13 spectacular views to seek out during your next Norwegian self drive tour
Are you planning a summer self-drive in Norway? There are several gorgeous opportunities to enjoy both stunning landscapes and jaw-dropping architecture along the way.
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- SECURE EARLY FOR 2025
8 days - Combine Tromsø, Senja and Lofoten with fisherman's cabins and sea adventures
Experience the best of Lofoten and Senja here on this 8-day independent itinerary. Travel is easy on the convenient 'Arctic Route' bus which connects up all the highlights of this magnificent region. Starting in Tromsø, located above the Arctic Circle, this popular destination is magical during the summer, with its never setting sun from mid-June to late August.
Discover Senja, the 2nd biggest island of Norway and called ‘Little Norway'. Here you will meet steep ridges and deep fjords in the west, and large forest areas in the south, located in the national park of Ånderdalen. A miniature of Norway’s landscape. We have included a fjord sightseeing and wildlife safari but you will also have time to either hike some summits of Segla, watch the incredible scenery from a hot tub or add deep-sea fishing. To reach the island, you embark on a ferry, crossing the arctic water. A unique experience in itself!
Then travel across to the Lofoten Archipelago for a stay in the two most famous villages, Reine and Svolvær in traditional fishermen cabins over the water. Here you will join a sea eagle safari and a kayaking tour to get the most of your visit to this incredible region.
Highlights include
- Small fishing village of Hamn i Senja on the outer coast of Northern Norway with pristine beaches
- Fjord sightseeing adventure in the remotely located island of Senja with dramatic scenery
- Sea Eagle Safari to Trollfjorden
- Guided kayaking tour around Reine
- Stay in a fisherman's cabins (Rorbu) on the Lofoten Archipelago
- Day 1
- Welcome to Tromsø, the capital of Arctic
- Day 2
- Travel to Hamn i Senja
- Day 3
- Fjord sightseeing and wildlife safari
- Day 4
- Travel to the Lofoten Archipelago
- Day 5
- Sea Eagle Safari to Trollfjorden
- Day 6
- Travel to Reine, the most beautiful village in Lofoten
- Day 7
- Kayaking tour around Reine fjord
- Day 8
- Departure day
- Start Place
- Tromsø, Norway
- End Place
- Lofoten Archipelago, Norway
- Country Visited
- Norway
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Start Date
- Flexible
- Travel Style
- Independent
- Suitability
- Independent holiday with moderately active activities and no luggage handling included
- Code
- 50DN1275
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Details
Transportation
The Arctic Route Bus. Included on this bus route: English-speaking driver, Scenic short stops to take pictures and stretch your legs, Free wi-fi onboard, Toilet onboard, Charger points for your phone (USB-port), Luggage space and Water.
Included
- All accommodation in self-contained cabins or fisherman’s cottages
- Three Arctic Route bus transfers
- 2 breakfasts at Hamn i Senja (No breakfast at other locations as all have kitchenettes) and breakfast in Tromsø
- Fjord sightseeing and wildlife safari
- Sea eagle safari to Trollfjorden
- Guided kayaking tour around Reine fjord
- 24-hour emergency service
- Taxes and service fees
Not Included
- Flights
- Meals unless specified in the itinerary
- Items of personal nature
- Transfer from Svinøya Rorbuer back to Svolvær centre on Day 6
Please note: We have not included evening dinners (half-board) in our Norwegian countryside self-drive itineraries but in some spots, the hotel you are staying at may be the only option and/or highly recommended. Norwegian countryside hotels often have well known restaurants or intimate family run dining rooms that the hosts take great pride in. Considering the price of meals in Norway we have left this flexible in case you choose to self-cater. Please ask us for our recommendations as determined by your final itinerary. You do need to book ahead for these evening meals.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Tromsø, the capital of Arctic
Tromsø is a city packed with culture, polar history and fresh locally sourced food in its numerous restaurants. Mountains, fjords and islands also surround it, making it a great base for exploring the winter landscape. On arrival, self transfer to your central located hotel right on the harbour's edge.
If it is a clear day, experience Tromsø’s best view! On the outskirts of Tromsø (it is a very small town) a cable car runs from Solliveien in Tromsdalen up to the mountain ledge Storsteinen (421 m above sea level) in just four minutes. From the viewing platform at the upper station, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Tromsø and the surrounding islands, mountains and fjords. At the fully licensed Fjellstua restaurant, you can enjoy a delicious dinner based on local produce or select light meals from the café menu, while you take pleasure in the view.
Accommodation
Clarion Hotel the Edge, or similarDay 2 - Travel to Hamn i Senja
This morning, travel by coach leaving at 8.45am to Senja island. Travel over the fjords on a ferry and arrive Hamn i Senja by 14.15. Settle into your harbour view suite before exploring the area. You can book a hot tub or an additional activity such as deep-sea fishing or e-biking.
Meals
1 BreakfastTransportation
The Arctic Route BusAccommodation
Hamn i Senja - All rooms are apartment style. All bedrooms have their own private baths and are laid out like self-contained hotel rooms within each apartment.Day 3 - Fjord sightseeing and wildlife safari
This morning, join a boat trip in the beautiful archipelago of Bergsfjord with crystal clear turquoise water and white sandy beaches – also known as the “Caribbean in the Arctic”!
Steep, majestic mountain dive straight into the sea, and pearly white beaches of crushed seashells line the islands in the clear turquoise waters. If you are lucky, you might get a glimpse of the white-tailed eagle and maybe a seal and other sea birds playing in the winds. The knowledgeable guides will tell you everything you need to know about this area!
Meals
1 BreakfastDay 4 - Travel to the Lofoten Archipelago
After a relaxing morning, you will join the Arctic Route bus in the middle of the afternoon. Get ready for an incredible sightseeing day as you travel along the Lofoten coastline all the way to Svolvær at the bottom of the archipelago. You will arrive around 9.30pm, having had dinner along the way. Remember, you are travelling when there is around the clock midnight sun so you won't miss any of the views.
Settle into your fisherman's rorbu this evening.
Accommodation
Svinøya Rorbuer, standard rorbu.Day 5 - Sea Eagle Safari to Trollfjorden
A trip made for nature enthusiasts! This morning you will get the chance to meet sea eagles and experience some of the most scenic landscapes in Lofoten.
The tour starts from the quayside in Svolvær, and will take you through Raftsundet before entering Trollfjorden. This is some of the most dramatic scenery that Norway has to offer and in an open boat you will get close to the elements. There is a large population of sea eagles in Raftsundet, and one of the highlights is without a doubt when a sea eagle circles a few meters above your head.
This is the eagle with the largest wingspan in the world, up to 2.65 meters. The guides have expert training and will make sure that you have a comfortable experience.
Accommodation
Svinøya RorbuDay 6 - Travel to Reine, the most beautiful village in Lofoten
Today, you will join the Arctic Route journey travelling further along the Lofoten Archipelago. After breakfast, make your own way back to the city centre to join the coach tour. You will have stops along the way, visiting small villages and harbours such as Henningsvær and Nusfjord where you can sightsee and eat. The coach stops also for photo opportunities as it meanders around the coastline and corners of Lofoten. You will arrive at approximately 14:15 today in Reine.
Reine is Lofoten’s most photographed area, as the surrounding mountains and typical red rorbu cabins breathe the internationally known image of Lofoten! Settle into your rorbu and enjoy another magnificent seafood dinner at a local harbour side restaurant.
Transportation
Arctic Route BusAccommodation
Reine Rorbu or similarDay 7 - Kayaking tour around Reine fjord
Get ready for an incredible easy kayaking adveture offering stunning views of the Reinefjorden, the granite peaks, and the red and white rorbuer. An experienced kayak guide leads the tour along a designated route, providing you with the ultimate view regardless of your skill level. Drysuits are included. If you would prefer a different activity such as biking, diving, fishing or sea rafting , please let us know.
Day 8 - Departure day
Transfer to the Leknes Airport, 78 kms and departure.
Dates & Prices
All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Prices are indicative due to the current uncertainty across Europe with increasing energy and volatile fuel costs.
Dates
Valid From
Valid To
From Price
Status
Accommodation
15 Jun 2025
30 Aug 2025
30 Aug 2025
15 Jun 2025
30 Aug 2025
AUD 3,385
On request
Standard
15 Jun 2025
30 Aug 2025
30 Aug 2025
15 Jun 2025
30 Aug 2025
AUD 2,068
On request
Extra for Single
Important Information
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL:
Tromsø, also known as the Arctic Capital or the ‘Paris of the North’, is the gateway to the Arctic and Northern Norway. It has been awarded as a ‘Sustainable Destination’, which is the Nordic region’s only national labelling scheme for travel destinations. It is a “tool for sustainable development of businesses and destinations when it comes to the environment, the local community, the cultural heritage, and the economy” Nordic regions awarded this title are not perfect, but they are working collaboratively to achieve a long-term goal. These regions are evaluated every three years to ensure they continue to adhere to these standards.
When staying in Tromsø you will stay in a hotel renowned for its’ environmental efforts. The hotel is ISO 14001 certified (which is given to enterprises that have a high-quality environmental managing system for organizational performance), has launched plastic free initiatives in partnership with WWF, where possible is powered by renewable energy and are taking great strides to reduce water consumption and reduce the use of chemicals. Even though access to water is not an issue in Norway compared to other parts of the world, this hotel is conscious of the energy consumed for heating, and chemicals required for purification, so reduction makes up part of their overall environmental policy. In addition to this they provide sustainable, organic, fair-trade food, and only use sustainably produced palm oil. Your hosts also encourage guests to eat less meat and substitute this for plant-based alternatives.
Senja, your main location for this trip, is also going through the process of becoming an accredited ‘Sustainable Destination’. Visit Norway in recent years named your accommodation in Senja as one of the most attractive accommodations in Norway, and it’s not hard to see why. The beautiful location of the site, nestled in the wilderness high above the Arctic circle, offers a unique diversity and a deep experience in nature throughout the year. Your activities for your stay have been selected as low carbon options which allow our visitors to appreciate their time in nature, such as our Northern Lights snowshoeing walk through light-pollution free wilderness, or our guided wildlife boat safari to learn more about the wildlife of the region and support its conservation efforts.
Arctic Route (part of Best Arctic Group) is proud to be Ecolighthouse certified company (The Certification Scheme - Stiftelsen Miljøfyrtårn (eco-lighthouse.org) They are ISO14000 certified.
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