Arctic Circle adventure in Tromsø
"winter is not a season, it's a celebration"
Unlike my other spontaneous trips in the past, I had to plan everything in advance for this one. As I was only there for 4 days, I wanted to make the most of my time and February is quite a touristy time of the year so spots for tours sell out fast. From my own research and friend's recommendations, I decided to book these 4 activities:
- Arctic fjords road trip
- night reindeer sledding with Sami experience
- self-drive dog sledding
- northern lights minibus chase
I will have to say that these almost cost me a kidney. These activities' costs range from $140 to $250. Tromsø, unfortunately, is not a place for someone on a tight budget. I just considered this as a birthday treat to myself in order to make peace with my mind for spending that much lol.
So with that in mind, I suggest you do your own research about what activities are offered there because there are so many! There's no need to follow the crowds and spend a fortune booking every tour. Just pick whatever that interests you most. It just so happened that I was interested in all these 4 (oops).
DAY 1
I started my journey from Dubai to Oslo, then from Oslo to Tromsø. Once I arrived, I hopped onto the airport shuttle to get to the city. The shuttle stops at several main spots of the city and the driver will tel you which hotels there are at each stop so it's all very easy.
I didn't book any tour for the evening of my arrival since I wasn't sure what time I would get in. I just spoke to the tour desk to see if there was any tour that I could join last minute and ended up with a boat ride northern lights tour. But long story short, that tour got pushed back and I was put in another tour which is a private northern light chase in a Lexus. lol wait what??
and guess what? I saw the northern lights on that first night!!
and guess what? I saw the northern lights on that first night!!
It was MAGICAL. The other couple in the car told me that that was their last night and they didn't see anything for the whole week. I couldn't believe my luck! Best birthday gift ever! Our tour guide told us that this was the strongest one he's seen in weeks and will probably be so for the next week too (so after that tour I immediately went to cancel my minibus chase to save my time and money haha).
DAY 2 (IT'S MA BIRTHDAY!)
First thing for today was the Arctic fjords road trip. Since I wasn't driving, I figured this would be the best way for me to see the beautiful landscapes around Tromsø. And I'm so glad I decided to go!
We visited 2 islands just west of Tromsø - Kvaløya and Håkøya. The day started out with amazing weather! The sun was out and the lights were just beautiful.
DAY 2 (IT'S MA BIRTHDAY!)
First thing for today was the Arctic fjords road trip. Since I wasn't driving, I figured this would be the best way for me to see the beautiful landscapes around Tromsø. And I'm so glad I decided to go!
We visited 2 islands just west of Tromsø - Kvaløya and Håkøya. The day started out with amazing weather! The sun was out and the lights were just beautiful.
After seeing the most breathtaking view of the fjord, we drove right into a snowstorm going towards Grøtfjord. Our guide said the weather here changes like crazy. You can go through 5 different kinds in just a day. (and we experienced it all! haha)
Once we got to enjoy the true Arctic weather, we headed down to the village for a cozy lunch on the beach!
I got to try an expedition food for the first time and it was delish! It's freeze dried rations that you just put some hot water in and it's ready to go. Then we each had a mug of hot chocolate and cookies for dessert. yummm.
one thing I want to put here as a memory for myself -
what I cherish the most during my solo travel is the people I meet along the way. I find that I am relaxed and most myself on these trips and the interactions with other people are never forced out of me.
During this road trip I spotted another girl who seemed to be traveling alone too. We started to talk and I found out that her birthday was just the day before and this was her birthday trip too. It's these little things for me that make these trips so meaningful. Small encounters that I will remember for life. Cheers to us solo travelers! :)
After that lovely surprise, we got to have our dinner. We we served a traditional Sami stew which was a reindeer soup. It was quite weird to eat it, knowing that later on I will be feeding the live ones?
Then we went outside to see a biggggg herd of reindeers. We got to feed them too! They can be a bit aggressive to each other fighting to get food so be careful. But they let you pet them while they eat!
After feeding you can queue up to go on a sled. It was FREEZING lol
DAY 3
This was probably the day I was looking forward to the most becaaaause...
I was visiting Tromsø wilderness centre to meet the HUSKIES YAAAAS!!!
Tromsø winderness centre is on the scenic Kvaløya island where you can do dog sledding with views of the mountains and play with more than 300 huskies!!!! I booked a self-drive sledding tour because I wanted to try it myself and not just be a passenger.
After changing into the given snowsuit and some introductions about the place (which I obviously did not pay attention to because my mind already went to the dogs), we were free to play with the dogs.
First of all, how cute are these husky huts omg! I shot straight for any dogs I saw and pet and pet and pet and pet all of them lol. I was SO HAPPY. and the dogs all wanted to play. I felt like I could stay there and die. We also got to play with the puppies!
And that was my last evening in this cozy city. I'm so glad I got a chance to travel right before this craziness with covid-19 happened. We're into September now and I'm still hoping this won't be my only trip of 2020, so fingers crossed!
If you're in doubt about visiting Tromsø, I honestly can't recommend it enough! I would be more than happy to give you more information about the trip that I didn't mention here so feel free to ask me anything! :)
until next time xxx
I got to try an expedition food for the first time and it was delish! It's freeze dried rations that you just put some hot water in and it's ready to go. Then we each had a mug of hot chocolate and cookies for dessert. yummm.
what I cherish the most during my solo travel is the people I meet along the way. I find that I am relaxed and most myself on these trips and the interactions with other people are never forced out of me.
During this road trip I spotted another girl who seemed to be traveling alone too. We started to talk and I found out that her birthday was just the day before and this was her birthday trip too. It's these little things for me that make these trips so meaningful. Small encounters that I will remember for life. Cheers to us solo travelers! :)
Later that evening was the night reindeer sledding and Sami experience. I was welcomed warmly into the most cozy looking hut. The night started with us visitors gathering around a big bonfire listening to Sami people telling their stories. Sami are the native people of Scandinavia. Reindeers are essentially a big part of their culture since they have been living and working with them for centuries.
At one point, I was a bit mortified when one of the Sami pointed right at me, asking what my name was. But it turned out that they had a surprise for me for my birthday! They sang me a happy birthday song in Sami language and gave me a little present from their camp. It was soooo lovely!
Then we went outside to see a biggggg herd of reindeers. We got to feed them too! They can be a bit aggressive to each other fighting to get food so be careful. But they let you pet them while they eat!
After feeding you can queue up to go on a sled. It was FREEZING lol
DAY 3
This was probably the day I was looking forward to the most becaaaause...
I was visiting Tromsø wilderness centre to meet the HUSKIES YAAAAS!!!
Tromsø winderness centre is on the scenic Kvaløya island where you can do dog sledding with views of the mountains and play with more than 300 huskies!!!! I booked a self-drive sledding tour because I wanted to try it myself and not just be a passenger.
After changing into the given snowsuit and some introductions about the place (which I obviously did not pay attention to because my mind already went to the dogs), we were free to play with the dogs.
First of all, how cute are these husky huts omg! I shot straight for any dogs I saw and pet and pet and pet and pet all of them lol. I was SO HAPPY. and the dogs all wanted to play. I felt like I could stay there and die. We also got to play with the puppies!
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| every little house has the dog's name on it. CUUUUTE! |
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| eager for attention |
After playing with these cuties, we got to the actual sledding. We went in pairs and take turn mushing half way through. It was actually quite simple and easy! But I got really absentminded looking at the views and I crashed and fell face first into the snow lol (no serious injury).
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| THOSE LITTLE SOCKS! I CAN'T |
I loved it so much! and so did the dogs lol every time we had to stop they would bark and bark until we continued again. They couldn't get enough of it! If you're a dog lover like me, this is one activity that you can't miss. I also got to have the best hot chocolate I've ever had in my life here (and I've had many), so that's another reason to come.
DAY 4
After waking up super early every day, I decided to make today my lazy day. Since the previous 3 days were so full of activities, I did not get the chance to actually explore the city yet, so today I shall!
Tromsø is a very small city and everything on the island is walking distance. People are very friendly too. I just wandered around buying some souvenirs and taking pictures. I love the colorful buildings and the local church! The church often holds small performances there too. I went to one and it was lovely.
I need to warn you that the streets were very slippery when I was there so bring good shoes!
If you're in doubt about visiting Tromsø, I honestly can't recommend it enough! I would be more than happy to give you more information about the trip that I didn't mention here so feel free to ask me anything! :)
until next time xxx