Arctic Whale Watching

Joining the tour at Harstad Narvik Evenes Airport today we are met by our local representative and transfer by express bus to the town of Sortland. We will then take a charter bus to the village of Sto, lying some 200 km to the north of the Arctic Circle. Our journey should take around 3 hours.. Sortland has the unusual distinction of being known as the ‘Blue City’, a moniker due in no small part to the 50,000 litres of blue paint that was used to transform the inner city into various shades of blue. The inspired idea of a local artist, this unique civic makeover began in 1999 as a direct result of some rather unflattering press in tourist literature and today presents us with one of the most unusual towns in the country. Passing through the town we then continue into Nordland County and the tiny fishing village of Sto - home to one of Norway’s largest puffin colonies and the region’s biggest seal colony. This remote northern setting will be our base for the next 5 nights, its location close to the continental shelf making it an excellent setting from which to venture out in search of the planet’s largest creatures.

Overnight Simple Guest House

Weather conditions permitting, our first full day sees us heading out into the rich coastal waters, on an included whale safari that will hopefully give us an opportunity to enjoy some unforgettable encounters. Most often seen in these waters are the mighty sperm whales that ply their way through the cold Arctic waters of the Bleiksdjupet Canyon, but other species include pilot whales, humpbacks, minkes, orcas and even the occasional dolphin. The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales and in Norwegian waters these impressive leviathans can reach up to 20 metres in length, spending their summer feeding on the rich mix of squid, fish and even small sharks that inhabit the waters that lie off the continental shelf. An average adult can consume a ton of food a day, diving down to some 2,000 metres to search for prey. Our day on the water will last somewhere between 5 to 6 hours and include a small lunch onboard. Should we fail to spot any whales today, then, weather and time allowing, there will be another chance for an additional trip later in the week (at no extra charge). Our 6-day tour is designed to be totally flexible to take advantage of the best weather and sea conditions so the order of the days may vary from the one outlined here.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we plan to to take a boat trip south from Sto through the scattered archipelago of the far western Vesteralen Islands. Our voyage will be a great combination of nature and local culture. As we travel along past small rocky islands or the steep-sided cliffs we'll be able to spot puffins, shags and other sea birds before stopping at some of the small fishing communities along our route. Perhaps the most surprising and charming of our stops will be at the well protected harbour of Nyksund. Here the wooden panelled buildings rise out of the water on stilts around the tiny harbour, creating the impression of something far larger than it really is. Fishing is still the main industry on this part of the Norwegian coast and the evidence of its heritage is all around us as we continue to sail through the islands to the tiny communities of Oksnes and Skipnes. After a day exploring the islands, which also includes lunch, we return to the Sto for the evening.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

A short distance out of Sto harbour is Anda Lighthouse. Situated on a rocky outcrop, the tiny island is home to one of Norway's largest puffin colonies. It is estimated that during the peak nesting and breeding period (late May/June and July) upto 20,000 puffins reside on the island. By mid August the numbers drop away as the young puffins leave in search of food and head south. These abundant hunting grounds also attract white tailed eagles, guillemots, cormorants and a large number of seals, affording us some ideal chances to spot a vast array of life in and out of the water. Our trip this morning will take us out and around the island with time to photograph and enjoy the amazing natural spectacle. This afternoon is free for personal exploration. You may wish to take a walk to one of the local churches in Langenes or for a longer option walk part of the Queen's route. Alternatively there is a guided tour of the fishing village or a chance to go on a fishing trip. There is also the opportunity of visiting the nearby village of Nysund. Your tour representative will be able to provide you with full details of the options available to you.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast

Today has been left free. It may be a chance for you to go on another whale watching trip, to relax around Sto or take a hike along one of the well marked coastal trails or perhaps you may wish to catch a local bus (schedules allowing) to the nearby town of Myre or Sortland to see more of the Vesteralen Islands. With 24 hour daylight from late May through to late July, time seems to loose its meaning in this part of the world. Don't be surprised if, for example, the weather is predicted to be best in the evening, to depart on a whale watching tour at 5 or 6 o'clock in the evening and return to Sto at midnight - it will still be light!

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast

We travel back to Evenes Airport, by charter bus and express bus, where the tour ends approximately 1 hour before the departure time of the group flight back to London.

Included meals: Breakfast