Join us on an adventure of a lifetime and help raise money for Sightsavers Ireland’s sight-saving work in Africa and Asia.
First Light for Sight Arctic expedition
Join us on an exciting expedition across the Arctic Circle to watch the first sunrise of 2024.
The First Light for Sight sunrise expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for adventurous Sightsavers supporters to visit the Arctic. In snowy, northern Norway, you’ll learn the survival skills you need to reach a remote mountain cabin in the Arctic Circle, from where you’ll watch the first sunrise of the new year.
In the Arctic, the sun sets at the end of November, leaving the region in darkness for 24 hours every day. When the sun rises again in January and daylight returns, it marks a very special day.
We’re inviting a small group of intrepid Sightsavers supporters to join us on this incredible journey in January 2024.
UPDATE: Places on the 2024 expedition are now fully booked. If you’d like information about the next expedition, please register your interest by emailing us or using the form below.
About the challenge
When: January 2024
Where: Tromsø, Norway and the Arctic Circle
More details: Email Lauren or Craig at [email protected]
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What is the expedition?
You’ll travel to Tromsø in Norway, which is approximately 350km from the Arctic Circle. For the first three days of the expedition, you’ll receive training from our partner Adventure.ie, covering:
- Arctic survival skills
- How to stay warm in extreme environments
- Snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and pulk sled pulling
All the specialist equipment you need will be provided.
On the fourth day, you’ll be ready to depart for the cabin, pulling all your equipment in pulk sleds and travelling by snowshoes or skis.
The cabin is off-grid and heated by stoves, which will also be used to melt snow for water. You’ll work together as a team by putting your new skills into practice as you wait for the sun to rise the next morning. You might even see the Northern Lights while you wait for the sunrise!
Trip highlights
- Watching the first sunrise after months of darkness
- Staying 350km north of the Arctic Circle
- Learning the skills to survive in Arctic conditions
- Staying in a remote Arctic cabin in winter
- Seeing the Northern Lights
When will it take place?
The expedition will take place in mid-January 2024. It will run over five days, with two travel days either side of it. There will also be two pre-departure training days in the Wicklow Mountains, along with a Zoom briefing.
Fundraising for Sightsavers
We ask our explorers to each raise €5,000 for this challenge: as a charity, we rely on participants to meet their pledge. The fundraising target includes flights, internal travel, accommodation, meals, training and specialist equipment.
Want to find out more about the expedition? Register your interest below to join us on the next sunrise adventure.
Join our next sunrise expedition
Thank you for signing up
We’ll be in touch soon with stories about our life-changing work, plus ways for you to support Sightsavers and get involved.
News and stories
Sightsavers supporters raise €90,000 through Arctic expedition
A team of Irish fundraisers who took part in the First Light for Sight Arctic Challenge has raised more than €90,000 for Sightsavers Ireland.
May 2023
“I’m still in awe of the Arctic challenge. I have memories imprinted in my head and heart”
Owen Campbell took part in the First Light for Sight challenge in January 2023 and raised more than €10,000 for Sightsavers Ireland.
“No words or photos can do it justice. I felt joy that this experience was restoring sight for so many people”
Martina Parker took part in the First Light for Sight challenge in January 2023 and raised more than €8,000 for Sightsavers Ireland.
Interested in other ways to get involved?
Fundraise with us