Hike, Kayak and Chase the Aurora in Lofoten
A winter odyssey through Norway's relentlessly stunning archipelago in the Arctic Ocean
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesBeach House & Wild camping
4 nights in a cosy beach house, 1 night wild campingMeals
All of your breakfasts, lunches and dinnersTransfers
Airport transfers and everything in betweenEquipment
All your camping and kayaking gear, plus snowshoes for the hikesSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Embark on some unreal kayaking – in calm, icy waters at sunrise and in the dark of night on the ultimate aurora hunt
Wrap up for the sleepout of a lifetime, camping by a crackling fire on Kvavlika, one of Lofoten's most iconic beaches
Clip on snowshoes and crunch your way to epic viewpoints at Justadtinden and Ryten, warming up with saunas and cinnamon rolls
Key Information
Day 1
First glimpses of Lofoten
Northern Lights Watching
Touch down in the heart of the snow-covered Arctic and meet your host at the airport. Settle in for your first glimpses of the Lofoten Islands in winter as you're transferred to your base for the trip – a beach house in the fishing village of Eggum. Tuck into a welcome dinner with your fellow adventurers and chat through the week ahead with your guide. If the aurora is coming out to play tonight, you'll waste no time, heading out this evening to watch it from the beach.
Day 2
Hikes, saunas and midnight aurora kayaking
Hiking
Kayaking
Northern Lights Watching
Clip on a pair of snowshoes to hike to the summit of Justadtinden, one of Lofoten's most revered lookout points. The hike is long but relatively steady going as you gradually tackle the elevation to the summit at 738m, and the reward is 360-degree vistas over Vestvågøy Island. Head on to the famous surfer's beach of Unstad for a traditional Nordic sauna, hot tub and a taste of the best cinnamon rolls in the whole of Lofoten. After dinner, if the conditions are good, you'll gear up and paddle out on kayaks for a magical experience watching the aurora dance above you while floating out in the Arctic Ocean.
Day 3
Out on the water
Kayaking
Enjoy a lie-in after your late-night aurora kayaking antics, then tuck into breakfast at the beach house before getting back out on the water to take in the views whilst kayaking in daylight this time. You'll be paddling around the natural reserve of Eggum, weaving between small islands in the shallow and calm waters. The area is a wildlife haven, so keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, seals, eagles, otters and even moose. After a packed lunch on dry land, you'll hit the water again on a fishing boat, cruising deeper into the archipelago and attempting to catch some cod for tonight's dinner back at the beach house.
Day 4
Sunrise kayaking and an Arctic sleep-out
Kayaking
Hiking
Northern Lights Watching
No lie-in today as you set alarms for a dawn rise – it'll be worth it as you head out to experience the Arctic sunrise from the water. You'll set off from Valberg on the opposite side of Vestvågøy Island, paddling away from this pocket of civilisation to take in the silence and solitude – the scenery here is truly spectacular. After a few hours exploring this stretch of coastline, you'll hit dry land, grab lunch back in Eggum and enjoy some well-earned downtime. Late afternoon, you'll hop back in the van for a road trip south to Moskenesøya Island. Head out on an evening hike to reach Kvalvika Beach – a remote bay only accessible by foot. Settle in for a truly memorable night as you camp out on a beach in the Arctic winter, sharing stories around the campfire while the northern lights dance overhead.
*Please note that the campout is dependent on weather conditions. It may change to a different night of the trip depending on the forecast, or may be cancelled if the conditions are not favourable for a campout during the trip.
Day 5
Famous Lofoten sights without the summer crowds
Hiking
Waking up after the most unique sleep of your life, your host will warm you up with a hot breakfast and tea on the beach while camp is packed down. Clip the snowshoes back on and hike up to Ryten, one of Lofoten's most iconic viewpoints, looking back down on Kvavlika Beach where you just spent the night. Later, you'll road trip back to Eggum via Reine, a village of iconic fishing huts, before returning to the warmth of the beach house for dinner and a night back in your bed after your wild camping adventure.
Day 6
Last glimpses of Lofoten
Time to leave Lofoten with a sackful of happy memories as your host transfers you to Leknes Airport in time for your flight home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Leknes Airport
Between 11:00 - 18:00 on Day 1
Ends
Leknes Airport
Between 07:00 - 12:00 on Day 6
Transfers
Arrival transfers from Leknes Airport to the beach house in Eggum are included between the hours of 11:00 and 18:00 on Day 1 only. Similarly, departure transfers are included between the hours of 07:00 and 12:00 on Day 6 only. You'll just need to let your host know your flight arrival and departure times.
If you plan to extend your stay, it's advisable to stay in Leknes so that you can join the group transfers as your host is unable to provide private transfers on alternative days.
If you are looking to save some money, flights into Evenes (EVE) are lower in price than Leknes. If you fly into Evenes you can take a 4hr bus journey to reach Leknes. Head to the Nordland website for the timetable; there are two buses per day that depart from Evenes Airport – at 11:05 and 17:05. You can catch the bus all the way from Evenes Airport and get off at the stop Bøstad skole (Vestvågøy). Your host will pick you up from there. A one-way ticket will cost you 450NOK (£36/€40/$44).
Travel options
Leknes Airport is accessible by various flights from the UK, Europe and North America via Oslo or Bergen. Some routes may also touch down in Bodø (in between Oslo or Bergen) on their way to Leknes. It looks long-winded on paper, but the transits are short and the scenery is stunning as you reach the far north of Norway. Travel time from London to Leknes can be as short as 6hr 20mins, including both transits. If you overnight in Oslo or Bergen rather than connect on the same day, you can take the direct flight in the morning to Leknes, avoiding the short touchdown in Bodø.
Flights to Evenes (EVE) involve just one stop in Oslo en route from various major hubs in the UK, Europe and North America.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Breakfasts will consist of muesli, porridge, crispbread, some cheese and ham, tea and coffee. For packed lunches, you'll make sandwiches from various ingredients. Snack items include biscuits, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, fruits and energy bars. Evening meals will be some local specialities, such as Lofoten lamb and fresh fish – including some Arctic cod, which you'll hopefully have caught on the fishing boat on Day 3. You'll also be treated to Lofoten's best cinnamon rolls at a sauna and surf shack in Unstad.
Vegetarians and pescatarians can be catered for however, owing to the remoteness of the places visited and the limited facilities, your host is unable to cater for vegan, gluten free / coeliac, or lactose free diets. Similarly, if you have an allergy please contact us before booking so that we can check if your host can cater for it. Please note any dietary requirements or allergies on your passenger information form.
What is the accommodation like?
Beach house in Eggum
Your base for the trip is a private guesthouse on the beach in the quaint fishing village of Eggum, on the north coast of Vestvågøy Island. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with a shared bathroom and kitchen. Double rooms are available if requested.
Wild camping
You'll spend one night wild camping on the beach at Kvalvika – a stunning isolated bay, accessible only by foot on the northern side of Moskenesoy Island. You'll stay in twin-share tents with insulated sleeping mats and 5-season sleeping bags able to maintain comfort temperatures down to -15°C / 5°F, plus extra hand and foot warmers supplied by your host. There'll be a bonfire and hot drinks to keep you warm before bedding down. Everyone will muck in alongside the guide to help set up and take down camp.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Challenging
You do not need any previous kayaking experience, full guidance will be provided at the beginning of the trip and while on the water. Cold water kayaking can seem daunting, but your host will be constantly monitoring the conditions so that you'll be paddling in calm waters. You'll also be wearing a dry suit provided by your host during each kayaking outing. You will be in a tandem kayak by default.
The hikes are fairly strenuous with a decent chunk of elevation gain to tackle while crunching through the snow to reach the summits at Justadtinden and Ryten. While anyone with average fitness levels can manage the activities on this trip, the cold can add an extra layer of difficulty to this trip – so bring a head for adventure and love of being out in cold, wild places at a magical time of year (and with far fewer people than in summer).
What will I need to carry?
During the activities, you'll only need to carry a personal day rucksack with your essential items. Your daypack will also double-up as an overnight bag for the night camping on the beach at Kvavlika. Your main luggage will be left at the beach house in Eggum.
In February, average daytime temperatures in the Lofoten Islands will range from -3°C to 1°C (26°F to 34°F) whilst night times can range from 2°C to -10°C. You can expect snowfall and a landscape covered in snow during this time and the days are still relatively short, with around 6 to 8 hours of daylight. March marks the transition from winter to early spring in the islands. The temperatures gradually start to rise from -2°C to 2°C (28°F to 36°F). Daylight hours increase, with around 10 to 12 hours of daylight by the end of March. The sea temperature during these months is around 2-3°C (36°F-38°F).
Amazing trip. Fantastic guides, magical
Amazing trip. Fantastic guides, magical landscapes, lovely accommodation and lucky to be a fantastic bunch of people.
Soul reset in Lofoten
Straight up - fantastic. Our lovely team from Northern Explorer - Carlos, Nacho and Krisztina were attentive, kind, very funny, adaptable to all weather keeping us warm, entertained and VERY well fed! I can say it was a wonderful week that was very needed. A soul reset in wonderful Norway. Lofoten is stunning at every angle. So glad I came on this trip and had the chance to meet wonderful new friends. Can I move to Lofoten please? Great job MBA 5 stars ❤️🇳🇴
Amazing trip, well organised, met
Amazing trip, well organised, met a great group of people and had two brilliant guides for the snowshoeing and kayaking. The Northern Lights were incredible 🌟
Bucket List Trip
I don't even know where to begin, everything about this trip was incredible. The local guides were incredibly welcoming from the start. Nacho and Carlos did an amazing job working around the weather, while making sure we got to experience the area to the fullest. Not only did we do iconic hikes in the area, we capped off the trip getting the see the Northern Lights on a night hike. The Lofoten Islands are an incredible sight all on their own, being surrounded by beautiful white capped mountains was surreal.
This was my first MBA adventure and I couldn't have asked for a better group to experience it with. I genuinely left the trip with 7 new friends. I'm already looking forward to booking my next MBA trip!!
Epic Norway Lights!
An epic adventure through the snowy mountains of Norway. Everything exceed expectations. Carlos and Nacho our guides were wonderful, down to earth and knowledgeable. Weather played a huge part and can vary by the hour so pack for warmth, rain, snow, hail and some sun! We saw golden eagles and on our last day we were treated with the northern lights!
Excellent!
A brilliant trip showcasing everything winter in Lofoten has to offer. Weather was very changeable so good warm kit is a must with proper cold weather walking boots (not gore-tex trainers!). The home cooked dinners were delicious and the accomodation was super cosy with beautiful views. Plans flexed based on weather which kept things interesting. Aurora on the final night was cherry on top of the arctic cake!
Excellent all round
Another amazing MB trip!
Had a great time in the Lofoten, everything was organised perfectly - the guides are super experienced but also super chilled which made the whole experience really enjoyable. Food was absolutely delicious and they’ve managed to accommodate various dietary requirements. Accommodation was also great, really cozy and comfortable house on the beach. The only thing to be aware of is that this trip a HEAVILY weather dependent- we had a massive snow storm for a couple of days so we had to shorten our activities. However we really appreciated the guides having multiple back up plans to ensure we still did some stuff while waiting for better weather. Overall I’d highly recommend this trip to anyone who loves the outdoors, cold wintery weather and mountains.
Itinerary Activities
- Aurora hunting from the beach near Eggum
- Snowshoe hike to the summit of Justadtinden (738m)
- Nordic sauna and hot tub experience at Unstad
- Night kayaking in the Arctic Ocean to watch the aurora
- Guided kayaking around the Natural Reserve of Eggum
- Wildlife spotting
- Head out on a fishing boat to catch some fish for dinner
- Sunrise kayaking from Valberg
- Guided hike to Kvalvika Beach
- Snowshoe hike to Ryten, one of Lofoten's most iconic viewpoints
Guides
- Expert, local, English-speaking guides
Accommodation
- 4 nights in a cosy beach house
- 1 night wild camping on the stunning Kvalvika beach
Meals
All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:
- 5 continental breakfasts
- 4 packed lunches
- 5 dinners with Lofoten specialities
Transfers
- Group arrival transfer from Leknes Airport on Day 1
- Group departure transfer to Leknes Airport on Day 6
- All transfers during the trip
Equipment
- All camping equipment
- All kayaking gear
- Snowshoes for the hikes
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and your host will help with advice on how much to tip your guides should you wish to do so.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
FOR THE KAYAKING
- Tandem sea kayaks
- Dry suit
- Gloves
- Life jacket
- Paddle
- Dry bags
FOR THE WINTER CAMPOUT
- Twin-share expedition tent
- Inflatable sleeping mat
- Sleeping bag (able to withstand temperatures down to -15°C/5°F)
- Hand and foot warmers (to go inside your shoes and gloves for extra warmth)
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Main luggage (any type of bag is okay but ideally not too large)
Daypack (25-30 litres, big enough to carry water, lunch and spare layers)
CLOTHES
Thermal baselayers – two sets (ideally wool)
Wool or fleece thermal mid-layer
Waterproof winter hiking trousers or ski salopettes for snowshoeing (breathable)
Waterproof winter hiking boots, ideally Gore-Tex to keep your feet dry
Waterproof jacket (such as Gore-Tex, to wear over your down jacket)
Down or synthetic jacket
T-shirts (ideally wool)
Neck scarf/snood or balaclava
Wool or fleece hat
Warm gloves or mittens (waterproof such as ski gloves), plus some warm gloves for around town in the evenings
Thick wool or synthetic socks – 4 to 5 pairs
Light shoes to wear at the beach house
Sandals/flip-flops for hot tub and sauna
Swimwear for the sauna and hot tub
Comfortable warm clothes for evenings at the beach house
Pyjamas
OTHER
Reusable water bottle (x1 litre)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen and lip balm
Quick-dry towel
Tripod (recommended to stabilise your phone/camera for capturing the aurora)
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Earplugs
Personal first-aid kit
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
Alcohol hand-gel
Biodegradable wet-wipes
Energy bars and snacks
No optional extras are available for this trip.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 113kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and your host will help with advice on how much to tip your guides should you wish to do so.
Tap water in the Lofoten Islands is safe to drink - you can fill up your bottles at the beach house before heading out on the various hikes and kayaks throughout the trip.
This is a centre-based trip, so other than your night camping on the beach at Kvavlika you'll be based at your beach house in Eggum and can leave all your luggage there throughout the trip.
Tandem sea kayaks are used on this trip. They have a covered deck and are generally longer, faster and sit lower in the water than touring or sit-on-top kayaks. There's a spray sheet which you'll lock in yourself (full guidance will be provided by your expert kayak guides). You'll also learn how to steer using foot pedals to control the rudder. As these are double kayaks, you will be paddling in pairs.
This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely cold and consistently below freezing (0C/32F) during the times of year when this trip operates. Temperatures at night will likely be even colder. Personal care should be taken to keep warm as best possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration and nutrition. Very cold temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at warmer temperatures. In severe cold conditions people may experience symptoms associated with Exposure, Frostbite and Hypothermia. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with cold temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Tuesday 4th February 2025
to Sunday 9th February 2025
Fully Booked
Tuesday 11th February 2025
to Sunday 16th February 2025
Fully Booked
Tuesday 18th February 2025
to Sunday 23rd February 2025
Hurry, only 1 space left
Tuesday 25th February 2025
to Sunday 2nd March 2025
Fully Booked
