After breakfast, begin the journey north through the remote snow-blanketed landscapes of Finnish Lapland, heading for the boreal forests of Kaamanen. Here, private bird feeders draw in sought-after winter species such as Siberian jay, Siberian tit, and pine grosbeak, which make charismatic subjects against the snowy forest.
Continue towards the Norwegian border, where dense forest gives way to open Arctic tundra. Keep your cameras poised as the striking northern hawk owl and willow grouse have been known to make a roadside appearance, creating a compelling, once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity against the stark white landscape.
Your destination this evening is Båtsfjord, a fishing village tucked into a sheltered harbour at the end of a dramatic fjord on the wild Varanger Peninsula. Settle into your hotel, share a hearty dinner with your guides and fellow photographers, and look ahead with excitement to the Arctic wildlife encounters to come. If the sky stays clear, step outside for a chance to capture the Northern Lights swirling above the fjord and harbour.