There are destinations you revisit because they’re good & then there are those rare places where, with the right timing & the right approach, they become exceptional. Varanger in early April sits firmly in that second category.
The April 2027 departure is now fully designed & delivered by NaturesLens, allowing every element of the trip to be shaped around what matters most: time in the right places, in the right light, for the right species.
The result is a focused, photography-led experience built around creating strong images in consistently productive conditions.
What’s Changed for 2027
This departure gives us complete control over how the trip is designed & delivered, allowing every element to be shaped around photography.
The itinerary has been built from the ground up to reflect how we actually want to run this tour – with more time where it counts, greater flexibility, & the ability to prioritise image-making over simply following a fixed schedule.
Two Evenings in the Backlit Mountain Hare Hide
This is one of the most exciting elements of the trip, built into the core experience rather than treated as a one-off session.
We include two dedicated evenings in a specialist Mountain Hare hide – giving you the time not just to experience it, but to refine & improve your work.
These sessions are about simplicity & precision. White hares against clean snow, working in controlled light, with opportunities for backlit images that are both striking & technically rewarding. It’s a completely different pace to the coastal work, & the contrast it brings to your portfolio is significant.
Crucially, this hide has a proven track record at the highest level, consistently producing images that go on to win & place in major international competitions, including the Sony World Photography Awards (Natural World & Wildlife category winner, 2026), Close-up Photographer of the Year, European Photography Awards, ND Awards & the Monochrome Awards.
Three Visits to Hornøya
Hornøya is one of the great seabird locations in Europe – but like any high-energy colony, one visit is never enough if you want to photograph it well.
This itinerary includes three separate sessions on the island, allowing you to move beyond the initial impact & into more considered photography.
You have time to refine your approach, work different areas of the island, & respond to changing light & behaviour. Puffins, guillemots, razorbills & kittiwakes quickly become more predictable with time, & that’s where the strongest images come from.
Core Experience
The foundation of the trip remains what makes Varanger so special in early April.
Steller’s Eider remains the headline species, & this is one of the best places anywhere to photograph them well. Alongside them, King Eiders provide colour & impact, often at very close range in sheltered harbours. Long-tailed Ducks & Purple Sandpipers round out a beautifully photogenic coastal mix.
Working these locations with time & flexibility allows you to return to subjects, refine compositions, & make the most of changing conditions.
Designed for Photography
Small groups, flexible days, time to revisit locations, & space to refine images rather than chase sightings.
The trip flows naturally from seabird colonies to Arctic ducks to the Mountain Hare hide, creating a cohesive & varied photographic experience.
On clear evenings, there is also the opportunity to photograph the Northern Lights, adding an additional dimension without detracting from the core wildlife focus.
A More Refined Varanger Experience
This departure has been carefully re-structured to maximise photographic opportunity throughout the week.
- More time in the right places
- A well-balanced flow to each day
- Consistent opportunities to refine & improve your images
Every element of the itinerary has been shaped around how images are actually made – from repeat visits to key locations, to working the best light & conditions as they develop.
The result is a cohesive, photography-led experience that reflects how NaturesLens tours & holidays are designed & delivered.
Join Alison for the Arctic Wildlife of Varanger Tour
This is a limited group departure & this early April tour is anticipated to be in demand.
If you’re looking to build a truly distinctive Arctic portfolio – from eiders & seabirds to opportunities for award-winning hare photography – this is a compelling opportunity to do so.
