If you are looking for a winter trip that combines fun activities with spectacular nature, this is the trip for you! The world-famous archipelago of Lofoten is a must-see at this time of the year. You will avoid the large tourist crowds, get close to winter-clad mountains while doing a snowshoe trip, and the arctic waters while paddling a kayak, going on a sea eagle safari, and also doing a fishing trip. Last but not least, the evenings will be spent gazing up to the sky looking for the mythical Northern Lights!
Highlights
- Sea eagle safari to Trollfjorden
- Fishing trip from Svolvær
- Kayak trip through islets and reefs
- Snowshoeing in spectacular winter landscape
- Visits at unique fishing villages such as Henningsvær and Nusfjord
- The mythical Northern Lights
Lofoten is a unique and partly isolated portion of our elongated country. A visit here during the enchanting winter months will give you experiences you'll never forget! In March, the snow lies like sprinkled sugar on the mountain tops, we get both dark nights (which of course is a good starting point to see the Northern Lights) and long bright days, the large tourist crowds are absent, and cod fishing is at its height. In other words, this is a perfect time to experience the archipelago.
Over the course of six days, we move south from Svolvær to Ballstad at the same time as we take part in exciting activities such as a sea eagle safari to Trollfjorden, a fishing trip from Svolvær, kayaking among islets and reefs at Eggum, and a full day snowshoe trip among the majestic Lofoten mountains. In between, we visit idyllic fishing villages such as Henningsvær and Nusfjord, go on a hike from Haukland to Uttakleiv, and maybe - if the guests are up for it, go for a swim in the Arctic waters. And of course, not to forget - the Northern Lights. We monitor the weather closely throughout the trip so that we also get to experience this spectacular light phenomenon. After all, it is a pretty amazing sight.
We look forward to showing you Lofoten this winter!
Physical level and risk
So that you can have a good experience, it is important that you choose a trip that suits your ability level. The scales for physical requirements and risk are general. Therefore, it is important that you read more about the difficulty of the specific trip under “Details”. This will help you to gain an understanding of the level required and the risks involved for each specific trip.
Read more about physical requirements and risk here.
Physical: 2
We have to work a little to reach the destination. These are trips most people can handle, if they have a basic level of fitness. We sleep in comfortable tents and / or in cabins and hotels, but you do not have to have experience with tent life to join. The physical activity is the main element of the trip, such as cycling, kayaking, hiking, skiing / hiking or glacier hiking, but you do not need prior knowledge of the activity. Read more about the grading on our trips here
Risk: 2
Activities / trips with low risk. There are usually few incidents, and they are usually of such a nature that they can be treated locally. Read more about the grading on our trips here
What's included
- All accommodations
- All meals
- Professional nature guide
- Transport within itinerary
See more of what's included under the "details" tab
Contact
Questions about the trip? Don't hesitate to contact our project leader below, or contact our office here.
Eirik Nilsen
eirik@hvitserk.com +47 23213080
Details
Difficulty
Level 2 out of 5. Please read more about our level of difficulty here.
You do not need any previous experience with any of the activities mentioned in the program. This trip is for everyone.
Safety
Norrøna Hvitserk Adventure places great emphasis on safety. If an accident occurs, know that you will get help quickly. We are available 24 hours a day when someone is on a trip with us, so if something happens it is easy to reach us. We also have close collaborations with our local partners and demand that they also place great emphasis on this.
Our guides are trained in first aid and have a selection of medicines and first aid equipment for necessary treatment in the field. Norrøna Hvitserk Adventure also has a collaboration with Turlegen.no who can be contacted if you need medical advice.
NB - If you are on regular medication, have known allergies, or the like, you must always bring your personal medication with you.
What to bring?
Have a look at the full equipment list by clicking "Equipment list" in the menu above. You can leave your luggage in the car or at the accommodation each day, so when doing the different activities, you only have to carry what you need for the day. Relevant equipment for the different activities will be provided on-site. Remember to dress warm! The Norwegian winter can be cold.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to Svolvær is to either fly from Oslo, Bergen, or Trondheim (with Norwegian or SAS) to Bodø and from there with Widerøe. There are also trains from Oslo and Trondheim to Bodø, and speedboats from there and further out to Svolvær. If needed, we can assist with both transportation and extra accommodation in Svolvær both before and after the trip. Get in touch with us if this is desired.
Accommodation
You will stay at two different accommodations during the trip, Skårungen in Kabelvåg and Solsiden Brygge in Ballstad. The tour price is based on two people sharing either a double or a twin room with the same sex. For single rooms, there is a surcharge of 4000 NOK. This can be selected when the trip is booked on our website.
Baggage
We recommend that you bring with you one piece of luggage (we recommend a duffel bag since this is easier to carry around in the areas we visit than a trolley case) with clothes, toiletries, and items that are necessary when we are not doing the various activities. We also ask that you bring with you a day backpack for food, water, camera and extra clothes for the different activities we are going on.
Insurance
You need travel and health insurance, which also includes transportation back to your country. Remember to bring your insurance card/information.
Languages
The guide will speak English.
Changes may occur
We reserve the right to make changes to the program, and the price. The day-to-day program is indicative, and changes may occur. Please have a look at our terms and conditions.
Included in the price
- All accommodations
- All meals
- Professional nature guide
- Transport within the itinerary
- All activities as mentioned in the day to day program
Not included in the price
- Transportation to/from Svolvær
- Drinks and snacks
Other information
If it is close to departure and the trip is fully booked, get in touch. Maybe we will find space for you anyway.
Day by Day
day
1
Welcome to Lofoten!
Finally, the trip is underway! We meet at the airport in Svolvær in the afternoon before we drive to our accommodation for the next two nights, Skårungen, just outside of Kabelvåg. We check into our rooms and have dinner together in the evening. The guide will go through the program with you and clarify any questions you may have before the trip really kicks off tomorrow.
day
2
Sea eagle safari to Trollfjorden and visit to Henningsvær
After a hearty breakfast at our accommodation, we drive to Svolvær to join a spectacular sea eagle safari to Trollfjorden. With RIB, we whiz away on the Arctic waters before we reach one of the narrowest fjord arms in our country. Along the way, we keep an eye out for the majestic sea eagle that frequents the area. Back on land, we turn our nose south towards Henningsvær, one of Lofoten's most beautiful and well-kept fishing villages. We spend a couple of hours here before we drive back to Skårungen in the afternoon. A nice dinner is enjoyed at the hotel restaurant before we spend the evening hunting for the northern lights (as long as the weather is on our side).
day
3
Fishing trip from Svolvær and a coastal hike from Haukland to Uttakleiv
Ready for an extraordinary experience? Today we will take part in the traditional Lofoten fishing! From Svolvær we once again go out to sea, this time to catch one of Norway's oldest export products, cod. We spend a couple of hours at sea before going back to the mainland. From Svolvær we drive further south to Vestvågøy where we will spend the next three nights at Solsiden Brygge in Ballstad. Before we get there, however, we go to Haukland to walk the coastal road to Uttakleiv and back. The road goes all the way down by the water's edge and gives us an unbeatable view of both the Lofoten mountains and the endless sea outside of the archipelago. Back again at Hauklandstranda you will hopefully take on today's biggest challenge - a very refreshing swim in the Arctic ocean! After checking into Solsiden Brygge in the afternoon a delicious dinner awaits us in the evening. Maybe we finish it up with some more Northern Lights after dinner? If the weather permits, of course.
day
4
Kayak trip from Eggum and visit to Nusfjord
We eat breakfast at Solsiden Brygge before we drive towards Eggum, in the northwestern part of Vestvågøy. Here we will embark on a beautiful kayak trip among islets and reefs. There is something magical about being out in the kayak in the winter, we get so much closer to the elements surrounding us. After three hours on the water, we drive towards Nusfjord, a small but very cozy fishing village that is wedged between steep mountain sides and the vast arctic ocean. We spend some time walking around the village, maybe enjoying a small lunch, or a refreshing drink before we drive back to Solsiden Brygge. In the evening we eat dinner together before spending the last hours outside if there is a chance to see the Northern Lights.
day
5
Full day snowshoe hike among majestic mountains
On our last full day in Lofoten, we will spend the hours going on a snowshoe hike among spectacular mountains. Where the trip goes, how high up we have the opportunity to go, and how far we can go will depend on the weather and wind conditions, but we can promise you a fantastic experience! After many hours outside we return to our accommodation for some relaxing hours in the afternoon. Maybe we can tempt you with a dip in the hot tub to calm down your sore muscles? In the evening we enjoy our last dinner together before checking the conditions for the Northern Lights. It is, after all, our last chance to see it, if we haven't already done so earlier on the trip.
day
6
Goodbye!
After breakfast and check-out, it is, unfortunately, time to head towards Svolvær Airport for departure from Lofoten. We hope that the week we have spent together in this beautiful archipelago will give you lifelong memories and dreams of new visits! If you have fallen in love with Northern Norway and do not want to leave it, we can of course help you in planning further travel arrangements as well...
Equipment list
Take a good look at this list, and make sure you bring everything you need. We encourage you to use what you have for this trip and purchase items if you're missing something important on the list below. We have divided the gear list into three categories:
- Required: If you do not own this gear, you must acquire it for your trip.
- Recommended: Gear we suggest to be comfortable, but it is not imperative.
- Optional: Fun, additional luxuries.
Layering is extremely important in a variable climate like Norway. This list will guide you through the essentials. Remember the Norwegian saying "There is no bad weather, only bad gear", and prepare appropriately for any weather. You can read about the weather where you're traveling here.
The video below is for SUMMER gear, but you can get a lot of great tips for winter hiking as well! Welcome to Norway!
Please contact us at hvitserk@norrona.com if you have any questions and check out our gear page to learn more.
We always recommend wool in the Norwegian Mountains, but if you already have synthetic layers and don't want to buy new ones, synthetic is okay.
Required:
| BASE LAYER - 2 SETS |
Two sets of wool long-sleeved top and bottom. Warm, Extra Warm or Expedition thickness is recommended. |
| MID-LAYER |
A medium thickness wool or fleece top to go over your base layer. |
| INSULATED JACKET |
A thick, warm, insulated jacket to put on during breaks. We recommend a puffy jacket with down or synthetic. |
| SHELL JACKET |
Gore-Tex or similar is mandatory. Extremely important in Norwegian climate. The jacket must be waterproof, have a hood, and make sure you don’t get wet even if it rains or snows all day. We recommend jackets with pit zips for ventilation. |
| WATERPROOF SHELL PANTS |
Waterproof shell pants. Gortex is best. We recommend heavier duty pants to keep you warm with zips for ventilation. |
| EXTRA TOP LAYER |
Bring an extra medium-thick layer to add underneath your medium insulated jacket in case you get cold quickly. |
| GLOVES & MITTENS |
1 thin pair of wool gloves to protect your hands. 1 pair of over mittens for additional warmth with windproofing. 1 extra pair of thick mittens in case yours get wet. 3 in total. |
| HATS |
2 warm hats. 1 thick, 1 thin. Make sure at least one has a windproof lining. |
| HIKING SOCKS |
4 pairs, we recommend wool, above the ankle or higher. 2 thin. 2 thick. We recommend a 5th pair that is extra thick for evenings. |
| BOOTS |
Warm boots that are comfortable for a whole day outside. |
| BACKPACK |
Day backpack, 20-40 liters. |
| SUNGLASSES |
UV rated, we recommend a strap to keep them in place and so they don't get lost. |
| SUNSCREEN / CHAPSTICK |
Make sure the Chapstick has UV-rated sunscreen in it. |
| WATER BOTTLES |
Insulated water bottle, 2-liter capacity. Do not bring a camelback bladder, this will freeze in cold temperatures. |
| TOILETRIES |
Personal basics: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, etc... |
| PERSONAL MEDICATIONS |
Make sure you bring any personal meds you need on your trip and ensure the Hvitserk office is updated on your allergies or needs. |
| HEADLAMP |
Make sure you bring extra batteries as they die faster in the cold. |
Recommended:
| WOOL UNDERWEAR |
We highly recommend bringing wool underwear and a bra. No cotton. |
| COMPRESSION SACKS FOR GEAR |
Recommended for storing your gear, keeping it dry, and compressing your down jackets to create more space. |
| BALACLAVA OR BUFF |
A wool layer to protect your neck and face in case of bad weather. |
| THERMOS |
We recommend a thermos for hot drinks to have with you all day. We suggest a large, 1-liter thermos. |
| FIRST AID KIT |
If you have certain hiking aids specific to you: i.e. blister care or ibuprofen, etc... |
| CAMERA |
Be prepared for the cold. Insulating your camera will keep it working for the entire trip. We suggest bringing an extra battery pack. |
| CASUAL CLOTHES |
Cozy clothes to wear when we are not participating in activities. |
| SITTING MAT |
Strongly recommended to insulate you from the ground. |
| SWIMWEAR |
If you dare... |
Optional:
| ANTIBAC |
If you need it for the bathroom or lunch. |
| WET WIPE OR TOILET PAPER |
If you have a bathroom emergency while doing the activities. We use "pack it in pack it out" ethics, so you will need to carry out your used items and throw them away later. |
| EARPLUGS |
If you're a light sleeper. |
| JOURNAL AND PEN |
In order to take notes and write about the trip. |
| SNACKS |
Chocolate, nuts, or energy bars if there is something particular you enjoy eating. You will have the opportunity to buy snacks on your trip. |
Bed linens and towels are included all nights. All the equipment specific to the activities will be provided.
