The Ultimate Arctic Circle Adventure in Norway

Fat bikes have extra fat, knobbly tyres that are designed for riding on soft surfaces like sand and snow, and they have little or no suspension. The super-fat tyres distribute the rider’s mass across a larger area, so you don’t sink in and do gain more traction than you would with a standard tyre size. You can ride with stability, even over firm snow and ice but in deeper/heavier snow more physical effort will be needed. Fat biking around Alta in the winter is one of the most commonly used methods for locals to travel short distances and is becoming increasingly popular as a way to see the northern lights, both by tourists and locals alike. You won't be riding very far, so anyone who can ride a bike at a basic level will enjoy fat biking to see the aurora.

Snowshoeing is a type of hiking that uses a special type of footwear - a snowshoe - to spread your weight over a larger area, allowing you to move easily across powdery snow-covered terrain. While today's snowshoes look modern, snowshoeing has actually played a vital role in Arctic life for centuries, with traders and trappers using wooden versions to move freely through the wilderness.

Snowshoeing is incredibly easy, comfortable and safe. You simply clip your snowshoe to the outside of your hiking boot and off you go. You'll be in the hands of local, experienced, and trained guides who know the area intimately and will guide you safely throughout the hike.

Absolutely. Our host has a lot of experience looking after the dogs, and runs a small-scale sledding business in the local area. The dog's welfare has been – and always will be – their top priority. The breed of dog they work with is a polar type of dog called the Alaskan Husky. They are born outside, and are happy to live outside all their life – but of course, they are provided with insulated huts full of warm straw and hay to sleep and retreat into.

As this breed was bred to run, they need to have a lot of activity to stay happy and healthy. This is why your host ensures that every dog has enough opportunity to move every day, depending on the individual dog's age and state of health (young dogs, veterans or disabled dogs have reduced running). They will do a run of 5km to 20km four or five days a week, with two or three days of rest. Healthy adult dogs can run up to 40-50 km per day, depending on the day and conditions.

To make sure that every dog receives the care and attention they need, our hosts have a staff of dedicated employees tending to them every morning and afternoon. The staff are trained to provide medical care of the dogs if necessary, and your host also works closely with local veterinarians in Alta, who can take over where their medical expertise comes to an end.

Sure - you can leave your luggage at your Aurora Dome accommodation for the full duration of the trip.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

In Norway’s Arctic Circle, cuisine is shaped by a harsh climate, limited agriculture and a strong fishing and foraging heritage, leading to simple, protein-rich meals built around seafood, preserved meats, root vegetables and seasonal berries. This can make dining more restrictive for those with dietary requirements, particularly vegans or those avoiding fish, though larger settlements and lodges increasingly cater to a range of needs. Travellers should expect limited choice in remote areas, and it helps to plan ahead, with a guide able to liaise on meals and communicate requirements where options are constrained.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Vegan Vegan diets can’t be catered for on this trip, due to the remote environment in which it takes place and a lack of available produce in the destination.

Kosher Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal Certified Halal supply varies by destination and may not always be possible. Vegetarian options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Lactose-free Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority.

Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Winter in Alta and on the Finmark Plateau can be described in one word: cold! This is the coldest time of year in this part of Norway, with average temperatures fluctuating between -11.4°C (11.5°F) and -6.7°C (20°F). There are only around 2 hours of full daylight at this latitude in January, with an extended twilight either side of the short sunrise and sunset. This doubles to around 3.5-4 hours of full daylight in February and increases again in March. Of course, the short days make for the best chances to see the Northern Lights, which can be seen until early April.