This 5-night trip pairs Tromso and Svalbard - a perfect aurora hunting combination! Enjoy winter activities from your boutique hotel.
Back to Classic Short Breaks in Norway
The Aurora Nights Tromso & Svalbard Experience
Credit Yngve Olsen Saebbe
Credit Yngve Olsen Saebbe
Whilst you spend a couple of nights in Tromso you will head out on an aurora dinner safari and chase by minibus, giving yourself the time during the day to explore the famous ‘Paris of the North’.
Then you will head further north to Svalbard, almost 1500km from the North Pole, and a perfect location for some thrilling winter activities and northern light chasing!
Location
Norway
Duration
5 Nights
Available dates
Jan - Mar
Price per person (excl. flights)
from £2,500
Overview
Highlights
- Visiting the ‘Paris of the North’ with two fantastic aurora experiences
- Staying in a funky boutique hotel
- Magical winter experiences from snow cat tours to husky sledding to ice caves to searching for the northern lights by electric snowmobiles!
What’s included
- Tromso transfers
- 2 nights accommodation in Tromso with breakfast
- 3 nights accommodation in Svalbard with breakfast
- Snowcat Tour
- Husky Tour to an Ice Cave
- Northern Lights Snowmobile Tour
A note on flights
While flights are not included in the holiday price, our team will happily provide a quote and arrange them for you. Simply ask one of our Travel Experts for details of the available options.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
You be transferred from the airport to your central Tromso hotel and get the chance to explore a bit of the city – then in the evening you will head out on a special silent hybrid catamaran where you will enjoy a peaceful cruise by night around Tromso island.
The vessel is designed with panoramic windows and comfortable heated lounges which provides a warm and cosy atmosphere. Along the way you will pass the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Tromso and landmarks like the Arctic Cathedral whilst the knowledgeable crew will share their stories about the interesting sights along the way. During the cruise you will be served a special arctic tapas dinner which is prepared by an award winning local restaurant – and to add to all of that is the opportunity to see the northern lights!
Day 2
This morning you will get the opportunity to explore the city itself before then heading off on a trip to the famous cable cart – most recently seen the in the TV Series Race Around The World. Here you will get an incredible panoramic view of Tromso from high up which will be a perfect way to see the why this city is referred to the Paris of the North.
Then in the evening you will have a chance to head out searching for the aurora as you head out on an aurora safari minibus excursion which will take you to some key points outside of the city to give you one last chance of getting to the see the northern lights before you depart in the morning.
Day 3
Today you head back to Tromso airport to catch your flight up to Svalbard, travelling almost 1500km from the North Pole – depending on the time of year that travel up you might encounter nothing but darkenss for 24 hours. This might sound like not a lot of fun, but if you want to maximise your chances of seeing the aurora then there is no better than this!
You’ll get your transfer (locally) to your propery for the next three nights – the boutique hotel Funken Lodge – and spend the evening settling into your new hotel and winter environment.
Day 4
After breakfast you will meet your guide and then head out for a day of husky sledding with a visit to an ice cave too! Before joining the guide to prep the dogs, you’ll gear up in an exposure suit, boots, and mittens. Amidst the initial chaos of barking and howling, a remarkable shift occurs once the sled starts moving. The once-noisy huskies transform into a quiet, determined team, wholly absorbed in pulling the sled through the snowy terrain. As they pick up speed, the surrounding landscape unveils its enchanting beauty. Your destination: the ice cave at Scott Turner Glacier, promising an otherworldly encounter with a frozen wonderland. Then in the evening you will head out on a Snow Cat Northern Lights Adventure – a vehicle that you certainly won’t miss as it comes to pick you up from your hotel, from there you will head off into wilderness leaving the town far behind you as you look out for the northern lights.
Day 5
During the day you will have time to explore a bit of the town and visit the polar museum – then get ready for an exciting evening (though depending on when you book this the trip might be during the morning or daytime!) as your head out hunting for the Northern Light with snowmobiles. These particular vehicles are very special as they are electric snowmobiles meaning they are better for the environment and much, much quieter when heading out into the arctic night searching the aurora!
Day 6
After breakfast you will transfer back to the airport to fly home – your journey doesn’t have to end here through as you can look at options to extend your stay either in Svalbard or flying to a new destination such as Tromso. Just speak to one of our experts who will be able to assist you in putting together a tailor itinerary to fit your requirements.
Where You'll Stay
Funken Lodge
This luxury lodge is an Arctic haven of 88 fully renovated rooms, all en suite and all suitably stylish. All rooms benefit from TV, complimentary internet, coffee machines, bathrobe and slippers and full buffet breakfast; suites also have their own private sitting area, ideal for groups or families. Perched on a hillside in Svalbard, it offers unparalleled views over Longyearbyen and the adjacent glaciers. Amidst the backdrop of thrilling nature encounters, you can relax and indulge in exclusive international cuisine and beverages within a luxurious and laid-back ambiance.
From the elegant lobby onward, Funken Lodge ensures a premier stay, providing everything essential for an exceptional experience. Recharge in the expansive rooms and suites, boasting deluxe amenities and heavenly beds. Delight in handcrafted cocktails and inventive cuisine at Funken Bar, where the connected lounge area features an open fireplace, an extensive library of polar literature, and ample workspace.
Revitalize your body with a visit to the gym and sauna, explore Spitsbergen’s famed wilderness, and try some outdoor activities like dog-sledding or ice caving. Funken Lodge has plenty to enjoy indoors too. Relax in the stylish lounge, eat freshly baked waffles by the fireplace, or try the pub for a light meal. For a special treat, try the more formal and Funktionærmessen restaurant which offers a tasting menu and French-inspired cuisine as well as Arctic dishes, all served with fabulous views of the Hiortfjellet mountains.
The hotel also boasts a well-stocked wine and champagne cellar, which can even be enjoyed during a private tasting with their highly knowledgeable sommeliers. A truly unique and exceptional place to stay.
Clarion Edge Tromso
The Clarion Hotel The Edge is a luxurious 4-star property conveniently located near the centre of Tromso. Featuring a sky bar and rooftop terrace on the 11th-floor, this central Tromsø hotel is located at the harbour, overlooking Tromsø Sound and the Arctic Cathedral.
Local tourist attractions such as Art Museum of Northern Norway, Tromso Cathedral (Tromso Domkirke) and City Centre Tromso are not far from the hotel. Also easily within reach are Mack Brewery, Polar Museum and Polaria
Contemporary furnishings are featured in all rooms as well as a large flat-screen TV and desk. The bathrooms include a shower and hairdryer.
Kitchen & Table by Marcus Samuelsson restaurant serves New York-style dishes made from local ingredients. There is also a fitness centre for guests to use.
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Reviews
See what our clients say
Fantastic service, with every detail taken care of and communicated to your agencies and hotels. Would definitely recommend and will be using again.
Robin Higginson
A fantastic short break which fulfilled all expectations. Well organised with a polished delivery, we could not have asked for more. The accommodation was perfect for us and the guides knowledgeable and helpful. Every day was packed with adventure, each lasting longer than scheduled but we were never rushed; the guides took pride in showing and explaining their beautiful country. We would certainly use Weekend a la carte again and recommend them to others.
Carol Mumford
We did the aurora nights break and had a great time overall. Everything related to flights, hire car, and hotels ran smoothly. There were a few issues largely relating to the weather and driving conditions (we travelled in mid March), but what we did manage to do was amazing.
The blue lagoon was easy to access from the airport and was a brilliant experience. We booked the standard package and it came with a free drink and face mask. Facilities were clean and organised with free toiletries in the shower rooms, which helps if you’ve gone there straight from the airport.
The drive to Hotel Ranga afterwards was long but fine (check out the road on google streetview to know what to expect). The hotel and staff were great. We were limited to one option as vegetarians on the bar and a la carte menus, but the food was lovely and if you are a meat eater you will see options of unusual dishes like puffin and reindeer.
Our northern lights super jeep trip was cancelled on both nights due to a poor forecast, but we were lucky enough to get an aurora wake up call from Hotel Ranga the first night. We couldn’t use the hottubs as there are only a few and they were always taken in the limited time we spent at the hotel, so don’t go expecting to get lots of time in one and you won’t be disappointed. View them as an add on if you can time it right. We were travelling with an 11 year old, so we didn’t stay up really late. If you are a couple you probably have a better chance of getting one later on.
The glacier/volcano super jeep trip was outstanding. Our driver, Íbí was excellent. She went above and beyond and gave us such an awesome experience. We were also super lucky with the weather the first two days and had great views across Iceland.
The ice cave tour was also incredible and the guides running it were excellent. The group size was much bigger than expected (especially after the more exclusive volcano super jeep tour), but it was broken down into smaller groups that were managed well, with plenty of time factored in for photographs. There were several unexplained delays getting to the cave during the tour that meant we weren’t able to ‘mini tour’ the rest of the South Coast afterwards, so if you plan to do the ice cave don’t overplan for the afternoon as you may not have much time. Not a huge disappointment for us as we got to experience the cave, but I imagine someone who planned a full itinerary afterwards might be frustrated by the estamiated timings not always being right and subject to change with the weather (which was wicked that day).
Driving around Reykjavik was a horrible experience as we arrived around rush hour and weren’t prepared for all the traffic, having only experienced quiet roads along the south coast. It was difficult finding a parking space, so be prepared to drive around a little when you arrive. If you haven’t driven on the right before and are not a confident driver this could leave you feeling stressed. Again, check out the roads into Reykjavik on Google maps to get a sense of what awaits if you aren’t used to self-driving.
We didn’t get to tour the golden circle because of road conditions/ice/road closures, so we spent the day in Reykjavik instead. This turned out okay for us as we did some of the attractions (Lava Centre and Fly Over Iceland – both hughly recommended), but it ended up being an extra expense and we missed out on the golden attractions. Again, not a big issue if you are aware this could happen. The weather is so changeable that having a plan B is a good approach.
Weekend a la Carte sent us a text warning us about the bad weather conditions, which we’d already seen on the Safe Iceland app, but we were grateful for anyway. It was good to know they were looking out for us!
All in all, a remarkable trip, with some unique experiences. If you book this in the knowledge that nature will have her own way, and you may not see everything you want (especially in winter), you will have a great time. Ranga is definitely the best place to maximise your chances of seeing the lights.
Sarah Brooks
Dear Abigail, We have safely returned from Iceland and we wanted to say a huge and sincere thank you for all the plans that you put into place to make this one of the most memorable holidays we have ever had. It was simply beautiful each and every day. The cabin was idyllic and so cosy and warm. The tour guides were so knowledgeable and friendly and the scenery was breathtaking. All the arrangements worked so well and we will remember the trip for a long time to come.
Thank you once again.
Gillian Griffiths
Overall very good. Staff excellent and helpful. Accomodation basic but was what we expected. Tour guides very good (nature walks, snow mobiles, dog sleighs). Sky station disappointing as we never got to go up due to the weather and this seem to be a recurring feature.The alternative walk at night and meal was a let down as a result.Overall would recommend to others.
John Kirby
Brilliant short break. Hotel Ranga was lovely, excellent food. Managed to see the Northern Lights as well! Iceland on the whole was quite expensive but a lovely place to visit, the people were very friendly.
Linda Palmer
Superb holiday to Iceland, well organised, advice regarding trips informative and far exceeded our expectations (Glaciers and ice Cave) run by South Coast. Hotel Ranga is a lovely hotel, perfect to see Northern Lights (which we did see on our 3rd night), very comfortable, food excellent, staff helpful and informative. SouthCoast Adventure tour company were excellent, guides knowledgeable, and clearly very experienced.
Helen Middleton
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The Abisko Mountain Lodge was fantastic, every member of staff was friendly welcoming and charming. Accommodation, upgraded room was excellent. The food in the lodge definitely deserves the high reviews. Good breakfast, great hime made lunch soups and extremely tasty evening dinners.
The included trips were great. The only let down was the camera night, couldn’t see the lights no one fault, but we were walked through thigh high snow to be left on a frozen lake for the duration of the trip. There was no warning of the difficult walk and we had a 91 year old with us and I have hip problems! That said the guide was great, as were the ones on the skimobile and husky rides. We went up to the sky station in a snow storm with high winds, added to the experience!
Would go back in a heart beat.
We had little communication with Weekend a la carte, no need as all communications were clear and contained all the information we needed. Very informative emails
Would use again if going back
June Day