FRAMTours — Local services in Tromsø

One gains the impression that the managers of FRAMTours might just need to update their information on GetYourGuide as otherwise they appear to be taking lessons from Faust. If one reviews the GetYourGuide advert please note the following (a direct quotation with the photo attached):

'Enjoy a delicius [sic] expedition meal on a picnic in the Arctic

Professional photographer always with you'

I point out the first only to suggest that this should be subject to a small amendment: 'delicious'. Dear reader, you may avail yourself of other reviews which will I'm sure opine as warmly as it is possible about the cup of tomato soup, cracker and cookie.

Secondly, it is absolutely true - as far as I can judge - that a professional photographer will 'always with you' (again FRAMTours you may wish to correct this to 'A professional photographer will always be with you'); in that the tour guide is paid and presumably has taken photographs at some point in their life and is thus a 'professional photographer'. They may also be excellent at it. Unfortunately I wouldn't know as they didn't take photographs. Or if they did it is a pity that FRAMTours has opted not to sell them or their photo album on this occasion.

I cannot comment on the Hotel Drop Off, it might well be included (we did not ask for it), but perhaps get it in writing before you do confirm your booking? And perhaps any such written statement should include which hotel, at what time and on which day, for otherwise they may feel that their obligations are fulfilled should they offer to drop you off a hundred years hence.

The landscapes are certainly stunning, no matter the weather - but I suppose in Norway that's hardly a claim to fame. You could book any tour and it would be an effort to make that aspect a failure, though it might be amusing if there were a deliberately dull tour.

The guide on our trip was rather good, providing some interesting information, some somewhat vague information, and some information which upon review has proven debatable. But then, we never paid for accuracy, did we?

If anyone reading should wish for a good bit of comedy I thoroughly recommend reading the FRAMTours responses to negative reviews. They make it exceptionally clear how, in their view, the customers have failed in their due diligence. I personally await an excoriating response with the sweet anticipation which can only come when someone with whom you have no further business and for whom you care not one whit decides to set fire to their own...

I booked the "Tromsø: Guided Fjord Expedition & Kvaløya Island with Lunch" tour based on its promising description, including a professional photographer and photos available for purchase after 24 hours. Unfortunately, neither of these promises were fulfilled—there was no dedicated photographer, and no photos were ever made available. When I reached out for clarification, instead of addressing my concern, I was initially sent an email offering a 10% discount on the next booking with them, which had nothing to do with my question. When I followed up, stating that this was not what I had asked, I received a hostile and condescending response.

The company then claimed that the tour guide was actually the “professional photographer” mentioned in their advertisement. If that is the case, this should have been clearly communicated upfront—especially since taking photos was apparently at the guide’s discretion, rather than a guaranteed part of the experience.

To be clear, my guide was absolutely wonderful—knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. I had a good time with her and truly appreciate the effort she put into the tour. However, my issue is with the company’s misleading advertising and, more importantly, their unprofessional response when I asked about it.

Instead of handling my concerns professionally, I received an unnecessarily defensive, dismissive, and rude response from the company’s general manager, who clearly has no understanding of what it means to be professional. Rather than taking accountability, he accused me of bad manners.

If you’re considering booking with this company based on advertised extras like photography, be aware that what they imply may not be what you actually get. While the tour itself was disappointing, my rating is solely because of the guide's excellent service—not because of the company or the experience itself. The dishonest advertising, poor value for money, and unprofessional handling of customer concerns make this a company I absolutely...

The tour started at about 6pm; thought that we started early as the driver needs to drive around looking for northern lights. He asked if we wanted to gear up and commented that we are well geared so we didn’t. We stopped about an hour into our ride. Thought that it’s a pit stop but the guide was busy shoveling the snow and told us that’s our stop and he’s setting up the bonfire. Made us wonder if we had signed up for the bonfire night instead of the northern light hunting tour. Sitting out in the freezing cold with eyes stinged by the smoke for hours wasn’t the best of experience. The guide was so busy chopping wood which he wasn’t quite good at, asking us if we wanted more drinks (which we aren’t keen on as there wasn’t any toilets around) instead of concentrating on finding the northern lights. We even shouted out to the guide to let him know we saw some activity. The guide told us the best time to catch the northern lights are between 10pm to 2am. Then why the hell do we have to bear the cold from 7pm. Had we known it’s going to be a bonfire we could have been more prepared by wearing the gear they provided or not even sign up for it. The worse was the car battery died on the way back. Apparently the guide left the headlights on. It was another freezing wait with 8 of us crammed inside the vehicle for help to arrive. When we checked with the guide if we could collect back the grocery bag from the office he assured us that sure no problem his boss is still in the office. That grocery bag was food for next day’s breakfast. Unfortunately his boss was not there and the office was already closed. What we signed up for was northern lights ‘hunting’ but what we got was northern lights bonfire with flat car battery and clothes that smelled of wood fire. Totally disappointing as this was supposed to be the highlight...