Our latest tours in Norway
Discover the Lofoten Islands through a lens
Lofoten Winter Landscapes & Northern Lights
7 - 14 Mar 2024 | 14 - 21 Mar 2024 | 21 - 28 Mar 2024
8 days / 7 nights
Maximum 6 guests
GBP 3699, Euro 4299, USD 4799, CAD 6349, AUD 6999
Lofoten Autumn Landscapes & Northern Lights
5 - 12 Sep 2024 | 12 - 19 Sep 2024 | 19 - 26 Sep 2024
8 days / 7 nights
Maximum 6 guests
GBP 3699, Euro 4299, USD 4799, CAD 6349, AUD 6999
Join Beyond the Lens Tours on a small group luxury tour of the beautiful Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway. A photographer’s dream destination. It is breathtakingly beautiful with its winter landscapes, deep blue fjords with jagged snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear reflections almost around every corner, to the arctic beaches with their stunning turquoise waters. From quaint fishing villages with their red Rorbuers (fishing huts) to the many distinctive drying racks for Lofoten’s famous stockfish that dot the landscape. Lofoten is an amazing kaleidoscope of colour, all year round. After sunset the chance of an aurora lighting up the night skies is possible with March and September both having the highest chances to see this enchanting colour palette of green, pink and violet ribbons as they dance their way across the night skies. This is a bucket list trip of a lifetime and you don’t want to miss out on this fantastic opportunity.
What to expect on one of our tours
March 2024: Lofoten Winter Landscapes & Northern Lights
Tour Overview:
You will explore the breathtakingly beautiful Lofoten Islands from Svolvaer to Reine. The Lofoten archipelago has long been an inspiration for photographers for its natural beauty, unique lighting conditions and Idyllic fishing villages with their rustic fishermen huts. The long, dark winters make it an excellent location for viewing the Northern Lights with clear dark skies for optimal viewing.
Based at three different locations in Lofoten – Svolvaer, Nusfjord and Reine this allows maximum daily photographic opportunities and minimises our travelling time each day.
SVOLVAER: the scenic heart of Lofoten, a vibrant fishing village. This picturesque harbour town is home to small art galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants and is surrounded by the most famous symbol of Lofoten and Svolvaer, Svolvaergeita, the mountain with two characteristic horns known locally as the Svolvaer Goat.
NUSFJORD: Lofoten’s hidden gem is a secluded, charming and tranquil fishing village. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved fishing villages in Norway. Nusfjord enjoys a relaxed atmosphere and vibe. The harbour is free from modern buildings keeping the authentic feel of an old fishing village alive. Many of the old buildings from the fishing industry have been renovated and Nusfjord has quickly become a favourite amongst photographers looking for a glimpse into the old Lofoten way of life. If the skies are clear and dark from September to March, it is an ideal location to explore and search for the amazing Northern Lights.
REINE/HAMNOY/A: Situated at the Western end of Lofoten is Reine, which is surrounded by peaks of granite jutting out of the Reinefjorden. It is a quaint picturesque fishing village with red and white fisherman’s huts known as Rorbuers dotting the shoreline. Its closest neighbour, Hamnoy, is one of the oldest and smallest picturesque fishing villages and unbelievably beautiful, perhaps the most photographed village in all of Lofoten. The single letter village of A pronounced “Aww” is at the Southernmost point of Lofoten, the end of the archipelago, which is accessible by car.
Tour Includes:
- Small Group Luxury Travel Photo Tour
- No Single Supplements
- Quality Accommodation with private facilities in traditional restored fishing cottages known as Rorbuers or equivalent
- Breakfast and Dinners at local restaurants – enjoy traditional meals with local flavours
- Transfers to/from Svolvaer Airport to/from Accommodation main flight arrival/departure only
- Transport in 16-seater minibus with experienced local driver and tour guide
- 2-hour private photography Sea Eagle Safari to Trollfjorden
- 3.5 to 6 hours private Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) Photography tour with a local professional photographer from our Svolvaer base
- 8 hours private Photography day-tour with a local professional photographer from our Nusfjord base
- 4 hours private Northern Lights and Workshop Photography tour with a local professional photographer from our Reine base
Itinerary:
Day One – Arrive Svolvaer
On arrival at Svolvaer airport, a transfer can be provided for those on the mid-afternoon flight from Oslo to their accommodation. For other arrival times a short 5 to 10-minute taxi ride to accommodation from either the airport or Hurtigruten ferry terminal at own expense.
Rest of day at leisure.
Dinner: A welcome to Lofoten Dinner to connect with your fellow travellers. An opportunity may arise to see the Northern Lights from our accommodation this evening.
Day Two – Svolvaer
This morning we embark on a private 2-hour Sea Eagle Safari by RIB boat to Trollfjord. This is a must see and do activity in Lofoten and could be a highlight of your trip.
In the afternoon we explore the region around Svolvaer with many photographic opportunities.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
This evening we venture out with our private professional local photographer to hunt for the Northern Lights. Be prepared for a fascinating night of aurora hunting led by our local guide taking us to their favourite locations (weather dependant and the strength of the aurora). Technical support for photographing the Northern Lights will be provided along with hot drinks to keep you warm. Perhaps a lasting memory of a special aurora night will be a portrait taken of yourself under the brilliant Northern Lights.
Day Three – Drive to Nusfjord
After breakfast drive towards Nusfjord for a 2-night stay. Along the way experience Henningsvaer a beautiful picturesque fishing village just waiting to be explored. You can have free time to stroll around the harbour, visit art galleries and photograph the many wonderful views that make up the small islands off the Southern coast of Austvagoya.
After lunch, continue exploring Gimsoya and Vestvagoy island with many landscape photo opportunities, local fishing villages, intricate artwork sculptures and more as we follow the national scenic route to Nusfjord.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
Evening at leisure. An opportunity to see the Northern Lights from our accommodation. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sauna or an outdoor arctic spa in a wood-fired hot tub whilst the Northern Lights are dancing all around you.
Day Four – Nusfjord
Today, our journey can take us in any direction as we are centrally located. We are joined by our private professional local photographer who will spend the day with us exploring this region from local fishing villages and wonderful beaches. Our photographer guide will help find the prime locations and take full advantage of the available lighting conditions to ensure we have a photographic day to remember.
Options may include but not limited to:
- Fishing villages of Ballstad and Stamsund and the beaches of Vik – a scenic, curving stretch of beach which is beautiful to photograph after fresh snow
- Haukland - known for its crystal-clear water, white sand, it is an arctic paradise and one of Lofoten’s most famous beaches
- Uttakleiv – a mixture of a rocky shoreline, a sandy mid-section and views towards the mountains over Steinsfjord with a sweeping ocean makes this beach a popular choice for keen photographers
- Unstad – an Arctic surf beach is as unique as it sounds and popular with the surfing community. From a photographer’s viewpoint it is best shot from the right side looking out across to the mountain peaks rising from the left.
If time permits, we will endeavour to shoot as the sun sets on another stunning day in Lofoten.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
Evening at leisure. An opportunity to see the Northern Lights from our accommodation. Alternatively, after an incredible day of photography you may choose a relaxing sauna or the outdoor arctic spa in a wood-fired hot tub whilst the Northern Lights are dancing above.
Day Five – Drive to Reine/Hamnoy
After breakfast an opportunity to explore the historical centre of the Nusfjord fishing village to get a true sense of this Norwegian gem. We then pass the spectacular mountains of Flakstad, breathe in the salty air of the Northern beaches of Flakstadoy and once again share the many opportunities to photograph the vast and varied landscapes presented to us as we continue on our way towards Hamnoy and Reine, our overnight base for the next two nights.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
This evening we have an opportunity with our private professional local photographer to hunt for the Northern Lights from our base in Reine, one of the best locations in Lofoten. Following a short presentation, our journey begins in earnest to find the best spots to photograph the aurora tonight. Our guide will assist us in capturing the best possible photos of this natural wonder and perhaps a memorable photo of yourself taken under the aurora glow.
Day Six – Reine/Hamnoy/Sakrisoy/A
Today we have a full day to explore the western end of Lofoten, an opportunity for some of the most beautiful photos in and around this region. Discover Hamnoy, Sakrisoy, Reine and A for the many different aspects of these villages. Every hour of every day is different in Lofoten, reflecting the varied moods of this location.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
After Dinner an opportunity to photograph the Northern Lights from the iconic viewpoint in Hamnoy if the conditions are favourable. We shall then return to our accommodation for another opportunity to see the Northern Lights from our accommodation base at Reine. With Reinefjorden as our backdrop, the famous Red Rorbuers dotting the shoreline, this is one very scenic setting, enhanced by the Northern Lights glowing above us, shall they grace us with an appearance.
Day Seven – Drive to Svolvaer
After breakfast we make our return journey towards Svolvaer for our last night. A chance to enjoy the Lofoten Islands in the morning to further explore any specific photo spots from Reine to Hamnoy as we drive towards the North of Moskenesoya around Fredvang. If ideal weather conditions permit the drive around Selfjorden and Ytresand may provide some wonderful opportunities for reflection photography.
Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Svolvaer sharing some wonderful trip memories with your fellow travellers.
Last opportunity this trip to see the Northern Lights from our accommodation.
Day Eight – Depart Svolvaer
Morning at leisure.
A transfer is arranged to Svolvaer airport for the early afternoon flight to Oslo. Own arrangements for onward travel.
For other departure times a short 5 to 10-minute taxi ride to Svolvaer airport or the Hurtigruten ferry terminal at own expense.
Please note: this itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to road and weather conditions or matters outside of our control. We reserve the right to make changes for the safety of all travellers, but we endeavour to minimise the impact as best as possible.
Tour Exclusions
- International and Domestic flights
- Airport arrival or departure taxes, levies, excess baggage charges
- Passport and visa fees
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not specified – lunches, snacks
- All items of a personal nature including but not limited to alcoholic beverages, drinks, souvenirs, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, email or phone charges, sauna (where additional fees charged), other activities not mentioned in above itinerary.
Flight information to/from Svolvaer - will be updated when flight schedules are released.
Oslo (OSL) to Svolvaer (SVJ) – transfers arranged to Accommodation in Svolvaer if arriving on mid-afternoon flight.
Arrival Dates from Oslo to Svolvaer: March 2024
| SAS & Wideroe | departs Oslo 08:35 arrives Svolvaer 11:25 | Flight via Bodo |
| Norwegian & Wideroe | departs Oslo 08:30 arrives Svolvaer 11:25 | Flight via Bodo |
| Wideroe | departs Oslo 10:55 arrives Svolvaer 13:20 | Direct flight (preferred flight for transfers) |
Svolvaer (SVJ) to Oslo (OSL) – transfers arranged from Accommodation to Svolvaer airport for mid-afternoon flights
Departure Dates from Svolvaer to Oslo: March 2024
| SAS & Wideroe | departs Svolvaer 09:30 arrives Oslo 12:00 | Flight via Bodo |
| Norwegian & Wideroe | departs Svolvaer 09:30 arrives Oslo 12:10 | Flight via Bodo |
| Wideroe | departs Svolvaer 13:50 arrives Oslo 16:10 | Direct flight (preferred flight for transfers) |