Northern Lights of Scandinavia
Tour Overview
Embrace the Northern Lights. Sample caviar in Europe’s northernmost point, meet racing huskies and feed reindeer in an Indigenous Sámi community.
Top Rated Highlights
- Honningsvag: During your orientation, learn about the past and present of this small fishing community.
- Alta: Explore this city, home to the first Northern Lights observatory. With increasing tourism, Alta is rapidly developing, offering a wide range of activities.
- Tromso: Enjoy your orientation, Northern Norway’s largest city located on the island of Tromsøya.
- Oslo: See the Oslo Opera House and the new Deichman Library in the contemporary Bjørvika district.
Make Travel Matter
Tromso: Meet a Sámi family at their reindeer camp for dinner, games, and insights into their community's traditions, culture and history. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Authentic Dining
Ivalo: Your delicious Welcome Dinner will be served at the boutique Aurora Village hotel.
North Cape: Search for the Northern Lights in style, by toasting with champagne and caviar at the northernmost point of Europe.
Alta: Head for drinks at a local ice bar, where you'll get the chance to catch up with your fellow travellers.
Alta: Savour a delicious oven-baked lunch of local seasonal specialities of fresh salmon or the local's favourite, reindeer, served with fresh salads and wine.
Tromso: Dine on traditional food, served with hot drinks with the fascinating Sami people, as you hear tales of Scandinavia from its indigenous people.
Oslo: Toast to the finale of your travels during dinner in Norway's capital city with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Helsinki.
Location: Helsinki
Accommodation Name: GLO Art, Helsinki
Welcome to Helsinki, with its excellent museums and pretty seaside buildings. This beautiful city is set to be your home for the night. Meet your Travel Director for a drink and mingle with your fellow travellers.
Day 2: The gateway to Lapland
Location: Ivalo
Accommodation Name: Aurora Village, Ivalo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’ll take a flight to Ivalo, a small yet important centre in Finnish Lapland, 250km (155 miles) above the Arctic Circle. The Gateway to the North, Ivalo is set on the Ivalo River, where the first Lapland Goldrush took place in the 19th century. You’ll enjoy a dinner at your boutique hotel, Aurora Village. Look out for the dancing northern lights, as you gaze through the glass ceiling from the comfort of your room. Throughout history, the Northern Lights have inspired numerous myths and legends. In Norse mythology, they were believed to be reflections from the Valkyries' armour, while Finnish folklore attributed them to the Firefox, a magical fox that created sparks as it ran across the snow. It's important to remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed during your trip.
Day 3: Ivalo to Honningsvåg
Location: Ivalo, Porsangerfjord, Honningsvåg
Accommodation Name: Scandic Nordkapp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’ll be heading further north through the winter Lapland landscape. Cross the Finnish–Norwegian border as you make your way to Honningsvåg, the northernmost and smallest city in Norway. Your drive will take you along the mighty Porsangerfjord, the fourth largest fjord in Norway. Take the subsea Nordkapp Tunnel to the island of Magerøya, to reach your hotel in this small fishing community. Explore the quaint city by taking a stroll along the waterfront before dinner at your hotel.
Day 4: Northern Lights in North Cape Relaxed Start
Location: Honningsvåg, North Cape
Accommodation Name: Scandic Nordkapp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
You simply can’t visit Norway without heading to North Cape (weather permitting). Dubbed the northernmost point in continental Europe, you’ll go in search of the iconic Northern Lights as you sip on bubbles and delight in exquisite caviar with your fellow travellers. End your day back at your charming hotel, where you’ll rest up ahead of tomorrow’s adventures.
Day 5: North Cape to Alta
Location: North Cape, Alta
Accommodation Name: Scandic Alta
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a spectacular drive from North Cape to Alta, taking in the country’s magnificent fjords and Artic landscapes along the way. Head to an ice bar with your fellow travellers, for a chilled beverage as you discuss the day’s events. Home for the next couple of nights is Scandic Alta, a traditional and relaxing hotel, situated in the heart of Alta. With time at leisure, perhaps visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Rock Art Museum?
Day 6: Alaskan Huskies in Alta Relaxed Start
Location: Alta
Accommodation Name: Scandic Alta
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This is a day for dog lovers and a true highlight of the trip. Visit a working husky farm and get to know the Lyrek family and champion sled dogs. Learn about their Alaskan huskies and the challenges they face competing in the marathon long Arctic dog sled races. Indulge in a delectable oven-baked lunch, before meeting the dogs themselves.
Day 7: Norway’s gateway to the Artic
Location: Alta, Tromsø
Accommodation Name: Moxy Tromso
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you’ll head to Tromsø, northern Norway’s largest city, located on the island of Tromsøya. You’ll be surrounded by snowcapped mountains and ethereal water views.
Day 8: Delve into Scandinavian history
Location: Tromso
Accommodation Name: Moxy Tromso
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you meet members of the Indigenous Sámi community of Scandinavia. Delve into the history of Arctic Norway and join a Sámi guide for an immersive journey through their camp, with an invitation to help feed their reindeer herd. You are invited into a lavuu (a traditional Sámi tent) to hear stories of Sámi life and folk songs around the fire, after enjoying a traditional meal with hot drinks.
Day 9: A merry finale in Oslo
Location: Tromsø, Oslo, Oslo Opera House, Deichman Library
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Scandinavia, Oslo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning, take a flight from Tromsø to Oslo, a modern city located on the shores of the Oslofjord. Surrounded by forested mountains, city dwellers and visitors alike have easy access to nature all year round. On your orientation, see the Oslo Opera House and the new Deichman Library in the contemporary Bjørvika district. Join your fellow travellers at a local restaurant to make a toast to newfound friends and a wonderful journey, over dinner paired with wine.
Day 10: Farewell Oslo
Location: Oslo
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to say farewell to your fellow travellers. Your trip ends after breakfast.
What's Included
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Orientation in Honningsvag
During your orientation with your Travel Director, hear about the past and present of this small fishing community.
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Orientation in Alta
Enjoy an orientation of Alta, where the world's first Northern Lights observatory was built at the end of the 19th century.
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Orientation in Tromso
Enjoy your orientation of Tromsø, Northern Norway’s largest city located on the island of Tromsøya.
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Orientation in Oslo
On your orientation of Oslo city, see the Oslo Opera House and the new Deichman Library in the contemporary Bjørvika district.
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Sami Cultural Experience
A Sami family welcomes you into their reindeer camp to share their traditions, culture, and history.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency.
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Baggage Handling
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
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Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
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Complimentary Wi-Fi
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as learning about king crabs and enjoying a fresh, sea-to-table lunch are not included.
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Northern Lights Sightings
Sightings of the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed.
Mode of Transport
Travel through the stunning landscapes of Scandinavia with flights from Helsinki to Ivalo and Tromsø to Oslo. Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom for journeys between destinations, ensuring a relaxing and scenic travel experience.
Accommodation
Experience the charm of Scandinavian hospitality with stays at the grand GLO Hotel Art in Helsinki, the boutique Aurora Village in Ivalo, and the comfortable Scandic Nordkapp in Honningsvåg. Enjoy the modern amenities of Scandic Alta and Moxy Tromso, and conclude your journey at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia in Oslo. ...more ...less
Dining Summary
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Alta: Meet the Lyrek family at their husky farm for lunch and hear tales about their marathon Arctic dog sled races.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Summary
- Visit North Cape and search for the Northern Lights.
- See the Opera House and the new Deichmann Library in Oslo.
- Visit a working Husky Farm and meet the huskies
- Welcome Drink in Helsinki • Welcome Dinner at the Aurora Village hotel • Drinks at an Ice Bar in Alta • Celebration Dinner in Oslo.
- Enjoy the scenery as you travel through Scandinavia. Catch glimpses of shimmering winter wonderland forests and snow covered mountains, as you cross the border between Finland and Norway, chasing the northern lights. Watch dramatic coastlines rise from the seas by Alta, tracing your way past the Lyngen Alps down the coast to Tromsø.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experience can I expect in Tromsø?
In Tromsø, you will have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating history of Scandinavia with the Indigenous Sámi community. A Sámi family will welcome you into their reindeer camp to share their traditions, culture, and history. You will enjoy an evening of dinner and games, learning about the sustainability and resiliency of their community. ...more ...less
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What is special about the accommodation in Ivalo?
In Ivalo, you will stay at the boutique Aurora Village hotel, which is famed for its cabins with a glass roof. This unique feature offers sweeping views of the night sky, allowing you to look out for the northern lights from the comfort of your room.
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What activities are available in Alta?
In Alta, you can visit one of the first ice hotels in the world and enjoy a chilled beverage. You can also visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Alta Museum, famous for its prehistoric rock carvings, and a working husky farm where you can learn about Alaskan huskies and the challenges they face in Arctic dog sled races. ...more ...less
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What can I expect during the visit to the North Cape?
At the North Cape, you will have the chance to visit the northernmost point of Europe. You can sip on bubbles and delight in exquisite caviar with your fellow travelers, weather permitting.
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What cultural experience is included in the tour?
The tour includes a cultural experience with the Indigenous Sámi community in Tromsø. You will meet members of the Sámi community, join a Sámi guide for an immersive journey through their camp, help feed their reindeer herd, and hear stories of Sámi life and folk songs around the fire. ...more ...less
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 20, 2026 - Oct 29, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 23, 2027 - Apr 01, 2027Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Northern Lights of Scandinavia
10 Days Starting in Helsinki, Finland and ending in Oslo, Norway
Visiting: Helsinki, Ivalo, Porsangerfjord, Honningsvåg, North Cape, Alta, Tromsø, Tromso, Oslo, Oslo Opera House, Deichman Library ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SW800N26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Eco Conscious, Northern Lights, Polar, Wildlife Tours
