aurora safari camp tromso

Aurora Safari

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AURORA SAFARI (Tromso) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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14. OCT – 31. OCT 2024: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 01. NOV - 23. MAR 2024: Daily

Aurora Husky Visit

We invite you to our Aurora Camp, where our northern lights guides will host you for the evening. Here, 30 minutes away from Tromsø and the city lights, the sky is dark and well suited for Aurora watching. See the northern lights and make friends with 200 Alaskan Huskies!

• Welcome to Tromsø Villmarkssenter, handing out the thermal suits and boots.
• Hot drinks and aurora storytelling by the fireplace while waiting for the northern lights to appear.
• Dogyard visit with 200 Alaskan huskies happy to greet you.
• Night dish served by the open fire in our cozy Gamme-hut; Bacalao, a traditional Norwegian fish dish with Portuguese roots made from regional produce. Our signature dessert chocolate cake, coffee and tea.

Included Aurora guiding, dog yard & puppy visit, transport (25 min. each way), warm dinner, thermal suits & boots

Departure/Return 18:45/23:00 (4h 15 min.)

Meeting time and place 18:30 in front of Radisson Blu Hotel

Please bring Suitable clothing, gloves, a hat

Please note! This activity does not include dog sledding.

Husky Sled Ride

Self-Drive Dog Sledding

Aurora Camp and Dog Sledding

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We visited to experience the dog sledding and were totally blown away by the whole day. The ethos of the place is to maintain the dog’s welfare first and foremost. The staff are so knowledgeable and friendly and our musher gave us loads of info during the sledding experience. I can highly recommend Villmarksenter and we are planning another visit already. This is a must do trip for anyone who loves dogs and being out in the beauty of the wilderness.

• December 18, 2023

A wonderful experience snowshoeing across beautiful landscapes. We did about 5k in total, with a stop half way through for hot drinks and biscuits (supplied by the guides). The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and were more than happy to answer any question we had. We took 2 dogs on the hike, which I enjoyed very much! We spent time in the dog yard after snowshoeing, which was amazing

• December 18, 2022

LOVED the experience! We had a very patient and kind guide Krystof. I’m actually afraid of dogs, but the dogs were friendly and if you don’t want to you don’t have to be in contact with them. Also, the views up there were magical. Would definitely recommend it to everyone?

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Home » Tours » Norway » Tromso » Tromsø – Aurora Dome Glamping in the Arctic Mountains

Tromsø – Aurora Dome Glamping in the Arctic Mountains

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The city of Tromsø sits 350 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, in between mountains, sea and stunning wilderness. During this trip, you'll have time to explore the bustling city, as well as enjoying the unspoilt wilderness, deep in the Arctic mountains, at Camp Tamok where you will stay in an Aurora Dome.

Tromsø is full of culture and history and it is a fascinating place to explore. Often described as the Paris of the North, the city has many attractions, such as the Arctic Cathedral, or the Fjellheisen Cable Car, which takes you to the top of Storsteinen Mountain for stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

There are many restaurants and cafes where you can sample fresh, local cuisine, as well as an Arctic aquarium, cultural museum and the world's northernmost Botanical Garden, which is full of interesting Alpine plants and shrubs.

Once you've had time to enjoy the city, you'll be taken deep into the Norwegian wilderness to Camp Tamok, which lies between towering mountains and glacial valleys. This inspiring setting is where you will spend the night in your Aurora Dome, with its clear roof giving fantastic views of the sky above and hopefully the Northern Lights!

You'll enjoy an exhilarating evening searching for the Aurora by snowmobile, far from any light pollution. The following day, you will get to explore the wilderness with a team of willing huskies as your companions, as you marvel at their power and the stunning quiet of the Arctic landscape.

Returning to Tromso in the afternoon, you will have the evening free to enjoy as you please. We offer several extra Northern Lights activities, such as a catamaran cruise, or Aurora minibus hunt, should you wish to spend another evening searching for the lights. Please see the Personalise tab for further details.

*If you are travelling from 1st December to 14th December, you will enjoy a Sámi cultural experience and Aurora reindeer sleigh ride unless there is sufficient early snow lying to enable the Aurora snowmobiling.

If you are travelling from 15th December to 15th March then you will enjoy Aurora Snowmobiling. These dates (and snow levels) may vary and activities are always subject to availability, please speak with one of our Travel Experts for further information.

Upon arrival at Tromsø Airport, you will be met and transferred to your city centre hotel, which sits by the waterfront.

You’ll be within easy walking distance of many cafés and restaurants, and there are plenty of places to enjoy an evening meal out. The hotel’s restaurant also has a fantastic reputation for its local cuisine.

If you would like to add a Northern Lights activity this evening, please see our Extras section for full details.

Included Meals:   None

Following breakfast at the hotel, you have a free day to explore Tromsø and try some Arctic activities in the surrounding landscape.

You could venture to the Arctic Cathedral, with its impressive stained-glass window, or maybe you would prefer to take the cable car up to Storsteinen Mountain where you can savour the views of the snow-covered city, mountains and sea.

We also offer several daytime activities, such as dog sledding or a fjord cruise. See our Extras section for more details

Later this afternoon, at approximately 5pm, you will transfer south, following Balsfjord and into the Arctic mountains beyond. The transfer will take roughly 1.5 hours and, upon arrival at Camp Tamok, you will enjoy a short presentation on the Northern Lights, including the optimal photography settings used to capture the Aurora, should they make an appearance.

The camp is perfectly situated for Aurora hunting, far away from any light pollution, with nothing but the dark sky directly above.

For departures from 15 th   November to 10 th   December, you will spend an evening with the indigenous people of the North and experience the oldest form of transport in the Arctic, the reindeer sled, perhaps even under the Northern Lights! The Sami will share their stories with you and you can get up close to their reindeer also, before heading out into the wilderness.

For departures after 11 th   December, you will head out into the snow-covered Finn valley on a snowmobile, with one driver and one passenger on each and with plenty of opportunities to swap over as you will make frequent stops to check the skies for the Lights and hopefully take photographs.

Warm winter clothes and boots are provided for both activities and a warm meal is served on returning to camp.

Later this evening, at approximately 10:30pm, you will check in to your Aurora Dome for a night of glamping in your comfortable, heated dome. Here you can lie back and search the skies from the comfort of your own bed; hopefully, the Northern Lights will make an appearance for you tonight. Toilet and bathroom facilities are only a short walk away from your dome.

Following breakfast you will have some free time to look around the Camp in the daylight, there is even an Ice Cinema and Ice Bar here. Later this morning, you will meet your team of eager canine athletes and be given a briefing before setting off with two people to a sled – again there will be opportunities to change over, but this activity does require a reasonable level of physical health for the driver.

You will cover 10-12 km with your dogs, which will take approximately 90 minutes depending on conditions. You will have plenty of time to thank your dogs for their efforts and take photos at the end of the tour and then enjoy a hot lunch.

This afternoon you will depart Camp Tamok, arriving back in Tromsø at approximately 4pm. Your luggage can be left securely at your hotel until your room is available for check-in this afternoon.

This evening, you may wish to relax in the hotel, or you could add on an extra Northern Lights activity. Please see the Extras section for full details.

Included Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch

Today it is, unfortunately, time for your Arctic experience to come to an end. Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before we transfer you back to the airport for your return flights home. If you have an early flight time, we’ll box up breakfast for you to take with you.

Included Meals:   Breakfast

What's included?

• Return airport transfers (taxi transfer on arrival, scheduled Flybus transfer on departure). Please speak to one of our Travel Experts if you have an early or late return flight – taxi transfer may be required should it fall outside the Flybus hours)
• 2 nights at Clarion Hotel The Edge in a standard double/twin room and 1 night in an Aurora Dome at Camp Tamok
• 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
• Sámi cultural experience and Aurora reindeer sleigh ride or Aurora Snowmobiling
• Overnight in an Aurora Dome
• Husky Safari
• Cold weather clothing during activities
• Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities

Dates and Prices

Situated right in the centre of Tromsø, the Clarion Hotel The Edge puts you in a prime location to explore the ‘Paris of the North’ and is an excellent base to transfer to your memorable activities. 

Hotel Facilities

• Enjoy great views of the brilliant architecture of the city as it reflects in the waters just outside the hotel or head to the 11th-floor sky bar – the only one of its kind in the city – for a vista like no other
• The hotel puts great emphasis on being eco-friendly and is built with an environmental classification A.
• Keep up with your fitness in the onsite gym with stunning sea views
• Enjoy tastes of Manhattan made using Arctic ingredients in the ‘Kitchen and Table’ restaurant

Wilderness Camp Tamok is situated deep in the Norwegian wilderness. Surrounded by dramatic, snow-covered mountains and deep, glacial valleys.

Only 1.5 hours’ drive from the city of Tromsø, it provides the perfect setting to escape the light pollution of the city and search the dark skies for the Northern Lights.

The camp consists of a collection of buildings, including dining Lavvus (a traditional Norwegian tent-like structure) with warm, open fires, log cabins, shower and toilet facilities, a small activity centre and its own husky farm.

• Meals will be served in the traditional Sámi Lavvus, which are warmed by an open fire and the perfect place to enjoy some hearty local dishes
• On-site husky farm and small activity centre with changing area
• Toilet and shower facilities are shared and in their own building, close to the Aurora Domes

• Your meals are all served in the restaurant in the main building. You will enjoy a variety of local dishes and more international cuisine in the evening menus (which are typically two courses and served as a hearty buffet). Breakfasts are typically Scandinavian in style and provide you with the fuel that you need for a day of adventure
• The restaurant is situated on the upper floor of the main hotel building and offers panoramic views over the bay while you tuck into your delicious meal The lodge also has a fully stocked bar and pretty impressive wine cellar for any enthusiasts staying A short walk from the restaurant building, there is also a sauna and hot tub for guests to enjoy. Indulging in a sauna, after an exhilarating day in the great outdoors is just the perfect way to unwind and the hot tub is the cherry on the cake! This is bookable locally and charges apply
• The lodge also has a fully stocked bar and pretty impressive wine cellar for any enthusiasts staying A short walk from the restaurant building, there is also a sauna and hot tub for guests to enjoy. Indulging in a sauna, after an exhilarating day in the great outdoors is just the perfect way to unwind and the hot tub is the cherry on the cake! This is bookable locally and charges apply
• A short walk from the restaurant building, there is also a sauna and hot tub for guests to enjoy. Indulging in a sauna, after an exhilarating day in the great outdoors is just the perfect way to unwind and the hot tub is the cherry on the cake! This is bookable locally and charges apply

Personalise This Tour

Searching for the Northern Lights by boat is a fantastic experience that is only available in a handful of locations. The sea can act as the perfect mirror to reflect the Aurora, creating a wonderful sight, should conditions be right. Travelling by boat also means that you have a better chance of outrunning any potential cloud cover.

You will sail into the archipelago, stopping at an island, where you will enjoy hot drinks around a campfire, as you search the skies for the Northern Lights. You may also choose to upgrade this activity to include a wilderness dinner, for a supplement.

Image credit: Graeme Richardson

Chase the Northern Lights from a unique vantage point out at sea.

You will set sail from Kirkegata 1 in Tromsø and pass through the stunning fjords, away from the city lights and in search of the Aurora. A professional skipper will help you in your quest, advising you on what to look out for in the dark sky. If the Northern Lights start to appear, you will have one of the best viewpoints in the city.

Your boat is well-equipped with a comfortable heated saloon, toilets and safety suits so you will stay dry and warm. 

Duration: Approximately 3 hours, including transfers

(Please Note that this trip is only available until 11th March.)

Dog sledding and Northern Lights hunting are two of the most-loved Arctic experience and tonight, you will experience both in one trip (if the Aurora conditions are favourable).

Your evening starts with a transfer to the dog sledding camp, around 35 minutes away from where you will meet with your expert guide and loyal team of dogs. 

After receiving full instructions on how to mush, you will set off into the night, keeping an eye on the sky at all times in search of the Aurora. You will travel two people per sled, with the chance to swap drivers during the activity. The sled ride will last approximately two hours and upon your return to the camp, you will have time to thank your dogs before enjoying warm drinks and snacks around the campfire. As you swap stories of the nights adventure, your guide will also be helping you search the skies for the Northern Lights. You will return to Tromsø at approximately 11 pm.

Duration : approximately 6 hours, including transfers

Available: November to March

Please note this trip is suitable for those with good fitness levels.

A visit to the Arctic wouldn’t be complete without trying one of the most-loved activities of dog sledding.

You will transfer to the dog sledding centre and receive your thermal overalls and boots ahead of your adventure. Your experienced guide will teach you all you need to know about mushing and then it’s time to head out into the wilderness. This is a brilliant way to explore the snowy scenes with your loyal team of dogs out in front. You will ride two per sled, one driving and one as a passenger with the option to swap halfway.

After the safari, you can spend some time with the dogs, hearing all about their lives during a  guided tour of the facilities. Enjoy a traditional Sámi reindeer stew, hot drinks and finish off with a piece of signature chocolate cake before you transfer back to the city.

Please note that to participate in this tour, you must be 16 years or older.

Duration : 4 hours, including transfers (approximately 45-60 minutes of dog sledding)

Available : November (depending on snow cover) to March

Have an extra special Aurora evening as you visit a husky camp and learn all about these working dogs, all while keeping an eye on the sky for the Northern Lights to make an appearance.

The camp is approximately 30 minutes away and upon arrival, you will receive a tour of the facilities and get to meet some of the famous residents. As you pet and play with the dogs, you will be on the lookout for the Northern Lights which could appear at any time.

You will warm by an open fire and enjoy a traditional dinner.

Duration: 4.5 hours

Tonight takes you out of the city lights in search of an incredible Northern Lights display.

Travelling by minibus allows you to outrun any potential cloud cover and go further in search of the Northern Lights. Your guide will use the weather forecast and their expert knowledge to determine the best location for potential viewings.

Upon arrival at your chosen spot, you will keep warm by the campfire and enjoy warm drinks and a local meal as your guide helps you look for the lights. If conditions are favourable and they do make an appearance, you can also get tips on how to capture the moment on camera. Your guide will also be taking photos which will be provided to you. The activity starts at 6pm.

Duration:  Between 6 and 9 hours depending on weather conditions and including transfers.

Available:   September to March

Tour the stunning fjords that surround Tromsø and look out for the Arctic wildlife as you set sail through the Arctic waters.

This five-hour sightseeing tour begins in Tromsø, as you cruise through the beautiful fjords and travel further out to sea. Your guide will point out any Arctic wildlife such as sea eagles as you admire the views.

Onboard, you can enjoy Arctic fish, snacks and hot drinks. You will also be provided with an insulated jacket and you can also keep warm in the cabins downstairs.

This activity requires a minimum of 6 people to operate.

Duration : 5 hours

Additional Info

Price is based on 2 persons travelling

Tour terms, click  here   

Booking conditions click here

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Camp Tamok – Arctic wilderness just outside Tromso

Camp Tamok is a wilderness centre located just outside the centre of Tromso , in the beautiful Tamok valley. Even though it’s location is only a 75 minute drive from the city, it’s in a different and drier climate zone, with inland mountain weather. The dry climate generates many clear nights, meaning the conditions are optimal for Northern Lights observations.

Authentic Northern Norwegian Experiences

During winter Camp Tamok is the starting and ending point for lots of authentic Northern Norwegian activities, like Northern Lights trips and other tours by dog sled, snowmobile and reindeer sled. For most of the activities, you’ll be picked up in Tromso and taken on a 75 minute scenic drive to Camp Tamok. After your chosen activity, you’ll spend some time at the camp and enjoy a home cooked meal over the fire in the herder’s tent before you return to Tromso. You can also spend the night at the camp – maximising your experience to the fullest. If you want to try something different, you could also spend a magical, cool night at Tromso’s very own snow hotel.

Tromso’s Snow Hotel

Also located in Tamok Valley is Tromsø Ice domes – a hotel made completely of snow and ice. The hotel is rebuilt every year for the winter season. Here you will find ice hotel suites, ice cinema, ice restaurant, ice bars and an ice cinema – all adding up to the magical wonderland of your dreams. The different sections of the hotel have a new theme every year, anything from the Northern Lights to local Sami culture, wildlife and local history. The themes are displayed through ice carvings and sculptures and illuminated in different coloured lights.

There are many different guided tours letting you visit the snow hotel during the day and a range of combination tours allow you to combine a trip to the Ice Domes with reindeer sledding, dog sledding or snowshoeing. The visit normally starts with a film viewing at the ice cinema showing how the hotel is built. If you choose to book an overnight stay, you can sleep in your very own bed made of ice. A thermal sleeping bag will help keep you warm through the night and the illuminated ice carvings will help you comfortably drift off to dreamland. This truly is a snowy magical place in the Arctic wilderness and every year is a brand new experience.

Northern Lights Observations

As mentioned above, Camp Tamok has optimal conditions for aurora borealis observations. (Actually Tromso in general is one of the best places in the world for seeing the Northern Lights.) Camp Tamok lies in an area surrounded by untouched wilderness, covered in darkness away from the bright city lights. The climate in this area offers more stable weather and lots of clear nights. At Camp Tamok you have the freedom to enjoy an arctic evening outdoors while aurora borealis dances in the sky above you. At the camp you will be provided with warm winter clothes and food around the open fire in the reindeer herder’s tent. Camp Tamok is a perfect combination of traditional lavus and modern buildings with toilets and indoor plumbing.This allows you to get an authentic experience without sacrificing modern comforts.

Norwegian Travel is a premium brand aiming to offer high-quality experience-based tourism in selected unique destinations in Norway. From the fjords to the mountains. From the sandy beaches to the rough cliffs. From urban buzz to the massive stillness of the old mountains. We wish to inspire people to explore the treasures to be found in Norway. At our destinations you can explore amazing nature, good food and exciting activities all year round.

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Aurora Safari

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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AURORA SAFARI (Tromso) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Tipi Cabin – Aurora Safari Camp

Tipi cabins.

Aurora Safari Camp has three Heated Tipi Cabins, each designed with a cozy and comfortable feeling.

Thoughtfully furnished and decorated to ensure that guests enjoy a comfortable and memorable stay. The Tipi Cabins feature a north-facing glass veranda that provides a stunning view of the scenery, and the Aurora in the winter months. To keep the cabins warm and cosy, there are pellet burners in each tent that remain lit throughout. Additionally, each cabin has an en-suite bathroom with an incineration toilet and wash basin, ensuring that guests have all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay. Each Tipi Cabin can accommodate single, double, twin, or family bookings, with 3-4 beds in each cabin.

The Sauna in the Ice and Showers

An extraordinary and unique feature of the camp that is bound to captivate guests! In the winter it becomes a part of the frozen ice, and a small ice pool is available for guests to take a refreshing dip after their sauna session. It is one of the most enchanting highlights of a winter stay at the camp. This is the designated area for guests to have their showers and sauna sessions. The traditional wood fired sauna is equipped with a 12-volt shower system. Guests have private time slots to enjoy the sauna and shower facilities, ensuring a comfortable and cosy experience during their stay at the camp.

When staying at Aurora Safari Camp you have the below activities/equipment included:

Fatbikes  – Snow-adapted mountain bikes ideal to cruise the winter tracks around the camp. Kicksleds  – The classic transportation in the north for hundreds of years. Snowshoes  – Ideal for exploring the forest and the nearby islands. Nordic Skis  – The Nordic way of exploring the area around the camp.

When guests stay at the camp, you have the benefit of using the equipment mentioned above at leisure, as it is included in the package. The Guide is available to provide assistance to guests who would like to venture out and explore on their own or accompany them as they lead the way. The surrounding terrain varies in its complexity, but the guides and hosts have ensured that there are many tracks available for navigation during the winter months.

The camp provides additional winter clothing, including winter suits, boots, hats, gloves, and more, to ensure that guests are well-equipped to handle the cold weather.

Images: © Fredrik Broman/ Thomas Jönsson

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Watch CBS News

The Northern Lights were visible in Illinois, Indiana; will we see them again tonight?

By John Dodge , Adam Harrington , Noel Brennan

Updated on: May 11, 2024 / 7:11 PM CDT / CBS Chicago

A rare severe geomagnetic storm  from space meant that Chicagoans got a chance to see the Northern Lights Friday night and may get more chances this weekend.

While the Northern Lights weren't so easy to see in the heart of downtown Chicago, there was quite a show on display in Northwest Indiana.

The Ogden Dunes Fire Department, about 50 miles away from Chicago, sent photos of the dazzling sights.

CBS Chicago Director of Digital Content John Dodge sent some photos from his backyard in Munster, Indiana.

The effect was a little more subtle in north suburban Park Ridge, but still surreal in these photos from Joanna Potakis.

While that was all pretty spectacular, there is also a concern that the storm could disrupt navigation systems, radio communications, and the power grid. Federal officials said on Friday that "operators of critical infrastructures" such as power grids were notified. 

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, at least five "coronal mass ejections" from the Sun could arrive between Friday and Sunday. The sunspot cluster that caused the flares is 16 times the size of Earth. 

"A coronal mass ejection is a huge explosion on the surface of the sun usually caused by roiling plasma and twisted and convoluted magnetic fields," said Kris McCall, the director of the Cernan Earth and Space Center at Triton College.

For those who saved their glasses from the recent solar eclipse, it is possible to see the sunspot with them. Those spots are 93 million miles away. 

A coronal mass ejection is an eruption of solar material. Watches at the severe level are very rare, the center said. This is the first severe (G-4) watch for Earth since 2005. 

McCall said it has the potential to impact communications, electrical systems, and GPS, so "If you're accustomed to having very precise GPS measurements during the height of the storm, that accuracy will likely go away."  

What are the Northern Lights? 

As a result, the Northern Lights, which occur when energized particles from the Sun collide into the Earth's atmosphere, were expected to be seen as far south as Alabama this weekend. Known as the Aurora Borealis, the violent clash creates vivid, moving ribbons of light across the sky. 

The odds of seeing the Northern Lights in Chicago over the weekend were quite good. After a rainy Friday, skies cleared up in the evening.  The prediction center expected the space storm to arrive by early Saturday, and thus, the Northern Lights were visible for some on Friday night.

The lights could also be visible on Saturday night into Sunday morning. However, as of Friday night, the exact timing was not certain. 

To get a good view, it is best to travel away from the city and avoid light pollution. 

Are geomagnetic storms rare?

Only three severe geomagnetic storms have been observed since December 2019. However, those storms did not cause any concern here on Earth. 

The last extreme storm occurred in October 2003 and caused power outages in Sweden and damaged power transformers in South Africa. 

• Northern Lights

John Dodge is a veteran Chicago journalist with experience in print, television, and online platforms.

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