Review: Narvik-Harstad Fjord Tour & Reindeer Farm Stop
Okay, so you’re thinking about that Narvik-Harstad Fjord Tour that involves a stop at a reindeer farm, right? Very good choice if you ask me! I recently went on this specific adventure, and very, very truthfully, I feel I’ve got a handful of helpful insights that you might find really useful if you’re making plans yourself. The trip promises absolutely spectacular views, a slice of the local culture, and a genuine, real, brush with Arctic wildlife. Actually, that pretty much nails it right on the head, if you ask me.
The Allure of the Fjords: Setting Sail
Alright, that excursion kicks off either in Narvik or Harstad, I suppose depending on what way suits you best to plan it, and like your mood dictates, that launch point instantly plants you straight into the heart of northern Norway’s fjord country. The waterways could be a pretty stunning canvas, framed by steep slopes, dramatic cliffs, and what seem like countless teeny tiny settlements dotted all across the shoreline. The tour boats tend to be reasonably comfy, just right for taking it all in, offering both indoor spots, and outdoor vantage points. Getting out onto that open deck is quite compulsory, I suppose for soaking up the landscape and that piercing clean air.
Anyway, something about fjord cruises that gets me, it’s the utter stillness and those dramatic shifts in the view as you weave through the channels. You find yourself gazing on jagged rocky formations suddenly opening up in all ways into calm, smooth waters. Keep that camera completely at the ready. Actually, what’s pretty cool is seeing how those locals very quietly but practically just get on with things, living in places that feel both wildly remote, and pretty accessible at exactly the same moment.
The route meanders between Narvik and Harstad offers, maybe more or less, views of the Ofotfjord, known for what was significant action way back in World War II, and perhaps the more serene waters leading toward Harstad. The audio guides they sometimes give you usually pepper in the area’s background, really with a lean into the conflict side of it, alongside bits about the wildlife and the everyday existence of people right up here. So too it’s kind of awesome just sitting on the deck soaking up the panoramic picture of what is natural and human life intertwined in what almost seems like a pretty extreme environment. If I had to rate this part it’s very, very impressive for any landscape photography fan.
Meeting the Sami: Reindeer Encounter
That’s usually the big hit point of that trip for loads of folks, very specifically the one they talk about a lot – meeting with the Sami people and getting familiar with the reindeers. Very, very typically, that part gets organized at some specially chosen spot along the way, somewhere in the tundra perhaps. And basically, straight from the moment you hop off that tour bus, you might be knee-deep straight into a culture that really depends so deeply on these amazing, gentle creatures. I think there is an honest, truthful opportunity to hear what it is to truly be reliant on nature in such ways as this.
As a matter of fact, reindeer herding is kind of intrinsic to that Sami culture, actually going back many, many centuries. This portion isn’t simply a ‘look and leave’; so it too gives you a more engaging way of life. Often, anyway, the Sami hosts take that lead, almost shepherding you round to present the essentials about reindeer conduct, what you might see as their behaviours, or that part they play within those Sami people’s lifestyle.
Actually, just in case you are completely lucky, they’ll basically let you hand-feed such animals, which actually feels quite unique! Seriously! Those animals are much more chill than I actually reckoned, just munching away peacefully from out of that hand. I feel you should also use that time, perhaps ask questions, basically finding stuff out, I am pretty sure your hosts enjoy talking, it may even be an honor. Learn what goes into looking following such animals and, that, how that fits right within those regular cycles that involve Northern life.
Also that chance for you to understand reindeer husbandry – this gives something of a contextual thing regarding where the indigenous communities draw strength, and very really too it reveals too how that life is really linked up, perhaps linked by invisible ways, directly with such a place where this resides. It just hits completely differently hearing such things immediately by the people.
Visual Storytelling: The Fjord’s Beauty
The fjords – oh wow – they definitely just don’t fail in providing lots of completely perfect images that look perfect right from out of your camera! Everywhere you might look, anywhere you can look! During the waters themselves reflect such skies, what feels almost too neatly to believe it, with that background as to snow peaked mounts – basically like somebody went ahead and just did it, they painted this especially for you. Sometimes you can just get really, really lost straight in this pure, pristine atmosphere. Actually, just taking enough photos will keep just anyone too really busy – that specific light, with those shadows, all that shifting atmospheric feeling just might mean, that every other snap looks utterly special. Very similar to me, you might take that memory card very nearly, virtually completely rammed to what the maximum is. I definitely have!
Very well, you can look into that changing light that shifts really throughout any given day – early starts tend for being soft, what feels tender lighting to what feels moody, darker hues at that sundown spot. Just maybe be at ready for viewing what almost seems to reflect an atmospheric range that might change from bright what are crisp conditions, by a turn straight into times when those fogs only partially display each single mountain high top.
That trip is kind to offering something of an absolutely wonderful stage straight out from being your photographing attempts. Get out all your wider angles, with all that’s majestic that happens straight across those fjords – then put your lens down more closely regarding portraying these quaint communities set neatly round these sides to those waters. Never perhaps just don’t leave lacking any capturing a decent bunch with great moments.
Culinary Interlude: Sampling Local Flavors
Anyway food wise – loads with that trip include some way with either trying regional food in some style and variety, it does seem such kind aspects definitely raise what’s a very real local, a deeper feeling. More or less that may take what might look like type relating with something with food which just highlights regional produce perhaps from such seas including from animals. That’s really quite essential relating with learning what makes that place more unique and what those who live out around there draw right out regarding with this nature place.
Do look as to be getting for perhaps doing your research and really being brave! I’m really completely trying either cod kind delicacies plus local produced types cheeses so to do explore that range from all your tastes. Every single thing might simply make better that whole with which those trips become more unique, adding, really something quite deeper for exactly which you understand those nuances on Northern Norwegians!
What You Need: Essential Packing Advice
Actually the very first item by order to get doing such thing must start regarding making right plans and knowing regarding regarding what items come out useful plus, which not to be fair as this should determine either enjoyment factor as relating to one single item like this trip. Always plan dressing as multiple layered materials considering even once travelling summers seasons those temperatures become unpredictable to very big extremes regarding whether they are not handled in style.
What else: invest from high-class weatherproof, robust, very well with sturdy foot footwear just in case considering regarding even surfaces either during stops to be around tundra country. Taking a quality lens really adds plus regarding capturing some better visual media that one single cellphone ever can be giving off at your use. Sunblocks must come really handy despite how the climates may look as reflection straight out from waterways become potentially stronger too. Taking one single small carrying backpack actually will make better comfort especially travelling about on excursions relating this nature.
Always making preparations in very smart kind regards comes almost being fundamental getting a successful enjoyable holiday of that’s the most extreme north sides from Earth. Always plan being conscious plus getting almost something from any climate and know right well ahead regarding exactly anything what one comes face up with relating regarding nature which always gives curve type ball kind plays anyway as you roll by!
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth The Time?
Anyway, to tell it quite clear and like I mean: should taking either Narvik–Harstad fjords together, also including which ever stopping at which ever Reindeer kind style one, really almost hold some relevance to a well sort spending, or for something perhaps missed straight through out? Very almost every person will know about just how incredibly spectacular northern regions from Norway are and in turn, this specific way from being travel provides some unique interaction relating exactly seeing right throughout with the landscapes, too getting which really means understanding regards traditions as to ancient indigenous folks also and finally – this does makes by the really most strongest sense ever.
However perhaps do remain some certain points or elements really always one should keep firmly and what you know right away also by mind straight towards ensuring fully pleasure, I suggest in particular with relation, what ever might be your type and kind with exactly budget considerations in place, regarding timing with visits and if there seems a good feel even towards these physical levels considering several activities really may not make straight up something that will easily get available without enough help when dealing in anyway what disability or type relating one single issues comes facing.
Even regardless if that one wishes regard being at such scenic, learning-type opportunities still makes for all most great points when thinking of coming along these northernmost sides located right down there: getting these opportunities almost is certainly making exactly such experiences simply completely outstanding and worthy! Perhaps don’t you have just any form doubts for sure at that time.