English edition
Experience the Tromsø Region In Northern Norway Winter 2012-2013 city attractions northern lights visit dog sledding snowmobile reindeer sledding night in Sami tent night in timber cabin snowshoeing ski school sauna & hot tub
lyngsfjord.com post@lyngsfjord.com
+47 77 71 55 88 09:00-17:00
ADVENTURES
About the magazine: This magazine is a created by Lyngsfjord Adventure AS. Publisher: Lyngsfjord Adventure AS (post@lyngsfjord.com) Editor: John A. Angelsen (jangelsen@gmail.com) Contributing authors: Hans Olav Eriksen, Jan-Are Johnsen, Morten Pettersen, Tom-Frode Johansen, Tor Vidar Nystad, Roar Kemi Nyheim and John A. Angelsen. Market & advertising: Hans Olav Eriksen (hoeriksen@hotmail.com) Distribution: This is a free magazine, published in December 2012. The magazine can also be downloaded as a PDF file at www.lyngsfjord.com. Circulation: 5.000 printed copies + downloadable PDF file.
Dog sledding.................................................... 6 Snowmobile safari ........................................... 8 Reindeer sledding.......................................... 10 Northern Lights visit ....................................... 11 Snowshoeing ................................................. 12 Ski school ...................................................... 13 2 Days & 1 night ............................................ 14 Full-day programme....................................... 15
ARTICLES Tromsø City map ........................................... 16 Paris of the North........................................... 18 Arctic Gateway .............................................. 20 Historical voyage ........................................... 22 Vertical landscape ......................................... 24 About the Northern Lights .............................. 26 People of the North ........................................ 28 Wilderness camp ........................................... 30
Print: Lundblad Media AS (www.lundblad.no) Facebook Search “Lyngsfjord Adventure”. YouTube: Search “Lyngsfjord Adventure”. Photos: Front page photo by Lloyd Rhenlund. Photos on pages 2 and 3 by Morten Pettersen. All other photos are individually credited.
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Roar with The Sami guide olph :) d his reindeer Ru
Soft adventures
friendly and The dogs were a cuddle st si could not re
Lyngsfjord Adventure is a provider of Arctic adventures and excursions in the Tromsø region of Northern Norway. We provide a variety of soft adventures. What does “soft adventure” mean? It means that anyone can participate, and that we take very good care of you from when we collect you from our departure point in the city centre until we bring you back. You get the possibility to participate in memorable adventures without any rigorous planning in advance. No previous skills are required. Our professional, English-speaking guides provide safety instructions and all other information that you need to perform each excursion. You need no special equipment or expensive clothing. We provide all gear, including all necessary outdoor clothing suited for each adventure. Anyone can participate, providing you have a normal level of physical fitness. We easily adapt the adventures to suit people of all ages, including families with children. A soft adventure does not mean a boring or unexciting experience. It means that all excursions are planned and prepared so that you can focus on enjoying the challenging nature elements in the Arctic, while avoiding unpleasant or dangerous situations.
The last wilderness
A gathering around fire in Camp Tamo the k
In our area 1000m high mountains drop vertically into the deep fjords, giving the landscape a dramatic signature that you will not find anywhere else in Europe. Right behind the fjords the enormous Lapland tundra reaches all the way to the depths of Russia. In this part of Europe, summer brings endless days under the Midnight Sun, while winter offers a chance to experience the Polar Night and the magical Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis. Our adventure area is known for a very dry climate and many days of clear sky, which results in a high probability for Northern Lights sightings.
Company and managers Lyngsfjord Adventure has offered Arctic adventures since 2007, serving guests from all over the world. We are committed to providing our visitors with experiences of the highest quality, focusing on authentic excursions in the Arctic wilderness. We do this by implementing a cultural and historical perspective in our services, like the Sami traditions. Our managers and guides have a lot of knowledge, skills and history that they take pride in sharing with our guests.
Yes, it is us sitting on the Snowmobile…
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WINTER ADVENTURES
24/7
Timetable Tromsø City
Camp Tamok
08:45
10:00
DAYTIME ADVENTURES Dog sledding Snowmobile safari Reindeer sledding Snowshoeing Ski school
Departure
15:45
14:30
Arrival
MID DAY BREAK Camp stay Note that you must book this service if you are participating in both a daytime and evening time excursion, so that you do not have to travel back to Tromsø between the two excursions (only NOK 295 including meal).
16:45
18:00
EVENING ADVENTURES Dog sledding Snowmobile safari Reindeer sledding Northern Lights visit Snowshoeing
Departure
23:45
22:30
Arrival
OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES Night in timber cabin Night in Sami tent Please show up at the bus 5 -10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. The bus departs at the exact time to ensure full value of 4 your day. 4 4
Note * 10:00
that there is no transfer back to Tromso City following the overnight stay. Spending the night in camp requires that you have booked both an evening excursion before the overnight stay and a daytime excursion after the overnight stay.
Book and Pay Online Use your card directly
Problems with payment?
Already in Tromsø?
Simply go to our website and choose from the different excursions and programmes on your chosen date. After booking your adventures, you progress to the next step; payment.
If you still run into any kind of problem, contact us by e-mail or phone, and we will assist you.
If you are already in Tromsø and want to book and pay, please e-mail or call us first to check availability. Be aware that some excursions might be fully booked during the high season (December to February).
All transactions go through Epay, a global system for secure payments online. You do not need to create an account, and Epay accept all major credit cards.
Note that the excursions need to be prepaid in order to be confirmed as booked, as it is not possible to pay at the wilderness camp.
You can read more about terms and conditions on our website.
After talking with our staff, you may visit our website via your smart phone, laptop or simply by 5 using a PC in your hotel reception.
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DOG SLEDDING
Photo: Morten Pettersen/Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
Available every day and evening in the season: November 1 – April 15
Be a Musher Say hello to a bunch of eager huskies that are ready for action. The dog sledding adventure starts with meeting the dogs and preparing for the trip. You will receive instructions on how to drive a dog team. Then you drive the dog sled on your own into the white landscapes, through the beautiful Vass Valley, a side valley connected to the great Tamok Valley. You will at first see Camp Tamok on your way out in the wild. The trails you follow have a
total distance of approximately 15 km. The area where you lead the sled is totally uninhabited, with mountains and forest landscape. Out in the wild, these dogs are in their right environment. You will drive in pairs, one driver and one passenger on each sled, with opportunity to switch places half way. At the end of your trail you will return to Camp Tamok and a hot meal will be served a hot meal in our lavvu (Sami herdsmen’s tent).
Included ■ Transportation by bus/minibus ■ A hot meal ■ Insulated body suit ■ Shoes, gloves and headwear ■ English speaking guide ■ Evening trips will give you a chance to see the Northern Lights Excluded ■ Warm under garments (wool or fleece is recommended) ■ Vegetarian food will be provided if advance notice is given.
Season: November 1 - April 15 Departure daytime: 08:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 15:45 Departure evening: 16:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 23:45 Duration: 4.5 hours + transport (7 hours total) Price: NOK 1695 (children 4-15 years: 50% discount)
For more information or booking: post@lyngsfjord.com / +47 77 71 55 88 (09:00 - 17:00) 6
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DRIVE A DOG SLED Your guide will instruct you on these simple steps at the start of your excursion
1
Keep both hands on the sled at all times.
2 Brake by
using your feet.
3 Assist the dogs
when going uphill.
4 In sloping terrain, stand on the top ski.
5 Passengers: Keep
your feet and arms inside the sled at all times. Š Illustrations by Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
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SNOWMOBILE SAFARI
Photo: www.sweetfilms.no
Available every day and evening in the season: November 15 - April 15
Anyone Can No previous skills are required to drive a snowmobile. All you need is a licence to drive a car. It is just as easy as it is fun, and we begin with a thorough safety introduction. The trail is 15 km each way, 30 km in total. The starting point is at an altitude of 250 m above sea level, and the guide brings you up to 875 m. Imagine the views you will have during such a snowmobile trip. You will drive in pairs, one driver and one passenger on each snowmobile, with Season: Departure daytime: Departure evening: Duration: Price:
opportunity to switch places during the trip. Due to the dramatic topography, a reduced speed is held during parts of the tour. On flat land and frozen lakes, you can speed up. The top point of the trail is a frozen lake. If time and weather permit, you can try out ice fishing on this lake. The second half of the excursion brings you back down again, ending up at Camp Tamok, our wilderness camp, where you will be served a hot meal in our lavvu (Sami herdsmen’s tent).
Included ■ Transportation by bus/minibus ■ A hot meal ■ Helmet ■ Insulated body suit ■ Shoes, gloves and headwear ■ English-speaking guide ■ Evening trips will give you a chance to see the Northern Lights Excluded
■ Warm under garments (wool or fleece is recommended)
■ Vegetarian food will be provided if advance notice is given
November 15 - April 15 08:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 15:45 16:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 23:45 4.5 hours + transport (7 hours total). NOK 1695 (children 4-15 years: 50% discount)
For more information or booking: post@lyngsfjord.com / +47 77 71 55 88 (09:00 - 17:00) 8
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DRIVE A SNOWMOBILE Your guide will instruct you on these simple steps at the start of your excursion
1 The throttle leaver is on the
righthand side, operated by your thumb.
2
The break handle is located on your lefthand side.
3 Keep your feet and
legs inside the protective metal skirts at all times.
If you feel insecure, just let go of the throttle and hand break. The snowmobile will then gently slow down.
4
Lean to the right when making a right turn, and lean to the left when making a left turn.
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Š Illustrations by Lyngsfjord Adventure AS 9
REINDEER SLEDDING
Photo: Morten Pettersen/Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
Available every day and evening in the season: November 1 - April 15
Culture Time Reindeer sledding is the oldest form of transport in the north, and an ancient part of Sami culture. The reindeer’s majestic steps in their natural habitat move the sled through the snow. The sledding trail crosses the Tamok Valley. You will drive in pairs, with one sled for each reindeer. People of all ages can participate on this very “soft” adventure. This cultural adventure includes trying lasso-throwing, the way the Sami people still catch
Season: Departure daytime: Departure evening: Duration: Price:
their reindeers when they are rounded up for marking or slaughter. You will also visit a Sami lavvu) and you will learn about Sami culture and history with an introduction to traditional Sami handicraft. To conclude this excursion, you will be served a hot meal. Daytime trips give you an amazing view of the wild mountains in the area, and evening trips in the period November March will provide a good chance to experience the Northern Lights.
Included: ■ Transportation by bus/minibus ■ A hot meal ■ Insulated body suit ■ Shoes, gloves and headwear ■ English speaking guide ■ Evening trips will give you a chance to see the Northern Lights. Excluded:
■ Warm under garments (wool or fleece is recommended)
■ Vegetarian food will be provided if advance notice is given
November 1 - April 15 08:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 15:45 16:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 23:45 4.5 hours + transport (7 hours total) NOK 1595 (children 4-15 years: 50% discount)
For more information or booking: post@lyngsfjord.com / +47 77 71 55 88 (09:00 - 17:00) 10
NORTHERN LIGHTS VISIT
Photo: Lloyd Rhenlund
Available every evening in the season: November 1 - March 31
Real Stardust The Northern Lights visit at our wilderness camp is an excursion with the main purpose of watching the Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis. Camp Tamok is located a 75-minute drive inland from the centre of the coastal city of Tromsø. The camp is therefore located in a different climate zone. Here, you find stable dry weather with many days of clear sky. Due to the stable climate of this location the persistent Aurora watcher will have excellent chances of spotting the frail rays of this beauty.
Also, in this uninhabited area, no artificial light will disturb your experience or your attempt to capture the Aurora Borealis with your camera. During the visit you will be served a hot meal and enjoy a social time around the open fire in the big lavvu (Sami herdsmen’s tent). If the sky is cloudy or there is no sign of the Northern Lights, you will still have good value for money. A trip to the wilderness camp is an adventure in itself. The dark and quiet surroundings hold a genuine Arctic atmosphere.
Included: ■ Transportation by bus/minibus ■ A hot meal ■ Insulated body suit ■ Boots, gloves and headwear ■ English-speaking guide Excluded: ■ Warm under garments (wool or fleece is recommended) ■ Vegetarian food will be provided if advance notice is given
Season: November 1 - March 31 Departure: 16:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 23.45 Duration: 4.5 hours + transport (7 hours total) Price: NOK 995 (children 4-15 years: 50% discount)
For more information or booking: post@lyngsfjord.com / +47 77 71 55 88 (09:00 - 17:00) 11
SNOWSHOEING
Photo: Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
Available every day and evening in the season: November 1 – April 15
Photo: www.sweetfilms.no
Walk on Clouds Mastering walking with snowshoes requires no practice. Right from your first steps, you will experience that this invention makes moving around on snow a lot easier. Similar to skis, the snowshoes have a long history. This equipment or footwear probably traces back to an ancient walking tool that has developed in different directions, giving us both skis and snowshoes. While skis give speed downhill, the snowshoes makes you float on top of any snow depth, that
Season: Departure daytime: Departure evening: Duration: Price:
otherwise would make you struggle with snow up to your waist. The snowshoe’s floating ability also gives excellent help walking up even the steepest hill. Using our wilderness camp (Camp Tamok) as a base, you will experience the use of snowshoes and venture into the white landscape. During the excursion, our guide will give you a lot of insight in the Arctic environment. The excursion also includes a hot meal served atCamp Tamok, in the big lavvu (Sami herdsman’s tent).
Included: ■ Transportation by bus/minibus ■ A hot meal ■ Insulated body suit ■ Boots, gloves and headwear ■ Snowshoeing equipment ■ English-speaking guide Excluded: ■ Warm under garments (wool or fleece is recommended) ■ Vegetarian food will be provided if advance notice is given.
November 1 - April 15 08:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 15.45 16:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 23:45 4.5 hours + transport (7 hours total) NOK 1195 (children 4-15 years: 50% discount)
For more information or booking: post@lyngsfjord.com / +47 77 71 55 88 (09:00 - 17:00) 12
SKI SCHOOL
Photo: Photo:Lyngsfjord LyngsfjordAdventure AdventureAS AS
Available every day in the season: November 1 – April 15
Crash Course Cross-country skiing is a Norwegian form of transportation and recreational gear dating back to the Viking age. There is no doubt that skis were invented up here, where the long winters and lots of snow made it necessary to find effective ways to move around. The ski school is suitable for absolute beginners. Our guide will teach you the essential technique of cross-country skiing, as well as how to slide down small hills, make turns, slow down, instant stops etc. The purpose of the ski school is to give you a basic introduction to
cross-country skiing, and most of all have great fun on skis. Falling in the snow is impossible to avoid while testing and stretching your newborn skills. However, stumbling and falling in soft snow does not hurt, but is often utterly humorous, both for your self and for your friends or family watching and trying to take photos of you. The excursion includes a hot meal in our lavvu (Sami herdsmen’s tent) at our wilderness camp, the beautiful and cosy Camp Tamok.
Included: ■ Transportation by bus/minibus ■ A hot meal ■ Insulated body suit ■ Boots, gloves and headwear ■ All necessary skiing equipment ■ English-speaking guide Excluded: ■ Warm under garments (wool or fleece is recommended) ■ Vegetarian food will be provided if advance notice is given.
Season: November 1 - April 15 Departure: 08:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø. Return: 15.45 Duration: 4.5 hours + transport (7 hours total) Price: NOK 1195 (children 4-15 years: 50% discount)
For more information or booking: post@lyngsfjord.com / +47 77 71 55 88 (09:00 - 17:00) 13
2 DAYS & 1 NIGHT
Photo: www.sweetfilms.no
Available every night November 1- April 15
Photo: www.sweetfilms.no
2 Days & 1 Night Lyngsfjord Adventure, unlike other adventure providers, gives you the opportunity to tailor your own experiences. Would you like to spend a day at Camp Tamok with adventures daytime and evening, or rather spend a night in the camp with evening and daytime adventures? No problem. Just pick and choose the adventures and accommodation options that you require
Season: Minimum: Departure: Return (next day): Price per person:
and we will handle the rest. All overnight programmes include an evening adventure and a daytime adventure the following day - three experiences in one! On our website you may choose the excursions and accommodation option you prefer. You may sleep in a heated lavvu (Sami herdsmen’s tent), a timber cabin or in a private chalet (small heated wooden hut for two people.
Included: ■ Transportation back to Tromsø ■ Breakfast ■ Winter sleeping bag ■ Insulated body suit ■ Boots, gloves and headwear ■ English-speaking guide Excluded:
■ Warm under garments (wool or fleece is recommended in the winter season) ■ Vegetarian food will be provided if advance notice is given
November 1 - April 15 At least two guests 16:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø 15:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø Depends on combination of services (children 4-15 years: 50% discount)
For more information or booking: post@lyngsfjord.com / +47 77 71 55 88 (09:00 - 17:00) 14
ALL DAY PROGRAM
Photo: Lyngsfjord Adventure
Available every night November 1 - April 15
Full-day Programme Lyngsfjord Adventure, unlike other adventure providers, gives you the opportunity to tailor your own experiences. Would you like to spend a long day at Camp Tamok with adventures daytime and evening, with a meal and rest in between? No problem. Just pick and choose the adventures that you require and we will handle the rest.
Season: Minimum: Departure: Return: Price per person:
The “Full-day Programme” includes a daytime adventure, interesting time spent at the camp and then an evening excursion with chance of seeing the Northern Lights - three experiences in one! On our website you can choose the excursions you prefer. In addition to a meal in between the services, you will have access to cabins, tents and snowshoes.
Included: ■ Transportation to Tromsø ■ Mid day meal ■ Access to snowshoes ■ Insulated body suit ■ Boots, gloves and headwear ■ English-speaking guide Excluded:
■ Warm under garments (wool or fleece is recommended in the winter season). ■ Vegetarian food will be provided if advance notice is given.
November 1 - April 15 At least two guests 08:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø 23:45 outside Rica Ishavshotel, downtown Tromsø Depends on combination of services (children 4-15 years: 50% discount)
For more information or booking: post@lyngsfjord.com / +47 77 71 55 88 (09:00 - 17:00) 15
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M A I N S T R E E T
Shopping Centre
Church
City Map 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
Rica Ishavshotel Radisson Blu Hotel Arctic Guide Service Rica Grand Hotel City Living Hotel Clarion Hotel Bryggen Amalie Hotel Clarion Collection Hotel With Quality Hotel Saga Thon Hotel Tromso Viking Hotel Tromso AMI Hotel ABC Hotel Nord Steakers restaurant Pastafabrikken restaurant Fiskekompaniet restaurant Ă˜lhallen pub Polaria - an Arctic experience Polar Museum Skansen Hotel
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Taxi: +47 02045 16
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Library City hall Cinema
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City square 15
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16
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Lyngsfjord Adventure departure point 08:45 Departure for daytime services (return 15:45) 16:45 Departure for evening services (return 23:45)
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1 17 Š Map by Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
Photo: Kathrin Müller / Hurtigruten ASA
Paris of the North Tromsø is best described as a metropolitan in miniature – only 2000 km from the North Pole The Tromso municipality has a population of 70,000, approximately 60,000 of whom live in or nearby the city of Tromsø. Tromsø is by far the largest city in Northern Norway, and is also the largest Nordic city, north of the Arctic Circle. In many ways Tromsø is the “Arctic capital” of Norway. Tromsø has its own university and brewery. No other universities or breweries in the world are located this far north. Tromsø also has the regional hospital for Northern Norway, and many other important functions. The city is surrounded by hundreds of islands, dramatic mountains and deep 18
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fjords, and is only a two-hour flight from Oslo, the Norwegian capital.
Gateway to the Arctic
Tromsø was founded in 1794, and from 1850 the town was central in the A variety of activities fisheries and other marine-based People from more than 100 countries activity. In the early 20th century the live permanently in Tromsø. The univer- town was also the starting point for sity gives many opportunities for scien- several famous expeditions in the Arctic waters and in the race to be the first tists from all over the world, studying the Northern Lights, the Arctic environ- human on the North Pole. ment, fisheries, climate change, oil resources in the ocean, and many other Flourishing town topics. As a result of this activity, there The activity 100 years ago, led to a are several museums dedicated to the flourishing cultural life. The finer ladies Arctic life and nature, as well as an in Tromsø could afford wearing the Arctic experience centre and aquarium latest fashion from Paris and other (www.polaria.com). cultural centres in Europe. In the Nordic countries this gave the town the
Photo: Nancy Bundt / Hurtigruten ASA
both guests and waiters less than 50 years old speak English fluently. You might wonder what a strange place you have come to when you see locals out in the streets at night, wearing no winter clothes or not using umbrellas, no matter what time of year or the weather conditions.
Climate and scenery Although located so far north, Tromsø has a mild ocean climate. The city’s record low is -18 ºC, which is not that cold considering the latitude. In the short summer you can experience temperatures up to +28 ºC. In winter the record snow depth is 2.4 metres.
Photo: Nicole Teissier / Hurtigruten ASA
Photo: Karlheinz Amau / Hurtigruten ASA
nickname “Paris of the North”. The growing population and status as an Arctic capital, with a lasting boom in the cultural life, has maintained this image to this day. Tromsø has its own professional theatre, an international film festival, and many other festivals, concerts, and events throughout the year. Establishing the university in the 1960s has made sure that Tromsø is a progressive and positive place. Taking in to consideration the size of the city, the nightlife in the many restaurants and bars is extraordinary. You will find restaurants with everything from sushi to traditional Norwegian dishes, where
The Midnight Sun is visible from May 21 until July 21, and the Polar Night stretches from November 21 until January 21. During this period the sun does not rise above the horizon. Tromsø is where civilization meets the wild and enormous Arctic environment. You can take the cable car up to a mountain more than 400 m above sea level (the city is at sea level). Look out at the breathtaking view of islands with high mountains surrounding the city. This is the end of civilization, and the beginning of the largest uninhabited wilderness area in Europe. 19
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Photo: Bård Løken / Hurtigruten ASA
Arctic Gateway Tromsø is easy to access by several daily flights from the international airport in Oslo, the Norwegian capital. In older times Tromsø was the connection point for expeditions to the North Pole, for whalers in Arctic waters for and trappers going to Greenland and other remote locations. The taverns of Tromsø were the last memory of civilization in the trappers mind, when they left to stay alone in the wilderness through the long polar winter. And Tromsø was the first sight of civilization for fishermen and others coming from long journeys in the Barents Sea. Nowadays the city is a communication centre for flights and ships, especially since there are no railways going this far north. From Tromsø you20can fly up to the
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Spitsbergen, close to the North Pole, or ranges and within walking distance of charter routes to Turkey and Greece, the city attractions. quite special for a city with a population Find the room that meets your of only 60,000. requirements from our recommended hotels: Rica Grand Hotel Tromsø, Thon Hotel, SAGA Hotel, City Living and Flights and hotels Clarion Hotel. Check links to the Tromsø is easy to access by several websites of these hotels on the daily flights from the international Lyngsfjord Adventure website airport in Oslo, the Norwegian capital. Lyngsfjord Adventure provides all The airlines SAS and Norwegian both offer low price tickets. Tromsø airport is necessary transport by minibus or bus located only a 10-minute drive from the from downtown to the locations of the adventures, always included in our city centre. prices. You buy directly from the suppliIn compact downtown Tromsø you ers, so both the programme and price of can choose between more than 15 hotels. It is therefore easy to find and book your adventure holiday will fit your demands perfectly. your accommodation, in various price
TROMSØ AIRPORT has several daily flights from Oslo (OSL), the Norwegian capital. Flight time from Oslo International Airport (OSL) is 1hr 50min.
OSLO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Approximate flight times: London 1hr 20min Berlin 1hr 55min Rome 3hr 10min Madrid 3hr 45min Paris 2hr 25min Brussels 1hr 55min
Tromsø airport (TOS) is located only a 10-minute drive from the city centre (5 km).
Camp Tamok, inside the largest wilderness area in Europe, is approximately a 75-minute drive from downtown Tromsø.
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Photo: Hurtigruten ASA
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Photo: Per Eide / Hurtigruten ASA
Historical Voyage Hurtigruten is like the Orient Express on water, visiting one picturesque village port after another. In 1893, the steamship company Vesteraalens signed a contract to carry out weekly sailings along the coast of Northern Norway. For the first time many settlements were linked together during the winter. Postal delivery between Southern Norway and the North Cape area was shortened from months to just a few days. Directly translated Hurtigruten means “fast route�. Initially the route had nine ports of call between Trondheim and Hammerfest. This was the start of a revolution in communications along the coast. By 1914 the route was expanded, going from Bergen in western Norway, all the way north around the
North Cape and east to Kirkenes by the Russian border. Still today these two ports are the southern and north-eastern turning points of the route. Hurtigruten (often referred to in English as the Norweigan Coastal Voyage) has since 1893 been the lifeline for many small villages and communities scattered along the very long coast line of Northern Norway. The ships transported people, food, post and all kinds of goods. Since 1936 there has been daily coastal connection between Bergen and Kirkenes. In total 70 ships has faithfully served the route over the years. Today a total of 11 ships enter 34 ports every day, 365 days a year. In addition to the route along the
Norwegian coast, Hurtigruten today also operates cruises to Spitzbergen, Greenland and even Antarctica. Nowadays the ships are modern, with nice restaurants, gym, sauna and all other conveniences that are common on cruise ships. But still Hurtigruten is a costal institution just as much as a tourist attraction. The voyage is internationally awarded as the most beautiful sea voyage in the world. Sailing on Hurtigruten is more than just being on a cruise. It is authentic travel, participating on a historical cyclic journey through breathtaking scenery. It is the lifeline for many remote communities along the Arctic coast, and the pride of Northern Norway. 23
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Photo: Ruth Norstrøm
Photo: Ruth Norstrøm
Vertical Landscape The Lyngen Alps is a mountain range east of Tromsø, more than 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. The wide chain of peaks starts out on the tip of the Lyngen Peninsula, between the two big fjords, the Ullsfjord and the Lyngen Fjord. The peninsula between the fjords is 15-20 km wide, and in both fjords mountains higher than 1000 m drop vertically down in the blue water. The mountain chain continues on the peninsula, all the way to the Swedish border. This makes the Lyngen Alps more than 100 km long, depending on definition. Between the peaks there are also more gentle hills and plateaus. Here you find beautiful valleys, forests, cascading
rivers, and countless lakes. Still the area is dominated by the wild peaks, several glaciers and deep ravines. The highest mountain, Jiehkkevarri, is 1833 m above sea level. And “above sea level” in the Lyngen Alps area means that the sea it self is the foot of the mountain. The first signs of settlement are from the Stone Age, but the first churches in the area came as late as the 18th century. The population in the area today is still low and scattered. The largest settlement, Lyngseidet, has a population of approximately 800. The wildlife is extraordinary, with
whales, seals, white tailed eagles and a wide variety of other bird species, as well as all kinds of Arctic mammals on land. You can catch cod, coalfish, wolf fish and haddock in the fjord. In the mountain lakes you can catch trout and Arctic char. The Lyngen Alps are famous for off-piste skiing. You can literally ski from the summits down to the sea. Several companies provide return transfers by boat to the most fabulous locations. 25
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Photo: Lloyd Rhenlund
Nature’s Light Show It appears like a glowing light, constantly moving and changing its form, strength and colours. The sun, the moon and the stars belong to the everlasting and predictable in the universe. The Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis – on the other hand is illusive, changing and unpredictable. The cosmos demonstrates electric and magnetic fields, showing unique movement and colours. Photos become pale shadows compared to the real thing. You cannot feel the Northern Lights on the TV. To get the full experience you must escape the light from populated areas, so called “light pollution”. To improve the chance of Northern Lights sightings, also avoid the coast line, to find dry weather conditions. Camp Tamok, 26 a 75-minute drive from
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Tromsø provides the optimal conditions - as you can see on the photo above.
is called Aurora Borealis in the northern hemisphere and Aurora Australis, in the southern hemisphere.
What is it? It is a phenomenon that occurs when the solar winds from the sun are more powerful than usual, with great electric charges sending charged particles towards the earth. The particles are electrons and protons, glowing when colliding with the earth’s atmosphere. The Northern Lights occur at a height of more than 100 km above the ground. It can be observed on the night sky in a belt around the magnetic poles. It is often in a wave movement, sometimes filling the sky with blue, green, red and orange light. Aurora Polaris (polar light)
Season for sightings The Northern Lights is present all year, but in summertime you cannot see it because the sun is never below horizon up in the north during summer. From September it is visible again, and on many clear days until the middle of April. From mid-April the length of the days, growing rapidly, will give 24 hours of daylight, and from May 21 you can see the Midnight Sun in Tromsø. The contrasts are enormous in the Arctic.
Photo: Morten Pettersen/Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
Photo: Tormod Kjelseth
Photo: Morten Pettersen/Lyngsfjord Adventure
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Photo: Morten Pettersen/Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
People of the North The Sami history and ancient religion are full of tales and mysteries. A long time before any national borders existed, the Sami people of Arctic Europe lived in a wide area that stretches over the regions now known as the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Russian Kola Peninsula. This area is internationally best known as Lapland, but the Sami people of Norway call their area Sapmi. Norway is the country with the largest population of Sami people, around 40,000. In the village of Karasjok in Northern Norway, the Sami people have their own parliament, working to represent the Sami population, and to protect and promote their unique culture. The Sami 28people have their own flag,
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in red, blue, yellow and green, with a circle as symbol for the sun (red) and the moon (blue). These colours are also to be found in the characteristic detailed embroidery on the traditional Sami clothing. Most of all the Sami people are known for their free semi-nomadic mountain lives, constantly moving reindeer flocks between the summer grazing land by the coast, and the Lapland tundra in the winter. There are about 100,000 reindeer in the Norwegian part of Lapland. The very tasty reindeer meat is considered to be healthy. Both the clothing and the handicraft of the Sami people, called duodji, shows
that their society has always been very aesthetically oriented. Regular artefacts have been decorated and richly ornamented. Duodji (handicraft) training used to be a natural part of the upbringing, and was from ancient times known as a Sami specialty. The Coastal Sami were known as skilled boat builders as early as the Viking era. The Sami shamans, called noaiddit, in old days had a lot of respect in the area, also from other Norwegians. There are countless stories of shaman achievements, both in terms of clairvoyance, and regarding their abilities in using witchcraft.
Photo: Nina Helland / Hurtigruten ASA
Photo: www.sweetfilms.no
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Photo: Tori Hogan / Hurtigruten ASA Photo: Morten Pettersen/Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
Photo: Morten Pettersen/Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
Photo: www.sweetfilms.no
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Photo: www.sweetfilms.no
Photo: Morten Pettersen/Lyngsfjord Adventure AS
Wilderness Camp Staying in the wilderness at Camp Tamok is like turning back time. Camp Tamok is located in the Tamok Valley, a 75-minute drive from downtown Tromsø. This is the wilderness camp belonging to Lyngsfjord Adventure. It consists of several lavvu (Sami herdsmen’s tents), timber cabins, outdoor hot tub and sauna, toilet facilities, a husky yard and a reindeer enclosure. There is no plumbing or electricity. The heating and lighting is by open fire, wood stoves and oil lamps. It is primitive, but accordingly authentic and genuine, with a special atmosphere. It is never impersonal, as there are only guided tours with a limited number of guests and taying in the camp is an Arctic experience in itself.
mountain weather. The dry climate generates many cloud-free night skies in winter as well as during summer. The camp’s location away from the bright artificial lights and inhabited areas makes it perfect for your own Arctic experience - especially also for taking photos of the Northern Lights. Camp Tamok is of course the destination for a guided Northern Lights visit. You can also choose to spend the night at the wilderness camp. Northern Lights Conditions The camp is situated 280 m above Camp Tamok is located in an area with optimal conditions for seeing the North- sea level, with stable snow conditions. You can often go dog sledding in the ern Lights. Although Camp Tamok is period October-May. Down at sea level located only a 75-minute drive from there will often be no snow at all at the downtown Tromsø, it is in a different and drier climate zone, with clear inland same time. 31 In winter time the camp is the starting and ending point for excursions by dog sled, snowmobile and reindeer sled. The trails start from the camp and lead into wilderness areas with no signs of human activity. The camp’s big Sami tent and main cabin are where the hot meals are served after sledding, ski school, snowshoeing and other winter excursions.
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Photo: www.sweetfilms.no
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