Tromsø Friluftsenter AS - Kvaløysletta

Erin C.

I’ve always dreamed of seeing the northern lights, so before heading to Tromsø, I did a ton of research to find the best tour. That’s how I came across Tromso Friluftsenter. They have been around since 2004, making them one of the oldest and most experienced tour companies in the area. While browsing through their photo albums, I realized just how amazing their photography skills were.

Along with their great reviews and the fact that they have their own private base camp, that was enough to convince me to book with them before I even arrived.

I went their aurora tour twice, and each night was a completely different experience.

First Night
The aurora forecast (KP index) was only around 1, and the sky was pretty cloudy. Our guide, Trine, didn’t just take us to one place and hope for the best. She kept checking the forecast and drove us to different locations until we finally found clear skies. Even with the low forecast, we still managed to see the Northern Lights. I was so impressed that they found a way to make it happen despite the conditions.

Second Night
This night was absolutely unforgettable. The aurora forecast was around 2.33, and the sky was completely clear, with no clouds at all. Our guide, Knut, took us straight to their private base camp, where we witnessed something truly magical.

The Northern Lights were so incredibly strong that I could see them clearly with my bare eyes. It wasn’t just a faint green glow; the lights were dancing, vivid, and absolutely mesmerizing. Seeing them in full color, without even needing a camera, was an experience I’ll never forget.

Watching the aurora from their base camp made it even more special. The camp itself is super cozy, with sturdy wooden lavvus where you can warm up whenever you need to. If the weather is clear, watching the lights from their beautiful, quiet, and comfortable base camp is an experience like no other. It’s so much better than standing on the side of the road.

What I Ioved about Tromso Friluftsenter:
1. Guides: Both Trine and Knut were determined to find the best possible viewing spots. They kept checking conditions and adjusting the plan as needed.
2. Service: They provided thermal suits, tripods, and anything else we needed to stay warm and comfortable.
3. Photography: They didn’t just take incredible photos. They also helped us with posing and camera settings, so I ended up with some of the best Northern Lights pictures I’ve ever had.
4. Transportation: Their van was clean, spacious, and warm, which made a huge difference when spending hours out in the cold.
5. Private Base Camp: If the weather is clear, you get to watch the lights from their beautiful, quiet, and comfortable base camp. It is so much better than stopping on the side of the road.

Tromso Friluftsenter exceeded my expectations on both nights. If you’re planning a trip to Tromsø and want an unforgettable northern lights experience, book with them as early as possible. Their expertise, dedication, and cozy base camp will make it a night that you’ll never forget!

Geo D.

Our adventure hunting the Northern Lights with Knut was truly magical! From the very beginning, his passion and deep knowledge of the Arctic made the experience even more special.

When the sky finally lit up with vibrant green and purple waves, we were left speechless. It was a moment of pure wonder—one we will never forget! Knut ensured we had the best viewing spot, helped us take incredible photos, and even prepared a warm drink to keep us cozy under the icy sky.

To top it all off, Knut surprised us with a delicious chocolate cake, the perfect treat for such a magical night. Now, I absolutely need the recipe for that cake! It was rich, moist, and full of flavor—just the thing to warm us up after a night in the Arctic cold.

Thank you, Knut, for an unforgettable experience. We hope to return one day for another adventure!

Sangeetha P.

We had an excellent experience with Friluftsenter! We booked a Northern Lights tour with them in mid-December. They were punctual and picked us up in a well-maintained van. We were lucky to witness excellent auroras that night. They took us to their base camp, where refreshments were provided. The camp also had a campfire facility, which was incredibly helpful for warming up between sessions of watching the lights.

While gathered around the campfire and waiting for the auroras to appear, Knut shared many fascinating stories and facts about Norwegian culture and lifestyle, which added a unique touch to the experience. On our way back, we were fortunate enough to spot some reindeer as well.

Overall, it was worth every penny. To top it off, we received some amazing photos of ourselves with the Northern Lights. Highly recommended!

Cecilia G.

We had an amazing experience. Tromsø Friluftsenter it's a family business with generations of experience in the field that offers professional service with a warm and friendly travel guide. Trine was so lovely and cheerful. We fell fortunate that we managed to see a spectacular display of northern lights with them. Thanks a lot.

Wouter D. B.

I’ve now joined the amazing people of Tromsø Friluftsenter 11(!!) times on their northern lights chases and they are without a doubt the friendliest, most welcoming people you could ever meet.

They do their very best to get you to see the northern lights. Even if you don’t get to see the northern lights (nature does what she wants), they still entertain you, with stories about the history of the region and some personal history.

Trine, Knut and Magne made me feel so welcome, I felt more like a family member than a customer.

If you’re lucky, they take you to their base camp, where you can warm up around the campfire inside on the lavvus. But only after taking lots and lots of photos of the northern lights, of course.

I can’t recommend them enough. There are over 85 companies in Tromsø doing these kind of tours, but Tromsø Frilufsenter is just the best (and one of the oldest, they celebrated their 20th birthday in 2024)

Victoria B.

We joined Knut to chase the aurora, or more specifically, to chase clear skies. As Knut said, the aurora is always there, sometimes you just can't see it.
We drove for about 45 minutes, then stopped near Nordkjosbotn, and there they were! Without Knut's experience you would have thought you were looking at wisps of cloud, but once you knew what to look for, the Northern Lights were everywhere.
Knut helped with tripods and phone camera settings, and was happy to take multiple photos of us and the lights. I'm really pleased with the photos he took of my bucket list moment. 😍
When we all agreed that we had had our fill of the lights (after over an hour and as the clouds rolled in) we returned to Tromso, and were back in the hotel by 10pm! So we considered ourselves lucky to have seen the lights without a long cross border trip; no hanging around in the cold just waiting for the show to start; an early-ish night; and a smug feeling that we have seen the lights in style.
Thank you Tromso Friluftsenter, and thank you Knut!

Paul M. L. A.

January 3, 2025, guided by Trina. It was a beautiful experience with a warm group of 15. The weather earlier in the day didn't seem promising, but we were hopeful. The informational video was excellent; the minibus was comfortable. After about an hour and a half driving east, we settled in a turn away near Skibotn and captured the most amazing activity. We appreciated the explanation on how to configure your smartphones or DSLR cameras. The company provided us with tripod stands, too. I think a comfortable group made the excursion even more wonderful. Thank you for sharing a bit about your family history and I hope the company stays prosperous for years on end.

Tay M. W.

Our guide for the night was Magna. For the past week, we’ve been at Lofoten and Narvik but had no luck with the weather. Fortunately with the experience of Magna, we managed to catch a night of Lady Aurora at a spot with clear skies. Magna was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He shared his understanding of the Northern Lights and prepared lights snacks and drinks, took Aurora portraits for everyone and brought us all back safely from hours of driving. Unforgettable experience and highly recommend Tromsø Friluftsenter for Northern Lights tour as they’ve been in this business for more than 20 years (one of the oldest in the industry here) and their guides are all locals.