Lofoten - Aurora Borealis
8 days, 7 nights, Lødingen - Tysfjord - Skrova - Svolvær - Tranøy - Vestbygd - Lødingen | The Lofoten is an archipelago in northern Norway. The islands, around 80 in total, are located above the Arctic Circle. Most of the islands are mountainous, the highest peak (Higravstinden) measuring 1161 meters (3800 feet). Lofoten stretches out like a wall of mountains, the "Lofoten Wall". Between the mainland and Lofoten lies Vestfjord. It is here that we carry out our autumn and winter voyages with our sailing vessel Noorderlicht.
One of the great attractions of the Lofoten area are the Northern Lights. Not many people know that the islands are located at exactly the right latitude for seeing the Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights are caused by eruptions on the sun and can only be seen when it is dark. The fairly long periods of darkness in November and December make our Lofoten expeditions an ideal opportunity to admire this unbelievable phenomenon. Furthermore, the Northern Lights can only be seen when there is little light disturbance, something that is guaranteed in Lofoten.
| Departure | NOO19, November 10th, 2010 NOO21, November 24th, 2010 |
| Price | $1,800 per person in Twin non private |
| Included | Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary. All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea. All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac. Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff. |
| Not Included | Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights Pre- and post land arrangements Transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen Passport and visa expenses Government arrival and departure taxes Meals ashore Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended) Excess baggage charges and Personal items such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges Customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided). $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Maximum of 14 participants on the s/v Noorderlicht. It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 80 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of EURO 18 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions. |
Lofoten Aurora Borealis Map
World Travel Award 2009
Day 1 ARRIVAL LØDINGEN Arrival with public bus in Lødingen. Staying on the sailing ship "Noorderlicht" in the harbour of Lødingen.
Day 2 TYSFJORD Departure from Lødingen and sailing for the Tysfjord. Afternoon landing to climb the hill at Skarvberget which is an outlook post for Sea Eagles. We stay for the night in the small harbour of Korsnes, a village at the entrance of the Tysfjord.
Day 3 SKROVA Morning walk to the Stone Age petroglyph's at Leiknes. Images of animals such as a Killer Whale and Elk have been carved into the hard rock in the hills. In the afternoon we sail to the island of Skrova where we arrive late in the afternoon. We stay there for the night. Skrova is a small, rugged island where the 200 inhabitants mainly live from fishery. It is one of the few places in Norway from where whale hunters still hunt for Minke Whales.
Day 4 KABELVÅG Morning walk on Skrova. A easy walk brings us to a nice bay on the other side of the island. The active passengers can climb the 255 meters peak of Skrova for the 360º view. Good chances of Sea Eagles during these walks. In the afternoon we sail for Kabelvåg. This beautiful historical village was until the beginning of the 20th century the centre for the Lofoten Cod fisheries.
Day 5 SVOLVÆR For the hiking minded a morning walk from Kabelvåg to Svolvær is offered, following a hiking path through the hills. The Noorderlicht will sail with the sailing enthusiasts to Svolvær. In the afternoon there is the possibility visit to Svolvær which is the biggest town of Lofoten. We stay for the night in Svolvær so there is a chance to enjoy the famous Svolvær night-life.
Day 6 TROLLFJORD In the morning we sail into the Trollfjord, a famous steep fjord a few hours sailing from Svolvær. Afterwards we head for Tranøy, on the Norwegian mainland, where we stay for the night.
Day 7 TRANØY - VESTBYGD - LØDINGEN In the morning we walk to the nice lighthouse of Tranøy and admire the works of art that are placed in this small artists village. Tranøy is known because of the Norwegian writer and Nobel-prize winner, Knut Hamsun. With a good wind we might sail in the afternoon to Hustadgaard in Vestbygd. Here we will have the opportunity to see the "Øye I Stein", "Eye in Stone", a sculpture of 37 tonnes made by the Indian artist Anish Kapoor. Then we have to head for Lødingen again. Arrival in Lødingen late in the evening and staying there for the night.
Day 8 DEPARTURE LØDINGEN Disembarkation from the Noorderlicht in the morning, public bus to the airport.
The Lofoten voyages take place in late autumn, when the days are short in Northern Norway. We can expect the first snow showers, and sometimes temperatures just above freezing. The autumn colours will be beautiful during the day time. At night, when there is open sky we may be able to admire the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). The Lofoten voyages are very dependent on the weather, which can be quite rough. Therefore the outline of the voyage, given above is just for guidance.