This Skua expedition ventures through Norway’s Finnmark and Finnish Lapland, crossing vast open plateaus, remote villages, wind-swept ocean cliffs and deep boreal forests. An on-the-road itinerary designed for those who seek raw nature, Arctic wildlife, Sámi culture and true silence, at the right pace to observe, explore and tell the story of the Far North.
DAY 1 – Arrival in Alta, Gateway to the Arctic
Arrival in Alta in the late afternoon, welcome by your Skua guide and transfer to the hotel. First exploratory walk through this Arctic town overlooking the fjord, introductory briefing and welcome dinner. Alta is considered the capital of Finnmark, a meeting point between sea, tundra and Sámi culture.
DAY 2 – Alta’s Arctic Heritage & Journey to North Cape
After your first night at the threshold of the Arctic, the day begins in Alta — a town suspended between fjord, tundra and boreal forest. This is not only wild nature: it is one of the oldest inhabited regions in Northern Europe. We visit the Alta Rock Art, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a journey back more than 7,000 years. Walking along wooden pathways crossing the fjord shoreline, we observe thousands of petroglyphs carved into the rock: hunting scenes, reindeer, boats and shamans, rare testimony to the earliest Arctic populations. After lunch, we leave Alta and begin our road expedition toward the northernmost reaches of Europe. The route crosses open plateaus, tundra landscapes, rivers and Arctic lakes. Reindeer herds graze freely, and the sense of isolation deepens mile after mile. The Midnight Sun follows us like an endless twilight. By late afternoon we reach Honningsvåg, a small Arctic harbor on the island of Magerøya and gateway to North Cape. Check-in at The View Hotel overlooking the Arctic Ocean. Dinner facing the sea, as the sun slowly approaches the horizon without ever disappearing — a prelude to tomorrow’s exploration of the “Edge of the World.”
DAY 3 – North Cape & Hurtigruten Sailing Along the Finnmark Coast
After breakfast we depart for the North Cape plateau, crossing open tundra and wind-swept cliffs. Rising more than 300 meters above the Arctic Ocean, North Cape is one of Northern Europe’s most iconic landmarks. Here the continent seems to end abruptly, giving way to ocean and infinite horizon. We walk across the plateau amid wind, shifting fog and Arctic light. Return to Honningsvåg for lunch and free time before boarding the legendary Hurtigruten, Norway’s historic coastal route connecting remote Arctic communities for over a century. Sailing along Finnmark offers a unique perspective on the Arctic coastline: fjords, isolated villages, cliffs and wind-beaten islands drift slowly past. Evening arrival in Berlevåg around 22:30 and transfer to Kongsfjord, where the Skua lodge awaits, facing the Barents Sea in one of Europe’s wildest and least populated regions.
DAY 4 – Syltefjord, King Crab & Barents Sea Village
The day begins in the deep silence of Eastern Finnmark. After breakfast we drive to Syltefjord, one of the region’s most remote bays. Here we embark on a King Crab Safari, navigating Arctic waters aboard small RIB boats. Learn about this iconic species and its role in local culture and economy. The Barents Sea is one of the North Atlantic’s richest ecosystems, home to seabird colonies, seals and occasionally large cetaceans. After the excursion, we enjoy freshly caught King Crab in a traditional red fisherman’s cabin overlooking the bay. Continue to Båtsfjord, one of Finnmark’s most active fishing ports, before returning to Kongsfjord. Late afternoon Arctic sauna followed by dinner at the lodge. The evening unfolds beneath the golden tones of the Midnight Sun reflecting on the Barents Sea.
DAY 5 – Berlevåg, Arctic Beaches & the Silence of Finnmark
After breakfast we explore Berlevåg, one of Eastern Finnmark’s most remote villages. Visit the harbor museum and learn about the challenging history behind the construction of the fishing port and the resilience of its community. We continue to Store Molvik, one of Arctic Norway’s most spectacular beaches, where tundra meets open ocean in a landscape of pale sand, endless horizons and constant wind. Picnic lunch, then on to Sandfjorden for a coastal walk and photography session. This stretch of Finnmark is a mosaic of cliffs, beaches and wind-swept plateaus. Keep watch for white-tailed eagles, reindeer herds, ptarmigans and even moose. Return to Kongsfjord for dinner and a hiking under the Midnight Sun.
DAY 6 – To Vardø, Norway’s Easternmost Town
We leave Kongsfjord heading east along the Barents Sea coast toward Vardø, mainland Norway’s easternmost town. Along the way we cross tundra plateaus and remote settlements, with photo stops near Tana Bru, Varangerbotn and Nesseby. In Vardø we visit the Vardøhus Fortress, the world’s northernmost fortress, and the Steilneset Memorial, dedicated to the 17th-century witch trials. Overnight in Vardø, wrapped in Arctic light.
DAY 7 – Hornøya & Into Finnish Lapland
After breakfast we sail to Hornøya, one of Northern Europe’s most important seabird nesting islands. This rocky island in the Barents Sea is a paradise for birdwatchers, home to dense colonies of gannets, puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, Arctic terns, cormorants and occasionally white-tailed eagles overhead. Return to Vardø for lunch, then transfer into Finnish Lapland. Crossing the border, the landscape transforms: birch forests, endless lakes and Sámi villages. Arrival near Kaamanen. Evening walk along Arctic lakeshores. Here the silence is total and the light never fades.
DAY 8 – Departure from Ivalo
Transfer to Ivalo Airport for your return flight. End of the journey.
Alta, North Cape, Honningsvåg, Kaamanen, Berlevåg, Kongsfjord, Syltefjord, Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, Kirkenes
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Clothing & Equipment
The coastal climate is oceanic, cool and often windy, with temperatures generally between 5°C and 15°C. In Finnish Lapland, daytime temperatures typically range between 15°C and 20°C.
We recommend bringing: Waterproof and windproof jacket Light thermal layers (fleece / softshell) Waterproof trekking trousers Light hat and gloves (useful on boat excursions) Waterproof hiking boots Sunglasses and sunscreen
For photography enthusiasts: Wildlife: telephoto lens of at least 300–400mm Landscapes: wide-angle lens or smartphone
Daylight & Time Zone Norway follows Central European Time (same as Italy). Finland is +1 hour ahead. Throughout the journey you will experience the Midnight Sun phenomenon — daylight 24 hours a day.
Mobile Coverage: Excellent in towns and generally good along main roads and villages. Coverage may be weaker in remote valleys and fjords.
Currency Norway: Norwegian Krone (NOK) Finland: Euro (EUR) Indicative exchange rate: 1 NOK ≈ 0.085–0.095 EUR Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere; cash is rarely needed.
Alta Airport
