7 Days – Arctic Circle Island Hopping – Sommarøy & Senja

Spend the day at Sommarøy, Hillesøy, and Kvaløya. Explore the white sandy beaches on tiny islets via kayak, hire your own little boat, go fishing or take a drive and climb a local mountain. Standing on top of the Hillesøy-pak local mountain at midnight gazing over the arctic ocean is highly recommended. Make use of every hour!

Things to book at Sommarøy:

• Kayaking
• Fishing trip
• Hire a small boat
• Trek up the fairly easy Hillesøy-toppen
• Hot tub on a white beach
• Tour of the local fishing village
• RIB tour to the local lighthouse
• Sea to summit trekking
• Midnight sun hiking by RIB
• Sea eagle safari
• Own trip to see the ancient petroglyphs of the nomads

Overnight at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel

Start your journey to the second biggest island in Norway, and a pearl in Northern Norway´s crown, Senja. It is the start of the most spectacular of drives, and the route you take is categorised as one of the 18 most scenic routes in Norway.
Drive to the local ferry port Brensholmen, 10 minutes from the hotel, take the ferry from Brensholmen to Botnhamn on the island of Senja. Ferry time ¾ of an hour.
TOP TIP: Make sure you arrive early for your ferry ride as this is a popular route in summer with locals and the cars are let on on a first come first serve basis, so arrive at least half an hour before departure time.
Arrive at Botnhamn, and start your incredible journey along on Norway´s 18 national scenic roads

Ferry time: 35 mins
Transfer times from Sommarøy to Hamn i Senja including ferry: 2 hours  (40 mins ferry time) Depending on stops.
TOP TIP: Make sure you arrive at the ferry port at least half an hour before departure as the ferry can get full and it is a first come first serve basis

Recommended stops:

• Tungeneset
• Bergsbotn
• Kråkeslottet (off the official route)

End up at Hamn i Senja for your overnight stay in one of the most spectacular locations in Northern Norway. Hamn I Senja has it all – luxurious rooms, fisherman’s cabins and apartments, an excellent quayside restaurant and café, stunning views across the crystal waters, dramatic but easily accessible hikes and bike rides, sea life, and activities, and an almost magical vibe with sunken down hot tubs INSIDE old fishing vessels – It has to be experienced to be appreciated.

Dinner and overnight stay in an aurora (luxury) room, with panoramic views across the water and towards the midnight sun.

Things to add at Hamn i Senja, all can be booked with Arctic Holiday.

• Bird safari by RIB
• Fishing
• Biking tour on the national road,
• Outdoor hot tub overlooking the sea, mountains and the midnight sun
• Hot tub inside the old fishing boat

DOWNLOAD MAP OF SENJA

(optional extra day in Hamn i Senja)
Continue along the National scenic route on to Gryllefjord in Senja. Jump on the Ferry to Andenes on the Island of Andøya, where the national scenic road continues.
This island is known as Norway’s “whale watching capital” due to its location in seawater rich in food year-round for the whales, most commonly humpback but killer whales and other whales and dolphins are frequently also seen.

Overnight at Hotel Thon Andenes or at Havhusene at Bleik

Things to do in Andenes:

• Whale watching, whale guarantee in place
• Bird watching
• Hiking and cycling

Visit Bleik – The fishing village of Bleik is a small community with 400–500 inhabitants. Remains of farming activities dating back to 600 CE have been found here. The gleaming, white Bleiksstranda beach has given the community its name, from the Old Norse “bleikr”, meaning pale or light-coloured. The bird cliffs on Bleiksøya island lies immediately opposite. More than 40,000 puffins nest here, as well as a large colony of sea eagles.

Visit Bukkakjerka – At Børra, the road separates the steep mountainside in the east from the open sea that breaks against the shore in the west. At the Børhella promontory, you see the rock formation of Bukkekjerka, which is an old Sami sacrificial site. The name, although it sounds like “buck church” in Norwegian, stems from the Sami word “bohki ” which means crevice and “giergie” which means rock. Several trodden tracks lead to the top of Bukkekjerka. Here we have placed a small bench where you can see far out over the open sea, the mountain peaks in the north and the midnight sun. There are several places where you can sit down by the southern wall of Bukkekjerka. From this rest area, a path leads out to the islet with two small unmanned lighthouses. During the great herring fisheries period, Børvågen was a lively fishing village, but the storm in 1879 reduced it to rubble. There are still remains of Iron Age buildings, burial mounds and old boat landings.

Suggested stops: Visit the Old lighthouse from 1856 and visit Gammelbutikken, an old country store refurbished to its old glory, great for gifts and local wares.

MAP OF ANDØYA

Drive on further along the scenic route on to Marlmelkroken at Andøya.

The Marmelkroken Cabins and apartments are located in stunning nature. If you desire activity, the possibilities are numerous. For those with children or young in spirit there is a trampoline, climbing wall and volleyball court free to use. You’ll also find a sandbox with lots of toys for the little ones. Bicycles are available, free for residential guests.

There are many great paths for walks and hiking, ask for tips at the reception and they will tell you about the best spots. If you should want to use the saunas, the wood-fired sauna with panoramic views is for hire. Saunas should be booked in advance, as it takes about two hours to get the right temperature.

Overnight at Marlmelkroken

03.45 Drive to Risøyhamn
04.30 Jump on the famous Hurtigruten coast liner with your car at around and back to Tromsø on a beautiful scenic journey

14.15 Arrive in Tromsø

Sea Kayaking

Optional activities in Tromsø:

• Hike up to the cable car
• eBike cycling tours
• Midnight sun and Panoramic views
• Guided midnight sun hiking
• Fishing

Overnight at Clarion The Edge in Tromsø

Optional activities in Tromsø, depending on your flight time:

• Hike up to the cable car
• eBike cycling tours
• Midnight sun and Panoramic views
• Guided midnight sun hiking
• Fishing

Drop off your rental car and depart home from Tromsø airport

Optional extra days available at all stops, variations can be tailored to your needs.