Scan Magazine | Travel Feature | Arctic Experience
Hunting the light
By Maria Lanza Knudsen / Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Dan Steinbakk
Chasing the northern lights is one of the most quintessential arctic adventures in Norway. But how do you get the best experience? As winter approaches and darkness falls, northern Norway awaits nature’s own festive lights, the aurora borealis. These multicoloured streams of light decorate the sky and attract people from afar. Dan Steinbakk, the owner of touring company Arctic Experience, runs tours from Tromsø from September to April. He prides himself on offering personalised tours for groups of up to eight people. The knowledgeable guide, who grew up under the northern lights, guarantees the comfort of each guest by providing appropriate clothing and the enjoyment of the lights around a bonfire. “You can experience four seasons and landscapes in one trip – from forests and the tundra to arctic snow-capped mountains and the ocean,” says Steinbakk. “There really is something magical about the landscape, especially with the autumn colours in addition to the beautiful colours in the sky!”
Arctic Experience’s focus on small groups allows Steinbakk to tailor the tour and ensure that guests get the best viewing of the beautiful lights, and his company has now received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence three years in a row. In addition to showcasing the magic in the sky, Arctic Experience has a unique handheld radio
called a VLF receiver that allows you to listen to the spectacular natural phenomenon. To capture the moment, Steinbakk always takes professional-quality photographs for guests to take home. Indeed, for avid photographers he even provides instructions on how best to capture the lights. Let the chase begin! Web: www.arcticx.no