Norway Under the Northern Lights

Arrive in Norway and begin your journey in Oslo, where a private premium transfer will meet you at the airport and take you directly to The Thief. This stylish city retreat brings together international art, Norwegian design, Nordic dining and a calm spa setting, making it an ideal place to settle in after your journey.

Once you have checked into your Superior Room, the rest of the afternoon is dedicated to slowing the pace. You have a 90 minute wellness booking at The Thief, followed by a Classic full body massage lasting approximately 50 minutes. It is a gentle start to the trip and a chance to relax before the days of culture, coastal landscapes and Arctic adventure ahead.

After your treatment, return to your room, enjoy the hotel at your own pace, or simply take some time to unwind. There is no set dinner included this evening, so you are free to choose how you would like to spend your first night in Oslo. A dinner reservation can be arranged by the concierge team if required, giving you the flexibility to keep things spontaneous or have something organised in advance.

Tonight is deliberately unhurried. The focus is on arriving well, settling into Norway and enjoying the comfort of one of Oslo’s most distinctive hotels. With the city as your starting point and the Arctic still to come, this first evening offers an easy introduction to the character of the journey: thoughtful details, private arrangements and plenty of space to enjoy each destination in your own way. The hotel itself is part of the experience, with international art, Norwegian designer furniture, cosmopolitan bars and a spa created for proper downtime. It gives the opening night a sense of occasion without overfilling the schedule. It is an easy beginning to Norway.

After breakfast at The Thief, meet your private guide for a full day exploration of Norway’s history, culture and creative traditions. Today’s journey takes you beyond central Oslo to the Bygdøy Peninsula and then into the countryside, with approximately eight to nine hours set aside for the experience.

Begin at the Fram Museum, where the story of Norwegian polar exploration comes vividly to life. Step aboard the famous Fram and discover how explorers including Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen pushed into some of the most demanding environments on earth. Original artefacts and immersive displays reveal the endurance, ambition and ingenuity behind Norway’s polar legacy, adding valuable context before your journey continues north later in the holiday.

Next, visit the Norsk Folkemuseum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. Its open air setting brings centuries of Norwegian life together through traditional wooden buildings, farmhouses and the preserved Gol Stave Church. It is an engaging way to understand how architecture, craftsmanship, custom and the natural environment have shaped everyday life across the country.

From Bygdøy, travel through the countryside towards Hadeland Glassverk, one of Norway’s oldest industrial enterprises. Here you can watch skilled glassblowers at work and browse the shops and galleries, ending the day with a more contemporary look at Norwegian craftsmanship and design.

Lunch is at your leisure during the tour, allowing the day to remain flexible. Afterwards, return to The Thief for an evening at your own pace. Dinner is also at leisure, with the option for the concierge team to arrange a reservation. It is a rich but well paced day, connecting Norway’s adventurous past with the traditions and creativity that continue to shape the country today. Back at the hotel, time remains to relax and reflect before choosing where to dine for the second Oslo evening

Enjoy breakfast at The Thief before checking out and taking a private premium transfer to Oslo Airport. Today you leave the capital behind and travel north towards the Lofoten Islands, where steep mountains, fishing communities and open coastal landscapes become the setting for the next part of your Norwegian winter journey.

The suggested domestic journey travels from Oslo to Leknes via Bodø. These flights are not included in the trip price, but the itinerary provides a recommended routing to connect you smoothly with your arrival in Lofoten. On landing at Leknes, a private transfer will be waiting to take you to Hattvika Lodge in Ballstad.

Hattvika Lodge sits within an active fishing village and combines renovated historic fishermen’s cottages with contemporary sea houses. Your Seaside Suite gives you a comfortable base with direct access to the character of the coast, as well as your own private hot tub. After the polished city atmosphere of Oslo, the change of pace is immediate. Here, the sea, mountains and working village place you much closer to the landscape.

Once you have checked in, take time to settle into the lodge and enjoy the surroundings before dinner. A reservation has been arranged at Solsiden for the evening, giving you an easy first night in Lofoten without the need to plan after a day of travelling.

There is no organised activity scheduled after arrival, which is part of the appeal. This evening is about getting comfortable, watching the light shift across the Arctic surroundings and preparing for the private exploration ahead. Over the next few days, you will discover Lofoten through local food, guided sightseeing, sauna time and a dedicated Northern Lights quest, all from this relaxed seaside base. The lodge is designed for travellers who want comfort while staying connected to Lofoten’s natural setting.

Wake in Ballstad and enjoy breakfast at Hattvika Lodge before setting out with your private guide for a full day of sightseeing across the Lofoten Islands. Around seven to eight hours are reserved for today, but the experience is intentionally flexible, allowing the route to respond to weather, local conditions, your interests and the pace that feels right on the day.

Rather than following a fixed checklist, your guide will help shape an itinerary that reflects the side of Lofoten you most want to see. Depending on conditions, the day could take you towards remote fjords, dramatic coastline, small fishing villages or local galleries. The emphasis is on discovering the islands through the knowledge of someone who understands how quickly Arctic weather can change and where the landscape is at its best.

This is a chance to get beneath the surface of Lofoten. Learn more about the communities that live among these mountains and fishing waters, pause when the scenery deserves more time, and experience the contrast between rugged nature and creative local culture. With a private guide, the day can remain responsive rather than rushed, creating space for unexpected viewpoints and quieter moments along the way.

Lunch is at your leisure during the tour, giving you flexibility around the route and timing. Later, return to Hattvika Lodge and your Seaside Suite, where your private hot tub offers an easy way to warm up and unwind after a full day outside.

Dinner is reserved again at Solsiden this evening. With tomorrow bringing food, wellness and a dedicated search for the Northern Lights, tonight is a relaxed end to your first full day in the islands, surrounded by the distinctive landscape that makes Lofoten such a memorable part of northern Norway. The evening remains simple, comfortable and rooted in your surroundings.

After breakfast at Hattvika Lodge, spend the day exploring Lofoten through its local flavours, quiet wellness and Arctic night skies. Your first experience is a private visit to a local cheese farm, with approximately five hours set aside for the journey, tasting and workshop. Timing is subject to availability, allowing the farm to confirm the best schedule closer to travel.

Travel through the coastal landscapes of Vestvågøy with your private guide before arriving at the farm. Meet the goats, learn about the philosophy behind the operation and see how fresh milk is transformed into cheese. A guided tasting introduces the flavours produced here, followed by a simple seasonal lunch. You will also take part in a hands on cheese making workshop, adding a practical element to an experience that is rooted in everyday life in Lofoten.

Later, slow the pace with approximately two hours in a private sauna setting, where there is also the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights if conditions are right. It is a peaceful transition from the day into the evening and a chance to warm up before dinner.

A reservation is arranged at FANGST, after which your private Northern Lights Quest begins. Over approximately three hours, a local guide will take you in search of clear skies and strong viewing conditions around the islands. Possible locations can include areas such as Ballstad, Hauklandstrand and Uttakleiv, where beaches, coastlines and mountain views create striking settings if the Aurora appears. Local photography knowledge can also help you make the most of any sighting.

Return afterwards to your Seaside Suite at Hattvika Lodge and your private hot tub. It is one of the fullest days of the journey, bringing together food, local culture, warmth and the anticipation of the Arctic sky with contrast from morning through to night.

Begin with breakfast at Hattvika Lodge, followed by an easy morning to pack, enjoy a final look at Lofoten and spend some time souvenir shopping in Svolvær. After several active days, the slower start gives you space before the next stage of the journey.

Later, travel to Leknes Airport for your onward journey to Alta. The suggested routing connects through Tromsø, with domestic flights not included in the trip price. On arrival in Alta, a private transfer will take you away from the airport and into the quieter surroundings of Onga Boutique Lodge.

Set in the forest of Mathisdalen, around 40 minutes from Alta, Onga is a small and stylish retreat created around slow travel, local food and close connection with nature. Its remote setting has very little light pollution, making the lodge particularly well placed for evenings beneath the Arctic sky. Check into your Deluxe Queen Room, where natural materials and a private fireplace create a warm, comfortable base for the next three nights.

This evening, enjoy a three course dinner at the lodge. You will also have access to the Onga Serenity Sessions, with timing arranged on site. The wellness area includes a shared wood fired sauna and an outdoor hot tub with views towards the surrounding mountains and sky. Towels, bathrobes and slippers are provided, and guest numbers are limited at one time to keep the atmosphere peaceful.

There is no need to rush tonight. Settle into the lodge, enjoy dinner and let the surroundings set a different rhythm after the exposed coastline of Lofoten. Alta brings a new collection of experiences, including frozen river walking, Sami culture, reindeer, a fjord safari and further opportunities to look for the Northern Lights. The move also marks a shift towards wilderness, lodge life and a more immersive Arctic pace.

Wake to the stillness of the forest and enjoy the breakfast buffet at Onga Boutique Lodge before heading outside for a shared Frozen River Walk. Lasting approximately two to four hours, this guided snowshoe experience takes you through a snow covered river valley and onto the shallow frozen river itself, with the route and length adapted to the comfort of the group.

A safety briefing is included before you set out, along with warm drinks and snacks during the experience. The walk is designed to be peaceful rather than hurried, giving you time to notice the colours, textures and silence of the winter landscape. A traditional souvenir is also included as a reminder of the experience.

Back at the lodge, enjoy a two course lunch before a private transfer takes you to Sami Siida for the afternoon. Your private Sami and reindeer experience lasts approximately 90 minutes. Travel by reindeer sled along the frozen Alta River, then gather around the fire for stories about Sami life, traditions and culture. You will also hear Sami Joik, with a warm drink and snacks served beside the bonfire.

A private transfer returns you to Onga Boutique Lodge, where a three course dinner is included. Later, join the lodge’s Daily Aurora Walk, a guided outing of around 30 to 60 minutes that is timed according to weather and sky conditions. Snowshoes are available if needed, and your hosts can share insight into the Northern Lights and help with photography.

You can also make use of an Onga Serenity Session and the shared sauna and outdoor hot tub. From frozen river to reindeer and Aurora, today brings together some of the most distinctive experiences of an Alta winter while keeping the pace personal and relaxed. It is a day shaped by landscape, culture and connection.

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to the harbour for a shared Arctic Fjord Safari on Altafjord. The journey lasts approximately two and a half hours and takes place aboard a heated boat, allowing you to enjoy the scale of the fjord in comfort while still feeling close to the Arctic landscape.

As you travel across the water, your guide will introduce the history, culture and geography of Finnmark. The safari also offers opportunities to see local wildlife, with seabirds and dolphins among the species that may be encountered. Afterwards, a private transfer returns you to the lodge for a two course lunch.

The afternoon brings the shared Arctic Spirit Ice, Fire and Flavour experience. Over approximately two hours, head into the winter landscape on a short snowshoe journey before gathering by a bonfire near the frozen river. The experience connects local heritage with the elements around you through storytelling, ice cutting and a tasting of selected Norwegian spirits.

Back at Onga, settle in for Afternoon Tea, the Onga Way, served with homemade pie. It is a warm, sociable pause before this evening’s five course fine dining experience, where the lodge’s focus on local cuisine takes centre stage.

The itinerary also notes an additional night in a Private Aurora Dome. Set in the forest close to the hotel, the dome has a queen sized bed, chairs, a fireplace and slippers, with clear views of the sky and surroundings. It has no curtains, toilet or running water, so your hotel room facilities remain available nearby.

From the waters of Altafjord to fire, flavour and a night beneath the Arctic sky, this is a varied day that captures Onga’s balance of adventure, comfort and slow travel. There is time to enjoy the lodge wellness facilities around your programme.

Enjoy breakfast at Onga Boutique Lodge and a final morning in the forest before a private transfer takes you to Alta Airport. Today you leave northern Norway and return to Oslo, bringing the Arctic chapter of the journey to a close.

The suggested domestic routing travels from Alta to Oslo via Tromsø. These flights are not included in the trip price, but recommended timings are provided in the itinerary. After arriving at Oslo Airport in the evening, a private premium transfer will take you directly to Sommerro House for your final night.

Check into a Deluxe Room, designed with the feel of an elegant 1930s townhouse. The interior combines polished birch, Norwegian floral details, curved walls and Art Deco inspired ceiling mouldings, creating a refined change of scene after the forest setting at Onga. It is a comfortable and characterful place to finish the trip, with the evening deliberately left open.

Dinner is at your leisure tonight. After several days of planned meals and experiences in Alta, you can decide what suits you on arrival, whether that means a quiet evening or a final dinner in the city. A reservation can be arranged by the concierge team if you would prefer to have plans confirmed in advance.

The return to Oslo gives the journey a natural sense of completion. You began here with art, design, spa time and Norwegian cultural history before travelling north through Lofoten and Alta. Now, after evenings looking for the Aurora, days on frozen rivers and fjords, and time spent learning about local food and Sami traditions, there is one final night to relax.

Settle into Sommerro House, unpack only what you need and enjoy the contrast of city comfort before tomorrow’s departure. It is a calm final evening with no schedule beyond your own plans.

Wake at Sommerro House for your final morning in Norway. Breakfast is included, giving you time to start the day at an easy pace before checking out and preparing for your journey home.

At the arranged time, a private premium transfer will collect you from the hotel and take you to Oslo Airport for departure. With no additional sightseeing scheduled today, the morning is kept intentionally simple so that the final part of the trip feels comfortable and unhurried.

Over the past ten days, the journey has moved from Oslo’s contemporary design and cultural heritage to the coastal landscapes of Lofoten and the forest wilderness outside Alta. You have explored Norway’s polar history, discovered traditional buildings and craftsmanship, spent time with local producers, and travelled through some of the country’s most distinctive northern scenery.

In Lofoten, private guiding, a local cheese farm, sauna time and a Northern Lights quest offered different ways to experience the islands. In Alta, the pace shifted again, with a frozen river walk, Sami and reindeer experience, a heated boat safari on Altafjord, Arctic flavours, lodge wellness and further opportunities to watch the night sky. Across the trip, carefully planned experiences have been balanced with quieter moments and time to enjoy each hotel.

Your departure from Oslo brings those different sides of Norway together: city and wilderness, culture and nature, food and adventure, all within one winter itinerary. After breakfast and your private airport transfer, it is time to say goodbye to Norway and begin the journey home.

The holiday may be ending, but the memories are designed to last well beyond the flight, from the first evening in Oslo to the final Arctic skies of Alta. It is a straightforward close to a journey filled with contrast, leaving the final morning calm, practical and easy.