North Cope Helsinki Finland

   
 
 

North Cape Tour

Midnight Sun Journey

5 Days / 8 locations in Finland and Norway

An in-depth tour into Arctic Norway & Finland with the added experience of the Midnight Sun at North Cape, the End of the World as we know it. An early flight brings you from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Continue by private motor coach through some impressive Lapp scenery and along the Arctic Ocean until you reach the North Cape, Europe's northernmost plateau. You will experience many aspects of Lapp culture along the journey. In North Cape, Norway, the sun is above the horizon from May 10 - July 25. However, you can experience the White Nights until mid-August, after which the days shorten rapidly.

You can combine this with the Scenic Finland Tour.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Helsinki - Rovaniemi - Kittila
Accommodation: Sirkantahti Hotel
Meals: Lunch / Dinner

(ARCHITECTURE IN LAPLAND)

Early morning flight brings you to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. During the sightseeing tour you will see works designed by Finland's most famous architect Alvar Aalto. Crossing the magic line of the Arctic Circle is a great experience for any visitor. To make it truly exotic, you take part in a Lapp initiation ceremony. You will also enjoy lunch at the Arctic Circle, in a Lapp tepee. Continue northwards along the Ounasjoki River, and stop at the Art Museum of Reidar Sarestaniemi, the most notable Lapp artist who found his motifs in Lapland's nature. His former studio and home, a complex of log houses, represent traditional Lapp architecture. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Sirkantahti or similar in Kittila.

 
Day 2     Kittila - Alta
Accommodation: Scandic Alta Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

(SHOOTING THE RAPIDS)

Hearing the chant of the rapids you put on sunflower yellow rain gear, life vest, and rubber boots. Feel butterflies in your stomach as you set off from Harriniva on board a rubber raft on an exciting, yet comfortable and perfectly safe journey through seven rapids. A delicious, steaming soup is already waiting for you as you come ashore to nourish your body and soul by the crackling fire and rushing water. As you continue to the shores of the Arctic Ocean you notice the rolling hills of Finnish Lapland changing to Norwegian tundra. Dinner and overnight at the Rica Hotel Alta or similar.

 
Day 3     Alta - Honningsvaag
Accommodation: Scandic Hotel Honningsvag
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

(NORTH CAPE PANORAMA)

The Alta rock carvings are 5000-6000 years old. A visit to the Alta Museum is a unique opportunity to experience the ancient Lapp world depicted in rock carvings, reindeer roundups, bear hunting, boat building, and catching bottle-nosed dolphins. Lunch en route. After a short ferry ride we reach Honningsvag and the North Cape. Celebrate this occasion with sparkling wine and the gold of the Arctic Ocean - local caviar. Dinner and overnight at the Rica Hotel Bryggen or similar.

 
Day 4     Honningsvaag - Karasjok - North Cape - Saariselka
Accommodation: Riekonlinna Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

(PAST & PRESENT SAMI PEOPLE)

In earlier times Lapps, who actually prefer to be called Sami, used to be nomads. The way of life influenced their dwellings and the way of making their clothes. All this is exhibited in the open-air Sami museum in Inari. Lunch in Karasjok. While visiting a local reindeer farm you have an opportunity to visit a real Lapp home, listen to a chant in Sami-language with a strong rhythm, hear the owner of the farm telling about reindeer breeding, and to admire his Lapp costume. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Riekonlinna or similar.

 
Day 5     Saariselka - Rovaniemi - Helsinki
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

(GOLD RUSH DAYS)

The last gold rush in Lapland took place at the beginning of the 1950's, when some two hundred men came to the Tankavaara region in North Lapland. The biggest nugget ever discovered weighed some 400 grams (14 oz). A serious effort is likely to be rewarded. So grab yourself a gold pan and start washing for gold. Good luck! Lunch in Luosto. Transfer to Rovaniemi Airport. Your tour ends here.

Depart Rovaniemi on Finnair arriving at Helsinki Airport in the evening.

 

Notes

Please Note

This is a multilingual tour and is organized and operated by our Associate Office in Helsinki.

Pre and post tour hotel nights in Helsinki available.

TOUR ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON OPERATIONAL NEEDS

Price Includes
Sightseeing and Entrances Per Itinerary
All Meals
Hotel Accommodation With Breakfast
Transportation by Deluxe Touring Coach With Wifi
Tour Escort
Tax and Port Charges
Price Does Not Include
 Airfare - Helsinki - Rovaniemi - Helsinki
FTB-1269
1.28.15.WP26