We’ve hired 4 activities via Pukka. Mixed feelings.
We’ve hired 4 activities via Pukka: dog sledding (165£, by operator ‘Arctic Adventures Tours’), arctic sail safari (145£), northern lights sailing (125£), and northern lights minibus chase (145£).
Staff is highly friendly and kind.
One of the activities was cancelled 4 days before its date, due to "technical issues with the van". The company offered options of refunding, get us another company supporting the activity (instead of Pukka itself) or exchange to another activity with no extra cost.
Unfortunately for us, we weren’t lucky enough to see the northern lights in any of the 2 tours we hired with that purpose. At the very beginning of both activities the company recognized the weather challenge (both days were 100% cloud coverage), rather than cancel the activity they decided to carry on with it.
Of course, we (and the whole group) didn't get to see any 'northern lights'.
Understanding the nature of the activity some companies, although rarely offer a refund, are kind to give "another free ride" in compensation (e.g. a voucher).
Despite its extreme odds of unsuccessful result due to the weather, Pukka wouldn't cancel the activity (unless for safety reasons as e.g. avalanches) neither has any compensation scheme as they tell "many times we are able to see activity with cover sky, if we are lucky to find a gap".
It seems that these companies abuse of the frenzy situation, people book in advance facing the fear of no tours availability and missing the northern lights.
A lesson learned: it is tricky, but suggestion is to try to see the weather forecast 1-3 days ahead and try your luck by booking just then. Otherwise the likelihood of wasting your money is very high.
The activity ‘dog sledding’ is awesome, do not miss it.
