Magical Arctic Adventure in Tromsø: Whales, Huskies and Sami Culture

Experience the magic of the Arctic on this unforgettable winter escape to Tromsø in Northern Norway. Set during the atmospheric Polar Night season, this immersive adventure blends spectacular wildlife encounters, authentic cultural experiences and breathtaking Arctic landscapes. Stay in stylish waterfront accommodation at The Dock 69°39 by Scandic, perfectly located in the heart of Tromsø.

Your journey begins with time to explore the charming Arctic city before heading out onto the fjords for an incredible whale watching safari, where orcas and humpback whales gather in nutrient rich waters. Feel the thrill of husky sledding through snow covered wilderness and discover the traditions of the indigenous Sami people during a reindeer experience complete with storytelling and traditional cuisine. With time to explore Tromsø independently and opportunities to witness the Northern Lights, this carefully crafted itinerary offers a magical introduction to the Arctic and its unforgettable winter adventures.

This Arctic adventure is packed with iconic winter experiences in Northern Norway. Head out into the fjords on a thrilling whale watching safari where humpback whales and orcas gather in the nutrient rich Arctic waters. Experience the excitement of husky sledding through snowy wilderness with professional mushers guiding the team of dogs.

Discover Sami culture during an evening reindeer experience that includes feeding the herd, a short sled ride and storytelling inside a traditional Gamme hut. Throughout your stay in Tromsø there are also opportunities to explore the city, visit famous landmarks and search for the magical Northern Lights.

Location Norway, Northern Lights

Duration 4 Nights

Customers normally spend between (excl. flights)

£9,595 - £14,395 pp*

Enquire now

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Arctic Arrival in Tromsø

Arrive in Tromsø, the vibrant Arctic city often called the Paris of the North. After landing at Tromsø Airport a private transfer will take you directly to your stylish waterfront accommodation at The Dock 69°39 by Scandic. Your interconnecting rooms provide comfort and space, with views across the icy harbour and the surrounding mountains.

Once settled, the remainder of the day is free for you to begin exploring the city at your own pace. December brings the enchanting Polar Night, when the sun remains below the horizon and the landscape glows with deep blue twilight. Wander through Tromsø’s historic wooden streets, visit the harbour where fishing boats line the waterfront, or relax in a cosy café. This relaxed arrival day allows you to soak up the atmosphere of the Arctic before the adventures ahead.

@ Visit Norway

@ Fredrik Ahlsen Visitnorway.com

Day 2

Whale Watching in the Arctic Fjords

Today you will head out onto the Arctic waters for a remarkable whale watching safari. Departing from Tromsø harbour, your high speed vessel travels through dramatic fjords towards the feeding grounds near Skjervøy.

These nutrient rich waters attract large numbers of humpback whales and orcas during winter. From the deck you may see powerful tail flukes rising from the sea or pods of orcas surfacing beside the boat. Heated indoor cabins provide comfort between wildlife sightings, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular Arctic coastline along the journey. This unforgettable experience offers one of the best opportunities in Northern Norway to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Day 3

Husky Sledding and Sami Culture

Your Arctic adventure continues with a day filled with authentic winter experiences. Travel to Tromsø Villmarkssenter where enthusiastic huskies are waiting to take you on a thrilling sled ride through the snow covered wilderness. Led by experienced mushers, glide across frozen landscapes while enjoying views of nearby fjords and mountains.

After the sledding experience, warm up around an open fire and enjoy a traditional Arctic lunch before meeting the resident huskies. In the evening you will journey into the surrounding wilderness for a Sami reindeer experience. Feed the reindeer herd, enjoy a short sled ride and gather inside a traditional Gamme hut for a three course meal. Stories and traditional Sami singing create an atmospheric evening beneath the Arctic sky, with a chance of spotting the Northern Lights.

@ Tromso Villmarkssenter

Day 4

Exploring Tromsø and Northern Lights Opportunities

Today is free for you to explore Tromsø at leisure. The soft winter light during Polar Night creates an enchanting atmosphere across the city. You may wish to visit the striking Arctic Cathedral, famous for its dramatic architecture and glowing stained glass. Another popular experience is the Fjellheisen cable car, which climbs to the summit of Mount Storsteinen for panoramic views across the fjords and mountains.

Families may also enjoy a visit to Polaria, the world’s northernmost aquarium. In the evening you may choose to join a Northern Lights chase, where expert guides travel to the clearest skies to maximise your chances of witnessing the aurora.

@ Fjellheisen Cable Car

Day 5

Farewell to the Arctic

Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking Tromsø’s harbour before your private transfer returns you to the airport for your journey home. After several days of unforgettable Arctic experiences, you depart with memories of wildlife encounters, snowy landscapes and magical winter skies.

Suggested Stays

Scandi Dock Hotel Tromso | A Winter Escape Through Norway’s Arctic Wonders | Luxury Holidays in Norway | Travel with off The Map

The Dock 69°39 by Scandic

A unique hotel in the heart of Tromsø, premium comfort and rich history

Designed for you

Personalised itinerary planning with a Nordic Travel Expert
Private transfers throughout
Concierge support throughout your holiday
Expert guided experiences
Hand picked accommodation chosen based on your preferences
15 years of luxury Nordic holiday planning experience
Optional Winter Clothing Hire
Our journeys are entirely tailor-made

Your Trip, Your Way

This itinerary is just a starting point—a flavour of what’s possible. Whether you want to tweak the pace, upgrade your hotel, or deepen the culinary immersion, we’ll design your perfect trip from scratch.

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Recent experiences from our customers

Off the Map Travel is rated 4.9 based on 190 reviews

Amy planned a fantastic trip! Everything was very well-thought out. All transfers went smoothly, accommodations were amazing, great restaurant recommendations and the tours were once-in-a-lifetime, can’t book it yourself off the internet experiences. The guides were all fantastic. Communications were prompt and everything worked exactly the way it was supposed to. What a pleasure! Already working on our next trip.

Anonymous

I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.

Rosie

Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.

Karen

Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!

Russell Snook

I used OTMT to organise a holiday to see the Northern Lights for my partner’s 50th birthday. They took the time to understand my priorities, the kinds of places we like to stay and the things we like to do. They recommended a fabulous itinerary in Norway centred around the Lyngen Experience Lodge. The holiday itself lived up to expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending OTMT. They listened carefully during the planning and delivered the perfect present for my partner.

Alex

We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!

Jim & Kris

Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!

Faith

Off the Map Travel was great! Alex helped us plan the most amazing 10 day honeymoon to Iceland. He gave us great recommendations and was so patient with us during the planning process!

Tori

My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.

Emily

Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.

Chris

The best travel experience ever on every level you can think of during a Lapland expedition (food, activities, timings, accommodation, transport, service, equipment…). I highly recommend Off The Map Travel for their outstanding level of professionalism and detail oriented mindset!

Sophie & Guy