Christmas Expedition on Senja – Five Days and Four Nights

Moonlight above a tree in the Arctic light
The mountains "ox-hornes" with snow
A truck and guests under the Northern Lights
A sea eagle
Living area at Posthuset Expedition Lodge
Dogsled and a tent in snowy landscape
A plate of food
A cozy set table
Tale fin of a whale
View point from Scenic route Senja
Drone photo of the sea and surrounding nature
Alaskan husky sled in sunny and snowy landscape
Northern lights above sea and mountains

Experience Christmas on Senja with whale watching from Tromsø, dog sledding, Northern Lights safaris, a fjord cruise and a tour along the Norwegian Scenic Route Senja.

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General information

This experience is operated by Basecamp Senja.

The expedition includes accommodation, meals, lectures, coffee and tea throughout your stay, transport from Tromsø to Senja and transport from Senja to Finnsnes. Food during the whale-watching tour and the Hurtigruten or Havila ticket from Finnsnes to Tromsø are not included.

Day 1: Tuesday, 22 December – Whale watching from Tromsø

Meals: Hot evening meal after check-in

The expedition begins in Tromsø with a whale-watching tour. The boat departs from Tromsø city centre at approximately 08:00 and heads towards Skjervøy. In recent seasons, humpback whales and orcas have gathered in the fjords around Skjervøy to feed on herring.

The tour takes place aboard a large, stable boat with a spacious, heated indoor area. Food is available to purchase on board. The boat returns to Tromsø by 17:00.

Whales are wild animals, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The tour is dependent on the whales returning to the fjords before the season begins.

After the whale-watching tour, the journey continues by taxi from Tromsø to Skaland on Senja. The drive takes approximately three hours.

Upon arrival, you will check in at Posthuset Expedition Lodge or Bedehuset in the village of Skaland. The lodges are approximately 200 metres apart. Bedehuset offers double rooms with private bathrooms. Transport between the lodges can be arranged if required.

An experienced host or guide will be available during most of your stay. Homemade Northern Norwegian food will be served, including hot lunches and dinners. Coffee and tea are available throughout your stay.

The programme on Senja includes daytime and evening activities, as well as several lectures. On two evenings, you will head out in search of the Northern Lights from some of Senja’s spectacular viewpoints.

Day 2: Wednesday, 23 December – Norwegian Scenic Route Senja

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Visit some of the spectacular viewpoints along the Norwegian Scenic Route Senja, surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of the island’s outer coast.

In the evening, you will head out in search of the Northern Lights.

Day 3: Thursday, 24 December – Christmas Eve and fjord cruise

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Explore the beautiful Bergsfjorden aboard an open Zodiac boat. Along the way, you will look for seals and white-tailed eagles while the guide shares stories about Senja’s history.

A warm thermal suit will be provided for the tour. You should still wear warm layers underneath the suit.

In the evening, a traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner will be served, followed by indoor Christmas activities.

The order of the activities may change due to weather and wind conditions.

Day 4: Friday, 25 December – Dog sledding

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Visit Senja’s own husky farm at Ottemoen, where 35 eager huskies are waiting to take you on a sled ride through the winter landscape.

The activity lasts approximately three hours, and a warm thermal suit will be provided. Transport between the lodge and the husky farm is included. The drive takes approximately 50 minutes each way.

Day 5: Saturday, 26 December – Departure

Meals: Breakfast

09:30: Departure from Posthuset Expedition Lodge

11:30: Departure from Finnsnes with Hurtigruten or Havila

14:15: Arrival in Tromsø

The ticket from Finnsnes to Tromsø is not included and must be booked at www.hurtigruten.com or www.havilavoyages.com.

Included:

• 4 nights of accommodation
• 4 breakfasts
• 4 lunches
• 3 two-course dinners
• Whale-watching tour from Tromsø
• 2 Northern Lights safaris
• Fjord cruise in Bergsfjorden
• Tour along the Norwegian Scenic Route Senja
• Dog sledding
• 2–3 lectures
• Coffee and tea throughout your stay
• Transport from Tromsø to Skaland
• Transport to and from the dog-sledding activity
• Transport from Senja to Finnsnes

Not included:

• Food during the whale-watching tour
• Hurtigruten or Havila ticket from Finnsnes to Tromsø. The ticket costs approximately NOK 300 per person.

Please bring:

• Warm clothing suitable for Arctic winter conditions

A more detailed packing list will be sent once your booking has been received.

Number of participants: Min. 2 – max. 10

Level of difficulty: Easy

Departure time and place: The taxi to Senja departs at 18:00 from The Edge Hotel in Tromsø. Look for a taxi displaying a BASECAMP SENJA sign in the windscreen.

Meeting time: 30 minutes before departure.

Duration: 5 days and 4 nights, from 22 to 26 December 2026.

Prices from

26500 NOK per person

  • Adult NOK 26 500
  • Youth 12–14 years NOK 19 500

Facilities

  • Guide
  • English
  • Norwegian
  • Meal included
  • Warm clothing included
  • Easy
  • Light meal included
  • Tea/coffee/biscuit included
  • Adventure accommodation
  • Northern lights chase
  • Overnight stay
  • 8+ hours

About Basecamp Senja

Basecamp Senja offers accommodation and tailor-made winter experiences for small groups, based beside Bergsfjorden on Senja’s outer coast.


Our base is Posthuset Expedition Lodge in Skaland, a cosy nine-bed lodge situated right on the shore of beautiful Bergsfjorden.



We offer three-day winter expeditions that include accommodation, meals and activities. Senja’s outer coast offers excellent opportunities to see the Northern Lights from spectacular viewpoints along the Norwegian Scenic Route Senja.



We also arrange fjord cruises aboard open Zodiac boats in Bergsfjorden, where you may spot wildlife such as white-tailed eagles and seals. Local food is served during the expeditions, and friendly, experienced hosts and guides accompany our guests.



Our winter expeditions are ideal for adults looking for memorable nature experiences in small groups. Private, tailor-made expeditions are also available on request.



Travelling from Tromsø to Senja



The easiest way to travel from Tromsø is by express boat from Prostneset to Finnsnes. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, and our expeditions are scheduled around the boat timetable. We meet you at the terminal in Finnsnes and continue by car to Senja’s outer coast.



You can also fly directly from Oslo to Bardufoss with Norwegian. An airport bus operates between Bardufoss Airport and Finnsnes in connection with the flights. We meet you in Finnsnes, and the drive to Senja’s outer coast takes approximately one hour.



You can also explore our five-day Christmas and New Year expeditions, featuring whale watching from Tromsø and dog sledding on Senja. These expeditions are available on selected dates only.


Visit Tromsø
Phone: +47 776 10 000
Email: [email protected]
Basecamp Senja
Phone: +47 917 09 618
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.basecampsenja.no/home
Bergsfjordveien 1724, 9385 Skaland