When you see this archipelago for the first time, you feel as if time has stood still and you are turning the pages of a fairytale book. Embark on a journey of discovery through this archipelago in the heart of the Arctic Circle. Experience the unique light that can only be found at this latitude, and immerse yourself in a dreamlike world of breathtaking landscapes, consisting of paradisiacal fjords, rugged mountains, and picturesque fishing villages.
In winter, the beaches are frozen and everything is covered with a thick white blanket of snow.
During this season, you have the opportunity to experience the most amazing spectacle the Arctic has to offer: the magical Northern Lights!
The sun is at the peak of its current eleven-year solar cycle – the phase in which it produces particularly strong radiation outbursts and solar flares. This means increased chances of geomagnetic storms which can lead to spectacular northern lights in all conceivable colors and forms on our Earth.
So what could be better than traveling to Lofoten to capture this unique opportunity photographically!
In fairy tales you often hear about enchanted villages built on coasts and surrounded by surrounding mountains. On the Lofoten the fairy tale becomes reality: every village is picturesquely framed by flora and fauna coupled with years of history and tradition.
Experience and photograph the natural spectacle of the Northern Lights during the solar maximum. You will receive help and tips from a renowned night photographer.
The Lofoten Islands are still hardly inhabited and the untouched nature can be enjoyed in a fantastic way.
On this photography tour, we'll stop in each of these incredibly photogenic locations and create stunning images of breathtaking landscapes.
This trip is for all photography enthusiasts and lovers of the Scandinavian region around the Arctic Circle. The trip difficulty is easy to moderate, and a good level of fitness is required. This is a photography-focused trip, and we will not be eating in restaurants every day, as we need to be flexible to be in the perfect spot when the Northern Lights appear. You will visit and photograph the most beautiful locations in Lofoten, alternating between sunrise, sunset, and night. During the trip, you will gain knowledge about landscape photography and Northern Lights photography, from the theory of image capture and planning to post-processing. We will start with the theoretical and technical basics and apply them in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
The goal of the trip is to return home with magnificent memories and captivating photographs.
Due to sudden weather changes in the Arctic, it is difficult to create a precise itinerary, but we know the Lofoten Islands like the back of our hand and will adjust the program day by day to give you the best experience. We will be looking for the best light during the day and clear skies at night. Nevertheless, here is an outlook on a possible program. Pickup and transportation to/from the airport remain provided.
Day 1
We will pick you up at Leknes LKN airport (no later than 6:00 PM).
Transfer to accommodation.
Tour opening.
First night shots, hoping to observe the Northern Lights on the first day.
Our luxurious cabins are strategically located, allowing us quick access to the best spots in both the north and the south.
Day 2
We will experience the first dawn in the southern part of the islands, between Reine and Hamnøy.
After a breakfast stop at a typical café, we will stop on the way back to photograph the famous and fantastic Skagsanden beach, where at this time of year in the morning, the soft light of the low sun illuminates the mountain for us.
After lunch, we will head north to the mythical Uttakleiv beach, also known as the Dragon's Eye beach, where the colors of the sunset are best displayed.
For dinner, we will return to our seaside cabins and relax while waiting for the long-awaited Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis. We will reach one of the best beaches for observing and photographing the Aurora in the Flakstad area.
Day 3
For our second sunrise, one of the most beautiful scenes awaits us. We will drive south and photograph various incredible locations between Hamnøy and Sakrisøy. Here, time seems to have stood still many years ago, and the line between reality and magic is very thin.
The day will continue with a visit to the last village at the southern tip of Lofoten, Å. This village marks the end of the famous panoramic E10 road, after which the southernmost tip of Lofoten can only be reached on foot.
We will experience the sunset in a place surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and mountain peaks, all in a single scene – a dream for every landscape photographer!
Return to our base, warm dinner, and relaxation before another wild night hunting for the Northern Lights.
This time we will do it in one of the most beautiful areas of Lofoten, where there is a lagoon. From here, you can reach many incredible places in just a few minutes and experience truly captivating compositions with rivers, peaks, mountains, and Northern Lights!
Days 4 and 5
Our adventure continues amidst waterfalls, mountains, wild beaches, fjords, and colorful villages.
We will await the sunrises under the colorful skies between the south and the Kilan area, we will continue north for the sunsets and chase the clearest skies to best capture the Aurora Borealis.
A stop in the charming village of Nusfjord, located in a remote fjord, is a must, as are various stops to try typical foods, and some short hikes to reach incredible viewpoints, such as the hill above Sakrisøy, which offers a 360-degree view of the characteristic part of Lofoten.
Day 6
We will use this last day of adventure to return to the most beautiful places on the islands, looking for the best light conditions and taking the best photos.
Day 7
Departure from Leknes LKN.
* The tour guides will decide on the best possible locations depending on the weather conditions, and therefore, short-term changes to the itinerary may occur.
Further information
- For the first three nights, we will stay in luxurious, typical beach cabins near the four wildest beaches in the north: Unstad, Uttakleiv, Haukland, and Vik Strand.
- The other three nights we will spend in luxurious, typical fishing cabins near the villages of Hamnøy, Sakrisøy, and Reine.
- Throughout the week, we will conduct editing sessions in front of the computer, analyzing and editing the captured shots.
- The sessions will be recorded, and at the end, we will send you the videos so you can review and study them at your leisure.
- In our luxurious cabins, we will have a kitchen where we can cook. Based on the photography program and weather, we will then decide whether to eat in our cabins, take something to go, or go to a restaurant. We will definitely try all three options.
- Transportation in our van is organized and carried out by Lofoten-Tours.no. The transport company's terms and conditions apply.
- The focus is on photography, but we will also have time for relaxation.
The minimum number of participants for the tour is 5 people. The maximum number of participants is 8 people.
Participation is possible with both English and German language skills.
The cost includes:
-Accommodations (single room)
-Licensed transportation in a private van
-Guidance by the tour leader
-Editing courses and videos
The cost does NOT include:
- Travel insurance covering health insurance/baggage insurance
- International flights
- Local expenses
- Meals
- Anything not explicitly mentioned as "included."
The recommended photography equipment consists of an SLR or system camera with at least two lenses, a wide-angle lens and a medium telephoto lens, and a tripod. Optionally recommended: photo filters and a remote shutter release.
- Extra batteries as temperatures are low
- Several cloths for cleaning the lenses
- Replacement memory cards
Lofoten has a very unpredictable weather, the weather can change completely every 30 minutes, so waterproof hiking boots and a shell jacket are required. It's best to choose clothing so that you can add or remove layers depending on the weather. Example: thermal underwear, wool or polar fleece middle layer, a jacket with a windproof and waterproof shell that also covers the legs. Spare socks and hiking boots are recommended. Snow and ice spikes are also recommended for a good grip.
- Passport/ID card valid for international travel
- The national currency is the Norwegian krone.
- Visa/MasterCard credit cards are accepted (you may have issues with American Express).
- You can withdraw Norwegian krone at any ATM with a debit card.
The total price of the trip is 2990 EUR.
To book the trip, a deposit of 1000 EUR is required and the remaining balance must be paid 30 days before the start of the trip.
You do not have to pay a single room supplement, each person has their own single room included in the price. *The single room does not have its own bathroom, but there are 2 bathrooms for every 3/4 people.
If a participant decides to cancel his reservation, he can do so at any time by communicating this as soon as possible via the official email address of one of the two organizers.
However, you should bear in mind that cancellation by a participant will result in administrative difficulties for bookings as well as the risk of not reaching the minimum number of participants for the trip (and consequently the need to find a new person).
For this reason:
- If the cancellation is submitted MORE than 60 days (before departure), you can receive a refund of the booking fee.
- If the cancellation is submitted LESS than 60 days before departure, it is NOT possible to receive a refund of the booking fee.
*Unless the customer who wishes to cancel his booking brings another person willing to take his place by paying the total amount of the trip himself.
The entire amount paid (deposit or full fee) will be fully refunded if the event is canceled.
For further information do not hesitate to contact me.