SKALAND WHALE WATCH FIELD GUIDE
New Year Expedition on Senja: Whale safaris, dogsleds and northern‑lights nights from Skaland
A five‑day, all‑inclusive winter program from Tromsø to Senja that pairs whale watching, dogsledding and fjord cruising with northern‑lights hunts and local lodging—this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
New Year Expedition on Senja: Whale safaris, dogsleds and northern‑lights nights from Skaland.
Set against the raw coastlines of Senja and the feeding fjords north of Tromsø, this five‑day, four‑night expedition blends whale safaris, dogsledding and guided northern‑lights hunts with drives along the Scenic Route Senja and cozy lodge accommodation with homemade North Norwegian food.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Whale safari to Skjervøy
The trip opens with a full‑day whale safari from Tromsø to the fjords around Skjervøy, where humpback whales and orcas have been arriving in recent seasons to feed on herring; the vessel includes a warm cabin and café and returns to Tromsø by late afternoon.
Scenic Route Senja and fjord cruising
The itinerary includes a drive and viewpoint stops along the dramatic Scenic Route Senja and an open‑Zodiac fjord cruise in Bergsfjorden to search for white‑tailed eagles and seals, with historical interpretation from the guides.
Dogsledding and northern‑lights evenings
On Senja you’ll visit a local dog farm for a roughly three‑hour sledding excursion, don warm suits provided by the operator, and spend two evenings hunting the northern lights from carefully chosen viewpoints.
What the day feels like
What the five days feel like
The expedition moves from an early whale safari out of Tromsø to an evening transfer to Basecamp Senja in Skaland, then settles into a rhythm of two guided activities per day—morning and evening—paired with homemade meals, lodge accommodation and a series of short lectures. Across the stay guests can expect wildlife encounters, coastal vistas on the Scenic Route Senja and focused searches for the northern lights.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this expedition suits—and who it doesn’t—based on group size and required commitment.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Warm clothes are required for outings in cold conditions; the operator supplies specialized suits for the fjord cruise and a warm suit for dogsledding.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the expedition?
The program runs five days and four nights.
What is included in the price?
Included are 4 nights’ accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners and dessert; whale watching (Tromsø), two northern‑lights safaris, a fjord cruise in Bergsfjorden, Scenic Route Senja visit, dogsledding, 2–3 lectures, coffee/tea during the stay, and transport between Tromsø and Senja and from Senja to Finnsnes port.
What is not included?
Not included are the lunch during the whale safari and the Hurtigruten Finnsnes–Tromsø ticket.
Where and when do we meet in Tromsø?
After the whale safari the taxi to Skaland departs Tromsø at 18:00; the meeting point in Tromsø is at The Edge Hotel—look for a maxi taxi marked 'BASECAMP SENJA' in the front window. Guests should be ready 30 minutes before departure times.
How many people are in a group and what is the difficulty?
Group sizes are small—the operator accepts between 2 and 10 participants—and the expedition level is rated easy.
Can the schedule change?
Yes. Activities and the order of days may be changed by the operator due to weather and wind conditions.