New Year Expedition on Senja – Whale Watching, Dog Sledding and Northern Lights

This tour 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, 29 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 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.

At 18:00, the journey continues by taxi from The Edge Hotel in 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, 30 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, 31 December – New Year’s Eve and fjord cruise

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Explore beautiful Bergsfjorden aboard an open RIB. The tour takes you between the fjord’s many islands, with opportunities to spot white-tailed eagles and seals along the way.

A warm thermal suit will be provided for the tour. You should still wear warm layers underneath the suit.

In the evening, a New Year’s Eve dinner will be served, followed by time around a bonfire on the shore.

Day 4: Friday, 1 January – 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, including time to get dressed and meet the dogs. A warm thermal suit and footwear will be provided. Transport between the lodge and the husky farm is included. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes each way.

Day 5: Saturday, 2 January – 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.

The order of the activities may change due to weather and wind conditions.

Included:

• 4 nights of accommodation
• 4 breakfasts
• 3 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, tea, cake and fruit 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

Once we receive your booking, we will send you a packing list and a detailed day-by-day programme.

Number of participants: Min. 2 – max. 10

Level of difficulty: Easy

Departure time and place for transport to Senja: The taxi 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 29 December 2026 to 2 January 2027.

Welcome to a spectacular New Year expedition on Senja.

Designed for adventure!