Scandinavia - Above the Arctic Circle (15 days)
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Scandinavia - Above the Arctic Circle (15 days)

This trip to the remote and beautiful north of Scandinavia involves a couple of long drives, but also plenty of walks (optional). The walks available are graded as easy to moderate (generally 4-6 hours of walking).

Lofoten Islands:
From Tromso we head for the wild Vesterålen and Lofoten islands that jut out of the Norwegian Sea like jagged teeth. Crossing the sea, we hope to spot whales plunging in the water. We'll explore the craggy coastline (home to many seabird colonies including puffins), go hiking in the hills, and relax in the sauna in the evening. Next we make a superb drive following the rugged coastal fjords to Narvik, then cut through the mountain range to Abisko in the Swedish fells.

Lapland, Land of Reindeer Herdsmen:We now enter Lapland, land of the Sami herdsmen: a colourful people whose life is geared to the migratory pattern of their reindeer herds. This enormous rolling wilderness is sprinkled with lakes that shimmer gold in the evening sun and with soft carpets of arctic flowers. We plan to spend our days making the most of the long hours and clear air. Day hikes, biking or canoeing are possible in this wilderness area. At Inari, the centre of Sami culture in Finland, we can explore the lake, perhaps catching fresh fish for dinner!

North Cape - the Top of Europe:Heading even further north through the tundra, we take the tunnel across to the rocky outcrop of North Cape, situated on the edge of the Arctic waters - the so-called 'Sea of Ice'. Here at the tip of Europe the twilight night-sky glows misty pink and orange. Early in the summer the 'Midnight Sun' can be viewed from towering cliffs of black granite, which rise 300m straight out of the sea.

· Day 1 Join the tour in Tromso.

· Day 2 Tromso/ Vesteralen Islands Discover Norway's Arctic Capital.

· Days 3/4 Lofoten Islands Imposing mountains knife downwards into clear blue waters; we explore the area on foot and there's the chance to go whale-watching (optional).

· Days 5/6 Swedish Fells Crossing the border to Abisko we take walks in this beautiful area.

· Day 7 Sami Reindeer Herdsmen Continuing into Finland we enter Lapland, home to Sami herdsmen whose lives are geared to the migatory pattern of their reindeer herds.

· Days 8/9 Lake Inari We plan to spend our days making the most of the long hours and clear air. Day hikes, biking or canoeing are possible in this spectacular wilderness area.

· Days 10/11 North Cape. Here at the tip of Europe the twilight night-sky glows misty pink and orange. Early in the summer the 'Midnight Sun' can be viewed from towering cliffs of black granite, which rise 300m straight out of the sea.

· Days 12/13 Sautso Canyon Hikes around Alta.

· Day 14 Return to Tromso.

· Day 15 Tour ends in Tromso.

perated by Explore Worldwide (AA)

Departures: May to August

  • Contact us for more information, current costs and to make a booking on this small group adventure.