Explore the AMAZING Islands of the Vesterålen
XMAS AND NEW YEAR 2021
The islands of the Vesterålen in northern Norway are waiting for you to be explored. Escape from the usual Christmas stuff. Discover the Arctic in wintertime and celebrate Christmas or New Year with us! This adventurous trip is for people who have an explorer's mindset and like to travel the less paved roads. The beautiful Vesterålen islands are located north of the famous (but touristic) Lofoten and is absolutely off-the-beaten-track. This trip is loaded with outdoor activities like hiking mountain trails, snowshoeing, kayaking the fjords, ice or deep-sea fishing and much more. All outdoor activities can be done if you are in normal good shape without much outdoor experience. We are happy to teach you new skills. In the evenings, we stay and cook in cosy fisherman's cottages with views over the fjords. There are multiple start dates that you can join this 9-days trip to match with other obligations you might have! Read the section <General Information> for more details and dates. This trip is a perfect choice for single travellers, couples, groups or families. Costs are 1425 EUR per person.
HOW DOES IT WORK FOR GROUPS OR FAMILIES?
If you travel with a family or a group of 3 or more you have your own cottage. Depending on your preferences you join outdoor activities with other guests or have a private guide.
CAN DATES BE ADJUSTED TO FIT MY SCHEDULE?
We like to arrange that for you. Just let us know and we will inform you about what is possible.
HOW DOES IT WORK WITH COOKING?
We love cooking and for us it great if you are involved in that. We like to teach, but you can also surprise us with the dishes of your country.
IS THERE A DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY?
There is a rough plan, and the rest is based on weather conditions and what we like as a group. We are an adventure travel company and we live it!
CAN I SKIP SOME OF THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES?
No problem. We just want to give you the best experience. Also great if you like to spend a day with a book and just stare at the horizon!
general information
Here you can find all important information about this trip. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
You can also check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for general questions.
You can also check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for general questions.
DATES AND BOOKING INFORMATION
NAME
Explore the amazing islands of the Vesterålen
DATES
18 December 2021 - 27 December 2021 (10 days), including Christmas Celebration
22 December 2021 - 30 December 2021 (9 days), including Christmas Celebration
28 December 2021 - 5 January 2022 (9 days), including New Year Celebration
3 January 2022 - 11 January 2022 (9 days, kick-off for a New Year)
If you are with 2 or more people we can check if alternative start and departure dates can be arranged. Shorter and longer stays are possible on request.
Explore the amazing islands of the Vesterålen
DATES
18 December 2021 - 27 December 2021 (10 days), including Christmas Celebration
22 December 2021 - 30 December 2021 (9 days), including Christmas Celebration
28 December 2021 - 5 January 2022 (9 days), including New Year Celebration
3 January 2022 - 11 January 2022 (9 days, kick-off for a New Year)
If you are with 2 or more people we can check if alternative start and departure dates can be arranged. Shorter and longer stays are possible on request.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
INCLUDED
Included are all transports during the trip, guiding, use of kayaks + suits, use of fishing rods, use of flotation suits, use of fishing suits, cooking equipment for hikes and other activities. Other equipment (like snowshoes, crampons, etc...) can be rented from us. Included are all overnight stays in seaside fisherman's cabins (so-called rorbuer).
NOT INCLUDED
International and domestic lights are not included.. Transfers (buses) from Evenes Airport to our base in Bø and return are not included. The costs of buses are 40 EUR one way. The costs of food and drinks are shared amongst participants and staff. Usually these costs are around 10-15 EUR per day per person. Alcoholic drinks not included. Meals can be adapted to for example vegetarians. If you have a very special diet you can bring your own ingredients too (no problem). We invite you to assist in cooking or cook a meal. We love local products and we like to cook Norwegian dishes. We often catch our own fish. We love outdoor cooking on a fire and are happy to teach you more about this.
Included are all transports during the trip, guiding, use of kayaks + suits, use of fishing rods, use of flotation suits, use of fishing suits, cooking equipment for hikes and other activities. Other equipment (like snowshoes, crampons, etc...) can be rented from us. Included are all overnight stays in seaside fisherman's cabins (so-called rorbuer).
NOT INCLUDED
International and domestic lights are not included.. Transfers (buses) from Evenes Airport to our base in Bø and return are not included. The costs of buses are 40 EUR one way. The costs of food and drinks are shared amongst participants and staff. Usually these costs are around 10-15 EUR per day per person. Alcoholic drinks not included. Meals can be adapted to for example vegetarians. If you have a very special diet you can bring your own ingredients too (no problem). We invite you to assist in cooking or cook a meal. We love local products and we like to cook Norwegian dishes. We often catch our own fish. We love outdoor cooking on a fire and are happy to teach you more about this.
LOCATION AND ARRIVAL INFORMATION
LOCATION
This trip starts in the south of the Vesterålen Islands in the municipality of Bø. You can reach Bø with a road trip with buses from Evenes Airport. At the end of the trip you take the bus back to EVENES Airport.
AIRPORT
To fly to EVENES AIRPORT you usually take a connecting flight from Oslo. There are multiple flights daily between Oslo and Evenes Airport with different airlines such as SAS, NORWEGIAN, WIDEROE or Flyr.com.
HOW-TO-GET-THERE-AND-AWAY
To reach our base you take the airport bus to Sortland from Evenes airport (duration 2 hours) We recommend an overnight stay in Sortland and take the next day the bus to our base in Bø. The scenic road trip through the mountains and along the fjords takes has a duration of 1,5 hours. There are a few services per day. We can give you suggestions for hotels in Sortland. Another option is to stay in a hostel like accommodation close to the airport (2,5 km) and do the bus trip early the next day.
The costs of transfer by bus is approximately 40-47 EUR one way.
On your way back we recommend (depending on your schedule) also an overnight stay in Sortland or Harstad before heading to Evenes Airport.
There are also alternatives like a stop for a night in Oslo on your way to the north and take an early flight to Evenes Airport and reach our base on the same day. We can tell you more about alternative travel options.
If you are traveling with a group alternative transport might be arranged instead of buses.
Ask us if you need help with your travel schedule.
You can check-in any time on the starting date.
This trip starts in the south of the Vesterålen Islands in the municipality of Bø. You can reach Bø with a road trip with buses from Evenes Airport. At the end of the trip you take the bus back to EVENES Airport.
AIRPORT
To fly to EVENES AIRPORT you usually take a connecting flight from Oslo. There are multiple flights daily between Oslo and Evenes Airport with different airlines such as SAS, NORWEGIAN, WIDEROE or Flyr.com.
HOW-TO-GET-THERE-AND-AWAY
To reach our base you take the airport bus to Sortland from Evenes airport (duration 2 hours) We recommend an overnight stay in Sortland and take the next day the bus to our base in Bø. The scenic road trip through the mountains and along the fjords takes has a duration of 1,5 hours. There are a few services per day. We can give you suggestions for hotels in Sortland. Another option is to stay in a hostel like accommodation close to the airport (2,5 km) and do the bus trip early the next day.
The costs of transfer by bus is approximately 40-47 EUR one way.
On your way back we recommend (depending on your schedule) also an overnight stay in Sortland or Harstad before heading to Evenes Airport.
There are also alternatives like a stop for a night in Oslo on your way to the north and take an early flight to Evenes Airport and reach our base on the same day. We can tell you more about alternative travel options.
If you are traveling with a group alternative transport might be arranged instead of buses.
Ask us if you need help with your travel schedule.
You can check-in any time on the starting date.
EVENES AIRPORT (ALSO NAMED HARSTAD/NARVIK AIRPORT)
SORTLAND (VESTERÅLEN)
OUR BASE IN BØ (VESTERÅLEN)
LEVEL AND EXPERIENCE
LEVEL (BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE)
For this trip you need to be in a normal good shape. The hikes are around 2-5 hours, but sometimes snow and steep trails can slow us down and make it a bit more adventurous. Weather, terrain, and wind can make outdoor activities more tough. The kayak routes are 2-3 hours long (including stops).
EXPERIENCE
This trip is on beginner/intermediate level and you do not need much outdoor experience. We are happy to teach if some of the outdoor activities are new for you.
COMFORT ZONE
Everybody has a comfort zone and it always differs from the comfort zone of other people. It is a personal thing. Being in wild nature away from civilization is adventurous, but can also cause stress or might scare you a bit occasionally. These feelings are natural and not a problem. Just be open and share things or ask questions. They say life starts at the end of your comfort zone. We believe that this is very true.
For this trip you need to be in a normal good shape. The hikes are around 2-5 hours, but sometimes snow and steep trails can slow us down and make it a bit more adventurous. Weather, terrain, and wind can make outdoor activities more tough. The kayak routes are 2-3 hours long (including stops).
EXPERIENCE
This trip is on beginner/intermediate level and you do not need much outdoor experience. We are happy to teach if some of the outdoor activities are new for you.
COMFORT ZONE
Everybody has a comfort zone and it always differs from the comfort zone of other people. It is a personal thing. Being in wild nature away from civilization is adventurous, but can also cause stress or might scare you a bit occasionally. These feelings are natural and not a problem. Just be open and share things or ask questions. They say life starts at the end of your comfort zone. We believe that this is very true.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
We will stay overnight in cozy seaside fisherman's cottages with views over the fjord. In some of the hikes we can decide to stay overnight in (mountain) cabins or other accommodation (optional). If you like to try winter tenting (optional), we can pinch our tipi-tent with wood-stove at a wild place. For overnight stays in tipi-tents or mountain cabins you can rent sleeping bags from us or take that with you.
The fisherman's cottages are equipped with bed linen (and blankets) and have a shared shower. Private (single) rooms on request (some more costs, just ask). Shower and bathroom are shared.
We will stay overnight in cozy seaside fisherman's cottages with views over the fjord. In some of the hikes we can decide to stay overnight in (mountain) cabins or other accommodation (optional). If you like to try winter tenting (optional), we can pinch our tipi-tent with wood-stove at a wild place. For overnight stays in tipi-tents or mountain cabins you can rent sleeping bags from us or take that with you.
The fisherman's cottages are equipped with bed linen (and blankets) and have a shared shower. Private (single) rooms on request (some more costs, just ask). Shower and bathroom are shared.
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PACKING LIST AND PREPARATIONS
PACKING LIST
This trip is organized north of the Arctic Circle. So you need warm clothing, good shoes and outdoor gear like sleeping bags and more. You can find a detailed packing list here.
On this packing list you can find all the gear and equipment you will need and other practical information. For this trip you need a day-sack (35-50 L) for the day-trips.
RENT GEAR FROM US
In case you do not have all the gear and you do not want to buy, then you can rent equipment from us, for example backpacks, sleeping mattresses, snowshoes and more.
In case you do not have all the gear and you do not want to buy, then you can rent equipment from us, for example backpacks, sleeping mattresses, snowshoes and more.
REMARKS
THE ARCTIC
Remember we are in the Arctic and here the weather rules. There is no day-to-day itinerary, only short term plans are realistic. We make our decisions on what is possible and when to do it based on weather forecast and conditions. Of course we love to hear your ideas and wishes. And we do our best to make it happen. A bit flexible mindset is a good thing to have here in northern Norway.
GROUP SIZE
Max 8 participants.
Remember we are in the Arctic and here the weather rules. There is no day-to-day itinerary, only short term plans are realistic. We make our decisions on what is possible and when to do it based on weather forecast and conditions. Of course we love to hear your ideas and wishes. And we do our best to make it happen. A bit flexible mindset is a good thing to have here in northern Norway.
GROUP SIZE
Max 8 participants.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
You can find detailed information about the climate and temperatures here.
THE ROUGH PLAN OF THIS TRIP
The Vesterålen is wild, remote, non-touristic and rough, and we look forward to guiding you and exploring magnificent scenery. The idea behind the trip is to combine great outdoor activities during the daytime with cosy times in our accommodation in the evenings. A well-balanced mix of being outdoors during the day and time to relax, listen to stories, cook and hunt the northern lights in the evenings. Take a look at the rough plan below.
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ARRIVAL AT EVENES AND ROAD TRIP TO OUR BASE After you arrive at Evenes Airport, your adventure starts, and you will travel to our base in the Vesterålen. Depending on your travel schedule, you will probably stay a night in the small city of Sortland after a 2-hour road trip by bus from the Airport. The next day you need only 1,5 hours of winding roads through mountainous landscapes to reach our base in the Vesterålen.
WELCOME AND BRIEFING After arriving at your accommodation, it is time to unpack your luggage, and we will brief you about the plans for the coming days. We will make a plan based on weather forecasts, possibilities and your preferences. After that, it is time to discover the near surroundings and have some views over the fjord. In the evening we will prepare a tasty meal for you.
EXPLORE THE VESTERÅLEN 
During your stay with us, we will do various outdoor activities like hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, road-tripping and more. The days are short in this period, and we will be out as soon there is daylight. But also in the hours without light, we can do all kinds of things. What about Arctic floating in warm suits under the northern lights, a kayak trip with our headlights, or having good talks around a bonfire. Further down this page, we will tell you more about the activities we have in mind. Your wishes and, of course, the weather forecasts will be important ingredients in scheduling activities. At the end of each day we will return to our cottage, but optional we can go for a night tenting or staying in a mountain cabin if you like that. BYE-BYE EVENT At the end of your stay with us, we will organize a small surprise celebration for you. Of course, we cannot tell you now what that will be. But we are sure that you are going to enjoy this!
ROAD TRIP TO SORTLAND AND EVENES At the end of the trip, you travel back to Evenes Airport. Depending on your travel schedule, you can choose an overnight stay in Sortland or travel straight to the airport.
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OuTDOOR ACTIVITIES
We have planned many outdoor activities and other exciting things to do during your stay with us. We do not have a day-to-day program because our plans are based on weather forecasts and what we like to do as a group. And isn't that what adventure is all about? We aim to have a good combination of sweat during the daytime, a beer or coffee with some locals and a good meal afterwards. All activities are day trips, and we return to our accommodation afterwards. There are options to sleep in a mountain cabin or tents if you like to explore that on some days.
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