not stay a few days longer? The Scandinavian Alps stretch to the Lyngen Peninsula, along a fjord where dolphins frolic with migratory birds. Here, you can ski with the azure sea as your horizon, making it a unique experience that justifies uncovering this well-kept secret in northern Norway. It is also a fishing area that is home to Sami people who are proud to preserve their traditions, far from folklore. It is not uncommon to come across wild cod fishing with bottom lines in the middle of nature. This is a region where you can ski down slopes covered in perfect snow and is also one of the most famous in the world for viewing the Northern Lights.Hunting for the Northern Lights on snowshoes in Alta
Once night has fallen, you put on your snowshoes and walk through the snow-covered trees in search of the famous Northern Lights. In the heart of the forest, you can listen carefully to the sounds of the polar wilderness by following the moonlight (and an experienced guide). We scan the starry sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of these undulating clouds with their otherworldly colours, while the guide tells us legends and explains the scientific formation of this spectacular phenomenonThe Tromsø cable car connects the city to Fjellheisen, the highest peak at 421 metres above sea level. From this vantage point, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the island and its neighbours. The spectacle is even more memorable at sunset or under the ballet of the aurora borealis. At the top, a restaurant serving local cuisine welcomes visitors in awe.
Why visit Norway with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Norway
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