Journey To The Great North
The Northern Lights Experience of a Lifetime in Svalbard and Norway
Overview
Imagine the sun vanishing for months, surrendering the Arctic landscape to the ethereal glow of the moon, the stars, and something far more extraordinary: the Aurora Borealis, rippling and blazing across the sky in curtains of green, violet, and white.
This is the Polar Night. Our planet's most magical season, and nowhere on Earth does it reveal itself more dramatically than in Svalbard and Northern Norway.
What makes our chosen locations exceptional is pure geography. Positioned deep within the auroral oval, the band of sky where geomagnetic activity concentrates most intensely, Svalbard and the Norwegian High Arctic offer some of the highest aurora viewing probabilities on the planet. At these latitudes, you do not need a rare event or perfect timing. You simply need to be there, under a dark sky, looking up. We build the entire journey around doing exactly that.
We designed Journey To The Great North as a true once-in-a-lifetime expedition, combining the most rewarding Arctic locations with the most exhilarating activities available, all experienced in genuine comfort and extraordinary company.
Dates: 27 December 2026 - 6 January 2027
Trip start & end: Oslo, Norway
Group Size: 12
Pricing: €7500 pp (dbl. occupancy). Single supplement: €1700
Highlights
Explore Svalbard, the world's northernmost inhabited archipelago • Dog-sledding through the Polar Night wilderness • Arctic Snowmobile Safari deep into the frozen tundra • Descend into an abandonned Arctic coal mine • Northern Lights Overnight Cruise along the Norwegian coast • Marvel at orcas and whales in the waters of Northern Norway • Reindeer sledding and an authentic encounter with the Sámi people • Northern Lights chase by night in Tromsø • Evening snowshoe hike through the polar wilderness • New Year's Eve 5-course dinner in Svalbard • Guided tours of Svalbard, Tromsø, and Oslo
Itinerary
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Oslo Guided City Tour
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Arrive in Svalbard and explore Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost permanent settlement
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A snowmobile safari takes you deep into a frozen landscape that stretches far beyond the last traces of civilisation.
The Svalbard Museum brings to life the remarkable story of one of Earth's most remote human settlements.
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Descend into an abandonned Arctic coal mine, carved deep into the permafrost of Svalbard.
An evening out in the polar wilderness with dinner under the stars and the glow of the Northern Lights.
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Let excited, tail-wagging huskies pull you through a frozen Arctic wonderland in the depths of the Polar Night, on a dog-sledding adventure you will never forget.
Raise a glass and welcome the New Year with a magnificent 5-course dinner.
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Step inside the world's northernmost church, a place of quiet wonder at the very top of the world.
Fly from Longyearbyen to Tromsø, then board a cruise ship and watch the Northern Lights sweep across the sky above the fjords.
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Cruise north from Tromsø into the feeding grounds where orcas and humpback whales gather each winter, drawn by vast shoals of herring, all set against snow-covered mountains glowing under the soft pastel light of the Polar Night.
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Your first steps on cross-country skis, guided through the snow-covered landscape surrounding Tromsø.
As darkness falls, head out in search of the Northern Lights dancing across the Norwegian sky.
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Glide through the snow behind a team of reindeer, then hand-feed them as they nuzzle into your palm.
Sit with the Sámi people around an open fire and hear the story of a culture that has thrived in the Arctic for thousands of years.
Step out into the darkness on a snowshoe hike through the winter wilderness, with (hopefully!) the Northern Lights shimmering overhead.
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Fly south to Oslo and step inside the magnificent City Hall, home to one of Norway's greatest collections of public art.
Fly south to Oslo and step inside the magnificent City Hall, home to one of Norway's greatest collections of public art.
The afternoon is yours . Wander the Oslo waterfront, explore the shops, or simply find a warm cafe and let the journey sink in.
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Transfer to Gardermoen Airport and departure
Common Questions
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Contact us to secure your spot. We’ll send you a detailed itinerary, payment plan, and pre-trip checklist to prepare for your adventure.
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The tour begins and ends in Oslo, Norway. International flights to and from Oslo are not included.
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All entry permits, activities, and transportation (flights, trains, transfers).
Full-board meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners).
Knowledgeable local guides at each destination.
Accommodations in midrange hotels.
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International flights to and from Oslo, Norway
Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, roaming charges).
Travel insurance
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Yes, the trip is full-board, meaning all meals are included.
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You’ll stay in midrange, international-standard hotels for 10 nights.
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Flights: Economy-class round-trip flights Oslo, Longyearbyen, Tromsø
Trains: Travel on Uzbekistan’s Afrosiyob, the fastest train in the country (up to 210 km/h) for journeys between Tashkent–Bukhara, Bukhara–Samarkand, and Samarkand–Bishkek. All carriages are air-conditioned, non-smoking, and feature comfortable seating and modern amenities.
Transfers & Excursions: A private vehicle and driver for all local transfers, tours, and sightseeing.
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A comporehensive guide will be sent to you upon booking your tour. I contains a list of items we recommend to pack.
Travel Insurance
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Please refer to the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration’s website:
https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/persons-who-do-not-need-a-visa-to-visit-norway-/ -
Expect proper Arctic cold throughout the journey, though each destination has its own character. In Svalbard, temperatures typically range from -8°C to -14°C, occasionally colder, with little to no daylight at all. The sun does not rise above the horizon during the Polar Night. Tromsø is milder than you might expect, hovering around -3°C to -8°C, with a dusting of snow covering the city and surrounding mountains. Oslo, where the journey begins and ends, sits at a comfortable -2°C to -5°C Cold, crisp, and occasionally rainy. Across all three destinations, layering is essential. The cold is part of the experience, and once you are dressed for it, it becomes exhilarating rather than uncomfortable.
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The tour is fixed and pre-arranged to ensure a seamless experience. Customizations are not available, and joining mid-tour is not possible due to logistical constraints.
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Please inform us in advance so we can accommodate your needs. Most hotels and restaurants in Svalbard and Norway can cater to vegetarian, gluten-free, or other dietary preferences.