Up Norway has designed an all-female Arctic empowerment expedition led by the first Norwegian woman to summit Everest, combining practical skills such as ice fishing and fire-building with personal development. Olivia Palamountain reports

Up Norway has designed an epic new women-only Arctic adventure, led by Randi Skaug, the first Norwegian woman to summit Everest and complete the Seven Summits, alongside wilderness retreat founder Hege Enge Dekkerhus.

Limited to eight female guests, the "Arctic Women, Blazing Trails: A Hosted Women’s Empowerment Trip" expedition runs from March 25 to April 1 2026 and combines practical Arctic survival skills with transformative, community-driven experiences in remote Norwegian locations.

The journey begins in Bodø before travelling by express boat to Naustholmen, a tiny islet in the Steigen archipelago where participants learn foundational skills including fire-building, foraging, ice fishing, winter paddling and wilderness safety under Skaug's guidance.The expedition then includes an overnight voyage aboard Hurtigruten's MS Vesterålen coastal vessel before concluding on Senja, Norway's second-largest island above the Arctic Circle.

On Senja, guests stay at Norwegian Wild, a nature-based retreat in Ånderdalen National Park led by Hege Enge Dekkerhus, whose approach to women's health and resilience developed from her personal experience with illness and stress. Activities include snowshoeing through birch forests, ice fishing, winter kayaking in sheltered coves and husky adventures, with evenings featuring sauna sessions and stargazing.Accommodation includes Nordic cabins with shared spaces for meal preparation, though participants can opt for a weather-permitting tented night for additional immersion. The programme emphasises hands-on cooking over open flames and developing confidence in Arctic conditions rather than traditional guided tourism.The format also addresses growing demand for "Upskilling" travel experiences that extend beyond conventional adventure tours. Up Norway positions the expedition as combining "practical Arctic know-how with moments of reflection, shared meals, and the kind of camaraderie that forms when women learn and move together in wild places."Following the first departure, the experience will become available year-round for private groups with customisable dates and activities whilst maintaining the mentorship and skill-building focus. The seven-day experience starts at US$5,381 per person based on double occupancy, with a US$956 supplement for solo travellers requiring private accommodation.The package includes curated accommodations, guided activities, select meals, local transfers including the overnight coastal voyage, and Up Norway's travel coordination services.

Photo credits: Norwegian Wild; Naustholmen