Experience the wonders of Norway’s Northern Lights with a team of huskies

HURTLING across glistening white snow, a team of nine huskies pull the sledge over any shrubs that dare to stand in their path.

While the dogs were focused on running, I was captivated by the sparkling Norwegian mountains and fjords surrounding me.

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Back at husky HQ, I thank my canine companions and go to meet some of the younger pups.

Dog-sledding company Tromsø Villmarksenter has 200 adult Alaskan huskies and six adorable three-week-old puppies that we were allowed to cuddle under the watchful eye of Mum.

Outside in the yard, the adults were all keen to get a look in and a pet — including one I fell in love with called Yeti.

During the pandemic, the dogs were fostered by local families to keep them fed and warm while there was no business.

And when they no longer want to run they are adopted across the globe because they make the perfect house pets.

After spending a few hours absorbed in the world of these dogs, I headed inside for tea and cake before returning to cruise line Havila Voyages’ brand-new ship Capella.

Small by cruising standards and partly electric-powered, it has just 179 cabins plus two restaurants — one for fine dining — a cafe and a bar with panoramic views.

My Seaview Superior cabin had a wonderfully comfy double bed, a sofa bed, wardrobe space, a desk and most importantly a kettle with a selection of teas.

The little bathroom was fully fitted and the shower had great pressure.

Waking to astonishing views of the Norwegian coastline and snowy peaks each day is something I will never forget.

And a highlight on board was the food which changed depending on where we were on the route — including reindeer, king crab, golden wild cloudberries and griddle cakes.

Breakfast and lunch involved choosing from a selection of treats — which for me meant a gigantic cinnamon swirl on my plate every morning and smoked salmon for every lunch — while dinner involved a more traditional three courses served at your table.

After dinner, a cocktail in the bar was the perfect way to relax and relive the day’s adventures.

Whale-watching

I’d boarded the ship in Trondheim, just under 350 miles south of the Arctic Circle, after we had first enjoyed a guided tour of this Norwegian city — where we saw Viking runes carved into the walls of the Nidaros Cathedral.

Back on board and, just days later, I was then shivering on the deck as I was baptised with icy water to symbolise that I had crossed into the Arctic Circle.

It is a ritual shared with all travellers who make it this far north. The accompanying shot of cloudberry wine made it all worth it.

Soon afterward, we then docked for another astonishing excursion — donning ski suits before taking control of snowmobiles for a dash across the Arctic tundra.

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If that wasn’t exciting enough, the views above took our breath away once more — the aurora dancing overhead, magical green lights flickering and swirling in the vast sky.

Too soon, we were speeding back over the crisp snow to the ship, the lights disappearing behind us.

But this wasn’t going to be our last showing that evening, as hours later an announcement on board told us the aurora was again visible.

I leapt out of the shower, pulled back my sodden wet hair, threw on my clothes and ran up four decks to see the strongest display of the Northern Lights we had been treated to.

It was the final night of my cruise, as different shades of green flickered and danced overhead, pulsating from a cooler hue to a darker, olive shade.

There are an astonish array of excursions to be enjoyed on this cruise, from whale-watching to king-crab fishing, and prices are on the steep side.

But those Northern Lights are free for all and perhaps eclipse all else.