Northern Norway and Svalbard

Most of the northern part of the country is blanketed in snow between November and March, so there’s loads of opportunity for skiing, snowmobiling, sledging, hiking, husky sledding and even boat trips through the fjords in search of orca, humpback whales or even for the incredibly lucky a reindeer practising his breaststroke – seriously! The darkest months of winter also offer you the optimum chance to see the northern lights. We always recommend setting out with a guide who will be able to take you to the best viewing spots. Whether you’d prefer to head as far north as possible, out to the Lofoten Islands, or further north still, the wilderness outside Tromso, there are plenty of great backdrops for the aurora borealis. Prepare to have a little luck on your side. During the summer months in the Arctic Circle, the sun struggles to set. Confusing for your body clock but an amazing way to max out your time to enjoy a destination. It will feel like a permanent sunrise or sunset meaning if you are out on the snow or looking for whales you will be experiencing it at golden hour. Historically Svalbard is a mining land, there is plenty of history here but also plenty of polar bear, not to be hunted but to be very wary of! Among the most astounding sights in the Svalbard islands are the otherworldly glaciers and blue ice. As you travel into the most remote areas, you may even spot the remains of old hunter cabins and Russian mining villages. Energetic explorers might want to hike out into the wilds of Spitsbergen, surrounded by rugged mountains and ice.