Whale & Northern Lights Christmas Expedition

TROMSØ - LYNGEN - SKJERVØY - TROMSØ

Come celebrate an extraordinary Christmas in the Arctic. Enjoy the Arctic Christmas lights, celebrations and cuisine while admiring the exceptional wildlife and spectacular nights in this all-inclusive 6 days, 5 nights Christmas whale and aurora borealis cruise expedition.

This time of the year is the ideal time to spot orcas and humpback whales as they travel up the Northern Norwegian coastline for the millions of herring that come here to spawn each year. It is also a joyous holiday season that we celebrate with music, food and treats.

You will search for whales in the day while being awed by the beautiful scenic landscape and be amazed at night by the natural phenomena display of the northern lights all while indulging in fine Arctic cuisine, being surrounded by the spirit of Christmas and having the opportunity to join in on the joy in our tree decorating event.

We also have planned some spectacular stops where you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Arctic way of life and taste its culture. Among the activities are going up the Fjellheisen cable car for a picturesque view of the city of Tromsø, husky dog sledding, and enjoying a cultural tasting experience in Tromsø City Center on Christmas Eve.

Day 1

At 16:00 we will welcome you to the Norwegian Travel Basecamp in the center of Tromsø City at Sjøgeta 16.

Our expedition team will drive you to Quest, our ship, where you will be introduced to the program and safety briefing. This will be followed by a three-course Arctic cuisine dinner that will prepare you for your first excursion, northern lights at the top of Storsteinen Mountain.

We will take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of the mountain where we will get a spectacular view over Tromsø and its fjords.

Our team will then welcome you back onboard the ship where we will set course to the scenic Lyngen Alps and the best whale watching locations.

Day 2

This morning you will get to wake up to whales as our team has navigated us to a great area for whale watching, while we slept.

Our expedition team will navigate us to be amongst the enormous sea animals and depending on weather and sea conditions, we may launch our RIBs for a closer look at our mighty sea friends.

In the evening after our 3-course Arctic dinner on the ship, we may once again use our RIBs to go on our next northern lights chase.

Day 3

Today we will be back in Tromsø just in time for our biggest day of the Christmas holiday, Christmas Eve. We will stroll the streets, enjoying the lights and celebrations of the city.

We will then walk into “Full Steam”, the city's cod museum. We will learn about the history of cod and Christmas traditions in Norway and have a tasty lunch there before going to the city's Christmas ceremony.

We will end the festivities with a Christmas tree decorating event with our new expedition friends followed by a gala dinner onboard the ship.

Day 4

This morning we will wake up with whales once again, north of Skjervøy, famously one of the best places for whale watching.

Another day of learning and photographing these majestic Arctic animals as we continue to navigate and be surrounded by the amazing Lyngen Alps.

We will then head to Havnnes, a 19th century trading post situated amongst some of the most beautiful scenery and visit a historically influential photo gallery.

After dinner, we will end this day with a northern lights hunting excursion.

Day 5

Today we will go to a wilderness camp where we will meet adorable huskies and go sledding with them. After our dog sledding excursion, we will have an opportunity to bond, cuddle and take pictures with our energic husky partners. We will finish off this experience by having a cozy meal by a bonfire.

You will get a chance to rest and have dinner back on the ship, though be prepared for another excursion as we plan to go back out to chase the northern lights this evening.

Day 6

We will wake up back in Tromsø today, arriving approximately at 10:00. Here our team can help you determine the best form of transportation to get you back to your accommodation.

Highlights

• Northern Lights Hunting
• Norwegian Christmas Traditions
• Whale Watching
• Arctic Cuisine
• Wildlife, Nature & Photography Tips
• Historical Arctic Attractions
• Ocean Facing Cabin

Included

• All Meals
• All Bus Transfers
• Aurora Spirit Distillery
• Coffee, Tea & Snacks
• Holiday Events
• Ocean Facing Cabins
• Northern Lights Chase Every Night
• Arctic Huskies – Dog sledding
• Arctic Cuisine
• Exceptional Service & Crew
• Professional Expedition Team
• Wildlife, Nature photography Tips & Tricks
• Fjellheisen Cable Car
• RIB Excursions

Note:

Please note that the expedition programs for all tours may be adjusted due to factors such as weather forecasts, wildlife location, and safety precautions. Our expert expedition team will also seek all favorable conditions for optimal aurora borealis viewing, but only nature dictates its appearance. The final decision regarding modifications to the program will be made by the expedition team who prioritize safety.

While the expedition team will prioritize all items listed in the program and make expert predictions for favorable conditions, their inclusion cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, no refunds will be issued for any changes. The primary focus of the program is to offer a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

Restrictions: Must be in good physical shape and not need additional assistance.

NTC may cancel the package travel or linked travel arrangement regarding expedition cruises if the minimum number of 20 persons is not reached.