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Saved Tours 
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    [name] => Norway's Varanger Fjord - Birds & Northen Lights
    [code] => NOR04
    [slug] => norways-varanger-fjord
    [description] => 
Varanger Fjord, at the northern extremity of mainland Europe, is the unusual destination for this exciting birdwatching holiday. Here, in a sparsely populated land of mountains, glaciers and tundra we will witness the specialised Arctic birdlife respond to the approach of spring and observe great assemblies of sea duck along the coast, including the largest concentration of Steller's Eiders in Europe. King Eiders and Brunnich’s Guillemot will be amongst other target species here, while further south in Finnish Lapland the inhabitants of the vast taiga forests will be our objective, with Three-toed Woodpecker, Siberian Tit and the confiding Siberian Jay among the avian highlights.


    

  • Take a rare glimpse of the Arctic in early spring
    • 

  • Enjoy large flocks of Steller's Eider, King Eiders and Long-tailed Duck
    • 

  • Look for Siberian Tits and Siberian Jays in the taiga forests
    • 

  • Seabirds, including Brünnich's Guillemots on an offshore island 
    • 

  • ‘Northern Lights’ – a possibility
    • 

  • Be guided by our expert local ornithologist(s)
    • 


    [introduction] => A 5-day birdwatching tour to the Varanger Peninsula at the northern tip of Europe in search of Steller's and King Eiders, Gyr Falcon and other arctic birds.
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                    [name] => Norway
                    [description] => 
Tell me about Norway …


An independent monarchy in the north of Europe, Norway boasts a spectacular coastline extending more than 21,000 kilometres and punctuated by a myriad of deep fjords.


Away from the coast the country consists of large expanses of high plateaux, mountains separated by deep glacial valleys and tracts of mainly coniferous forest studded by lakes.




This is a wild, largely unspoilt country with a human population density less than 1/17th that of the UK in a land area 80,000 square kilometres larger. The proximity of the Arctic Circle influences all aspects of Norwegian life resulting in long daylight hours through the summer months and correspondingly short winter days.


 

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Arctic

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                    [name] => Varanger Fjord
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Varanger Fjord

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The Varanger Peninsula lies at the most northern tip of Europe, a sparsely populated land of mountains, fjords and glaciers extending out from the continent towards the icy wastes of the Arctic Circle. For much of the winter the interior of this region is a Christmas card scene of thick snow, the haunt of Willow Grouse and Snowy Owl, but thanks to the influences of the Gulf Stream, the deeply indented coastline is largely free of ice, providing sheltered havens for large rafts of sea-duck. Most of Europe’s Steller’s Eiders crowd into Varanger Fjord, sharing the open water with Common Eider, King Eider and Long-tailed Duck, to create a unique assemblage of birds that will be one of the highlights of this unusual early spring tour.


Our tour begins at Ivalo, in Finnish Lapland, amidst wonderful northern taiga forests where the likelihood is that snow will be covering the ground. Reindeer sled is a popular form of transport here, and it would almost seem appropriate for Father Christmas to suddenly appear along one of the forest roads! A surprising number of birds choose to remain in these forests throughout the harsh winter months and now, with the unmistakable signs of spring all around, the new season is celebrated by courtship displays and the beginning of song. Three-toed Woodpeckers will be one of the birds we will be hoping to find, along with Siberian Tit, Arctic Redpoll, and Common, Parrot and Two-barred Crossbills. Although perfectly adapted to survive the rigours of the climate, many of these northern birds also appreciate a helping hand from humans, and garden bird tables in the villages are as popular with the local birdlife as they are in Britain. As we continue north along the Arctic highway into Norway, we will pause at some of the roadside feeding stations and hope to obtain close-up views of the various species coming to supplement their diet at the bird tables. The handsome Siberian Jay is one of the most adaptable of the taiga inhabitants and quick to take advantage of any free meals, often becoming remarkably confiding in such situations.


The trees are gradually replaced by open tundra as we cross Varanger Peninsula to the small fishing port of Vardo where we stay for two nights. Fringed by thickets of Mountain Birch, the blue waters of Varanger Fjord and the surrounding tundra represent one of the most accessible examples of Arctic habitat on the mainland of Europe. Arriving at the shores of the fjord our initial impression will be of the sheer numbers of sea-duck bobbing offshore, a view consolidated on the following day as we scan through the rafts of Common, King and Steller’s Eiders, many of the males energetically performing their courtship displays. The crooning calls of the Common and King Eiders fill the air and mingle with the cries of nearby Long-tailed Ducks, the males resplendent in summer plumage. White-billed Divers are occasionally seen ploughing through the waves like pocket battleships, their ivory-coloured beaks gleaming in the morning sun, whilst inquisitive seals interrupt their fishing to peer at us. When we have absorbed the sights and sounds of the inshore waters, and weather permitting, we will board a small boat to visit Hornøya Island which is an important seabird breeding island in the fjord. Brünnich’s Guillemot, one of the species of most interest to British birdwatchers, is numerous here, but there are also a thousand pairs of Puffin, plus breeding Black Guillemots, Razorbills and Guillemots — five members of the auk family all found on the one island. A huge Kittiwake colony adds to the spectacle and Glaucous Gulls may be present amongst vast, noisy colonies of Herring and Greater Black-backed Gulls. Returning to shore, we will look out for one of the local White-tailed Eagles soaring above the fjord and later in the evening there may be spectacular free entertainment, as the flickering lights of the Aurora Borealis illuminate the night sky, a true Arctic conclusion to our stay in this magical place.


All too soon, it will be time to return to Ivalo, but travelling through the glorious winter scenery of the peninsula there will be plenty more birdwatching opportunities as we pass roadside Ptarmigan, Willow Grouse and perhaps the occasional Snowy Owl or Arctic Fox. A long established Gyrfalcon eyrie merits a diversion along the way and the sight of these big northern falcons gliding over the tundra will be an enduring memory of our early spring visit to this fascinating region, where mainland Europe merges with the Arctic.

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Comfortable tourist hotels with private facilities.

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All food included in the price.

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                    [title] => Why Naturetrek?
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At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:


    

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
    • 

  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
    • 

  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
    • 



Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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A Naturetrek Tailormade holiday allows you, with the benefit of our wildlife travel expertise and destination experience, to enjoy the perfect private wildlife holiday – one that truly matches your requirements, expectations and ambitions. We will ensure the most competitive prices, superb naturalist guides and seamless ground services.
Some of the benefits of Naturetrek Tailormade travel include:
• A bespoke itinerary which is crafted by experts and designed specifically for you
• Private guiding by the very best local naturalists 
• Travel with people you know, at your own pace
• Incorporate as much culture, history or relaxation time as you wish
• Choose dates to suit you
• Select your preferred style of accommodation
• Travel with families and children of any age
Furthermore, our Tailormade team are always on hand to help and guide you along the way, with friendly advice, first-hand knowledge and inside information specific to your destination of choice. So if you have any queries about your holiday, we will be delighted to answer them. Please just give us a call!

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For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Norway's Varanger Fjord - Birds & Northen Lights

Tour Code: NOR04

A 5-day birdwatching tour to the Varanger Peninsula at the northern tip of Europe in search of Steller's and King Eiders, Gyr Falcon and other arctic birds.

£3,195

Flight Inclusive

£2,895

Land Only
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Tour Itinerary and Reports

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1 Itinerary 4 Tour Reports
Can I Help You?

Email Call 1-844-433-9473
Carbon Footprint

1047kg CO2e

With International Flights

307kg CO2e

Tour Only

What does this mean?

Highlights

  • Take a rare glimpse of the Arctic in early spring
  • Enjoy large flocks of Steller's Eider, King Eiders and Long-tailed Duck
  • Look for Siberian Tits and Siberian Jays in the taiga forests
  • Seabirds, including Brünnich's Guillemots on an offshore island 
  • ‘Northern Lights’ – a possibility
  • Be guided by our expert local ornithologist(s)

Summary

The Varanger Peninsula lies at the most northern tip of Europe, a sparsely populated land of mountains, fjords and glaciers extending out from the continent towards the icy wastes of the Arctic Circle. For much of the winter the interior of this region is a Christmas card scene of thick snow, the haunt of Willow Grouse and Snowy Owl, but thanks to the influences of the Gulf Stream, the deeply indented coastline is largely free of ice, providing sheltered havens for large rafts of sea-duck. Most of Europe’s Steller’s Eiders crowd into Varanger Fjord, sharing the open water with Common Eider, King Eider and Long-tailed Duck, to create a unique assemblage of birds that will be one of the highlights of this unusual early spring tour.

Our tour begins at Ivalo, in Finnish Lapland, amidst wonderful northern taiga forests where the likelihood is that snow will be covering the ground. Reindeer sled is a popular form of transport here, and it would almost seem appropriate for Father Christmas to suddenly appear along one of the forest roads! A surprising number of birds choose to remain in these forests throughout the harsh winter months and now, with the unmistakable signs of spring all around, the new season is celebrated by courtship displays and the beginning of song. Three-toed Woodpeckers will be one of the birds we will be hoping to find, along with Siberian Tit, Arctic Redpoll, and Common, Parrot and Two-barred Crossbills. Although perfectly adapted to survive the rigours of the climate, many of these northern birds also appreciate a helping hand from humans, and garden bird tables in the villages are as popular with the local birdlife as they are in Britain. As we continue north along the Arctic highway into Norway, we will pause at some of the roadside feeding stations and hope to obtain close-up views of the various species coming to supplement their diet at the bird tables. The handsome Siberian Jay is one of the most adaptable of the taiga inhabitants and quick to take advantage of any free meals, often becoming remarkably confiding in such situations.

The trees are gradually replaced by open tundra as we cross Varanger Peninsula to the small fishing port of Vardo where we stay for two nights. Fringed by thickets of Mountain Birch, the blue waters of Varanger Fjord and the surrounding tundra represent one of the most accessible examples of Arctic habitat on the mainland of Europe. Arriving at the shores of the fjord our initial impression will be of the sheer numbers of sea-duck bobbing offshore, a view consolidated on the following day as we scan through the rafts of Common, King and Steller’s Eiders, many of the males energetically performing their courtship displays. The crooning calls of the Common and King Eiders fill the air and mingle with the cries of nearby Long-tailed Ducks, the males resplendent in summer plumage. White-billed Divers are occasionally seen ploughing through the waves like pocket battleships, their ivory-coloured beaks gleaming in the morning sun, whilst inquisitive seals interrupt their fishing to peer at us. When we have absorbed the sights and sounds of the inshore waters, and weather permitting, we will board a small boat to visit Hornøya Island which is an important seabird breeding island in the fjord. Brünnich’s Guillemot, one of the species of most interest to British birdwatchers, is numerous here, but there are also a thousand pairs of Puffin, plus breeding Black Guillemots, Razorbills and Guillemots — five members of the auk family all found on the one island. A huge Kittiwake colony adds to the spectacle and Glaucous Gulls may be present amongst vast, noisy colonies of Herring and Greater Black-backed Gulls. Returning to shore, we will look out for one of the local White-tailed Eagles soaring above the fjord and later in the evening there may be spectacular free entertainment, as the flickering lights of the Aurora Borealis illuminate the night sky, a true Arctic conclusion to our stay in this magical place.

All too soon, it will be time to return to Ivalo, but travelling through the glorious winter scenery of the peninsula there will be plenty more birdwatching opportunities as we pass roadside Ptarmigan, Willow Grouse and perhaps the occasional Snowy Owl or Arctic Fox. A long established Gyrfalcon eyrie merits a diversion along the way and the sight of these big northern falcons gliding over the tundra will be an enduring memory of our early spring visit to this fascinating region, where mainland Europe merges with the Arctic.

Outline Itinerary

Day
1
Fly Ivalo
Days
2 - 3
Varanger Fjord
Day
4
Ivalo
Day
5
Fly London
Itinerary Image
View Itinerary

What's Included?

Food

All food included in the price.

Accommodation

Comfortable tourist hotels with private facilities.

Documents

Itineraries

Itinerary
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Tour Reports

March 2026
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March 2023
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March 2022
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March 2011
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Dates & Prices

2027

Flight Inclusive

£3,195

Land Only

£2,895

Single Supplement

£385

Regional Departures

Would you rather depart from an airport closer to you? Give us a call at 1-844-433-9473 and we'll see what we can do.

Book Now

2028

Flight Inclusive

£3,195

Land Only

£2,895

Single Supplement

£395

Regional Departures

Would you rather depart from an airport closer to you? Give us a call at 1-844-433-9473 and we'll see what we can do.

Book Now

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Gallery

King Eider
Pine Grosbeak
Steller'S Eiders
Siberian Jay
Brunnich's Guillemots
Long-tailed Duck
Razorbill
Siberian Tit (Andrew Taylor)
King Eider
Aurora Borealis
Copywritten to Andrew Taylor
Shags and auks (Andrew Taylor)
Pine Grosbeak (Andrew Taylor)
Siberian Jay
Siberian Tit (Jari Peltomaki)

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