Holidays > Worldwide Holidays > Norway

This is a proposed trip and may change slightly over the next six months or so. It is designed to target the speciality birds and wildlife of the region and to hopefully see, weather permitting, the Northern Lights aurora borealis at a reasonable cost. The days are longer by mid-March and this allows for birding from early morning to early evening. As we are pretty much restricted to the main coastal route (Arctic highway) it does allow plenty of time to really soak up the special birds on offer or spend time photographing them. Target birding experiences and species include flocks of Steller’s and King Eiders among flocks of commoner sea-duck, you simply do not see them like this in May/June. Seabirds will begin returning to breeding ledges and rocky coastlines so we should locate all including Black and Brunnich’s Guillemot. Gyrfalclon and White-tailed Eagles are also very much target birds and gardens and feeders will be checked for passerines which may well include Northern Willow and Siberian Tit whilst in Norway. Willow Grouse reside at lower levels for the winter and roadside sightings are possible. Gulls feature around the harbours with Glaucous being present and some large Kittiwake colonies notable. Purple Sandpiper is a common bird along the rocky shoreline. We may be lucky enough to find a White-billed Diver or perhaps something else of note with luck like Snowy Owl. We will head south into Finland to spend the night at Kaamanen to try to get close to and photograph Pine Grosbeak, Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay, Mealy and Arctic Redpoll and perhaps more. There is always a chance of Hawk Owl.

Expected Birds

Below is a list of the birds that we can reasonably expect to see at this time of year in this location.
This is intended only as a guide and we cannot guarantee that we will see every species listed, however we may also see birds which are not listed

• Steller's Eider
• King Eider
• Black Guillemot
• Brunnich’s Guillemot
• Gyrfalclon
• White-tailed Eagles
• Northern Willow Tit
• Siberian Tit
• Willow Grouse
• Glaucous Gull
• Kittiwake
• Purple Sandpiper
• Siberian Tit
• Siberian Jay
• Pine Grosbeak
• Mealy and Arctic Redpolls


Possibly see
• White-billed Diver
• Snowy Owl
• sea mammals

Itinerary

Below is our planned itinerary for the trip, although we try our best to stick to our itineraries, occasionally it does become necessary to change things around a little bit due to the weather or the presence/lack of birds at particular sites during the time of our visit.

It is vital to get in early for this trip to ensure we get the cheapest flights and ensure it goes ahead.
We intend to fly out from UK airport, most likely Gatwick, Heathrow or Liverpool so a lift share will be organised. It should be an afternoon flight leaving time to get to Oslo and stay the night in budget accommodation. A twenty minute train ride to Oslo centre and a short bus ride will bring us to our accommodation. This should allow some exploration of the capital before resting up for the night and preparing to head north in the morning..

2 We need to be up to get to the airport for 0730 and take a morning flight to Kirkenes. We will pick up our transport and begin birding our way along the Northern coast en-route to our accommodation on the Varangerfjord where we stay for the night.




An early start followed by a day of plenty of stops around Varangerfjord for birding, hot drinks, food etc. We shall visit Vadsø and Vardø where we can find the eiders in the harbours.


We now head back to the Varangerfjord area again birding en-route and to spend the night and following day birding. Exploration of the area may take us to Båtsfjord and Tana Bru. Ultimately we will head south into Finland to spend the night at a lodge and watch for Boreal species coming to feeders in the morning.


After spending the morning photographing and enjoying the passerines we shall drive back into Norway with more exploration of the headlands and harbours with time for digi-scoping, birding and photography. We will stay back in Norway.


We need to connect with a return flight to Oslo at midday so we will get up early and bird our way back to the airport. A return flight from Oslo to the UK will then be taken arriving early-mid evening.

Holiday date:

11-16 or 18-23 March (provisional dates)

Holiday Cost:

£699.00

Cost to WWT Members

£664.05

Learn more about the WWT and become a member

Deposit:

£250.00

Please read our Terms & Conditions for more information about Deposit payments

Single Room Supplement:

£60.00 - £80.00

If you are travelling alone but willing to share we maybe able to find a roommate for you to reduce the cost.
Please see the booking form for more information

Flights

Flights usually available from £150.00 - £210.00

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

Accomodation in simple budget hostels or private flats or a hotel (this will cost more). Rooms are available for single occupancy with en-suite bathrooms but will incur an extra charge. Share of car hire and fuel, services of guide/guides. Meals are not included but various options include eating at service areas and cooking for ourselves in the kitchen area of our accommodation as good facilities allow for this (unless in hotels). Breakfast is available at our accommodation in Oslo and in the North we shall supply ourselves from the supermarkets. A meal may be prepared by our hosts in Finland if required but will be charged accordingly.

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

Accomodation in simple budget hostels or private flats or a hotel (this will cost more). Rooms are available for single occupancy with en-suite bathrooms but will incur an extra charge. Share of car hire and fuel, services of guide/guides. Meals are not included but various options include eating at service areas and cooking for ourselves in the kitchen area of our accommodation as good facilities allow for this (unless in hotels). Breakfast is available at our accommodation in Oslo and in the North we shall supply ourselves from the supermarkets. A meal may be prepared by our hosts in Finland if required but will be charged accordingly.

Other Information

Flights and insurance are not included but can be purchased on behalf of clients. Please read the Terms and Conditions as found in the brochure or website or they can be e-mailed. Clients are responsible for travelling to the UK departure airport but help with a transfer/lift share can be arranged among those attending.

Clothing & Equipment

It will be cold -20 possible at night (we will only be out for the Northern lights), especially in the mornings and evenings. Warm fleeces, gloves, perhaps a thin liner pair and ski type outer, hats, waterproofs boot liners (for wellies) or warm socks should be packed. Several layers are best to keep out the cold. Modern clothing is very effective at keeping the cold at bay. A flask and coffee/tea, foot warming packs and thermals are all recommended items that are very much worth bringing. Very good digi-scoping and photo opportunities are on offer (weather permitting).

Environment

Mostly flat as we are near the coast/marshes but some uneven ground and slopes to tackle. Snow and ice will feature. We will have a warm car, accommodation and make plenty of stops for hot drinks and food, some birding is possible from the car. We shall never be far from our transport and the main routes we use are kept clear.

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