Norway: Birding the Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle is a bucket-list location for many travelers, where the Sun never sets. We’ll journey north from Finland into Norway, across expansive taiga to coastal fjords. The species that breed at this latitude are familiar to some, especially the wide variety of shorebirds. Jaegers patrol the open skies, while Lapland Longspurs sing from the tussocks. In the trees, Siberian Tits and Siberian Jays inquisitively keep an eye on visitors. We'll also take a boat ride to one of the incredible alcid colonies on the northern rocky islands, with thousands of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, murres, and more. With the midnight sun, the light will be spectacular for photography! This trip has the option to be combined with Finland: Boreal Breeders for an in-depth Scandinavian experience.
Eurasian Dotterel featured photo by Jari Peltomäki
Itinerary
Day 1
We’ll depart from home airports on redeye flights towards Europe, dreaming of the exciting birding experience ahead.
Night: In the sky
Day 2
Arrive in Helsinki and have the day to adjust to the time change.
Night: Helsinki
Day 3
Depart on morning flights north (exact airport TBD depending on the flight schedule), where we’ll meet up with those continuing from the Finland portion of the trip. After, we’ll drive approximately 5 hours north, into the Arctic Circle. Here, the landscape changes from dense forest to open tundra. The nights are never truly dark, with sunlight shining nearly all day.
Night: Hotel Ivalo
Meals: BLD
Day 4
After breakfast, we’ll continue north, where birding efforts may turn up Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay, Pine Grosbeak, and Eurasian Whimbrel, along with Ruff in stunning breeding plumage. After enjoying lunch near the border with Norway, we’ll follow the Teno River towards the fjords, where we’ll scan for shorebirds and eider. Above the tree line, we’ll hope to find impressive species, including Bluethroat, Willow Ptarmigan, and Long-tailed Jaeger, while barren hilltops may be home to breeding Eurasian Dotterels. Arctic and Red-throated loons can be found on roadside lakes, while Temminck’s Stints display along the road.
Night: Båtsfjord Hotel
Meals: BLD
Days 5 - 7
The weather will dictate the next few days, where we’ll explore the highlands and coastline. In the fjords, we’ll search for breeding shorebirds, including Bar-tailed Godwit and Red-necked Phalarope, while King and Steller’s eiders are possible in the water. Velvet and Common scoters, the Old-World equivalent of our White-winged and Black scoters, can be seen offshore, while White-tailed Eagles are common along the coastline.
If the weather permits, we’ll visit Hornøya Island to view its incredible seabird colonies, where tens of thousands of Common and Thick-billed murres, Razorbills, Atlantic Puffins, European Shags, and Black-legged Kittiwakes all breed. There may even be a Gyrfalcon hunting the cliffs, looking for inattentive parents on their nests. The photography opportunities here are incredible!
Depending on how successful we’ve been, we may have time to visit Hamninberg, “the end of Europe.” Seawatching from this vantage point may turn up Yellow-billed Loon, Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar, and Great Skua, while marine mammals, including whales, are also possible.
Nights: Hotel Vardø
Meals: BLD
Day 8
After breakfast, we’ll journey back south into Finland, where we’ll keep our eyes peeled for any species we’ve missed, before arriving back in Ivalo to have a relaxing night before the long journey home.
Night: Hotel Ivalo
Meals: BLD
Day 9
If time allows, we may enjoy a final morning birding excursion before transferring to the airport for our flights home.
Meals: B
Tour Leader
TBD
EcoTravel Frequently Asked Questions
Why travel with EcoTravel?
We’re proud to offer small group travel in support of conservation, both locally and across the globe! By traveling with EcoTravel, you’re supporting environmental education and habitat management everywhere we go. When traveling internationally, we strive to use local companies who know the best places to visit, providing an intimate experience with the culture and wildlife.
What's included in the cost of the trip?
Most everything. Most every travel expense is included in one up-front price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, birding/sightseeing with experienced guides, meals as specified in the itinerary, airport transfers, services of local guides, and more.
Most meals are included on EcoTravel journeys. All breakfasts are included, and some dinners. Occasional lunches in special locations may also be included. Although some dinners may not be included, suggestions for dining options will be offered by your tour leader. Many EcoTravel guests choose to dine together to share in new friendships and discoveries, but the choice is yours. Dining is a delightful and integral part of the EcoTravel experience – and that is why we select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit. Most included meals offer limited choice menus, and some may be from a set menu or buffet. All appropriate gratuities for included meals are included.
For exact information of what’s included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's not included in the cost of the trip?
Alcoholic beverages are not included, nor are meal gratuities for not-included meals, local guides, luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers. EcoTravel guides and driver gratuities are not included and should be offered individually, not as a group. Transfer driver gratuities are included.
Luggage service on EcoTravel tours is not included.
For exact information of what’s not included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's your cancellation policy?
All trips are non-refundable.
Day Trips run as scheduled, and all participants are expected to be there. In the event weather postpones the trip and you can’t make the new date, or we don’t receive enough signups to run the trip, you’ll receive a non-expiring credit for the full value paid.
Overnight Trips can be partially refunded outside of 120 days before departure. Payment is due in full 120 days before departure, and no refunds are given. Exact details for each trip can be found in the terms and conditions on the Printable Itinerary.
What's the average group size?
Almost all of our trips are kept to single digits! We believe that small groups give a better experience to everyone. Day Trips and certain overnights may include up to 14 participants, with two guides.
Many of our trips run with just 4-6 participants!
What level of birder do I need to be?
All levels are welcome! While some trips are more intense than others, our guides are skilled at helping everyone see as many birds as possible while having a great time.
Do you sell travel insurance?
EcoTravel is an authorized agent of Travelex travel insurance. Please call the office for more information.
What happens if the tour doesn't fill?
Day Trips: Cancellation results in a credit for the full value that can be used for future trips.
Overnight Trips: Travelers are given the chance to rebook the same trip for a future year, or to move their money at full value to another trip.
What's the activity level of the tours?
It varies! Some tours have lots of walking, while others are more sedentary. For exact information on the activity level of a specific trip, please call the office.
How far in advance can I / should I book?
We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel. EcoTravel journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.
Can EcoTravel help make arrangements for pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights?
Absolutely! Many guests choose to extend their stay and we’re happy to help. As a service, EcoTravel will make hotel reservations before and/or after your journey at select pre-/post-stay hotels offered for that tour. Rooms are reserved at the first or last night’s hotel property of any EcoTravel journey, so there’s no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added to your tour cost.
Arranging hotel accommodations in the city where your journey begins for the night preceding your EcoTravel itinerary not only gives you more time to explore on your own, allows your group to become better acclimated to time changes before your journey begins and helps to relieve stress from potential travel delays – important factors to consider! Guests wishing to spend more time in cities where our journeys end can extend their stay – a great way to make your vacation last a little longer.
Are transfers included to and from my pre-tour and post-tour hotels?
Complimentary transfers are included from the airport to your pre-stay hotel for the start of your journey and from your post-stay hotel to your departure airport.
Please Note:Transfers are included for EcoTravel-approved pre- and post-stay hotels. Non-EcoTravel hotel transfers must be approved prior to leaving on your tour.
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