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Northern Lights and Whale Safari

Scout for whales and chase auroras on SY Varg

Northern Lights and Whale Safari

Scout for whales and chase auroras on SY Varg

From USD 4290

Winter in the north offers fjords teeming with herring and whales, night skies filled with stars and northern lights, and days of eternal sunrise/sunsets.  Where snowcaped peaks meet the Barents Sea we play on land and at sea. And the best part: Our own expedition vessel Norrøna Varg Sail Yacht takes you into nature and onto this adventure!

Norrøna Varg S/Y, which in 2026 was recognized as one of TIME's Greatest Places to visit, will serve as your accommodation, restaurant, and means of transportation for the entire trip. Hosting 3 guest cabins with room for 6 guests in total, it offers plenty of comfort for an adventure of this kind. From ensuite bathrooms with shower for each cabin, wood fired sauna and hot tub on deck, to a 3-course Arctic Fusion dinner concept and a lounge area with a fire place and large rooftop window.

No prior sailing experience is needed, as the crew will handle all onboard operations and logistics. However, if you’d like to get involved and lend a hand, they’ll be more than delighted to have your assistance! 

Highlights

  • Sail with orcas and humpback whales
  • Admire the all-day-long sunset and arctic night sky
  • Sauna and heated bathtub onboard
  • A culinary experience onboard
  • Hiking in breathtaking landscapes where mountains meet the sea

5

4-6

NO/EN

2/6

5/6

2/6

Dates and booking

Wed 02. December - Sun 06. December 2026

USD 4290

Fully booked

Guaranteed departure

Wed 27. January - Sun 31. January 2027

USD 4290

Available

Wed 03. February - Sun 07. February 2027

USD 4290

Available

Wed 24. November - Sun 28. November 2027

USD 4290

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Guaranteed departure

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Plan it your way

Want this trip just for your group? Or got something different in mind? We've got you.

Make this a private trip

Build your own adventure

Opening hours Phone
Mon-Fri : 08-20
Sat-Sun : 14-17
Opening hours Chat
Mon-Fri : 07-23
Sat : 10-18
Sun : 13-21
CET

Day by day

Orca and sea birds in front of a sail boat and mountains covered in snow.
Northern lights over a city and snowy mountains.

Day 1:Step aboard Varg S/Y

We meet in Tromsø at 12 noon and are greeted by our skipper and crew. When we are settled onboard, we head straight out for the adventure. We are sailing for quite some distance already today, to get further north. So we will all have good chances of standing behind the wheel, hoisting sails and taking in the views. It's already dark again as we find a suitable anchorage for the night. If someone wants to stretch their legs after a full sailing day, we got snowshoes onboard, and will bring headlamps onboard for a little hike in the dark if the weather allows it. For the evening the sauna and heated bathtub will be fired up and we enjoy a delicious dinner onboard.

We meet in Tromsø at 12 noon and are greeted by our skipper and crew. When we are settled onboard, we head straight out for the adventure. We are sailing for quite some distance already today, to get further north. So we will all have good chances of standing behind the wheel, hoisting sails and taking in the views. It's already dark again as we find a suitable anchorage for the night. If someone wants to stretch their legs after a full sailing day, we got snowshoes onboard, and will bring headlamps onboard for a little hike in the dark if the weather allows it. For the evening the sauna and heated bathtub will be fired up and we enjoy a delicious dinner onboard.

Varg S/Y

-,-,M

4-5 hours

Orcas and a sail boat and mountains.
Orcas from above.

Day 2:Scouting

We are now in the big fjord of Kvænangen, where huge schools of herring come in every winter to feed. With these huge amount of fish follows lots of fishing boats, and also large numbers of Orcas, Humpbacks and other whales. We join the party and with our quiet sailboat, with just a small number of people onboard, we have a good chance of getting close to the whales without disturbing. So we will enjoy and observe the spectacle without harming and disturbing these majestic animals. For the evening we aim for a bonfire on the beach if the weather allows it, accompanied by dinner, folk tales and hopefully some dancing auroras in the sky!

We are now in the big fjord of Kvænangen, where huge schools of herring come in every winter to feed. With these huge amount of fish follows lots of fishing boats, and also large numbers of Orcas, Humpbacks and other whales. We join the party and with our quiet sailboat, with just a small number of people onboard, we have a good chance of getting close to the whales without disturbing. So we will enjoy and observe the spectacle without harming and disturbing these majestic animals. For the evening we aim for a bonfire on the beach if the weather allows it, accompanied by dinner, folk tales and hopefully some dancing auroras in the sky!

Varg S/Y

B,L,D

3-4 hours

Whale fin surfacing in front of a sail boat.
Two people sitting in a sauna in the aft of a sail boat.

Day 3:Exploring the area

We wake up to another impressive skyline of towering peaks and enjoy our breakfast with local specialties onboard. From yesterday we have gotten a taste of the show the herring and whales make, and today we are again on the lookout for some marine mammal action! As we get towards lunch hours, we will head west again, as the colours in the sky change from orange and red to pink, purple and blue. Out here we are also sailing around in the middle of the freshest fishmarket you can find. We will try our luck and see if we can provide the chef with some fresh ingredients for dinner!

We wake up to another impressive skyline of towering peaks and enjoy our breakfast with local specialties onboard. From yesterday we have gotten a taste of the show the herring and whales make, and today we are again on the lookout for some marine mammal action! As we get towards lunch hours, we will head west again, as the colours in the sky change from orange and red to pink, purple and blue. Out here we are also sailing around in the middle of the freshest fishmarket you can find. We will try our luck and see if we can provide the chef with some fresh ingredients for dinner!

Varg S/Y

B,L,D

3-4 hours

Dog sledding in front of ocean and mountains.

Day 4:Dog sledding

After breakfast we will take our dinghy onshore and meet our friends in Lyngen Husky Safari where we are taken on a little dog mushing adventure. We are dressed up accordingly and will get to know the dogs and rotate on driving the sleds ourselves. Only with the quiet sounds of the dog's feet in the snow to be heard! After some joyful hours with the dogs, lunch will be enjoyed with the group before we get back onboard Varg. We enjoy the view of the spectacular mountains surrounding us whilst having dinner onboard.

After breakfast we will take our dinghy onshore and meet our friends in Lyngen Husky Safari where we are taken on a little dog mushing adventure. We are dressed up accordingly and will get to know the dogs and rotate on driving the sleds ourselves. Only with the quiet sounds of the dog's feet in the snow to be heard! After some joyful hours with the dogs, lunch will be enjoyed with the group before we get back onboard Varg. We enjoy the view of the spectacular mountains surrounding us whilst having dinner onboard.

Varg S/Y

B,L,D

3-4 hours

A sailboat with dark sails navigating calm waters with snow-covered mountains in the background.

Day 5:Our last day

Today is the last chance for a morning swim in the Arctic! We will enjoy breakfast onboard before we set sail towards Tromsø. Upon arrival in Tromsø we pack our bags for now before we say goodbye around 12 noon.

Today is the last chance for a morning swim in the Arctic! We will enjoy breakfast onboard before we set sail towards Tromsø. Upon arrival in Tromsø we pack our bags for now before we say goodbye around 12 noon.

B,-,-

We meet in Tromsø at 12 noon and are greeted by our skipper and crew. When we are settled onboard, we head straight out for the adventure. We are sailing for quite some distance already today, to get further north. So we will all have good chances of standing behind the wheel, hoisting sails and taking in the views. It's already dark again as we find a suitable anchorage for the night. If someone wants to stretch their legs after a full sailing day, we got snowshoes onboard, and will bring headlamps onboard for a little hike in the dark if the weather allows it. For the evening the sauna and heated bathtub will be fired up and we enjoy a delicious dinner onboard.

Varg S/Y

-,-,M

4-5 hours

We are now in the big fjord of Kvænangen, where huge schools of herring come in every winter to feed. With these huge amount of fish follows lots of fishing boats, and also large numbers of Orcas, Humpbacks and other whales. We join the party and with our quiet sailboat, with just a small number of people onboard, we have a good chance of getting close to the whales without disturbing. So we will enjoy and observe the spectacle without harming and disturbing these majestic animals. For the evening we aim for a bonfire on the beach if the weather allows it, accompanied by dinner, folk tales and hopefully some dancing auroras in the sky!

Varg S/Y

B,L,D

3-4 hours

We wake up to another impressive skyline of towering peaks and enjoy our breakfast with local specialties onboard. From yesterday we have gotten a taste of the show the herring and whales make, and today we are again on the lookout for some marine mammal action! As we get towards lunch hours, we will head west again, as the colours in the sky change from orange and red to pink, purple and blue. Out here we are also sailing around in the middle of the freshest fishmarket you can find. We will try our luck and see if we can provide the chef with some fresh ingredients for dinner!

Varg S/Y

B,L,D

3-4 hours

After breakfast we will take our dinghy onshore and meet our friends in Lyngen Husky Safari where we are taken on a little dog mushing adventure. We are dressed up accordingly and will get to know the dogs and rotate on driving the sleds ourselves. Only with the quiet sounds of the dog's feet in the snow to be heard! After some joyful hours with the dogs, lunch will be enjoyed with the group before we get back onboard Varg. We enjoy the view of the spectacular mountains surrounding us whilst having dinner onboard.

Varg S/Y

B,L,D

3-4 hours

Today is the last chance for a morning swim in the Arctic! We will enjoy breakfast onboard before we set sail towards Tromsø. Upon arrival in Tromsø we pack our bags for now before we say goodbye around 12 noon.

B,-,-

What's included in the price

Included

All transportation as specified in the program.

During the trip. Including bed linens and towels.

Meals as specified in the program.

Not included

Transportation to the meeting point in Tromsø. Please check our website to confirm that the departure is guaranteed before booking your own tickets. For each trip, we require a minimum number of confirmed participants before the departure can be guaranteed.

Drinks and snacks.

Terms and Conditions 

We reserve the right to change prices. The day by day program is indicative and changes may occur. We also refer to our general travel conditions.

Travel Insurance

On all our trips, we require you to have full health and accident insurance which will also cover any transport home. Read more about travel insurance.

Highlights

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Safety & Grading

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For departures with Norrøna Adventure guides:

  • 24-hour emergency response
  • Guides trained in first aid in the field
  • Basic first aid equipment available
  • Cooperation with Turlegen.no for medical advice

On our trips, it is important to understand that we often will be traveling far off the beaten track. We will, of course, do everything we can to assist if anything should happen, but a potential rescue operation can be demanding. It is therefore extremely important that all participants arrive well-prepared and ready to handle unforeseen situations.

Physical level

2/6 Physical

We need to exert some effort to reach our destination. With a good level of fitness and determination, these journeys are manageable for the majority of participants. Being active in daily life is a beneficial preparation.

Comfort level

5/6 Comfort

Good to high quality hotels with good meals, ambience and service. Accommodation with a special touch.

Risk level

2/6 Risk

Activities/trips with little risk. There are usually few incidents and they are usually of such a nature that they can be dealt with locally.

Training and Preparations

You do not need any previous experience with any of the activities mentioned in the program. This trip is for everyone.

Accommodation and Food

We stay on a comfortable boat with excellent facilities. Accommodation is in double cabins. If you are traveling alone, you will have your own cabin for a single supplement.

There is a private shower and toilet in each cabin. 

We provide a hearty breakfast, prepare packed lunches for our excursions, and serve delicious 3-course dinners in the evening. Alcoholic beverages must be purchased on the boat due Norwegian law.

If you have any allergies, please let us know in the registration form and we will try to accommodate you as best we can. However, we would still recommend that anyone with special dietary needs bring some alternatives in the form of, for example, a packet of crispbread, energy bars or similar that you know you can eat.

Additional Information

Please check our website to confirm that the departure is guaranteed before booking your own tickets. For each trip, we require a minimum number of confirmed participants before the departure can be guaranteed.

The extent of mobile phone coverage will vary during the trip. You'll find USB-C charging points on board the boat.

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Equipment list

This list is intended as a guideline, so that we have what we need regardless of the weather we get on the trip. Remember that you can also get used outdoor equipment that works perfectly. Get in touch if you have any questions. TIP: We recommend that you have the most important equipment in your hand luggage, for example hiking boots and gore-tex jacket/trousers.

Obligatory

Clothing

2 sets of top and bottom. Not too thick, instead use multiple layers.

Wool or synthetic. Avoid cotton. 

Fleece or wool. 

Big and warm! Big enough that it fits over everything else. It must have a hood and cover the butt. Down is recommended.

 

Gore-Tex or similar. Must have a decent hood, and hold out wind and rain. Should have space for midlayers underneath. Ventilation under the arms is recommended. 

Gore-Tex or similar. Must hold out wind and rain. Ventilation zippers along the legs is recommended.

Warm hat for cold days.

Thin gloves/liners can be worn inside your thick mittens/windproof mittens. Also practical when in the tent, handling the burner etc.

Warm mittens/gloves.

Footwear

Bring waterproof shoes/boots that you are familiar with.

Equipment

In this pack, you’ll carry what you need during the day on the hike: extra clothes, food, water, snacks, etc. Remember a rain cover. Around 30 liters, give or take, is suitable.

Personal medicines and, for example, band-aids, blister plaster, sports tape, throat lozenges, nasal drops, Paracetamol/Ibuprofen, stomach regulators, etc.
We need to know about all medicines you are taking, in case something happens. 

Tooth brush, tooth paste, small towel, ear plugs, wet wipes, biodegradable soap, etc.

Recommended

Clothing

We recommend wool underwear for both men and women. Wool sportstop is recommended for women.

For evenings and leasure days.

For those who want to use the sauna.

Footwear

Lightweight and low volume footwear for indoor use. Slippers or similar. 

Equipment

Remember new/extra batteries.

Packing Tips

While Varg offers plenty of comfort for an adventure of this kind, it’s important to remember that at 62 feet, it is still a sailboat with limited space so keep in mind how and what you pack. It's advisable to limit your luggage to one bag for clothes and gear, and one daypack for excursions. We recommend a duffel bag, as this is easier to handle than a rolling suitcase. Your daypack should have enough space for clothing, food and drinks.

Bed linens and towels will be provided on the boat. 

Fishing equipment is available on the boat if you wish to try your luck at fishing.

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