August 19 – 27 Tue - Wed
Group Size: 7
Starting Point: Tromsø
Based: Nordkjosbotn and Alta each 2 nights
Hammerfest 1 night, Lakselv 3 nights
Walking: Easy
Description :
This exploratory visit to Europe's extreme northern outpost explores a succession of truly pristine environments.
Our first base is close to the shallow inlets of Balsfjord and Storfjord, two tidal zones that on previous visits have never failed to serve up a bonanza of waterfowl and waders, with White-tailed Eagles and Otters regularly present.
Travel to our second base at Alta brings us into view of Øksfjordsjøkelen - the only glacier in Norway to terminate at the sea.
Heading north across the vidda (tundra plateau) into Sami territory increasing numbers of reindeer are encountered. At Kautekeino in the Lapland interior we find the largest and most important Sami settlement - one hitherto not tainted by tourism.
At Hammerfest we spend a night in the world's most northerly town, which also boasts the most northerly church and most northerly forest - among other 'most northerlies'.
Three nights at Lakselv locates us within easy range of Stabbursdalen National Park - also the nearby Valdak marshes. These sites contain characteristic forest birds and significant numbers of migratory wildfowl, also raptors including Merlin and Gyr Falcon.
Of land mammals we can expect to see Elk, Norway Lemming, Otter and Stoat, while maritime mammals may include Bearded Seal, Harbour Porpoise and possibly Orca.
Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 Tue & Wed...Morning Rendezvous London Heathrow:
We fly to Tromsø and drive to Nordkjosbotn (two hours). Our base - with snow-capped mountain backdrop - is located at the head of Balsfjord close to an outstanding catchment zone for migrant waders and waterfowl. Introductory birds may include Eider, Merlin, Arctic Tern, Mealy Redpoll, Brambling and Raven.
We cross the Finnish border to look for Rough-legged Buzzard, Golden Plover and Bluethroat; Black-throated and Red-throated Divers are seen on lakes. Along Storfjorden White-tailed Eagles are ever present.
Days 3 & 4 Thu & Fri:
During travel to our next base at Alta stops are made by estuaries to observe bird passage, also to view the glacier of Øksfjordsjøkelen.
An excursion deep into the interior of Finnmark crosses tracts of true wilderness, where we remain watchful for sightings of Gyr Falcon, Merlin and Willow Grouse. Stops to wander into the tundra may produce Norway Lemmings and, reaching Kautekeino, we encounter a Sami settlement.
Day 5 Sat:
Transferring to Hammerfest for one night we check coastal waters for White-billed Diver and King Eider. As an important fishing port there is likelihood of white-winged gulls and possibility of Little Auk.
Days 6 - 8 Sun - Tue:
Heading for the wide fiord of Porsanger we head to Lakselv, making stops en route to check the coastal fringe for bird passage.
Pine forests of Stabbursdalen are visited, where Capercaillie, Three-toed Woodpecker, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit and Pine Grosbeak are resident.
At Valdak wetland Lesser White-fronted and Bean Geese are of principal interest. High concentration of waders are likely - a recipe for raptor presence.
Day 9 Wed:
We take the morning flight to Oslo, with onwards connection to London Heathrow via Oslo, thus concluding the tour.
Cost: £1280...includes:
Eight nights dinner, b&b in twin rooms en suite; all excursions plus transfers to and from transport terminals in Norway
Excludes:
Air travel, lunches, coffee stops, entrance to cultural sites etc.
Deposit: £150
Single Room Supplement: £160
Flight cost from London to Tromso/Lakselv to London: circa £350.
See 'About Us' for statement about flights.