Day 1: Arrive in Tromso — Arctic Capital
Welcome to Tromso, the Arctic Capital of Norway! Located at 69 degrees north, deep within the Arctic Circle, this vibrant city is one of the world’s best places to observe the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Arrive and check into the Moxy Tromso hotel, a modern Arctic-style accommodation. Spend the afternoon exploring the city — visit the striking Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen) with its distinctive triangular architecture and stunning stained glass window. Walk across the Tromso Bridge for panoramic views of the city, surrounding mountains, and Arctic waters. In the evening, meet your Contiki trip manager and fellow travelers (aged 18-35) for a welcome briefing. As darkness falls, keep your eyes on the sky — the Northern Lights may make their first appearance.
Accommodation: Moxy Tromso (or similar) — Breakfast included
Day 2: Arctic Fjord Whale Watching
An epic day of Arctic exploration. Board a state-of-the-art hybrid-electric boat for a silent and sustainable whale watching expedition through the pristine Arctic fjords surrounding Tromso. The cold, nutrient-rich waters attract large populations of humpback whales, orcas (killer whales), and seals during the winter months (November to February). Glide silently through the fjords, listening to whale songs through underwater hydrophones. The dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountains plunging directly into the fjord creates an otherworldly atmosphere. After the cruise, explore Tromso further — visit Polaria, the Arctic aquarium with its panoramic film about Svalbard, or the Polar Museum to learn about legendary Arctic explorers like Roald Amundsen. In the evening, join an optional Northern Lights chase away from city lights.
Accommodation: Moxy Tromso (or similar) — Breakfast included
Day 3: Tromso to Overnight Hurtigruten Cruise
Start the day with an included cable car ride up Mount Storsteinen (421 meters) via Fjellheisen. From the top, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Tromso city, Tromsoya island, the majestic Tromsdalstinden Mountain (1,238m), and the vast Arctic landscape stretching in every direction. In winter, the landscape is a wonderland of snow and ice. In the afternoon, board the legendary Hurtigruten coastal express — the “Norwegian Coastal Voyage” that has connected remote Arctic communities for over 130 years. As your ship sets sail from Tromso, watch the city lights fade and the Arctic night envelop you. Spend the evening on deck with your camera ready — the combination of dark Arctic skies and open sea provides ideal conditions for Northern Lights viewing. Optional: brave the Polar Plunge followed by a warming sauna session.
Accommodation: Hurtigruten Overnight Cruise — Breakfast included
Day 4: Arctic Cruise to North Cape
Wake up at sea as the Hurtigruten navigates Norway’s dramatic Arctic coastline. The ship threads through a maze of islands, skerries, and fjords, with towering cliffs and remote fishing villages passing by. Today’s route passes Hammerfest, one of the world’s northernmost cities with a history dating back to the Stone Age. See the striking Finnkjerka Rock Formation rising from the sea — an ancient Sami sacrificial site. An optional excursion takes you to North Cape (Nordkapp), mainland Europe’s northernmost point at 71 degrees north. Stand at the edge of the 307-meter-high cliff where the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans meet. Visit the North Cape Hall with its panoramic theater and exhibits about the Arctic. The globe monument at the cliff’s edge marks the symbolic end of Europe. Weather permitting, this is an extraordinary Northern Lights viewing location — with nothing but the Arctic Ocean stretching to the North Pole.
Accommodation: Hurtigruten Overnight Cruise
Day 5: Kirkenes — Arctic Wilderness
Disembark the Hurtigruten in Kirkenes, a frontier town just 15 kilometers from the Russian border and closer to St. Petersburg than to Oslo. Check into the Scandic Kirkenes hotel. Visit the incredible SnowHotel Kirkenes, a hotel built entirely from snow and ice each winter, featuring ice sculptures, an ice bar serving drinks in ice glasses, and reindeer hide-covered ice beds (visited for drinks, overnight is optional). In the evening, join an optional dog sledding expedition — mush your own team of huskies through snow-covered Arctic forests under the Northern Lights, guided by expert mushers. Dinner is included tonight, featuring Arctic specialties like king crab, reindeer, and cloudberries.
Accommodation: Scandic Kirkenes (or similar) — Dinner included
Day 6: Sami Experience & Return to Tromso
After breakfast, participate in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Sami Experience, recognized for its positive social and cultural impact. Visit a traditional Sami camp, where you’ll be welcomed into a lavvo (traditional Sami tent) with hot drinks around the fire. Learn about the indigenous Sami people, who have inhabited the Arctic for over 10,000 years and are the only indigenous people of the European Union region. Observe reindeer at feeding time — the Sami have been reindeer herders for millennia, and these animals are central to their culture and survival. Listen to traditional joik singing, one of Europe’s oldest musical traditions. Fly back to Tromso for your final night in the Arctic Capital. Take one last walk through the atmospheric streets, perhaps sampling a final Arctic beer at the world’s northernmost brewery.
Accommodation: Moxy Tromso (or similar) — Breakfast included
Day 7: Departure from Tromso
After breakfast, your Arctic adventure comes to an end. Transfer to Tromso Airport for your departure flight. You’ll leave with memories of Northern Lights dancing across Arctic skies, humpback whales breaching in silent fjords, the dramatic voyage to the top of Europe at North Cape, the warmth of Sami hospitality, and the extraordinary beauty of Norway’s Arctic wilderness in winter.
Tour Highlights: Northern Lights chasing in Tromso, Arctic fjord whale watching on hybrid-electric boat, Hurtigruten overnight cruise, North Cape — Europe’s northernmost point, SnowHotel Kirkenes, Dog sledding (optional), Sami reindeer camp experience, Mount Storsteinen cable car
Included: 5 nights hotel, 2 nights Hurtigruten cruise, 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner, Mount Storsteinen cable car, Sami Experience, whale watching boat trip, flight Kirkenes-Tromso, English-speaking trip manager
Age Range: 18-35 years (Contiki young adult travel)
Season: October to March (Northern Lights season)
