A campfire, a remote Norwegian island, and the chance to learn from a woman who has stood on the summit of Everest: Up Norway’s new Arctic journey brings a practical sense of adventure to the women-only getaway.
Taking place March 8–14, 2027, Arctic Women: Braver by Nature is a seven-day trip built around outdoor skills, shared experiences, and time in Norway’s winter landscapes. The departure begins on International Women’s Day and is limited to 12 guests, with a route connecting Oslo, the northern city of Bodø, and the small island of Naustholmen.
Hosting the Arctic portion is Randi Skaug, the first Norwegian woman to summit Mount Everest. Her island retreat in the Steigen archipelago, off Nordland’s coast, provides the setting for a stay centered on learning, participation, and the companionship that develops when a small group takes on something unfamiliar together.
At the heart of the experience is friluftsliv, the Norwegian philosophy of spending time in the open air. Here, that means learning how to dress for winter conditions, build a fire, prepare food over the flames, and move safely along coastal trails. Fishing, cave walks, sauna sessions, and cold plunging also feature in the planned experience.
These are skills with a purpose beyond the itinerary. Understanding how to stay warm and comfortable outdoors can make an unfamiliar landscape feel more approachable. Preparing a meal around a fire turns an everyday task into a shared activity. Under Skaug’s guidance, the journey is designed to help participants build confidence while discovering their own relationship with the Arctic environment.
The week begins in Oslo, where guests will explore Norwegian history and women’s place within it during a private guided visit to the Rose Castle. An introduction to friluftsliv and a gathering around the campfire will set the tone before the group travels north.
The next stage brings guests to Bodø for an introduction to local arts and culture with Hanne Jakhelln, a prominent figure in Norway’s cultural community. From there, the journey continues to Naustholmen, where the island’s coastal setting becomes the focus of the days ahead.
Life on the island leaves room for both activity and stillness. Alongside practical lessons are sea-air mornings, evenings in the sauna, and opportunities to simply pause and take in the surroundings. The itinerary deliberately allows space for the weather to shape the experience—a fitting approach in a place where winter conditions are part of daily life.
March also brings the possibility of seeing the northern lights. Clear evenings may offer an opportunity to watch for the aurora, although sightings depend on conditions and cannot be guaranteed. The appeal of the stay extends to the quieter moments: gathering after a day outdoors, sharing food, and spending time beneath a broad Arctic sky.
Toward the end of the week, the group returns to Bodø for a final reflection on the island experience before flying south to Oslo. A farewell dinner hosted by Up Norway in the Art Deco surroundings of Ekspedisjonshallen provides a city finale before departure the following day.
For women drawn to a more participatory style of travel, the journey offers an intriguing combination: a small group, an accomplished outdoor host, and a setting that encourages guests to learn by doing. Its central promise is the opportunity to return with practical knowledge, shared memories, and greater confidence outdoors.
Planning the trip: Arctic Women: Braver by Nature runs March 8–14, 2027, with space for 12 guests. The package includes accommodations, guided activities, select meals, local transfers, and Up Norway’s travel services. For current pricing, availability, and detailed inclusions, visit Up Norway’s Arctic Women journey page.
