ITINERARY

 

Day 1 ~ Arrive in Tromsø and drive to Sommarøy

Arrive in the Arctic Capital of Tromsø where you will pick up your rental car. Drive from Tromsø approx. 60km across Kvaløya to Sommarøy on the outer coast of Northern Norway.

 

At Sommarøy check into a self-catering apartment, or upgrade to a large and comfortable cabin perched over the water. The views will keep you gazing out towards the sea, and the extended light evenings will invite you to tranquil walks along the foreshore and pristine white coral beaches.

 

An evening walk up the mountain on Hillesøy towards the sea is well worth it, and if you travel in late summer you may be lucky to find both wild blueberries and cloudberries.

 

Note; you may choose to add a few nights in Tromsø itself to savour the sights and attractions of the city. Ask us for options for guided walking tours including a visit to the Polar Museum, dog sledding through the beautiful winter landscape, guided northern light tours and other possible activities.

 

Day 2 ~ Tromso to Senja

Take a morning ferry to the island of Senja with dramatic sea cliffs and clear green water.

 

Take a morning ferry to the island of Senja - one of those places in Norway that sees very few visitors. This is mostly due to its dramatic and remote location on the Norwegian coast. On arrival on Senja we highly recommend a detour to Husøy, where the houses are wired down on a little island to avoid being blown away.

 

Driving further northwest Senia will offer views towards the Devil’s teeth mountain range, and the Oxhorn Mountains. The names themselves indicate the ruggedness of the scenery awaiting you. The road you are travelling is part of a project called the National Tourist Routes of Norway. The Norwegian road authority (Statens Vegvesen) has commissioned 50 architects to design various landmarks, rest stops and view points along chosen road stretches all over Norway. On this particular stretch across Senja you will see Tungeneset and Bergsbotn.

 

Please suggest accommodation

 

Day 3 ~ Senja

Deep sea fishing, exploring the local peaks or enjoying a long seafood lunch.

We have scheduled an extra day in Hamn, so you can enjoy this remote location out towards the sea. Join a deep sea fishing excursion trying your luck for Atlantic cod, climb one of the surrounding peaks or just enjoy the day relaxing in Hamn.

 

Day 4 ~ Wildlife Safari

Prepare for an exciting day, as you take off to the sea to explore the arctic waters. Dress warmly in the provided windproof overgear, hot drink in hand and be on the look out for possible encounters with bigger marine animals such as seals, harbour porpoise and pilot whales which have been spotted in these waters. Look skyward for majestic sea eagles and other birdlife.

 

Day 5 ~ Ferry to Andøya, and drive to Lofoten

Start early with the drive from Hamn via the village of Torsken (the Cod) to Gryllefjord where you will cross the fjord by ferry to Andenes on Andøya. You may be lucky and see whales and seals on the ferry trip.

 

On arrival at Andenes you will make your way south for the approx. 200km drive to Svolvær in the central part of the Lofoten Archipelago. Once again, the drive is stunning as mountain peaks rise from the ocean and more than thousand meters straight skyward.

 

On arrival in Svolvær you check into your own Rorbu (fisherman’s cottage) on stilts over the clear blue water.

 

Day 6 ~ Svolvaer

Day in Svolvær with options to join a sea eagle safari and visit the narrow waters of the Trollfjord.

 

Spend the day in Svolvær and enjoy a sea eagle safari by boat and visit the narrow waters of the Trollfjord. You may also join a kayaking excursion or follow one of the many hiking trails in the area.

 

Day 7 ~ Svolvaer to Nusfjord

After breakfast drive to Nusfjord.  We recommend a visit to the charming fishing village of Henningvaer en route. Enjoy the liveliness of this small village and browse through the small and cosy shops, galleries and cafeterias and restaurants. 

 

Another worthwhile stop is in Flakstad, where you can visit the Viking Museum.

 

Continue on to Nusfjord one of Norway's oldest and best preserved fishing villages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This small fishing hamlet is a living museum with several protected buildings and a unique restaurant panoramic views across the fjord.

 

Day 8 ~ Nusfjord

Free day to enjoy the historical atmosphere of Nusfjord. We recommend a moderate 3-4 hour round-trip hike from Nusfjord to Nesland, or why not try to catch your own dinner from the sea! You can cook your catch in your own fishermen’s cabin or the local chef will serve you your catch as a delicious dinner in the Karoline restaurant.

 

Day 9 ~ Nusfjord to Reine

Continue further out in the Lofoten Archipelago to picture perfect Reine.  You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the village of Reine and its beautiful surroundings. We recommend taking the steep hike up to Reinebringen from where you have panoramic views over the fjord and Lofoten. 

 

Stay overnight in Reine

 

Day 8 ~ Visit Å or Røst

Make a morning visit to Å at the outer edge of the Lofoten Archipelago, or spend the day going even further out to the remote islands of Røst. If you are a birdwatcher you should definitely consider the trip out to Røst, where you have good chances of spotting sea eagles, puffins and numerous other sea birds.

 

Another option is to take a short ferry from Reine to reach the golden sandy beaches of Horseid or Bunes, both of which require a hike from the respective ferry stops. The hike to Horseid takes approximately two hours each way from Kjerkfjorden, while the hike to Bunes from Vindstad is more suitable for families.

 

Day 9 ~ Vaeroy (optional)

If you have time, we highly recommend a day trip to Vaeroy, which is Lofoten “in a nutshell” – with dramatic mountains, white sandy beaches, luch mountainsides and picturesque fishing stations.

 

Day 10 ~ Depart Lofoten

Make the drive to Leknes Airport, for your onward flight.

 

End of Trip

 

(Code: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)