Have you ever dreamt of seeing the Northern Lights? If you’re like me, then this is something that has always been on your bucket list.
Last year I decided it was finally time to turn that dream into a reality and so I started my research to figure out a travel destination that would maximize my chances of catching the elusive Aurora Borealis.
That research led me to Tromso in the far north of Norway.
After visiting Tromso myself in November 2023, I’ll be leading two separate groups of travelers back to Tromso in 2024 to hunt the Northern Lights and to experience many other fun Arctic activities!
Now, let’s discuss details about the trip.
About the trip
This small group trip to Tromso, Norway will be limited to 14 travelers.
The trip will include six nights of 4-star accommodations at a hotel located in the city center that is extremely convenient for walking around town (you do not need a rental car).
Airport transfers and roundtrip transportation for all activities is included in the cost.
You’ll have a dedicated guide for the entire trip (that’s me!) along with local guides that we hire for various portions of the trip.
We have organized activities on the first 5 nights in Tromso that will offer us great opportunities to see the Northern Lights.
Three of the evenings we’ll utilize a private small group Northern Lights tour operator that will take our group outside of Tromso to darker areas with clearer skies.
This will maximize our chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
These tour operators will even drive us to nearby Sweden or Finland if that’s what it takes to reach clear skies.
Not only that, but they include thermal winter gear rentals that will keep you nice and warm while we hang out outside watching the night sky.
The other two opportunities for Northern Lights viewing will be after riding the Fjellheisen Cable Car up to Storsteinen mountain and during an evening visit with a group of local Sami reindeer herders.
A little bit about Tromso, Norway
Tromso boasts a population of over 60,000 people and it has a reputation for being one of the best places on earth to witness the Northern Lights.
Tromso has the perfect blend of extreme northern latitude, moderate weather and short daylight hours during November to create excellent conditions for seeing the Northern Lights.
By mid-November, the 9:30am sunrise and 1:30pm sunsets mean that there’s only 4 hours of daylight.
The daylight that you will experience, is a beautiful, almost permanent golden hour glow as the sun sweeps extremely low across the Arctic sky.
The short windows of daylight are perfect for exploring town and enjoying some of the activities that we have planned during the trip.
What are the trip dates?
I will be hosting two sets of travelers in Tromso, Norway during November 2024.
The first trip window will be from November 6th through November 12th (6 nights). Keep in mind that in order to reach Tromso by early afternoon on November 6th, you may need to depart the evening of November 4th.
The second trip window will be from November 13th through November 19th (6 nights). Keep in mind that in order to reach Tromso by early afternoon on November 13th, you may need to depart the evening of November 11th.
While flights or layovers are not included in the trip cost, I do have a set of recommended departure and return flights put together that I’ve already researched. I’ll provide this information to all trip participants.
Lodging & Transportation:
4-Star Hotel Accommodations (6 Nights)
Our 4-star hotel accommodations are centrally located next to the Tromso Harbor area. The city is very walkable from this location.
The hotel is also conveniently located adjacent to the meeting points for all of our activities.
Hotel rooms and trip prices are based on double occupancy.
If you are a solo traveler inquiring about the trip, please let me know if you would prefer to be matched with another solo traveler or pay an additional fee for a solo room.
Roundtrip airport transfers
Roundtrip transportation to and from the Tromso Airport is included.
Recommended Flights
I’m happy to discuss individual travel needs with each group member in regard to flights. I have a list of recommended flights for departures and arrivals if you’re leaving from Cincinnati like me.
I plan on splitting up my travel days and laying over in London for an evening on my outbound trip, and Oslo for an evening on my return trip.
Airfare and any layover relayed lodging on the outbound or inbound travel is not included in the tour price. I would budget up to $1500 for economy airfare per person.
Meals (10):
Below you will find all of the meals included in the cost of your trip. This will cover about 50% of the meals during your trip. This is a great value because eating out in Norway isn’t cheap!
If you have any dietary restrictions, please make sure I am aware in advance of the trip. This will allow me to contact any restaurants or activity providers to ensure we have a suitable substitute in place.
Breakfasts (6)
Breakfast is included in your package each morning at the hotel. Several of the activities we’ll be enjoying during the trip will have shuttle pickups near our hotel in the morning.
Not only that, but where we are staying won the award for best hotel breakfast in the county during 2023!
Lunches (2)
Lunch will be provided during two of our group activities (huskies and whale watching).
Dinners (2)
Our first night together in Tromso will involve a four course sit down dinner. Dinner will also be provided during the Northern Lights Reindeer visit on day five.
Tromso Norway Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Tromso!
Get to know your fellow travelers on your first night in Tromso that will include a 4 course meal at a highly regarded restaurant offering traditional Nordic foods.
Following dinner we’ll head for the Fjellheisen Cable Car which takes us up Storsteinen Mountain that towers above Tromso and offers sweeping views of the city lit up at night.
If the weather and aurora cooperate, this will be your first good opportunity to spot the Northern Lights!
Day 2: Meet the Huskies & Northern Lights Excursion
On your first full day in town we’ll stretch your legs and head out to Villmarkssenter to meet sled dogs and take them on hikes out into the snowy wilderness.
Plan to be outside hiking for a couple of hours during this moderately active activity.
After returning to town everyone will have a few hours on their own to find a meal and get ready for their first small group Northern Lights excursion.
These can last into the early morning and we may drive to Sweden or Finland to chase viewing opportunities!
Check out some highlights from my previous husky hike experience with Villmarkssenter on my YouTube channel if you’ve got a few minutes.
Day 3: Exploring Town & Northern Lights Excursion
On your second full day in town we’ll explore by foot so you can get acquainted with the area and learn about the local culture.
After breakfast we’ll head to the Polar Museum to learn about Arctic history, visit Polaria to see a Seal feeding and tour the Northernmost Brewery in the world.
After enjoying a flight of beer at the brewery, everyone will be on their own for a few hours before we reconvene in the evening for our second small group Northern Lights excursion.
Day 4: Free Morning to Explore Town & Northern Lights Excursion
Following back to back nights of Northern Lights chasing, you’ll be rewarded with a free day for sleeping in late and exploring town on your own.
This is a great day to go shopping, check out some cafes or restaurants and go exploring on your own.
In the early evening we’ll reconvene for our third and final small group Northern Lights excursion. But don’t worry, we’ll still have another opportunity to see them tomorrow!
Day 5: Group Bowling, Tromso Ice Bar & Northern Lights Reindeer Visit
While your morning will be free today, in the afternoon we’ll meet up for a social gathering to bowl, play billiards and hang out.
We’ll head over to the Tromso Ice Bar for a drink (or two) before heading out on a Northern Lights Reindeer visit.
We’ll visit with a group of Sami people and their reindeer herd in the evening, feed the reindeer by hand, enjoy dinner at their camp and even go for a short reindeer sled ride.
During dinner we’ll be educated by the Sami on their culture and traditions.
Since the activity will take place at night, if the weather and Aurora cooperates, you’ll have an opportunity to feed reindeer under the Northern Lights!
Day 6: Whale Watching Safari & Happy Hour at World’s Smallest Bar
Today we’ll hop aboard an eco friendly whale watching vessel that will take us to the rich Arctic waters outside of Tromso.
This full day activity includes beautiful views of snowy Arctic landscapes while we sail out to the whales feeding waters.
Along the way you’ll enjoy educational and fun lectures from educated marine biologists on board. There are beverages and light snacks available for purchase throughout the day, while lunch is included.
After spending an afternoon spotting Orcas (Killer Whales) and Humpback Whales we’ll return to Tromso for a happy hour send off at the World’s Smallest Bar.
Enjoy a proper send off by having a beer on Wes’s dime with your fellow traveler’s before enjoying your final evening in town.
If you’re interested, spend a few minutes checking out highlights from my whale watching safari with Brim Explorer. I even sat down to interview our ships captain, Bjornar!
Day 7: Final Morning in Tromso
Sadly, this will be our final morning together. After breakfast most of our group will start making their way for the airport and the journey home.
If you’ve got the time off work and budget, this would be a great time to extend your trip elsewhere in Norway or Europe. My recommended route home includes a night layover in Oslo.
Spend a night here and consider checking out their open air museum, a floating sauna cold plunge in the harbor or a visit to their world famous Christmas Markets!
Cost and Payment Options
The total trip cost for this Northern Lights adventure is $3650 per person. If you have a promotional code or partner offer please be sure to mention it when submitting your inquiry for the trip and it will be deducted from your final total.
I accept credit card payment via Chase Pay, check, Zelle or Venmo. You can submit the $500 deposit in any manner you would like.
Deposits are refundable for 30 days after booking, up until 90 days of the trip arrival date, less a 3% transaction fee. Deposits are non refundable within 90 days of the trip date.
The full trip payment is due 90 days before the trip arrival date. 50% of your final trip payment (excluding the deposit) is refundable up to 60 days before the trip arrival date.
Cancellations made less than 60 days from the trip arrival date are nonrefundable.
I’d always recommend booking flexible airfare and purchasing travel insurance to cover the balance of your trip!
Submit your contact information to start reserving your spot!
To start reserving your spot on this trip, submit the below contact form and I’ll be in touch to answer any questions you have.
As a reminder, spaces are limited and the only way to guarantee your spot is by submitting your deposit!
A little bit about Wes
I’m a 34 year Cincinnati native who grew up on the west side of town. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati I enjoyed a nearly 14 year long career at Great American Insurance.
I recently decided to hang up my corporate career to try building something that focuses on two things I’m more passionate about, which are travel and photography.
Since then I’ve been working diligently to build this travel blog (welcome!) and grow a following on YouTube where I showcase my travels.
But now I’m launching the project that I’m most excited about, which is group trips to bucket list worthy destinations!
As an avid traveler, I’ve visited over 25 countries.
Most recently I spent two weeks exploring the southern coast of Iceland in a camper van where I had the adventure of a lifetime chasing waterfalls, visiting black sand beaches and witnessing another incredible Northern Lights display.
You can rest easy knowing this trip is planned by a person who has actually visited the destination, will be traveling with you during the trip and has years of experience visiting dozens of different countries.
If you have any travel related questions or concerns, I’m at your service.
And while Iceland has a reputation as another place you can see the Northern Lights, there was only 1 viewing opportunity during my two week trip.
Whereas during my trip last November to Tromso and Northern Norway, we saw them on 4 out of 5 nights that we went out looking.
Tromso is further North and typically has better weather than Iceland, making it a better Northern Lights chasing destination.
If you’d like to discuss the trip in greater detail, I’m also available to take calls to answer any questions you might have. Just mention that in the comments! I’m looking forward to seeing you in Norway!
