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Northern Lights Wilderness

Aurora Hunt from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Inari and Kirkenes, including overnight at the Snowhotel Kirkenes
Reindeer Safari Rovaniemi, Finland © Visit Rovaniemi

From Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, for winter activities and Aurora hunting. Then further north to the small village of Inari, with an option to stay in a warm Aurora Cabin with glass roof. Continue to Kirkenes in Northern Norway for a King Crab Safari and overnight at the wonderful Snowhotel.

Itinerary

Day 1 Helsinki Arrival

Upon arrival in Helsinki, make your own way to Original Sokos Hotel Presidentti or similar and check in for overnight stay. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore. The many famous sights of the city include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple, and much more.

Day 2 Helsinki - Rovaniemi, overnight train

After breakfast at the hotel, day at leisure. Perhaps explore the marketplace area down by the harbour, where there are food, souvenir and handicraft stalls, and fine old timber boats. This evening, make your own way to the train station for overnight train to Rovaniemi in a private sleeping compartment with ensuite.

Day 3 Rovaniemi

Early arrival by train to Rovaniemi, make your own way from the railway station to Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi or similar and check in for three nights. Remainder of the day at leisure or time for an optional excursion – afternoon Snowmobile Safari to Wilderness, Evening Aurora Borealis Excursion by Snowmobile or evening Aurora Ice Floating.

Day 4 Rovaniemi – Northern Lights Hunt by Bus

Day at leisure in Rovaniemi for optional excursions – visit Ranua Wildlife Park or Husky Safari. Tonight, enjoy an excursion by bus to chase the Northern Lights. Your guide will take some photos of you during the tour and will also provide you with some tips on how to set your camera for night photography. With a little luck the sky is clear and the moon, stars and even the Northern Lights may show up. Hot drinks and gingerbread cookies are included.  

Day 5 Rovaniemi – Safari to Santa's Village

Lapland is well-known for Santa Claus and his reindeer. What a great way to see both – Reindeer Safari to Santa Claus Village excursion*. Sitting in the sleigh pulled by the reindeer you'll make your way from the Reindeer Farm to Santa's Village along the snowy trails of the wintry forest. In the village you'll have some free time to meet Santa in his office, send postcards from Santa Claus Main Post Office and explore handicraft, design and souvenir shops. Receive a Reindeer Driving License and a Diploma for Crossing the Arctic Circle. *This excursion runs from 17 January onwards and is 4hrs duration.

Alternatively, the Arctic Delight excursion runs from 01 December onwards and is 6.5hrs duration. Arctic Delight - Visit to Santa’s Village and snowmobiling to reindeer farm. Meet Santa himself, visit Santa’s Official Post Office, do some shopping and enjoy lunch. Snowmobile to a local reindeer farm. Meet the reindeer, try a short reindeer sleigh ride, listen to the stories of reindeer and return to the start point by snowmobile, before returning to the city by bus.

Day 6 Rovaniemi – Inari, Aurora Snowshoeing

This morning, make your own way to Rovaniemi bus station. Bus trip from Rovaniemi to Inari Wilderness Hotel, located by the beautiful Lake Inari, offering breathtaking views and an ideal location for Northern Lights hunting (the trip is around 5.5hrs duration). Check in for two nights. Optional upgrade to a warm Aurora Cabin on the lake shore, with a glass roof for Aurora viewing. Dinner at the hotel. Evening guided Aurora Snowshoeing excursion into the dark forest by the light of the moon. Warm up with hot drinks by the campfire and with some luck the Northern Lights may appear.

Day 7 Inari – Husky Safari

Enjoy a Husky Safari today through the beautiful winter scenery, two persons share a sled. Perhaps time for an optional afternoon excursion - Cross Country Skiing, Reindeer Farm Visit, Ice Fishing by Snowmobile Sleigh. Dinner at the hotel. Optional evening excursion – Aurora Snowmobiling.

Day 8 Inari – Kirkenes, King Crab Safari and Snowhotel

After breakfast, relax with a private car transfer which takes you along the shores of Lake Inari and other nearby lakes, over the Norwegian border to Kirkenes Snowhotel (the trip is around three hours duration). Upon arrival, meet the local resident reindeer and then enjoy a King Crab Safari, where you will travel to the fjord ice and help pull up the crab pots. The King Crab is served for lunch in a rustic restaurant by the fjord. Time to relax before dinner at the hotel. After dinner, you might like to take an optional evening excursion - Aurora Hunt by Snowmobile OR Husky OR Bus.

Tonight at Kirkenes Snowhotel, you can choose between "cold" accommodation in a Snow Igloo or "warm" accommodation in a cosy and charming private Gamme Cabin.

Snow Igloo: The Snow Igloo rooms are wonderful displays of snow architecture and Arctic nature, created each winter from local ice and snow, with ice sculptures, ice carvings and more. In your Snow Igloo you will sleep on a bed carved from ice, snuggled warmly in a thermal sleeping bag and blankets.

Gamme Cabin: You will sleep in a private, charming wooden cabin, inspired by the traditional hunting and fishing Gamme huts of the Artic and Sami areas. The cabins are like small jewels and have every comfort including air conditioning, underfloor heating and a snug bathroom with a separate aurora glass wall. Best of all, the cabins have a large panoramic window and lounge chairs covered in sheepskins, so you can gaze out in warmth and comfort, as you look for the Northern Lights. Being so far away from light pollution, this is a wonderful place to seek the magical Aurora Borealis. All cabins have private facilities.

Day 9 Kirkenes Departure

Morning transfer to Kirkenes airport or the pier, and end of arrangements.


2023 departures: daily 01 - 16 December 

2024 departures: daily 01 January - 31 March

Notes:

The order of excursions may change according to your dates of travel, seasonal availability, or due to unforseen circumstances or weather.

Some excursions subject to minimum age & height requirements.

This tour can be done in reverse. Or add extra nights along the way.

Nordic Travel is 100% Australian owned and operated