Skaland
Experience Christmas on Senja with whale watching from Tromsø, dog sledding, Northern Lights safaris, a fjord cruise and a tour along the Norwegian Scenic Route Senja.
This experience is operated by Basecamp Senja.
The expedition includes accommodation, meals, lectures, coffee and tea throughout your stay, transport from Tromsø to Senja and transport from Senja to Finnsnes. Food during the whale-watching tour and the Hurtigruten or Havila ticket from Finnsnes to Tromsø are not included.
Day 1: Tuesday, 22 December – Whale watching from Tromsø
Meals: Hot evening meal after check-in
The expedition begins in Tromsø with a whale-watching tour. The boat departs from Tromsø city centre at approximately 08:00 and heads towards Skjervøy. In recent seasons, humpback whales and orcas have gathered in the fjords around Skjervøy to feed on herring.
The tour takes place aboard a large, stable boat with a spacious, heated indoor area. Food is available to purchase on board. The boat returns to Tromsø by 17:00.
Whales are wild animals, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The tour is dependent on the whales returning to the fjords before the season begins.
After the whale-watching tour, the journey continues by taxi from Tromsø to Skaland on Senja. The drive takes approximately three hours.
Upon arrival, you will check in at Posthuset Expedition Lodge or Bedehuset in the village of Skaland. The lodges are approximately 200 metres apart. Bedehuset offers double rooms with private bathrooms. Transport between the lodges can be arranged if required.
An experienced host or guide will be available during most of your stay. Homemade Northern Norwegian food will be served, including hot lunches and dinners. Coffee and tea are available throughout your stay.
The programme on Senja includes daytime and evening activities, as well as several lectures. On two evenings, you will head out in search of the Northern Lights from some of Senja’s spectacular viewpoints.
Day 2: Wednesday, 23 December – Norwegian Scenic Route Senja
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Visit some of the spectacular viewpoints along the Norwegian Scenic Route Senja, surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of the island’s outer coast.
In the evening, you will head out in search of the Northern Lights.
Day 3: Thursday, 24 December – Christmas Eve and fjord cruise
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Explore the beautiful Bergsfjorden aboard an open Zodiac boat. Along the way, you will look for seals and white-tailed eagles while the guide shares stories about Senja’s history.
A warm thermal suit will be provided for the tour. You should still wear warm layers underneath the suit.
In the evening, a traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner will be served, followed by indoor Christmas activities.
The order of the activities may change due to weather and wind conditions.
Day 4: Friday, 25 December – Dog sledding
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Visit Senja’s own husky farm at Ottemoen, where 35 eager huskies are waiting to take you on a sled ride through the winter landscape.
The activity lasts approximately three hours, and a warm thermal suit will be provided. Transport between the lodge and the husky farm is included. The drive takes approximately 50 minutes each way.
Day 5: Saturday, 26 December – Departure
Meals: Breakfast
09:30: Departure from Posthuset Expedition Lodge
11:30: Departure from Finnsnes with Hurtigruten or Havila
14:15: Arrival in Tromsø
The ticket from Finnsnes to Tromsø is not included and must be booked at www.hurtigruten.com or www.havilavoyages.com.
Included:
• 4 nights of accommodation
• 4 breakfasts
• 4 lunches
• 3 two-course dinners
• Whale-watching tour from Tromsø
• 2 Northern Lights safaris
• Fjord cruise in Bergsfjorden
• Tour along the Norwegian Scenic Route Senja
• Dog sledding
• 2–3 lectures
• Coffee and tea throughout your stay
• Transport from Tromsø to Skaland
• Transport to and from the dog-sledding activity
• Transport from Senja to Finnsnes
Not included:
• Food during the whale-watching tour
• Hurtigruten or Havila ticket from Finnsnes to Tromsø. The ticket costs approximately NOK 300 per person.
Please bring:
• Warm clothing suitable for Arctic winter conditions
A more detailed packing list will be sent once your booking has been received.
Number of participants: Min. 2 – max. 10
Level of difficulty: Easy
Departure time and place: The taxi to Senja departs at 18:00 from The Edge Hotel in Tromsø. Look for a taxi displaying a BASECAMP SENJA sign in the windscreen.
Meeting time: 30 minutes before departure.
Duration: 5 days and 4 nights, from 22 to 26 December 2026.
Source: Visit Tromsø-Region