ARCTIC WINTER
WEEK IN NORWAY
Embark on an Unforgettable Arctic Photography Expedition to Varanger Peninsula!
Welcome to an extraordinary seven-night, eight-day photography journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Varanger Peninsula in Northern Norway. This Arctic adventure, set in the heart of early spring, offers a unique opportunity to capture the vibrant life of migratory birds, mesmerizing coastal scenery, and the raw beauty of the frozen tundra.
Our days are filled with effortless yet enchanting walks along the shorelines, where a myriad of subjects await your lens. As night falls, we chase the spectacular northern lights, and at dawn, we rise early to witness the magical golden hour that paints the Arctic in ethereal hues.
This trip is not just about birds but about capturing the essence of the Arctic—its dramatic icy landscapes, rolling waves, and rare wildlife encounters. Witness the remarkable sight of boxing mountain hares from a specially built outdoor studio, and with luck, photograph the elusive Arctic fox in its pristine white winter coat!
Weather conditions vary from the mild coastal climate to the fierce Arctic winds inland, providing us with an ever-changing canvas to work with. For those seeking an extra challenge, we offer an optional snowshoeing excursion into the tundra to capture the region’s characteristic species, including ptarmigans, willow grouse, snow buntings, and reindeer.
We will also explore the coastal waters and embark on a boat trip, where our target species are black-legged kittiwakes, cormorants, Steller’s eiders, king eiders, common eiders, gulls, sandpipers, and many other seabirds. If fortune favors us, we may even encounter whales along the way!
ARCTIC WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY IN VARANGER PENINSULA NORWAY
FACTS AND ITINERARY
The Varanger Fjord – Norway’s Easternmost Fjord and a Gateway to Arctic Wonders
You travel with a hiking and photography guide to different destinations by car. The guide is a professional nature photographer and knows the best spots for beautiful shooting in the area.
The Varanger Fjord, Norway’s easternmost fjord, lies along the wild and untamed shores of the Barents Sea, just 35 kilometers from Finland’s Nuorgam.
Beyond capturing individual species, this expedition is about creating a compelling and emotionally powerful visual story of the Varanger Peninsula—its fragile Arctic nature, unique culture, and atmosphere of old fishing villages, as well as its mesmerizing landscapes. We strive to go beyond social media snapshots, guiding you to craft a meaningful photo series that speaks to the heart.
If you wish, we will help you develop a photo portfolio fit for publication, exhibitions, competitions, and professional projects. With an experienced photographer specialized in storytelling and photojournalism by your side, you will have expert guidance to bring your artistic vision to life.
Join us for an unforgettable winter adventure in the embrace of the Arctic wilderness!
Are you ready to capture the magic of the North?
Place: Varanger Peninsula, Norway
Availability: 1.2.–30.4. (Ask about availability and collect your group - we arrange the tour for you!)
Date: 20.-27.2., 7.-14.3.2027 (If you arrive to Oulu Airport, the tour includes an extra night at the beginning and the end of the tour, + 240 € / person including dinners and breakfasts)
Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
Number of participants: Min 4, max 8 persons
Accommodation: Cozy hotels, lodges/apartments, single or twin rooms
Price: 3690 €/person
Price includes: Return transport from Oulu or Ivalo Airport to Varanger, activities due to the program, guidance, meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), accommodation in twin rooms
The price doesn’t include flights.
Equipment: Participants have their own camera equipment, tripod, laptop, memory stick, good hiking boots, waterproof clothing, warm underwear, etc., according to the weather. Please ask for the whole list of equipment after booking.
Equipment included in the price:
By additional cost: Camera equipment, binoculars, winter clothing set.
Supplements: Single room +280 € / person / week
Payment: Invoice, cash, credit card
Tour level: Easy. Participants are required to have a basic level of fitness. Previous experience in outdoor activities is desirable.
Languages: Finnish, English
Insurance: We require participants to have their insurance for outdoor activities.
Tour operator: Our tours are organized responsibly by Matexpro Oy, registered with the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) under registration number 322/21/Mj.
ITINERARY
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- The journey can be started from Oulu, Rovaniemi or Ivalo airports. At the Airport, the guide - recognizable by the "Nordic Wildscape" sign - welcomes arriving participants.
- Enjoy a welcome coffee with your guidebefore heading towards the stunning Varanger Fjord and the village of Båtsfjord.
- By afternoon, we arrive in Båtsfjord, settling into private rooms by the fjord’s edge.
- After dinner, an evening stroll along the fjord’s shores offers opportunities to photograph King Eider, Eider, Steller’s Eider, oystercatchers, and even seals.
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- After breakfast, we continue to the floating hides. Target species: King eider, eiders, Steller’s eider, long tailed duck.
- Sail on a boat to the fjord and photograph different sea birds flying. Target species include the killer whales.
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- Golden hour shoots – early morning session to capture birds in the best natural light from the floating hide.
- Approx. 4 hours Transport to Vadsö town through the icy tundra. Accommodation in Vadsö
- Drive to Nesseby church, one of the highlights of the tour.
- The church area boasts dense populations of sandpipers, ducks and other seabirds, making for an unforgettable photography experience in a beautiful scenery.
- Return to the hotel for a satisfying dinner.
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- We travel to the famed bird cliffs of Ekkerøy, home to thousands of black-legged kittiwakes.
- Guided Bird Identification Walk. Before photographing, we take time to observe and identify species with the help of a guide.
- The day is spent carefully photographing seabirds and their fascinating behaviors.
- Evening accommodation is in a cozy guesthouse, where a fantastic catered dinner awaits.
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- Breakfast fuels our trip to the cliffs of Ekkerøy, a view from the cliffs to the sea and the bird nests.
- A short hike leads to the top of the cliff where our target species are shags, cormorants, sea eagles, and other coastal species. If we are lucky, we can see also the arctic fox.
- Return to the lodges for a delicious dinner.
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- A scenic drive takes us to Vardø , one of the main towns in Varanger fjord, where we encounter its harbor and unique avian inhabitants.
- Amid breathtaking cultural landscapes, lunch and dinner is enjoyed in the town, accommodation in the hotel.
- Getting ready for the highlight of the tour: Target species are Arctic fox and mountain hare in front of the outdoor studio. We photograph animals from the solid hide in the night.
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- Optional snowshoeing excursion into the tundra to capture the region’s characteristic species, including ptarmigans, willow grouse, snow buntings, and reindeer.
- Return to the hotel for a final celebratory dinner.
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- After breakfast, we begin our journey back to Ivalo Airport and Oulu, marking the conclusion of this spectacular Arctic bird photography adventure.
We reserve all the rights to change the activities' order or the program's content due to the weather or other conditions.