Forest Finns and The Arctic
Dive into nature, wildlife, myths and mysticism on a journey combining the Finnskogen Forest and indigenous culture with Svalbard.
Duration
9 days
Season
Arctic winter: October - May (Snowmobile expeditions Feb-May)
Best suited for
For adventurers who believe the cold and the dark hold their own kind of light
Slow down, reconnect with nature, and be inspired by Norway’s invigorating mix of culture, history and raw wilderness.
This itinerary is designed to cover three very different yet vital parts of Norway. It begins with deep forest stillness, getting to know the heritage of the Forest Finns, one of Norway’s five recognized national minorities. After a few days, you will move on to the Arctic vastness of Svalbard, an island of eternal ice. Your adventure wraps up with two nights in Oslo, where the capital’s history meets urban flair. Norway is full of contrasts, and this is a true Norwegian trilogy.
Impact Statement
The Forest Finns, one of Norway’s recognized national minorities, built their traditions around deep respect for nature and an ability to thrive in harsh environments. Today, their heritage offers insight into how humans can live in balance with the land. Yet climate change is reshaping the very ecosystems that sustained them, with shifting seasons and invasive tree growth altering traditional practices. By connecting indigenous wisdom to current environmental challenges, we support conversations around UN’s SDG 13.2 – integrating climate action into national strategies – and invite travellers to reflect on how resilience and sustainability go hand in hand.
Your itinerary
Itineraries are designed by our travel curators to give you the most rewarding experience possible. Itineraries can be tailored to your specific wishes when you make an inquiry. If you want to experience Svalbard in Summer, see Far Out in Svalbard.
Day 1-3
Welcome Up: Drive to Finnskogen
Forest Retreat in Finnskogen
Arrive in Oslo and pick up your rental car. Drive through rural landscapes towards the mystical Finnskogen. On the way, stop off at the indigenous Norwegian Forest Finn Museum for an introduction to this fascinating culture of resilience and mysticism.
Spend two nights at Finnskogtoppen, a wellness hotel favoured by Norwegians for decades, or the award-winning PAN luxury treetop cabins. In both locations, you may immerse yourself in forest bathing, either guided or on your own, and take full advantage of the available wellness facilities. A local storyteller will introduce you to the Forest Finn culture; tales deeply rooted in harmony with nature.
Finnskogen is a great place for slow adventures like walking, snowshoeing, canoeing or yoga. We’ll help you choose where to stay and what to do, based on your interests and preferences. Enjoy calm days close to nature, with fresh air, hearty meals, and deeply restful nights.
Day 3-7
Fly to Svalbard
Svalbard: The Arctic Frontier
Return your rental car at Oslo Airport and board your flight to Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town. We recommend a minimum stay of four nights, not only because of the long journey and Svalbard’s remote and vulnerable location, but also to ensure you have time to fully immerse yourself in everything this extraordinary destination has to offer during the Arctic winter. Read wildlife photographer Audum Lie Dahl’s testimony to catching the Arctic bug.
Over the next four nights, you’ll experience why Svalbard is a true explorer’s destination. We will help you explore at your desired challenge level. You may prefer to keep Longyearbyen as your base and take day excursions from there, or include a two-night mini expedition to Isfjord Radio (open for Winter expeditions from 15 February until 03 May).
Alternative 1: Explore from Longyearbyen
In Longyearbyen, we’ll make sure you are properly introduced to its history and its modern day community. The Svalbard Museum and North Pole Expedition Museum tell the story of exploration, survival, and discovery. Did you know that Svalbard is home to the Global Seed Vault, a collection of the world's diverse crops acting as a backup for the world's food supply?
Your days here blend adventure and Arctic wonder:
- Glide through white silence on a dog sledding trip.
- Delve in a snowcat beneath the glacier into an ice cave.
- Ride across frozen fjords on a snowmobile safari, rewarded with dinner at the legendary Funktionærmessen.
- Savour meals at Longyearbyen’s iconic dining spots, from Gruvelageret to Huset.
- Atmospheric dining and a Northern Lights experience at Camp Barentz.
Alternative 2: Longyearbyen + Isfjord Radio
Alternatively, for an even more exclusive adventure, swap nights 2 and 3 in Longyearbyen with a two-night snowmobile expedition to Isfjord Radio, a remote outpost surrounded by raw wilderness.Today, this former radio station, is one of Norway’s most isolated hideaways, almost completely free from light pollution. It is reachable only by snowmobile in winter and by boat in summer. Isfjord Radio is a unique and unforgettable taste of the Arctic frontier, and a perfect spot for experiencing the northern lights if the skies are clear.
Seasons in Svalbard
One of the biggest differences between Svalbard and the rest of Norway is the seasons, and how dramatically they shift. We say that Svalbard has three main seasons: bright, active winters; vibrant, midnight-sun summers; and hushed, aurora-lit winters. This unfamiliar seasonal cycle defines Svalbard’s soul. This trip is designed for wintertime, when Svalbard is unlike anywhere else. That means you will either visit during the Sunny Winter or the Northern Light Winter:
Sunny Winter (March-May) The period when the sun finally comes back over the horizon, and days get longer, is called the Sunny Winter. The light is beautiful in pastel colours and vast, snowy landscapes, before the sun ceases to set fully from the end of April. This season is ideal for winter activities like driving snowmobiles and dogsledding.
Polar Summer (May-September) During Svalbard’s polar summer, the sun never fully sets. The land is bright even at midnight, with 24 hours of daylight. Life pulses everywhere, and Svalbard’s summer is perfect for hiking, observing wildlife and going on guided boat trips. Summer gives access to glaciers in the area. This season ends with a brief golden autumn in August-September.
Northern Light Winter (October-February)
By contrast, in the polar night of winter, daylight vanishes almost entirely. During this season, the sun does not rise above the horizon, a phenomenon called ‘mørketid’ in Norwegian (dark time). The darkness gives way to a world of muted light, and starry skies illuminated by the Northern Lights, which is why this season is called the Northern Light Winter.The long period of darkness sets the perfect scene for observing the Northern lights and a spectacular starry sky. Despite not showing its face, the hidden sun projects a beautiful blue twilight over Svalbard’s impressive mountains, with pink and purple nuances. This season has less pressure from tourists, which invites calmness and peace, and a soulful atmosphere. Enjoy the balance of exploring the polar night and finding ‘kos’ (cosiness) indoors.
Day 7-9
Explore Oslo
Oslo: City of Culture & Style
After your Arctic adventure, return to Oslo for two nights at Sommerro House, centrally located close to the Vigeland Park. This is one of Norway’s finest hotels, completely refurbished a few years ago, in classic art deco style, matching the building's original history. Sommerro House provides well-equipped wellness facilities.
Stroll through historic neighbourhoods, explore world-class museums like the National Museum, the Astrup Fearnley Museum and MUNCH, and enjoy a thriving culinary scene. As Oslo is a capital located close to nature, you may even make like the locals and explore winter activities like cross-country skiing or the popular toboggan run from Frognerseteren. Whether you seek outdoor activities, fine dining, contemporary art, or relaxed evenings, Oslo can provide the perfect finale to your journey.
Personalize and book the Forest Finns and The Arctic journey
Personalized itinerary
This journey has been curated to take you on an epic rail journey through tranquil landscapes peppered with majestic mountains, fjords and waterfalls. It can be booked as proposed or further personalized to you.
Worry-free booking
With our flexible terms, we hope to provide you with all the certainty and adaptibility you need when booking a well-deseved escape.
Pricing
The indicated price per person is based on X travellers travelling together. Read more about our pricing here.
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Malin Trønnes
Travel Curator
