OVERVIEW

Delve into the history of Alta while driving through town and at the Alta Museum, where you will view petroglyphs or rock art that is as much as 6,000 years old. Commentary on the way to the museum will describe Alta’s more recent history, especially during the 17th century when Dutch whalers settled there. Thousands of years prior to that, hunter-gatherers carved and painted figures on rock outcroppings in the area. There are so many of them and they are so compelling that UNESCO included the petroglyphs in its World Heritage list. By following a trail near the museum, you can view painted and unpainted rock carvings in the bedrock where they were discovered beneath the turf. Petroglyphs often depict animals, human figures and prehistoric social life. Inside the museum, you may see stones used to carve petroglyphs, as well as sacred art from the Middle Ages, which presents yet another historical perspective of Alta. View rock art – or petroglyphs – that lend insight into prehistoric life around Alta. Follow a trail near the Alta Museum where the rock art was discovered and still remains. See stones used to carve the rock art in the Alta Museum. Learn about Alta’s more recent history by browsing other museum exhibits.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Hike to the summit of Mount Komsa, the modest peak directly across the harbor from your cruise ship. As you follow the natural trail up the mountain, which is only a mile long each way, you will be treated to glorious views of Alta, the fjord and the surrounding landscape. In 1925, a geologist found the remains of Stone Age settlements on Mount Komsa, and at the beginning of this century rock art known as petroglyphs were discovered. Prehistoric people gathered in this area at the head of the fjord for rituals and to quarry slate, which they used to make knives, arrowheads and other weapons. The guide will describe some of Alta’s ancient history and more recent history during the hike. Upon reaching the flat-topped summit, you will pause to take in the 360º views and enjoy a light snack. Enjoy a relatively easy, two-mile hike up and down Mount Komsa. Admire the spectacular views of Alta, the fjord and the mountains beyond. Hear about the prehistoric settlements on Mount Komsa and the rock art created there.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Take a walk through Alta and see attractions that reflect the culture of northern Norway. The town perches at the head of Alta Fjord with majestic mountains and arctic tundra surrounding it, which makes for a beautiful natural setting. Despite being closer to the North Pole than to the British Isles, Alta is surprising warm thanks to its sheltered location and the Gulfstream. Because of its high altitude, some of the first scientific studies of the Northern Lights or aurora borealis were conducted at Alta, and it is still so strongly associated with that natural phenomenon that is known as the Northern Lights Town. No wonder Alta’s icon is the Northern Lights Cathedral. As you will see, its daring, undulating design emulates the dancing lights of the aurora borealis. Inside the church, you will browse an immersive science exhibition that explains the aurora borealis in an entertaining way. See the highlights of Alta on a leisurely walk through downtown. Discover why Alta is so strongly associated with the Northern Lights. Visit Alta’s iconic Northern Lights Cathedral, whose design reflects the aurora borealis. Browse exhibits that describe the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover how Alta’s highly prized slate is quarried at Paeskatun, a family-owned company that operates high in the mountains. It is believed that slate was extracted in the Alta area beginning in the Stone Age and used for making knives, spearheads and arrowheads. These prehistoric quarries drew people from far and wide who gathered for rituals and created rock carvings near the head of the fjord, where Alta is now located. Founded about 25 years ago, Paeskatun is a modern slate company. While touring the production hall, you will learn how slate is quarried, stored and shaped to make everything from roof tiles to furniture to billiards tabletops. It is a fascinating process that hasn’t changed enormously over time. The slate is still split into thin slabs using hand tools. Even the thinnest of the slabs is strong and durable. If you stroll the grounds, you may see replicas of 19th-century slate worker homes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a quarry in the mountains where huge quantities of premium slate are extracted.
• Gain insight into the qualities of slate that make it such a desirable building material.
• Learn a bit about the history of slate and how it is still split using hand tools.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Get a genuine look at daily life in an indigenous Sami village and learn how these once nomadic people have adapted to modern times. The Sami culture is the oldest throughout much of northern Norway, yet it is changing, especially as the younger Sami move into more urban areas. The village of Máze remains traditional as you will discover while interacting with the Sami residents in a tepee known as a lavvo. When the Sami were nomadic, the lavvos could easily be moved from location to location. While you sit on reindeer hides around an open fire, your hosts will describe many of their traditions, how they herd reindeer and how the reindeer fur is used for clothing. The Sami will also perform a distinctive chant-like style of singing known as a joiking. Although missionaries and state officials once tried to suppress joiking as a threat to assimilation, it survived.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the riverside village of Máze and spend time with the indigenous Sami people there.
• Gather around a fire in a Sami tepee, learn about their culture and snack on reindeer jerky.
• Hear the almost lost art of joiking, the expressive chant-like style of Sami singing.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

View the largest canyon in Northern Europe and the river that flows through it and supplies the area with hydroelectric power. Surrounded by wilderness, Alta Canyon is a breathtaking sight and draws nature lovers who come to hike, boat and marvel at the pristine landscape. The canyon begins just below the power station, which was a highly controversial project because of fears that the dam and reservoir would negatively impact migrating salmon and herding reindeer. You will stop at the concrete arched dam – the highest in Norway – and watch a film that shows how it was constructed to be as environmentally responsible as possible. The indigenous Sami people have long lived in this area, and you will learn about their culture while gathered around a fire in a Sami tepee known as a lavvo. You will hear stories of Sami life and listen to their folk music while snacking on reindeer jerky.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold the natural beauty of Alta Canyon, the largest canyon in Northern Europe.
• See the highly controversial dam and power station that were built in the canyon.
• Learn about the indigenous Sami people in this area and snack on Sami food in a tepee.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic drive around Alta and pause along the way for photos of the key landmarks. Known as the Northern Lights Town, Alta sits at the head of a fjord far above the Arctic Circle. Even when the Northern Lights aren’t visible, they are an inspiration as you will discover at the ultra-modern Northern Lights Cathedral, which features a wavy titanium-clad façade meant to represent the natural phenomenon the aurora borealis. The theme is reflected in the dramatically lit interior, as well. As a contrast, you will stop at the wooden 19th-century Alta Church, one of the few buildings in town that the Germans left standing in World War II. However, they did burn the former school and hospital Altagård to the ground. The replica that you will see features a locally quarried slate roof. Another stop will be made at Skaialuft, where Alta’s premium slate is shipped throughout the world.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the highlights of Alta on an enlightening panoramic drive through town.
• Pause at the ultra-modern Northern Lights Cathedral and the 19th-century Alta Church.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.