Sky at Night presenter leads Northern Lights tour

Specialist tour operator Eclipse of the Century has announced two special guests on its upcoming Northern Lights tour of Norway in March 2010.

Travellers will be joined by The Sky at Night presenter Dr Chris Lintott as well as Norwegian Northern Lights expert Kjetil Skogli, who recently accompanied Joanna Lumley on her televised hunt for the aurora borealis.

Eclipse of the Century, which is a new venture of Japanese tour specialist Japan Journeys, specialises in astronomical itineraries, with a particular focus on solar eclipse tours. This will be the operators’ first group trip to Norway and includes the opportunity to spend three nights chasing the Northern Lights in Tromso.

Chris Lintott joins the trip after successfully hosting a solar eclipse tour to China with the company in 2009. Chris is best known as the presenter of the long-running TV show The Sky at Night and is also a popular author having recently written ‘Bang! – The Complete History of the Universe’ with Patrick Moore and Brian May.

Travellers will also benefit from the expertise of Northern Lights specialist Kjetil Skogli who will lead a photography workshop on the first day of the tour, providing expert advice and professional tips on how best to capture the Northern Lights on camera. Skogli is known for being Joanna Lumley’s tour guide in the recent show; “Joanna Lumley In The Land Of The Northern Lights.”

The five-day itinerary allows free time to explore the historic Arctic capital of Tromso during the daytime, including a chance to visit the world’s most northerly cathedral. Snow mobiling and dog sledding are also on offer at an additional cost. Each evening, a private coach will then be on hand to escort travellers and the experts deep inside the Arctic Circle to chase the Northern Lights.

The four-night itinerary takes place from the 2nd- 6th March 2010 and costs from £695 per person, per room on a shared basis. The cost includes four nights hotel accommodation at the Radisson SAS Tromso with a daily breakfast, a welcome dinner on the first evening, a Northern Lights photography workshop and coach transfers to chase the Northern Lights. International flights are not included.

For more information, or to book the tour, visit eclipseofthecentury.com.