7 DAYS

The Finnmark
Bucket List

The ultimate journey for travellers who want it all. This immersive adventure brings together the most iconic and unforgettable experiences of Arctic Finnmark, from dancing Northern Lights, close encounters with whales and king crab to authentic Sámi culture, reindeer, dramatic coastlines and hidden gems far beyond the ordinary.

Scroll down to see what great memories you will be making day by day.

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Planned Together, Guided by Nature.

No journey in Finnmark is ever exactly the same. Weather, light and local conditions help shape each day, and together we create a plan that takes care of both your wishes and your safety throughout the expedition. The program below should therefore be seen as an example of what your stay can include, not a fixed schedule.

the town of vardo in finnmark county, norway. vardo is the easternmost town in norway.

DAY 1

Into the Arctic by Sea

Arrival in Kirkenes and transfer to the harbour, where the famous Hurtigruten is waiting for us. From here, we begin a calm and scenic voyage around the eastern tip of Finnmark, passing the East Cape along the way. After approximately four hours, we arrive in Vardø — a historic island town located as far east as Istanbul, and a place where life has always been shaped by the sea. A warm dinner awaits at our accommodation, right in the heart of town.

Day 2

King Crab and the Barents Sea

After breakfast, freshly prepared and served by the owner, your private boat is waiting at the quay. This beautiful 70-foot wooden vessel, once used for fishing and Arctic hunting in the 1950s, takes us out onto the Barents Sea to haul in king crab pots. King crab is one of the region’s great delicacies and can only be experienced like this in Eastern Finnmark. Light refreshments are served on board, and back at the harbour we prepare and enjoy the catch in the traditional way.

Day 3

Whales, Wildlife and Ocean Horizons

Today we head back out to sea, this time in one of our smaller boats for an even closer encounter with the world-famous Barents Sea, renowned for its rich marine life. We keep watch for whales and seals, and of course there will be fishing rods on board as well. On the way back, we pass the world famous towering bird cliffs alive with an extraordinary number of seabirds — a truly memorable sight.

Day 4

From Vardø to Sámi Land

After breakfast in Vardø, we leave the island through the undersea tunnel and continue onto the mainland, where a spectacular geological landscape awaits. With years of local knowledge, your guide knows exactly where to take you for the finest views and most remarkable places. We continue into Sámi land, with a stop at a Sámi museum before visiting a Sámi family who will introduce us to their reindeer and share insights into their culture and traditions.

A light meal is served along the way. In the evening, we arrive in Tana at our next destination — a beautifully restored former Sea Sámi boarding school, the last of its kind. This unique place will be our base camp for the days ahead and will also serve as a kind of school, where learning and experience go hand in hand. In the evening, we are welcomed with a warm serving of bidos, a traditional Sámi reindeer stew.

tanafjord or tanafjorden (northern sami: deanuvuotna) is a fjord in finnmark, norway.

Day 5

Dogsledding Across the Arctic Silence

We begin the day by enjoying the peaceful morning atmosphere by the fjord, just outside the school, before exploring the surrounding area on snowshoes. Later, we prepare for a mountain adventure by dog sled. Our local musher is one of the region’s most experienced and keeps a large kennel of enthusiastic dogs. Before setting off, you will receive an introduction — another part of the school experience — on how to drive your own sled, while others ride as passengers and can switch along the way. The journey lasts two to three hours and includes a stop by a mountain lake and a traditional Sami hut. The views across the mountains, and all the way out towards the open sea, are unforgettable. Back at base camp, a warm dinner awaits. Later in the evening, there is time to relax in the sauna and, if conditions are right, experience the Northern Lights dancing overhead.

Day 6

Snowmobile Adventure on the Finnmark Plateau

Today is dedicated to a snowmobile adventure. Warm clothing is essential, but there is no need to worry — helmets, gloves and boots are available to borrow. After an introduction to driving your own snowmobile, with passengers taking turns along the route, we set off from the village through forest and fjord landscapes and climb steadily towards the high mountains and the vast Finnmark plateau, home of the reindeer. Here, the horizon seems endless. We bring firewood and water so we can stop to light a fire, prepare food and enjoy a good soup in the open Arctic landscape. Along the way we cross frozen lakes, pass abandoned settlements and have plenty of opportunities for photography.

Day 7

Farewell to the Arctic

After breakfast, we begin the final part of our journey in our comfortable 9-seat minibus, travelling back to Kirkenes Airport for departure.

ACCOMMODATION

Stay close to the people, landscapes and atmosphere of Finnmark

During your journey, you will stay in two distinctive places that are part of the experience itself. In Vardø, you stay close to the coastal people, fishing culture and raw beauty of the Barents Sea. In Tana, you stay inland on the tundra, close to Sámi culture, wide-open landscapes and the quiet rhythms of Finnmark. Both places offer a personal, authentic and welcoming stay, where the surroundings, the stories and the sense of place become a natural part of the journey.

Your guide

Led by Morten Gåsvand, our guides combine local insight, personal hosting and years of experience in Finnmark’s wild landscapes. As a nature photographer, Morten brings a special sense for light, scenery and atmosphere, guiding guests to places that are both breathtaking and deeply authentic.

Morten Gåsvand

Host, nature photographer and guide

Before you travel?

Please make sure to bring:

Suitable clothing

Clothing suitable for outdoor adventures. Windproof outerwear is recommended.

Photography

For wildlife photography, a lens with a focal length of 400 mm or more is recommended. For landscapes, a wide-angle lens is the best choice.

Group size

This tour operates with a minimum of 4 participants. If the minimum number is not reached, the tour will be cancelled and a full refund will be issued.

Weather and conditions

Temperatures are usually above 0°C and may range between 10 and 15°C. Please note that the itinerary, accommodation, and planned experiences may be adjusted due to weather or road conditions.