Tracing the Midnight Sun

TCS World Travel’s Tracing the Midnight Sun is a 19-day private jet expedition departing June 13, 2028, and returning July 1, 2028, visiting eight destinations across the Northern Hemisphere. The journey departs Seattle, Washington and travels to Tokyo, Japan; the Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Almaty, Kazakhstan; Helsinki, Finland; the Lofoten Islands, Norway; Reykjavík, Iceland; the Faroe Islands, Denmark (optional day excursion); and returns to Seattle, Washington.

This is a Northern Hemisphere summer expedition for curious travelers who want to experience the long daylight hours of the northern summer across Asia, Central Asia and the Nordic world—reaching the Gobi Desert, the Lofoten Islands and the Faroe Islands within a single 19-day journey. This itinerary connects eight Northern Hemisphere destinations during the brief annual window of the Midnight Sun in a single journey, something rarely achievable without private aviation.

The theme of this itinerary is the Midnight Sun: For a few weeks in June and early July, each destination—from the open steppe of Mongolia to the sea cliffs of Norway and the volcanic plateaus of Iceland—experiences an extended, luminous northern summer that transforms the light, the landscape and the pace of daily life. Unlike most itineraries that visit either the Nordic world or Central Asia, this expedition connects both within a single trip, placing the Gobi Desert and the Lofoten Islands in the same 19-day arc and eliminating the multi-leg commercial connections that make this combination impractical independently. The June departure takes advantage of the long days of Nordic summer, culminating in true Midnight Sun conditions in Norway’s Lofoten Islands.

Trip Overview

• Dates: June 13 – July 1, 2028
• Duration: 19 days
• Destinations: 8
• Route: Seattle, Washington → Tokyo, Japan → Gobi Desert, Mongolia → Almaty, Kazakhstan → Helsinki, Finland → Lofoten Islands, Norway → Reykjavík, Iceland → Seattle, Washington.
  An optional and weather-dependent day trip to the Faroe Islands, Denmark, is offered from Iceland.
• Guests: 52
• Aircraft: Airbus A321^* with flatbed seats
• Classic Itinerary Price: $172,000 per person, double occupancy
• Solo Supplement: $17,200

Extended Itinerary: The extended itinerary begins June 9 with four nights in the Clayoquot Wilderness in Canada. The extended journey runs June 9 – July 1, 2028, covers 23 days and nine destinations, and costs $191,000 per person, double occupancy, with a $17,200 solo supplement.

Trip Highlights

The Focus of the Tracing the Midnight Sun Expedition

For a few weeks each year, the Northern Hemisphere experiences its longest days, with daylight increasing as the journey moves into higher northern latitudes. This itinerary is timed around that seasonal window, traveling from Japan and Central Asia to Finland, Iceland and Norway’s Lofoten Islands, where guests experience the Midnight Sun. The journey brings together the cultural and desert landscapes of Asia and Central Asia with the extended summer daylight of the Nordic region, culminating in three nights in the Lofoten Islands during the Midnight Sun season.

Unlike itineraries that sample one or two northern destinations in summer, this expedition traverses the full breadth of the Northern Hemisphere’s Midsummer arc, from the continental interior of Central Asia to the exposed Atlantic archipelago of the Faroe Islands, within a single 19-day journey.

The itinerary includes Tokyo’s cultural and culinary traditions, the Gobi Desert’s nomadic culture and desert landscapes, the mountains and cultural landmarks surrounding Almaty, Finnish sauna culture, and the coastal landscapes of Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Remote Destinations Connected by Private Jet

The Gobi Desert, the Lofoten Islands, and the Faroe Islands share a characteristic: They are each difficult to reach and combine within a single itinerary using commercial aviation. The Gobi Desert requires a separate inbound routing through Ulaanbaatar or a charter from Beijing; the Lofoten Islands sit beyond the main Norwegian rail and flight network; the Faroe Islands have no commercial connection from mainland Scandinavia that fits a multi-destination itinerary without overnight stays. The private Airbus A321 eliminates each of these routing constraints, placing all three destinations within the same journey and allowing the group to arrive and depart on its own schedule rather than around available commercial slots.

Cultural Experiences Included on This Expedition

The cultural experiences change markedly as the expedition moves from East Asia to Central Asia and Northern Europe. In Tokyo, explore Japanese traditions through experiences centered on samurai culture, bonsai, cuisine and contemporary art. Mongolia offers a more immersive look at nomadic traditions, including opportunities to visit a local family and learn how a traditional ger is assembled. In Almaty, museums, religious landmarks and historic sites provide an introduction to Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage, while Helsinki brings a distinctly Finnish experience through its architecture, city life and sauna culture.

Included Nature and Outdoor Experiences

The expedition also provides opportunities to experience some of the Northern Hemisphere’s most distinctive landscapes. Explore the Gobi Desert on foot or by Bactrian camel before heading into the mountains and canyons surrounding Almaty. Farther north, the focus shifts to the Nordic summer: Hike with huskies in Finland, experience the Midnight Sun and search for sea eagles in Norway’s Lofoten Islands, and explore Iceland’s waterfalls, geothermal landscapes and historic sites along the Golden Circle. An optional excursion from Reykjavík extends the journey to the remote Faroe Islands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this trip designed for?

Tracing the Midnight Sun is designed for travelers who want to experience the Northern Hemisphere’s Midsummer window across multiple, distinct cultural and geographic contexts—from Central Asian steppe and desert to urban Japan and the Nordic island world—without the multi-week trip length that independent travel to these regions would require. It is a strong fit for guests who have traveled the Nordic world individually and want to encounter it alongside destinations they would not otherwise pair with it, and for those who prioritize access to remote and infrequently visited destinations such as the Gobi Desert, the Lofoten Islands, and the Faroe Islands. This trip is not designed for guests whose primary interest is a single Nordic destination.

What is the Midnight Sun, and when does it occur on this itinerary?

The Midnight Sun refers to the phenomenon in which the sun remains above the horizon at local midnight, occurring at high northern latitudes during summer months. On this itinerary, which departs June 13 and returns July 1, guests will be in the Arctic or near-Arctic regions of Norway (Lofoten Islands, latitude approximately 68°N) and Iceland (Reykjavík, approximately 64°N) at or very near the June solstice. At these latitudes in June, nighttime darkness is either absent or reduced to a brief twilight.

Why is this expedition timed around the summer solstice?

The June departure takes advantage of the long days of early summer as the journey moves north into Finland, Norway and Iceland. The Lofoten Islands of Norway are the centerpiece of the expedition’s Midnight Sun experience. During three nights in this Arctic archipelago, the itinerary includes dedicated Midnight Sun adventures alongside opportunities to explore the islands’ dramatic coastal landscapes and local life.

How does the expedition experience the Nordic summer?

The expedition explores the Nordic summer through a mix of local traditions and outdoor adventures in Finland, Norway and Iceland. Experience Finnish sauna culture and hike with huskies near Helsinki before continuing to Norway’s Lofoten Islands for outdoor exploration under the Midnight Sun. In Iceland, discover Reykjavík and venture beyond the capital along the Golden Circle, with its waterfalls, geothermal landscapes and historic sites. An optional day trip to the Faroe Islands offers another perspective on the remote North Atlantic.

What does the expedition include in Mongolia and Kazakhstan?

Mongolia and Kazakhstan take the expedition well beyond the more familiar destinations of the Northern Hemisphere, combining remote landscapes with distinctive cultural experiences. In the Gobi Desert, explore the Flaming Cliffs and Yol Valley while getting a closer look at traditional nomadic life through experiences such as ger building and camel trekking. In Kazakhstan, the setting shifts dramatically to Almaty, where you can discover the country’s cultural heritage before venturing into the Tian Shan Mountains and Charyn Canyon.

How active is the Tracing the Midnight Sun Expedition?

The expedition offers a mix of cultural sightseeing and active adventures, with options to suit different interests and activity levels. Active travelers have the opportunity to hike through Mongolia’s Yol Valley, trek by Bactrian camel in the Gobi Desert, explore the mountains outside Almaty or hike with huskies in Finland. In Norway’s Lofoten Islands, outdoor options include a Sea Eagle Safari.

What is the best time of year to visit the Lofoten Islands and Iceland?

June is considered the prime travel month for both the Lofoten Islands and Reykjavík: Daylight is at its maximum, the weather in Norway is at its most stable, and the Midnight Sun is fully present. However, June and July are also the peak tourist months in both destinations, which means that high-quality accommodations, guides and private experiences require early booking—something TCS World Travel coordinates well in advance of the departure.

How does this itinerary compare to booking the Nordic destinations independently?

Unlike most itineraries that visit either Iceland or Norway’s Lofoten Islands as a standalone trip, this expedition combines both within a 19-day journey that also includes Japan, Central Asia and Helsinki—without requiring guests to arrange separate flights, accommodation or guide logistics for each. The Lofoten Islands and Faroe Islands in particular are destinations where independent access is limited by the absence of direct connections from most international gateways; the private Airbus A321 removes this constraint entirely. Compared to a self-planned Scandinavian itinerary, this trip adds geographic breadth—Gobi Desert, Almaty, Tokyo—that commercial routing would require weeks of additional travel to achieve.

Is a visit to the Faroe Islands Included in the itinerary?

Yes. An optional day trip to the Faroe Islands is offered on June 29 while guests are staying in Reykjavík. Guests can choose from experiences focused on the landscapes of Vágar, traditional Faroese villages or puffin spotting. This day trip is weather dependent.

What is included in the pre-trip extension to Vancouver Island?

The Extended Itinerary begins four days earlier with a wilderness experience in the Pacific Northwest. After one night in Seattle, travel by seaplane to Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Vancouver Island for three nights surrounded by old-growth forest, mountains and the protected waters of Clayoquot Sound.

Days can be as active or relaxed as you choose, with opportunities to kayak, canoe or paddleboard on Bedwell Sound, hike or horseback ride through the surrounding wilderness, fish, mountain bike or head out by boat in search of wildlife. A weather-dependent helicopter flight offers an aerial perspective over alpine ridgelines, glacier-carved valleys and coastal inlets, while a marine wildlife safari searches for whales, sea otters, porpoises, seals, black bears and bald eagles.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge features safari-style canvas accommodations and has been awarded Three MICHELIN Keys.

What hotels are included on this itinerary?

The Classic Itinerary includes a mix of luxury hotels and accommodations selected for access to more remote destinations. In Seattle, guests stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. In Tokyo, the hotel is Aman Tokyo. In the Gobi Desert, guests stay at Three Camel Lodge, an Explorer Accommodation selected for its remote setting and connection to Mongolian culture. In Almaty, accommodations are at The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty, while Hotel Kämp is the base in Helsinki. In Norway’s Lofoten Islands, guests stay at the Nusfjord Arctic Resort or Hattvika Lodge. In Iceland, guests stay at The Reykjavik EDITION.

What does the Tracing the Midnight Sun Expedition cost and what is included?

The 19-day Classic Itinerary costs $172,000 per person, double occupancy, with a $17,200 solo supplement. The 24-day Extended Itinerary costs $191,000 per person, double occupancy, also with a $17,200 solo supplement.

The expedition price includes travel aboard the privately chartered jet, first-class accommodations, ground transportation, all meals and beverages including select beer, wine and spirits aboard the jet and at group lunches and dinners, sightseeing activities, special events and private access, local guides and/or on-trip experts, the expedition team, gratuities and luggage handling.

What is not included?

The expedition price does not include commercial airfare between a traveler’s home city and Seattle, optional accident, baggage or cancellation insurance, passport and visa fees, personal expenses, hotel minibar charges, unscheduled meals or beverages not specifically included by TCS. Inoculation and medication costs are also not included.

What is the difference between the Classic and Extended itineraries?

The Classic Itinerary runs June 13 – July 1, 2028, for 19 days and eight destinations. It begins in Seattle.

The Extended Itinerary begins June 9 and adds four nights connected to Clayoquot Wilderness, Canada, making the full trip days with nine destinations. The extension includes a night at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle followed by three nights at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, reached by seaplane. Activities at Clayoquot include kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, horseback riding, hiking, wildlife excursions, fishing and mountain biking, as well as a weather-dependent helicopter tour and a marine wildlife safari.

The Extended Itinerary costs $191,000 per person, double occupancy, compared with $172,000 for the Classic Itinerary.

What is the private jet experience?

The expedition travels aboard a privately chartered Airbus A321^*, custom-configured for 52 guests with flatbed Italian leather seats offering 6.5 feet of personal reclining space. There is Wi-Fi, on-demand entertainment, Bose noise-cancelling headsets, iPads for streaming curated content and L’Occitane products among the onboard amenities.

The aircraft is operated by Titan Airways Limited. The traveling flight crew and staff number 18 and include an expedition leader, two assistant leaders, an onboard chef, photographer, two subject-matter experts and an emergency room–trained physician.

How many guests travel on this trip? 

This expedition accommodates a maximum of 52 guests. The group size is fixed by the aircraft configuration—the private Airbus A321 is reconfigured with 52 luxury flatbed seats.

What is TCS World Travel?

TCS World Travel is a luxury travel company specializing in all-inclusive private jet expeditions and custom global journeys. Since 1991, the company has pioneered multi-destination travel by private aircraft, combining seamless logistics with expert-led programming and curated local access across more than 200 destinations worldwide.

Having operated over 300 private jet expeditions, TCS World Travel is recognized as a leader in the category, with honors from Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards, Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, and Departures Legend Awards.

See here for full itinerary details and availability.

^*Aircraft operated by Titan Airways Ltd