Arctic Nature Tour Tromsø: Guided Kvaløya Picnic

Spend a morning watching Arctic wildlife from a minibus that handles the route and the details

An Arctic nature tour from Tromsø circles Kvaløya island with a live English-speaking guide and driver, stopping at Ersfjordbotn to view the Tromso Fjords and reindeer, then at Sommarøy for a scenic picnic with local pastries and hot drinks. The operator provides thermal suits and boots to keep you warm, photographs the landscape and you in it, and sends the photos free the next day. The tour runs 4 hours and suits children from age 6.

Step-by-step itinerary

Arctic wildlife and scenic picnic tour

• Start tour at Kvaløya island
• Stop at Ersfjordbotn for scenery and reindeer
• Picnic and enjoy landscape at Sommarøy

The Experience

You start at Kvaløya, where the guide points out Arctic wildlife—reindeer and sea eagles are common sightings, though not guaranteed. The minibus then stops at Ersfjordbotn, where the dramatic cliffs of the Tromso Fjords rise above the water and the reindeer often graze in the open. This is where most of the wildlife spotting happens, and the guide knows the timing and the places where animals are most likely to appear.

The picnic happens at Sommarøy, a village on the coast with a landscape that changes with the light. You get local pastries, hot tea or hot chocolate, and time to walk around while the guide photographs you and the scenery. Because the operator sends the photos free the next day, you don't have to choose between holding a camera and being in the frame yourself.

Thermal suits and boots are provided, so you're not buying Arctic gear or guessing at layers. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters on the drive between stops. The whole route—Kvaløya, Ersfjordbotn, Sommarøy—is a loop, so you return to where you started without backtracking.

What’s included

Local pastries, hot tea and hot chocolate, snacks, professional photographs sent the next day, thermal suits and boots, air-conditioned minibus transport, and a live English-speaking guide and driver who show you the most beautiful spots on Kvaløya island.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Northern Horizon

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide to navigate stops and spot wildlife for you; choose a self-guided rental if you prefer to explore at your own pace.

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Top questions

What animals might I see on the Arctic Nature Tour from Tromsø?

Reindeer and sea eagles are the wildlife you're most likely to spot, especially at Ersfjordbotn where the open landscape gives them room to move. Animal sightings are never guaranteed, but the guide knows where and when they appear most often.

Is the Sommarøy picnic included, or do I need to bring my own food?

The picnic is included—local pastries, tea, hot chocolate and snacks are provided at Sommarøy. You don't need to pack a meal.

How warm will I be if I'm not used to Arctic cold?

Thermal suits and boots are provided as part of the tour, so you stay warm without needing to buy or rent your own gear. The minibus is air-conditioned during the drive between stops.

Do I get photos from the tour, or do I need to take my own?

Your guide photographs you and the landscape throughout the day and sends the photos to you free of charge the next day, so you can enjoy the scenery without holding a camera the whole time.

Can children join the Arctic Nature Tour from Tromsø?

Children are welcome from age 6. The tour is 4 hours long and includes stops where you can get out and walk around, so it suits families with older children.