Join Skua’s Spring Photographic Tour in Varanger, a remarkable journey into the heart of Norway’s Arctic as it awakens after the long, icy winter. With the arrival of spring in the tundra, the landscape comes back to life: plants bloom, ice melts, and a rich array of species return to this wild corner of the world to breed and raise their young. Short-eared Owls and Long-tailed Skuas soar above the plains, while Ruffs gather at their leks to perform dramatic mating displays. Reindeer and Moose roam the highlands of the Varanger Peninsula, and in the nearby Lapland forests, Siberian Jays and Pine Grosbeaks add vibrant color and movement. Hornøya, the jewel of the Barents Sea, is home to thousands of seabirds: Puffins, Shags, Guillemots, and Razorbills, which can be observed and photographed at remarkably close range. Throughout the tour, our expert team will guide you to discover and photograph these and many other migratory species that travel to Norway for the breeding season.
Ruffs in courtship display
Arctic and migratory bird photography
Small group for a more intimate experience
Exclusive accommodation at Kongsfjord Arctic Lodge
Day 1: Arrival and Taiga's Avian Delights
We land at Ivalo airport, 250 km north of the Arctic Circle, and drive into the Finnish taiga to reach the Varanger Peninsula. Our first stop is Kaamanen, where the local restaurant has set up bird feeders frequented by Siberian jays, Siberian tits, and pine grosbeaks. Thanks to the midnight sun, we'll enjoy spectacular light conditions to photograph these birds from a dedicated photo hide. Consider using a telephoto lens with good low light performance. After dinner, we head north, spotting reindeer herds, Cappercaillie and Black Grouses and searching for northern hawk owls and rock ptarmigans. We arrive at Kongsfjord Arctic Lodge, our base for the next few days.
Day 2: Ruffs in Lek and Gannets on the Cliffs
After breakfast, we prepare for an intense day of wildlife photography. We'll visit the plateaus around Kongsfjord, photographing the ruffs in their lekking displays. Capture the golden hour light illuminating the ruff leks. In the tundra, we observe their courtship rituals. We'll also look for red-throated loons and common goldeneyes. After lunch in Syltefjord, we embark on a sea excursion to a northern gannet colony. As we cruise along the Makkaurhalvøya Nature Reserve, we'll photograph hundreds of gannets, puffins, and Guillemots. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action of seabirds in flight. Back in Kongsfjord, we have a second photo session with the ruffs under the evening sun.
Day 3: Terns, Coastal Vistas, and Evening Leks
After breakfast, we drive to Kongsfjord for a morning photo session at the Arctic and common tern colony. We return to Veines for lunch and to photograph purple sandpipers. Then, we explore the coastline towards Berlevag, photographing white-tailed eagles, long-tailed skuas, and snow buntings. Capture the dramatic coastal landscapes during the blue hour for atmospheric images. In Berlevag, we photograph black-legged kittiwakes, great black-backed gulls, and European herring gulls. We return to Kongsfjord, keeping an eye out for Temminck’s stints. We conclude with a farewell barbecue and a final hike to the ruff leks.
Day 4: Owls, Shorebirds, and Kittiwake Battles
Today, we focus on birds of prey. We search for northern hawk owls in the dwarf birch forests. Along the Varangerfjord, we photograph harbor seals, white-tailed eagles, bar-tailed godwits, and common cranes, and short-eared owls. Our guides will help you understand the best angles and compositions for photographing the dramatic landscapes of Varanger. In the afternoon, we visit a black-legged kittiwake colony, capturing aerial battles with parasitic jaegers. We reach Vardø, where we photograph red-throated pipits, European golden plovers, ruddy turnstones, and red knots.
Day 5: Hornøya's Seabird Spectacle and Evening Tundra
After breakfast, we head to Hornøya Island, photographing hundreds puffins, razorbills, European shags, Cormorant and Common and Black Guillemots. We return to Vardø and travel to Vadsø. After dinner, we explore the Arctic tundra, searching for ruffs and short-eared owls. We allow ample time at each location, allowing you to capture the perfect shot.
Day 6: Southern Varanger and a Final Forest Session
We travel south, photographing short-eared owls in the morning light. We drive to Varangerbotn, photographing velvet and common scoters, Temminck’s sandpipers, and Eurasian oystercatchers. We return to Finland and photograph forest passerines at Kaamanen. We conclude with a farewell dinner.
Day 7: Farewell to the Arctic
We drive to Ivalo Airport, photographing reindeer and, with luck, moose. We bid farewell to the Arctic.
Please Note:The itinerary is subject to change based on wildlife activity and weather conditions.Our guides are experienced wildlife photographers and will provide expert guidance throughout the tour.Ethical wildlife photography is a priority.
Ivalo - Kaamanen - Kongsfjord - Berlevag - Batsfjord - Syltefjord - Tana Bru - Ekkeroy - Vardo - Hornoya - Vadso - Ivalo
Bring:
Participants: min 4 - max 8
Languages: English, Spanish, Italian
Important information:
Ivalo Airport
Target Species: Ruff, Arctic Tern, Red-throated Loon, Black-throated Loon, Red-Throated Diver, Common Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dotterel, Smew, Knot, Gannet, European Golden Plovers, Long-tailed Duck, Eurasian Dotterels, Horned Lark, Long-Tailed Skua, Common Guillemot, Brünnich’s Guillemot, Little Auk, Razorbill, Puffin, Glaucous Gull, Short-ear Owl, Black-legged Kittiwake, Rock Ptarmigan, Willow Ptarmigan, Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Mountain Hare, Rough-legged Buzzard, White-Tailed Eagle, Humpback Whale, Fin Whale, Grey Seal, Harbor Seal, King Eider, Common Eider, Red Phalarope, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Arctic Redpoll, Goldeneye, Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, Bullfinch, Snow Bunting, Pied Flycatcher, Brambling, Little Bunting, Rustic Bunting, Parrot Crossbill, Red-Throated Pipit.
Best date: 6 june
Single room charge 400 € on request
