Aurora Chasing in Lofoten
Join this 8 day arctic adventure in Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway. Highlights of the trip include winter landscapes, jagged mountains, grand vistas, colorful fjords and the chance of experiencing the greatest show on earth, the Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights.
The Lofoten Islands are located at the 68th and 69th parallels north of the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway. This archipelago consists of seven principal islands and the area of land covers about 1,227 / 474 square miles, with a total of only 24,000 inhabitants. The natural beauty of this incredible landscape offers will present us with the possibility of exploring colorful fjords, jagged mountain peaks, unique beaches and the world renowned Arctic light.
Our basecamps for the entire duration of the tour will be in the unique and amazing Hattvika Lodge in Ballstad. This is without a doubt the best accomodation in Lofoten and we will be spoiled in hands of owners Kristian & Guri. The likes of National Geographic, Lonely Planet and The Huffington Post and have listed these very regions as one of the most scenic destinations on earth. One look outside your bedroom window, and you will understand why – incredible granite mountains rising straight out of the fjords, traditional fishermen cabins and the location just oozes of great Norwegian history.
If we are blessed with starry nights and clear skies, we will be able to capture the elusive and strikingly beautiful Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights as she dances seductively on the night skies.
Speaking of weather, Lofoten is notoriously unpredictable. Conditions and light changes constantly, so please be sure to read our “must-bring” clothing and gear lists provided by email upon registration.
GUIDED BY ARILD HEITMANN & STIAN KLO
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get there ?
The easiest way to get to the meeting point is via Oslo Gardermoen airport (OSL code). From there, you fly to Harstad/Narvik Evenes airport (EVE code). Domestic flights in Norway can be purchased from www.sas.no, www.norwegian.no
What level of photography is required ?
All of ours tours, workshops and masterclasses are open to beginners as well as professionals. Our only criteria is that you have a great passion for photography, and have the energy and motivation to be on the go every day and night.
What should I bring ?
Since we are exploring the high arctic and northern Norway archipelago’s, you have to be well equipped for all kinds of dramatic weather including snowfall. Bring comfortable, warm and waterproof outer layers such as Gore-tex, thermal underwear, crampons and water resistant boots or even waders. A complete list of recommended clothes as well as camera gear will be provided upon registration. We don’t have clothes or shoes available for renting.
Will I experience snow or ice ?
The winter months in northern Norway are known to generate a great amount of snowfall. That being said, we can’t 100% guarentee that it will be a white snowy workshop for the whole duration of the workshop.
Will I see and photograph the Northern lights?
We will certainly do utmost to make that happen. We can never predict weather and guarantee clear skies and brilliant displays of the this elusive phenomenon, but we will chase it for all it’s worth throughout the entire week. If that means late nights and early mornings, so be it – we can all catch up on sleep after the workshop.
What kind of weather can I expect ?
The weather and climate in northern Norway is renowned for being extremely unpredictable because of it’s many local weather systems. This means conditions can change within minutes and kilometres, also resulting in very dramatic light and photographic opportunities. Lofoten has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at a similar latitude, such as Greenland and Alaska. This is due to the temperature of the water of the Gulfstream. The coastal climate results in mild winters and cool summer temperatures. Traditionally, January and February are the coldest months with an average temperature of -1 degrees celsius.
What camera gear should I bring?
At the very least, bring your own camera, lenses, tripod and a laptop. A detailed list of recommendations will be provided upon registration. If you are considering upgrading or investing in new camear gear prior to the trip, feel free to ask us for advice.
What is the itinerary going to be like ?
We don’t operate with a fixed itinerary on any of our workshops. It’s a full on photography tour/workshop, so the activities are planned around sunrise, sunset and night photography excursions. The whole archipelago is packed with locations, so the weather and light conditions will decide where we will go. That being said though, we have a list of locations we will visit throughout the week, but we don’t know which day or time of day we will visit that specific location.
