August 11 – 21 Sat - Tue
Group Size: 9
Starting Point: Tromsø
Based: Nordkjosbotn and Kabelvåg each 2 nights
Walking: Easy

Description: Arctic Norway (Europe’s answer to Alaska!) - what a chilling thought! In spite of the latitude most locations visited during August are lush and colourful from a vibrant plethora of wild flowers and berries. The brief Arctic summer is at its height,  temperatures are at their warmest (up to 26˚C), rainfall at its lowest, with daylight prevailing for 24 hours. 

The scenery is so awesome that photo stops are warranted at every turn, arguably eclipsing the steady trickle of 'high-interest' wildlife seen. 

Raptors feature significantly: White-tailed and Golden Eagles,  Rough-legged Buzzard, Peregrine, Merlin and Gyr Falcon seen on all previous tours. 

The supporting cast includes Black-throated and Red-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebe, Storm Petrel, Whooper Swan, Velvet Scoter,  ygmy and Hawk Owls, Capercaillie, Willow Grouse,  Curlew  Sandpiper, Temminck's Stint, Spotted Redshank,  Whimbrel, Pomarine, Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas, Grey-headed Wagtail, Bluethroat, Waxwing, Parrot Crossbill, and Brambling and Lapland Bunting. 

Mammal content ranges between extremes - the giant tail fluke of a sounding Sperm Whale (money-back-guarantee!) inspiring some, while Norway Lemmings charm others; Elk, Reindeer, Fox, Otter and Stoat are other mammals seen. 

Vegetation contains many Arctic plants that could only be seen by visiting the peaks of our highest mountains, plus several gems not occurring in the UK. 

We visit high-level tundra across the Finnish and Swedish borders, and wooded valleys cutting deep into the interior plateau. We stay in the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, joining an optional whale-watching cruise in the Arctic Ocean, and visit Saltstraumen - the world's greatest maelstrom.

This is an unbeatable experience, rating as one of our absolute favourite destinations.

Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 Sat & Sun:  Morning flight from London Gatwick to Tromsø. Transfer to Nordkjosbotn birdwatching en route.  Excursion into Finland.          

Days 3 - 5 Mon - Wed:  Transfer to Myre in Vesterålen; whale-watching cruise (optional) and search for Gyr Falcons plus other raptors.

Days 6 & 7 Thu & Fri:  Transfer to the Lofotens for 2 nights.

Days 8 - 10 Sat - Mon:  3 hour ferry to Bodø and transfer to Rognan. Visit Saltstraumen; day excursion into Sweden and down to the Arctic Circle.

Day 11 Tue:  Mid-afternoon return flight from Bodø to Gatwick via Oslo.

Cost:  £1695...includes:  Accommodation (b&b plus evening meal); ground transport within Norway.

Excludes:  Air travel; whale-watching trip (about £60); lunches,  bar items etc.

Deposit: £150                                                           

Single Room Supplement: £260

Flight cost from London Gatwick to Tromso/Bodø to Gatwick:   circa £380 including airport tax.

See 'About Us' for statement about flights.