Oslo, Norway (October 22, 2025) – Up Norway, Scandinavia’s premier curator of sustainable luxury travel experiences, introduces Forest Finns and The Arctic, a new nine-day exploration of Norway’s natural and cultural contrasts. Available October through May over dates of travelers’ preference, the experience is timed to coincide with the rare height of the Northern Lights’ solar maximum cycle, which peaks roughly every 11 years. The fully-customizable itinerary bridges ancient wisdom and Arctic wonder, pairing the quiet mysticism of the Finnskogen forest with the raw, otherworldly beauty of the arctic in Svalbard, before closing in cosmopolitan Oslo. Ideal for small groups or couples seeking a bespoke adventure, the journey invites travelers to be inspired by Norway’s invigorating mix of culture, history, and raw wilderness making for an experience made even more extraordinary by the once-in-a-decade Solar Maximum phenomenon.
The experience begins with arrival in Oslo, where travelers collect a rental car to embark on a scenic drive through rolling farmland to Finnskogen, a mystical forest region near the Swedish/Norwegian border. Here, guests discover the heritage of the Forest Finns, one of Norway’s five recognized national minorities, whose centuries-old traditions of harmony with nature offer a profound model of resilience and sustainability. A visit to the new Norwegian Forest Finn Museum provides cultural context before guests settle into their accommodations for two nights at a locally-loved wellness hotel or the design-forward treetop cabins, suspended high amid spruce canopies. Days are spent engaging in activities such as forest bathing, snowshoeing, and enjoying guided storytelling sessions around the fire about folklore rooted in the Forest Finns’ reverence for nature, a legacy of living in balance with the land that remains central to Norwegian identity today.
Travelers then fly north to Svalbard, a remote archipelago in the High Arctic between mainland Norway and the North Pole, for four nights of exploration in one of the planet’s most otherworldly landscapes. Here, guests can explore at their preferred level of adventure, whether dog sledding, snowmobiling across frozen fjords, or venturing by snowcat into an ice cave beneath one of Svalbard’s frozen glaciers. Evenings bring warmth and quiet contrast, with fireside dinners at a refined restaurant set in an old miners’ storehouse or one of Longyearbyen’s historic dining institutions, known for its Arctic-inspired tasting menus. Another highlight at nighttime is atmospheric storytelling under the stars often alive with the Northern Lights, made even more brilliant as they build toward their 2026 solar peak in March. During this rare period, auroras appear more frequently and intensely, offering one of the most dazzling displays in a decade. Those seeking extra immersion can trade two nights in town for a snowmobile expedition to Isfjord Radio, a historic 1930s station turned boutique wilderness lodge reachable only by snowmobile in winter. Stays offer guided Arctic hikes, wildlife spotting for seals and reindeer, and the chance to take a traditional polar plunge before warming up in a wood-fired sauna. With no light pollution, evenings bring uninterrupted views across the polar sky.
The final two nights return guests to Oslo, Norway’s capital of culture and design. Days invite relaxed exploration of top sights such as Vigeland Park, the sculpture park dedicated to artist Gustav Vigeland, and the National Museum, before time to enjoy the city’s vibrant Nordic dining scene. The journey comes full circle here, completing a true Norwegian trilogy that connects the mystical forests of the south, the frozen frontier of the north, and the creative pulse of its capital.
Available October through May, with snowmobile expeditions to Isfjord Radio offered from February to May, pricing for the nine-day experience begins at $7,535 USD per person, based on two travelers, and includes accommodations, guided activities, select meals, local transfers, and Up Norway’s personalized digital travel companion. The itinerary can be booked as proposed or further customized to guests’ interests and pace, including extensions into Svalbard’s summer season. For more information, please visit https://upnorway.com/arctic-women-blazing-trails.
