Into the Arctic

Arrival to Ivalo Airport. Here we guarantee 2 shuttle shared transfers to the Santa’s Hotel Tunturi in Saariselkä during the day. In the evening, meet our guide for a welcome drink and a briefing about the program of the following days. If the weather allows and there is auroral activity, your guide will take you out to see the Northern Lights. 

Overnight in Saariselka

Breakfast at the hotel. We leave in the morning and cross the border between Finland and Norway to reach Kirkenes, a small town facing the Barents Sea. Here we’ll have lunch in the restaurant of the Snowhotel, followed by a visit of the SnowHotel 365 itself. Marvel at the ice and snow art and explore the ice suites. You can also visit Santa's workshop, the icebar, and the park with huskies and reindeers.

As an option, you can join the king crab safari at 17:00. For those interested in history instead, the Varanger Museum in Kirkenes has exhibits about the town’s ordeal during WWII, when it was bombed 328 times in four years, making it the most bombed place during the war after Malta.For more insights into this somber period, visit the Andersgrotta WWII Bomb Shelter which can house up to 2,500 people underground.

Overnight in Kirkenes (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Hurtigruten pier. After lunch on board, we start an amazing journey on the famous Hurtigruten Coastal Line.

In the port of Vardø, you’ll find the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains a part of the military to this day. We cruise Norway’s coastline to arrive in the small port of Båtsfjord in the evening and then on to Berlevåg. You might be able to see Mount Tanahorn to the west or Kjølnes Lighthouse blinking atop a cliff overlooking the Barents Sea.

Dinner and overnight on board – Polar Outside cabins.

Breakfast on board. During the night, the shp will stop at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord, in the morning it reaches Honningsvåg and Havøysund. Lunch on board. In the early afternoon, you’ll spend time in Hammerfest, once the northernmost town in the world until Longyearbyen in Svalbard claimed the title. Check out the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint on Mount Salen.

We continue cruising Norway’s coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks. Dinner on board and late evening arrival in Tromsø. The hotel is situated literally few steps away from the pier.

Overnight in Tromso (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic visit of Tromsø will take you through the center with its charming blend of old and new, where modest wooden houses sit alongside the modern architecture of this university city nicknamed “Paris of the North”. Cross the Tromsø Bridge connecting Tromsø Island to the mainland, and see the Arctic Cathedral revealing itself on the way over. Tromsdalen Church, also known as Ishavskatedralen (The Arctic Cathedral) was built on November 19, 1965. The cathedral is a landmark visible from the Tromsø Sound, the Tromsø Bridge and when landing in Tromsø by aircraft. For those who want to walk a little more, it’s possible to reach the cable car and go all the way to the top of Mount Storsteinen, 421 meters above sea level in just four minutes, and enjoy a bird’s-eye-view of the city and its impressive surroundings.

In the afternoon we’ll visit a local brewery where you will learn about the ingredients and the brewing process that Norwegians use in the arctic region to produce a delicious beer.

In the evening, you have the opportunity to join one of the several Northern Lights tours leaving from Tromsø.

Overnight in Tromso (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave to enjoy a Reindeer Safari in a magical location. Upon arrival, we put on warm winter clothes and boots and take the oldest transport in the north to explore the ancient Sami culture. When the reindeers reach the main camp, we take a minibus for a short transfer to the Sami Camp.

This fascinating cultural exploration includes storytelling about the Sami culture, reindeer sledding and feeding, and introduction to lasso throwing. After the memorable visit with the indigenous Sami people, you will return to the Camp Tamok. A hot meal will be served around an open fire in a reindeer herder’s tent.

After lunch, we will depart for Kilpisjärvi. This is where the three nations of Norway, Finland, and Sweden meet. Driving time is approximately 2.5 hours. Kilpisjärvi is one of the best locations to see the northern lights, dependent on weather and nature conditions.

Overnight in Kilpisjärvi (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you can visit Finland, Sweden, and Norway in less than a minute. This is a bucket list experience that we strongly recommend. Take a snowmobile safari on a frozen lake trail through a snow covered birch forest to Koltavuoma, where the yellow border cairn of the three Nordic countries is located. Take pictures as a memory of your visit to the intersection of three Scandinavian borders! (the snowmobile activity is optional).

Continue to Levi and explore different parts of the Finnish Lapland. Driving time is approximately 3.5 hours. Tonight, a very special experience awaits you. You will sleep under the Arctic sky in Glass Igloos at the Northern Lights Village!

Dinner and overnight in Aurora Cabin at Northern Lights Village Levi (B, D)

We'll kick off the day with breakfast at the hotel before diving into an exhilarating husky safari! Maneuvering a team of huskies across the pristine, snow-covered landscapes is a must-do while in Lapland. These eager dogs dash ahead while the sled effortlessly glides over the glistening snow, the skids whispering softly. As you reach a junction, the lead husky looks back at you – left or right? Mush! The husky safari sets off from an Aurora hut, whisking you on a thrilling journey through Levi's unspoiled forests. It's an experience that will stay etched in your memory forever! Later in the day, we'll head to Haparanda for a taste of Swedish Lapland.

Dinner and an overnight stay at Haparanda Stadshotell (B, D)

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. For those seeking an extraordinary experience, brace yourselves for the Icebreaker adventure! A thrilling three-hour cruise through the frozen waters of the Bothnian Sea in Lapland awaits. Witness the incredible power of the vessel as it breaks through massive ice formations. Enjoy a guided tour from the engine rooms to the Captain's bridge, immersing yourself in the inner workings of the ship. Take a moment to relax in the cozy saloon, savoring warm juice, or step out for a stroll on the frozen sea during a brief stop.

But the real thrill? The icebreaker creates a pool free of ice, inviting brave souls to take a dip in the dark, icy waters wearing flotation survival suits. Each daring participant receives a Cruise & Swim Certificate from the captain, a memorable token of this optional yet unforgettable activity.

Later in the afternoon, you'll have the chance to explore Haparanda Tornio, crossing the border between Sweden and Finland on foot as you head to the local shopping mall or partake in various available activities.

Dinner in the splendid cellar of your hotel, where you'll spend the night (B, D)

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before setting off for Rovaniemi in Finland, famously known as The Official Home of Santa Claus. Here, Santa resides at the Santa Claus Village every day of the year, dedicated to his lifelong mission: nurturing the happiness of children, fostering kindness among adults, and spreading the message of love and goodwill that embodies the Christmas Spirit worldwide. We'll make a stop at the Santa Claus Village for an enchanting visit.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy in Rovaniemi, offering an opportunity for some final shopping before heading back home. To bid farewell in style, we'll gather for a special dinner in a traditional Lappish kota, indulging in local delicacies while staying warm by the crackling fireplace. With luck, the Northern Lights might grace us with one last mesmerizing display before we return to the hotel for the overnight stay.

Overnight in Rovaniemi (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. There will be two shuttle shared transfers to the Rovaniemi Airport during a day. (B)