Tromsø and Malangen Winter Escape

Upon arrival in Tromsø, your Arctic winter escape begins with a private transfer from the airport to your hotel, The Dock 69 by Scandic. Perfectly situated in the city centre, this modern yet atmospheric hotel offers a warm welcome to the north. Your Superior Room combines Scandinavian style with thoughtful comforts like heated flooring and soundproofing, ideal for restful nights under the polar sky.

After settling in, you are free to explore Tromsø at your own pace. Known as the cultural hub of Northern Norway, the city is home to excellent restaurants, cosy cafés, museums and a bustling harbourfront. We can assist with advance dinner reservations or recommendations, whether you’re after Arctic fine dining or local specialities like reindeer, cod and cloudberries. If you’re eager to begin your aurora quest right away, an optional Northern Lights tour can also be arranged. Your first night sets the tone for a week of discovery and relaxation.

Start your day with breakfast before meeting your private guide and driver for an exclusive island tour. Tromsø sits on its own island, surrounded by stunning Arctic scenery and dramatic fjords. This immersive tour showcases the highlights of the region with a personalised touch.

Visit the Arctic University Museum where you’ll explore exhibits on Sami culture, Arctic wildlife and the science behind the mesmerising Northern Lights. Continue across the Tromsø Bridge to visit the iconic Arctic Cathedral, known for its striking modernist design and stained-glass windows.

The tour’s pinnacle is the Fjellheisen cable car, which carries you 421 metres above sea level. From the mountain top, take in panoramic views of Tromsø, the surrounding fjords, and snow-covered peaks stretching to the horizon—a photographer’s dream. The day concludes with lunch at a locally loved restaurant serving traditional Norwegian dishes with a modern twist.

Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Explore more of Tromsø on foot, visit an art gallery or enjoy a drink by the fire. The evening is again yours to enjoy or enhance with an optional Aurora excursion.

After a relaxed breakfast, check out and join your shared shuttle transfer southwards to Malangen Resort. Located roughly an hour from Tromsø on the Malangen Peninsula, the resort is known for its remote serenity and ideal location for aurora viewing. Nestled between mountains and fjords, the resort offers uninterrupted views and access to nature from your Premium Room, designed with hygge-inspired Scandinavian interiors.

Spend the afternoon settling in, exploring the grounds or unwinding in the lounge. You may choose to add a private sauna or outdoor hot tub session overlooking the frozen fjord, perfect for decompressing before your first wilderness experience.

After dinner, gear up for a guided Northern Lights snowshoe adventure. You’ll leave the resort lights behind and head into the silent winter wilderness. Your guide will lead you to open viewpoints ideal for aurora photography and interpretation. Along the way, enjoy a hot drink and warm snack by a campfire as you listen to tales about the science and folklore of the Northern Lights. Equipment including snowshoes, overalls and head torches are all provided.

Today offers two uniquely Nordic experiences. Begin the morning with a thrilling husky sledding excursion. After a safety briefing, you’ll meet your eager team of huskies. Drive your own sled in pairs, taking turns along the trail as you glide through forests and snowy plains. The scenery is breathtaking and the connection with the dogs is unforgettable. Warm up afterwards with hot drinks and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow guests and mushers.

In the afternoon, switch gears for a cultural immersion with the indigenous Sami people. Take a short walk to a snow-covered clearing where you’ll be welcomed by your Sami host. Feed the gentle reindeer as you learn about their vital role in the Sami way of life. Then, gather inside a lavvu, a traditional tent, where stories are shared around a crackling fire. See examples of traditional artefacts, try your hand at lassoing, and enjoy a taste of Sami food cooked over the flames. This is a soulful experience, rich in tradition and connection.

Return to the resort for your three-course dinner, reflecting on a day that captures both the wild and human sides of the Arctic or even try the sauna for a relaxing view over the fjords.

After a restful morning, perhaps with time to journal, read or take photographs around the fjord, it’s time to head out for your snowmobiling adventure. Fully suited up in protective gear, you’ll ride in pairs on a scenic Arctic trail flanked by mountains and forest. The terrain is beginner-friendly, but still offers a healthy dose of adrenaline as you speed along snowy ridgelines and open plateaus. Stop for photo opportunities and soak up the remote beauty of this frozen wilderness.

Back at the resort, enjoy your final three-course dinner before setting off once more in search of the Aurora. The Northern Lights Watch begins with a short briefing on weather and solar activity. Then, walk with your guide to Camp Nikka, located 20 minutes behind the resort in an area with reduced cloud activity. As you sit around the fire, hot drink in hand, the skies may dance above you with green, pink and violet ribbons. With an 85% t success rate in recent years, this is one of Norway’s most reliable Aurora locations.

Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast with views across the frozen fjord. After check-out, your shared shuttle returns you to Tromsø, followed by a short taxi ride to the airport. This final journey allows you to reflect on an extraordinary winter holiday filled with once-in-a-lifetime moments, cultural insight and peaceful northern light. Depart with lasting memories—and perhaps already dreaming of your next Arctic escape.