Short Break in Northern Norway for the Northern Lights

Choose something special and enjoy a winter getaway in the northernmost county of Norway.  Enjoy the wild forests, coastal, and mountain landscapes.  See the magical Northern Lights, visit the beautiful North Cape, and the famous Slate City of Paeskatun.

Day 1 Alta

Arrive at Alta Airport.  Transfer by private car or minivan, depending on number of guests, from the airport to the hotel.

Lunch and dinner under own arrangements

Accommodations: Thon Hotel Alta or similar

Day 2 Alta – Northern Lights Safari

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.  You may wish to take an optional Ice Fishing  tour.  Back in the day, it was a way to ensure survival in remote areas with little food sources during the hard winter time. But nowadays it is meant to be done for leaned-back outdoor recreation, social get-together and fun.

Dress in properly warm clothing.  Ice drill, jigging equipment (special, sensitive ice fishing rod), hot beverages and snacks are provided to give you an exciting and memorable excursion.  Head for the frozen lakes with direct road connection with the aim to make a good catch and prepare it on the fire. No fish? Then we will make something else instead. If you want you can help to start the camp fire, drill holes in the ice and prepare the fishing gear to be involved in a whole winter outdoor experience. Otherwise the beautiful winter surroundings invite you to wander around and relax on reindeer skins until your guide makes you familiar with the fishing gear and jigging technique to increase the chances of success.

Lunch and dinner under own arrangements

This evening get ready for an exciting trip to hunt for the Northern Lights.  Leave behind all the artificial lights from town. According to the weather forecast and with specific knowledge about the topography surrounding Alta you head for the clearest skies and the best photo location.

To make sure that you feel comfortable during our trip you can lend thermal dress, warm winter boots, hats and gloves for free.

Local experienced guides will explain the history and science behind the Northern Lights and will give camera support. They also take portraits of you and the best pictures will be sent to your e-mail address. Duration can vary depending on how early the Northern Lights appear and how far we need to drive to find the phenomenon. The main goal is that YOU see the Northern Lights to provide your most unique experience in the Arctic Region.

Return to your hotel for overnight.

Accommodations: Thon Hotel Alta or similar

Day 3 Alta – North Cape

After breakfast, get ready for a fascinating full day tour.  To be on 71° 10ʹ 21ʹʹ N, standing on the plateau of the famous cliff known as the North Cape, 307 meter (1007 ft.) above sea level, facing north and seeing nothing but the slightly curved horizon of the endless Barents Sea meeting the sky, that is the aim of this tour!

Starting from Alta with a comfortable minibus and an experienced local driver/guide, the tour will bring you through the spectacular nature of county Finnmark. From luscious Alta, over mountain passes with no vegetation, scarcely vegetated fjord landscape and up to the moon-like Magerøya where you find North Cape. You will get loads of stories and information about local history, culture and wildlife from the guide during the tour. There will be a coffee break at a good photo location on the way.

To have reached “the end of the world” as Francesco Negri described it in 1664 deserves a celebration. You will be given a glass of champagne and a diploma confirming that you have been in person at the North Cape. The Visitor Center has cafés, restaurant, an exclusive gift shop, post office, a spectacular panoramic film, historical exhibitions, post office, museum and an ecumenical chapel. The center is an attraction in its own right!

In the winter months the last 13 km will be behind a snowplough in a convoy of coaches and cars that leave on fixed departure times.  Return to Alta around 6 p.m. in time for dinner.

Lunch and dinner under own arrangements.

Accommodations: Thon Hotel Alta or similar

Day 4 Alta

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.  At 11:00 a.m. you will be picked up at your hotel and led to the slate quarry Pæskatun just  south of Alta. On the way, pass the city centre and the main attractions of Alta, like the Northern Lights Cathedral, the old Alta Church and the slate port.

Your local experienced tour guide loves to share knowledge about Alta and will point out the presence of our 800 million year-old slate.

The history of the Alta slate industry goes back to the end of 1860s. Up in the mountains at Pæskatun a visually and acoustically impressive presentation will teach you everything about the world famous Alta Quartzite Slate. It shows you how it is taken out of the mountain and how the slate workers make a roof tile out of the huge slate blocks. Afterward it’s your turn to be a “slateworker-for-a-day” by using the traditional slate scissors to make your own real and unique Alta Slate souvenir!

When finished with the “hard” labor it is time to relax, explore the slate quarry or have a look into the slate worker hut museum to see how they lived and worked during the weekdays in the past. And let your eyes wander about the peaceful and calming scenery of the Alta river valley before leaving Pæskatun.

Afternoon and evening is at leisure.

Lunch and dinner under own arrangements.

Accommodations: Thon Hotel Alta or similar

Day 5 Departure from Alta

After breakfast, bid farewell to Northern Norway as you transfer to the airport for your departure to your next destination. 

Want a longer stay or add another city?  Contact us for details and pricing.