In the Arctic with Chicco
January 2027
January 7 – 14, 2027
The classic January window. Deep polar night, peak aurora season, and the first hints of sun returning at the end of the week.
The week, in short
What makes this departure different.
- Peak aurora season, statistically the strongest activity
- Sun returns to Alta during the week, a rare seasonal moment
- Dog sledding with Chicco's own team: Atka, Ila, Yuka
- Two nights at remote Gargia Lodge, far from light pollution
- An intimate group, hosted personally by Chicco
Itinerary
Nine experiences, one week.
The order of days may shift during the trip. Arctic conditions decide. We work with the weather, not against it.
- 01
Arrival in Alta · Canyon Hotel
Land at Alta Airport (ALF) above the Arctic Circle. Transfer to the Canyon Hotel for a welcome dinner and our first chance to step outside under a sky that, weather permitting, may already be glowing green.
- 02
Northern Lights Cathedral
Visit Alta's striking Northern Lights Cathedral, the cultural anchor of the city. Afternoon at leisure to acclimate before evening aurora watch.
- 03
Crossing 70° North
Drive deeper into Finnmark and cross the 70° North latitude marker, a moment few travelers ever experience. Photo stops along the fjord.
- 04
Sorrisniva Ice Hotel
Step inside the legendary Sorrisniva Ice Hotel, rebuilt entirely from snow and ice every winter. Interior temperature stays between -5°C and -7°C; the sculpted suites feel like another planet.
- 05
Transfer to Gargia Lodge
We move inland to Gargia Lodge, a remote wooden retreat surrounded by frozen forest and silence. Far from light pollution: prime aurora territory.
- 06
Snow Train through Finnmarksvidda
A guided snow-train expedition across the vast Finnmarksvidda plateau, the largest mountain plateau in Europe and ancestral Sámi land.
- 07
Dog Sledding
Meet the huskies and take the reins of your own sled team. A few hours gliding through pine forests with only the sound of paws on snow.
- 08
Sámi Village · Kautokeino
A cultural day in Kautokeino, heart of Norwegian Sámi country. Meet reindeer herders, learn the joik tradition, and share a meal cooked over open fire in a lavvu.
- 09
Winter Walk with the Dogs
A gentle walking excursion with Chicco's own sled dogs Atka, Ila, and Yuka, through the snowfields around the lodge.
- 10
Departure
Morning checkout and transfer to Alta Airport. You leave with a hard drive of memories and, almost certainly, a new relationship with the cold.
From past trips
What the week actually looks like.
Pricing
Two room options.
Billing is exclusively in Norwegian Krone (NOK). USD and EUR reference figures include the ~4% card conversion fee Stripe applies, so what you see is close to what your card will actually be charged.
Double room
Shared room, per person
Two travelers per room (couples or friends)
≈ $5,596 USD · €4,475 EUR
Secure my spotBooking opens with a NOK 1,950 non-refundable fee
Single room
Private room
One traveler per room
≈ $6,783 USD · €5,425 EUR
Secure my spotLimited single rooms available each departure
Included
- 7 nights accommodation (Canyon Hotel + Gargia Lodge)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Airport transfers (Alta Airport ↔ hotels)
- All ground transfers between activities
- Full cold-weather gear: thermal suit, boots, mittens, hat
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Chicco Mattos with the group throughout the week
- Pre-trip orientation call (Google Meet, 1–2 months before)
Not included
- International airfare to Alta (ALF)
- Travel insurance (mandatory, proof required before travel)
- Beverages with meals
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Optional extras not listed in the itinerary
Travelers, not customers
What past groups said.
"It was unique. There aren't words for how happy I was the entire trip. Chicco hosts the way you'd want a friend to host you: warm, organized, completely present."
Marina B.
January 2024 departure
"We saw the aurora four nights out of seven. The dog sledding day was the single best day I've ever had on a vacation. Worth every krone."
Pedro & Cláudia
March 2024 departure
"I came expecting a tour. I left with a group of friends, a small Sámi vocabulary, and a hard drive full of photos I'll be looking at for years."
Renata S.
January 2026 departure
FAQ
Honest answers to the questions we hear most.
Will I see the Northern Lights?
Honestly, no one can promise that. Aurora is a natural phenomenon driven by solar activity and cloud cover. What we can promise is that we put you in one of the best places on Earth to see it (Alta is nicknamed 'The City of the Northern Lights'), for seven nights, during peak season, far from light pollution. In our trips so far, every group has seen it at least once.
What is Chicco's role on the trip?
Chicco is your host throughout the week and is present together with his team during several of the activities — sharing meals, driving between locations, telling stories, taking photos, and translating culture. By Norwegian law the technical guiding of activities (dog sledding, snow trains) must be done by certified local guides, but Chicco and his team are the hosts and connectors who make this trip what it is.
How cold is it really?
Expect anything from -5°C to -25°C (23°F to -13°F). The dry Arctic cold is more manageable than you'd think, and we provide professional thermal suits, boots, mittens, and a hat for every traveler. You bring base layers, we handle the rest.
Which airport do I fly into?
Alta Airport (ALF). Most international travelers connect through Oslo (OSL). Flights from Oslo to Alta take about 1h45m. We can recommend itineraries during the pre-trip call.
What currency do I pay in?
All bookings are billed exclusively in Norwegian Krone (NOK). The USD and EUR prices on this page are reference conversions and include the ~4% card conversion fee Stripe applies at checkout, so what you see here is close to what your card will be charged. The actual amount is set in NOK at the day's rate.
Cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 60 days before departure, minus a non-refundable booking fee of NOK 1,950. Inside 60 days, cancellation terms apply per Norwegian operator policy. Full details are shared at booking. We strongly recommend travel insurance.
How many people are on the trip?
We keep groups intentionally small. The experience would not be the same with a bus full of people, and we want everyone to feel like a guest, not a customer.
Is there a pre-trip call?
Yes. About 1–2 months before departure we host a Google Meet with the full group. Chicco walks through logistics, packing, what to expect, and answers every question. You also get to meet your fellow travelers before arriving in Alta.
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