Aktivitetstype: Local Culture

Join us on a fascinating journey in and around Alta, the city of the Northern Lights. Together, we will shed light on the historical significance of this unique natural spectacle, take a look behind the scenes and then set off in search of the Nordic souls dancing in the sky.

Start your arctic adventure with an interesting introduction to northern lights in Alta’s most iconic building; the Northern Light Cathedral. Visit the town’s new parish church, which combines ancient Christian values with the rich Nordic nature in its unique modern design, both inside and out.You will then travel back in time to understand the importance that Aurora Borealis played in and around Alta for centuries. Take a peek behind the mesmerizing, colorful curtains and immerse yourself in the fascinating physics behind one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena. Discover why Alta is still one of the best places in the world to observe the dancing lights.Finally, together with your experienced guide, you will search for the indigenous spirits that dance across the sky on many nights. Far away from distracting artificial light sources, we keep an eye out for Lady Aurora, who has been inspiring awe and wonder in people for thousands of years, while we let the clear, cold polar air flow through our lungs.

Alta was deeply affected World War 2 -first occupied by thousands of soldiers and finally burned down near the end of the war.

This tour will explore this story in more depth, with a special focus on the battleship Tirpitz that was anchored in Kåfjord, just a short distance outside of Alta.

The group will travel by guided tour to the Tirpitz Museum, located in Kåfjord. Founded by local resident Even Blomqvist, the museum is home to a fascinating array of objects and photographs from the War and the Tirpitz that help bring the subject in to focus.

While we are at the museum, we are watching a film about the Tirpitz, afterwards we will be roaming through the museum on a guided tour.

After the museum visit, the  tour resumes and includes sites relevant to World War 2, the Tirpitz, and some other aspects of life in Alta, before returning the group to the pier.

Experience the fascinating beauty of Northern Norway on a scenic round trip along the Altafjord. This tour combines spectacular nature, intriguing history, and charming coastal villages.

The first stop takes you to the impressive Northern Lights Cathedral in Alta. This architectural masterpiece made of glass and titanium is dedicated to the magical phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis. Inside, you’ll learn more about the Northern Lights and their significance to the region. A visit is included and offers a fascinating introduction to the tour.Next, we continue to Kåfjord, a place with a rich history. In the 19th century, Kåfjord was a center for copper mining. During World War II, the German battleship Tirpitz was hidden in the fjord. To this day, clear bomb craters are visible—remnants of the allied attacks. At a photo stop at the bomb crater near the Kåfjord Bridge, you’ll enjoy an impressive view of the fjord and the bridge structure. We then reach the idyllic fishing village of Talvik. Here, you’ll find traditional wooden houses, a small church, and the peaceful atmosphere of a coastal village. It’s perfect for a short walk and more photo stops by the water.From Talvik, we continue to Isnestoften, a cozy fishing village on the Altafjord. At the pier, we serve coffee and hot juice while you enjoy the fresh sea air, admire the view, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of the fjord.After an eventful day, we return to Alta. There may still be time for a last look at the Northern Lights Cathedral, which especially shines in the evening light during the dark winter months

Prehistoric ceramics have been found across Finnmark, including Alta that sits on rich clay deposits, perfect for truly local craft. Step into our cozy studio and get hands on with local clay: hear stories from regional history, discover the oldest paint we know, and see how Alta’s iron-rich clay is related to it.

After a quick but rich overview of ceramic basics, it’s your turn to decorate your cup with natural materials, inspired by local motives. This activity doesn’t require any experience, anyone can participate! After you’re done, you leave it to us, we fire your mugs overnight. You will get your ready creation the next day, bringing a little piece of Alta home. We keep it sustainable: materials sourced here in Alta and minimal waste. Welcome to our studio!

NOTE:
Your cup will be ready in 24 hours time (might be a few hours quicker). The cups can be picked up at the Tourism office or at the port.
If needed, we can ship the cup to your home country for NOK 200,- extra + shipment fee that you pay when receiving package.

Visit the World’s Northernmost Igloo Hotel that is built new again each year with a unique theme made from naturally sourced ice and snow.  

Every year in November the field at Sorrisniva transforms to the site of the Igloo hotel and from December to April we welcome guests from all over the world. The ice hotel is built up from scratch every year by local builders and artist, and the theme is ever changing. Visiting the Igloo hotel is a great way to take a break from your everyday life. Stepping into the magical atmosphere you’ll find our main gallery with sculptures and snow carvings, bedrooms, a chapel, suites and the ice bar. Especially the two-room suites are worth a visit. At the Ice bar you can enjoy the Blue Ice Drink served from our handmade ice glasses. Before leaving, make sure you sign the guestbook with your name and a greeting.

Our recommendation:                                   

Combine this tour with a delicious dinner at one of Sorrisniva’s restaurants. Must be booked in advance.

For many travelers, visiting Northern Norway in winter has one ultimate goal: witnessing the Northern Lights. The Vesterålen region offers numerous excellent viewing spots, eliminating the need for long, exhausting drives. Our exclusive Northern Lights safari provides a truly immersive experience.

Guests are picked up directly from their hotels and transported comfortably by bus to Nyksund, a historic fishing village renowned for its stunning coastal landscape and dark, unpolluted skies – perfect for Northern Lights observation.

Time on the day for this tour :
Requirements : –
Equipment : –
Level of difficulty : easy
Wheelchair accessible : yes
Distance to walk : 1 km (optional)
number / intervals of tours : every evening one tour

About the tour
Chasing the Northern Lights: During the one-hour drive to Nyksund, we remain flexible if the Aurora appears en route, we stop to enjoy the spectacle.

Warm Welcome: Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a special Northern Lights welcome drink, followed by a short introduction to our expert guides.

Night Walk Through Nyksund: Equipped with headlamps and spikes (if needed), we explore Nyksund’s rich history and its transformation from an abandoned village to a vibrant cultural hub.

Northern Lights Buffet: A delicious dinner made from locally sourced ingredients
offers an authentic taste of the Arctic.

Aurora Presentation: A fascinating presentation delves into the science and legends of the Northern Lights, blending facts with local stories and personal experiences. If the Northern Lights appear during the talk, we pause the session to step outside and admire the show.

Relax & Enjoy: After the presentation, guests have time to ask questions, share experiences, and enjoy the cozy atmosphere before the return journey.

Itinerary:

• 17:30 – Departure from Melbu
• 17:50 – Departure from Stokmarknes
• 18:30 – Departure from Sortland
• 19:30 – Arrival in Nyksund & welcome drink/snak
• 20:00 – Guided night walk through Nyksund
• 20:45 – Northern Lights buffet
• 21:45 – Aurora presentation
• 22:45 – Social gathering & relaxation
• 23:30 – Departure from Nyksund
• 00:30 – Arrival in Sortland
• 01:00 – Arrival in Stokmarknes
• 01:30 – Arrival in Melbu

Join us for an unforgettable Northern Lights adventure, where nature, history, and Arctic hospitality come together to create a magical night under the polar sky. Would you like to offer this experience to your clients? Contact us now for booking details and availability!

Included:

• Local guide (english)
• Transport from the hotel
• Welcome drink & snack
• Night village walk
• Headlights & spikes
• Dinner (includes one drink)
• Northern Lights presentation (english)

Not included:

• Not Included:
• Pick-up/drop-off at locations other than the designated hotels in each town
• Additional drinks at the basecamp (except for the welcome drink and one drink
  with dinner)
• Guiding and presentation in other languages than english. But depending on the
  situation other langages may be available on request)

Group size : Min: 10 / Max: 45

Our tour follows the traces of the fish farming culture in Vesterålen. Along the Sortlandsundet and the famous Eidsfjord we experience the impressive landscape of Vesterålen. Here the mountain ridges drop directly into the sea. Old trading centres point to the region’s former wealth. But how did people live here in the past? And why do we have the MV Vesterålen, an old Hurtigruten ship, on display in a glass house? All these questions and more will be answered on this trip.

Time on the day for this tour : –
Requirements : –
Equipment : –
Level of difficulty : easy
Wheelchair accessible : yes
Distance to walk : –
Tour length : 3,5 h
number / intervals of tours : 4 busses at the same time,
next bus-groups earlyest after 1,5 hours, better to reuse same
busses. Or every 30 min one bus in the same direction
Photo stop : 1-2

About the tour:
An easy tour where we share the culture of Vesterålen. Our route takes us through a very scenic area. There are 1–2 photo stops (depending on the weather) where the guests can also stretch their feet. The tour can be driven clockwise or counter-clockwise. If two (or four) busses are used, the next bus group may leave after 1.5 hours at the earliest, otherwise the photo stops will overlap. We will visit the Hurtigruten museum before we are driving home again.

Included / not included:
Entry to the museum is not included. Busses are not included in this offer.

Group size: min. 1 / max. full bus.

Nyksund is perhaps one of the most well known places in Vesterålen. Situated offshore, it was once the most prosperous place in Vesterålen, then abandoned and later again rebuilt. Today, Nyksund is a witness of the great fishing era of the last century.

After a guided tour, where we learn about the secrets of this place, there is plenty of time to explore the village yourself and perhaps meet some of the locals, who are always happy to chat. Coffee and cake in a coffee shop of your choice is included in the tour price. On the way there and back, we will pass beautiful landscape.

Time of the day for this tour : –
Requirements : –
Equipment : –
Level of difficulty : easy
Wheelchair accessible : yes (in winter, depending on weather condition)
Distance to walk : 1 km
Tour length : 4 h
number / intervals of tours : 2 busses at the same time, next group of busses after 90 min
Photo stop : 1 (beside the visit of Nyksund)

About the tour:
An exciting tour to experience the history and culture of Vesterålen up close. The paths in Nyksund are not paved but easy to walk on. In winter it can be very slippery. Due to the parking situation and the acceptance of the locals, no more than 2 busses are recommended at the same time. Between mid-June and mid-August there should be no busses sent to Nyksund between 12:00 and 16:00. At that time Nyksund is very busy, there is hardly any parking space and on the narrow road busses tend to cause traffic jams which can lead to a delay of up to 60 minutes.

Included / not included:
Busses are not included in this offer. Coffee and cake can be booked. For visits to the off-season we can guarantee that there will be open toilets and at least one open restaurant in Nyksund for an extra charge of NOK 1000,- per bus.

Group size: min. 1 / max. full bus.

Explore Sortland by foot. We will visit different shops and look at typical Norwegian products. Our journey goes from grocery shops to fashion shops, pharmacies, sports shops and so on. What is the typical Norwegian food, what traditions do we have and how do we dress for what occasions.

What products can we get here that you can’t get anywhere else? What is the infrastructure of small towns in the north of Norway and what is it like to live there? Of course we will not miss out on a taste test in a local cafe.

A slow walk through the city with many stops. No uphill slopes and easy terrain for wheelchair users or other people with walking difficulties. Shopping centres have escalators.

Requirements : –
Equipment : –
Level of difficulty : easy
Wheelchair accessible : yes
Distance to walk : 2 km
Tour length : 2 h
number / intervals of tours : a following tour can earliest start 1 hour after the first tour

Included / not included
Transport is not needed
Coffee & cake are included for the guests

Group size : min. 5 / max. 15

Visit the World`s Northernmost Igloo Hotel that is built new again each year with a unique theme made from naturally sourced ice and snow.

Every year in November the field at Sorrisniva transforms to the site of the Igloo hotel and from December to April we wlcome guests from all over the world. The ice hotel is built up from scratch every year by local builders and artist, and the theme is ever changing. Visiting the Igloo hotel is a great way to take a break from your everyday life.

Stepping into the magical atmosphere you`ll find our main gallery with sculptures and snow carvings, bedrooms, a shapel, suits and the ice bar. Especially the two-room suites are worth a visit. At the Ica bar you can enjoy the Blue Ice Drink served from our handmade ice glasses. Before leaving, make sure you sign the gursbook with your name and a greeting.

This tour, including transfer, can only be booked on the following dates: