Alta Museum, Petroglyphs & Sami Siida
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Port
Alta, Norway
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$189.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3 hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Alta may be a modern city, but it has not forgotten its roots. Discover two attractions that celebrate the area's dramatic legacy and age-old culture.
Wind your way through the city on the short ride to the Alta Museum, which is dedicated to the preservation and documentation of rock art in and around Finnmark. Perched atop a small hill overlooking a sparkling fjord, the museum not only boasts fantastic indoor displays of rock carvings but is also situated next to one of the five rock art sites that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll along the outdoor path that is arranged around the rock carving area. The well-marked walkway is dotted with points for an up-close look at some of the 3,000 petroglyphs on display in the open-air museum. As the path leads down a gentle slope to the fjord, you'll notice that the markings appear to have themes -- boats and fish, hunters, moose, reindeer, bears and fertility symbols.
A journey through time inside the museum reveals additional insights into the ancient rock carving stones, as well as sacred art from the late Middle Ages, silver treasures, and artifacts of the Sami culture. Explore the gift shop if you'd like to take home a souvenir of your visit.
The next stop is a visit to the Boazo Sami siida. Located on the banks of the Alta River, the siida is a seasonal community inhabited by the Sami -- Scandinavia's indigenous, semi-nomadic people. You'll be greeted by these friendly people in colorful traditional dress. Watch a fascinating performance of chant-like songs called joik as you enjoy refreshments. Before you leave, you'll have the chance to observe the Sami's reindeer and take photos.
The relaxing ride back to the ship gives you time to reflect on all you've seen.
Notes:
Tour requires walking about a mile. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, a boardwalk, asphalt, a small unpaved area, and 26 indoor steps (elevator available). Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. The outdoor petroglyph area may be closed October through April due to snow or inclement weather.