Northern Lights: Tromsø in November?

Soldato
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Well, work have told me to use up my leave by Christmas again. I'm not very well travelled but last year I ended up going to Japan. I've decided I want to see the Northern Lights. Not too bothered about any other tourist stuff TBH, though I'm open to anything as an experience.

Looks like Tromsø is a reasonable bet and I figure about a week there mid-late November might be a good effort. Flights are surprisingly cheap!

Any recommendations, tips, warnings or better ideas?

Obviously going to prod @Raymond Lin for this one :)
 
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Well, work have told me to use up my leave by Christmas again. I'm not very well travelled but last year I ended up going to Japan. I've decided I want to see the Northern Lights. Not too bothered about any other tourist stuff TBH, though I'm open to anything as an experience.

Looks like Tromsø is a reasonable bet and I figure about a week there mid-late November might be a good effort. Flights are surprisingly cheap!

Any recommendations, tips, warnings or better ideas?

Obviously going to prod @Raymond Lin for this one :)

I didn’t go! @Phate has been though. I went to Oslo instead.
 
Soldato
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Bit boring going on own no?
Probably but it's also a bit liberating to be able to do whatever I want. Double edged sword. My girlfriend is self employed and basically overloaded between now and Christmas, so can't come. I've posted on Facebook to see if friends are interested!

In Japan I met someone on my first morning and we buddied up for 3 days, it was great TBF.
 
Soldato
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Comically enough i suggested Tromso in another thread yesterday as im looking to go too. I have a friend who lives in Norway and hes in Vadso which is about the same longitude but hes far far east and this was the view from his garden last year.
5ICZdmb.png

Im thinking of going there some time soon and he recommends December but obv need to dress really well and warm as it can get insanely cold
 
Last edited:

mrk

mrk

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What about Finland too? The Igloo Hotel (Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort) is pretty unique with log cabins, Husky rides, snow mobile riding and great atmosphere and food in the main building. After all these years I can still smell the log cabins from memory. Also get to see the northern lights.









Landing on a snow covered runway in a small prop plane is something of an experience too, as is the -32 degree temps and zero wind so your neck insides frost up with every inhale in the morning when you step out the cabin :cool:
 
Caporegime
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Anywhere with an airport near article circle.
Kiruna in Sweden. Narvick in Norway been to both.
November will be bloody cold by UK standards.
Think for light pollution and get an app with solar wind activity. Tbh that far north it's probably visible nearly every night in the right conditions.
I use LPM for light pollution and Aurora map both on Android store.
Get a tripod if you want slow exposure photos.
Find a place with reliably low cloud cover too.

I'm lucky I can just look out my window usually lol. We had a kp6 magnetic storm last weekend but it was so foggy here I didn't see a bloody thing. Major disappointment.

Finland will be a lot cheaper than Norway. And Sweden too at 12kr to the pound right now.
 
Caporegime
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Sorry for the delay. I went to Tromsø & Oslo in Nov 2017 and got the Northern lights. The country itself is spectacular along with Tromsø being pretty surreal at that time of year.

Here are some photos from Tromsø itself.

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:)
 
Soldato
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Went in Feb 16, a lovely place with stunning scenery especially as you venture out of the city. Saw the lights although wasn’t the strongest display.
 
Soldato
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Sorry for the delay. I went to Tromsø & Oslo in Nov 2017 and got the Northern lights. The country itself is spectacular along with Tromsø being pretty surreal at that time of year.

Here are some photos from Tromsø itself.

PB212949.jpg


PB212995.jpg


PB213011.jpg


PB213013.jpg


PB213014.jpg


PB213028.jpg


PB213047.jpg


PB213046.jpg


PB213083.jpg


PB213091.jpg


PB213101.jpg


PB213103.jpg


PB223128.jpg


PB223135.jpg


PB223143.jpg


PB223152.jpg


PB223186.jpg


:)
Oooooh those are stunning. Using this thread to convince my mate to come with me :D
 
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I've got 5 days leave to use up between now and Christmas and I'll be travelling alone, I'm trying to decide between a guided tour or Iceland with Intrepid Travel or just go to Tromsø. The pics in here look amazing so I may look at a solo trip to Tromsø. Any suggestions on where to stay and how long to go for? I don't want to end up being bored!
 
Soldato
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Well, flights leave Saturday morning. All this time I believed we were going Sunday until my mate corrected me yesterday. That was a small heart attack!

Have bought extra thermals, big boots, removable snow grips, and dug out my wool jumpers. A nice colleague lent me his coat to save me buying a better one :)

Also bought a tripod and I'll be packing loads of teabags and biscuits because well, I am British!

One question I'm wondering about is will we be able to just wander off into the area? We're staying a mile or so out of town and hoping to explore a lot on our own time.

Just need to learn how to set up long exposure shots!
 
Soldato
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One question I'm wondering about is will we be able to just wander off into the area? We're staying a mile or so out of town and hoping to explore a lot on our own time.

Just need to learn how to set up long exposure shots!

You can go off on your own but its probably good to go with a tour guide, i went with these guys who gave us a brilliant trip including having dinner on a beach in the middle of nowhere under the stars. Then later on the lights appeared and we went to three different places to view them from.

Will have to go again one day.

https://explorethearctic.no/
 
Soldato
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Ipswich / Bodham
Well, flights leave Saturday morning. All this time I believed we were going Sunday until my mate corrected me yesterday. That was a small heart attack!

Have bought extra thermals, big boots, removable snow grips, and dug out my wool jumpers. A nice colleague lent me his coat to save me buying a better one :)

Also bought a tripod and I'll be packing loads of teabags and biscuits because well, I am British!

One question I'm wondering about is will we be able to just wander off into the area? We're staying a mile or so out of town and hoping to explore a lot on our own time.

Just need to learn how to set up long exposure shots!

Get some heat packs to keep your lens warm.
 
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