Northern Lights in Arctic Finland.

   
 
 

Fabulous Lapland

See the Northern Lights from Your Bed

6 Days / 4 locations in Finland and Sweden

Experience this unique journey to Lapland and be amazed by a blend of first class travel, with the most fascinating and invigorating winter activities in the region. Firstly you will stay in Saariselkä with its dazzling white landscape as well as in Rovaniemi and Sinettä, with one night in the extra ordinary Arctic Glass Igloos.Weather permitting you will see the breath taking Northern Lights from your bed. Experience Santa Claus Village and visit the home of Santa Claus in Rovaniemi. The highlight of this winter adventure is the ‘Sampo’ Icebreaker safari where you have a chance to take a swim in the fresh Arctic waters of Kemi.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Levi
Meals: Dinner

Welcome to Finland and to Levi a winter paradise like no other. Nestled in the heart of Lapland, Levi offers breathtaking landscapes, thrilling outdoor activities, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Located in in Sirkka Village approximately 170 north of the Arctic Circle its natural surroundings are guaranteed to impress. During the next two night your accommodation will be The Aurora Igloo Cabin half igloo half cabin at the Northern Lights Village Resort -a magical way to experience the wintry star-filled sky and some with luck the dance of the Northern Lights, while lying comfortably in the warm bed. Enjoy a local dinner at the restaurant and enjoy this evening’s optional experience.

OPTIONAL:

Aurora Hunting by heated sleigh

DURATION: approximately 3 hours (8:30pm-11.30pm)

MEETING TIME: 8:15pm at the hotel reception

INCLUDES:guiding, warm berry juice, cookies and marshmellows, thermal clothes

MIN 2 PERSONS

The silent, snow-covered forest, and the magical Northern Lights above you.Take a seat in the heated aurora sleigh! This is the best option if you do not wish to ride a snowmobile and rather sit in the comfort of a heated sleigh pulled by the guide. Your guide tows the sleigh with a snowmobile through the snowy, moon and starlit landscape, all the way into the forest, far away from the residential areas and their light pollution. After arriving, we prepare our cameras and take photographs of the northern night sky.If the luck is with us the Northern Lights will appear. Sit comfortably by the fire, enjoying hot drinks and listening to tales until someone spots the first flare. Now your imagination is the only limit: The Northern Lights waving across the sky, the constellations, and the glittering snow-covered trees... How will you compose your photos?

REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING AND SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.

 
Day 2     Levi
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Breakfast at the Hotel. The natural beauty, diverse wildlife, varying terrain and, of course, the Northern Lights make Lapland and Levi very special places.From its river valleys and frozen lakes up to the fells with their spectacular views over the artic landscape, Levi is all about northern nature at its best. Today you will have opportunity to get familiar with Lappish animals and the life of the locals. Enjoy the magical tranquility in Arctic nature.

REINDEER FARM & SLEIGH RIDE INCLUDED

DURATION: approximately 3hours (10:00am-1:00pm)

INCLUDED: guiding in English, thermal equipment, transfers, farm visit, 1 km sleigh ride, 3 course meal

Meet the Reindeer farmers who will tell you about the reindeer, and its importance to the Sami culture. Sitting in a two-person sleigh, pulled by your reindeer, you will experience a short ride in this traditional and peaceful way of moving through the white landscape where the only sound you will hear is the melody of reindeer bells. Sami and his family have been living in the farm more than 300 years. Visit the café, the museum and enjoy a typical three-course home made lunch.Afternoon free at leisure.Enjoy dinner at your Hotel.The following optional activities are the ones we recommend for an authentic Finnish experience.

OPTIONAL: Finnish Sauna & jacuzzi

DURATION: 1 hour (time to be pre-booked)

INCLUDES: introduction from guide

MIN 2 PERSONS

A beautiful setting to enjoy Finnish sauna and possibly Northern Lights. Built in the same style as our Aurora Cabins with a large sky window, the Igloo Sauna offers a perfect combination of viewing the night sky while warming up in the Sauna and relaxing in a hot tub.

REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING AND SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

OPTIONAL:

Aurora photography Workshop

DURATION: approximately 1 hour (5:00pm-6:00pm)

MEETING TIME: 4:45pm at the hotel reception

INCLUDES: introduction from guide

MIN 2 PERSONS

Make the most out of the opportunity to photograph the Northern Lights. During the photography workshop, you will learn all the tricks you need to capture the Northern Lights and the night sky in such a way that your photos are an accurate representation of reality.Your instructor has vast knowledge and experience of photographing the Northern Lights. The workshop provides you with just the right tips on how tohandle your camera and set the exposure and shutter to be able to share the magic of the Northern Lights with your friends with the best possible photos.

REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING AND SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.

OPTIONAL: Aurora Expedition on Snowshoes

DURATION: approximately 3 hours (8.30pm-11.30pm)

MEETING TIME: 8:15pm at the hotel reception

INCLUDES: guiding, hot berry juice, cookies, marshmallows, snowshoes, thermal clothes

MIN 2 PERSONS

The Laplanders hung the wings of a willow grouse over the crib of a baby girl so that the girl would grow up to be as pure as the white willow grouse on top of the snow.Snowshoeing is the closest way to experience the nature of Lapland. The deep snow crunching under the shoes, the snow-hooded trees, and the pearly-white willow grouse watching you from afar –the winter nature is a magical world of its own.We hike through the forest in snowshoes to a nearby fell where we will build a fire, enjoy a delicious meal outdoors, and enjoy the spectacular scenery. The guide will provide information on the nature and animals of Lapland, and with any luck we may see a Siberian jay, a willow grouse, or a herd of reindeer wandering by. This trip is especially suitable for nature-lovers, who wish to take great photographs and enjoy the natural scenery in an ecological way

REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING AND SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.

 
Day 3     Levi - Haparanda
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel followed by an early departure. The route between Levi and Haparanda is quite scenic, especially during the winter months when the landscape is covered in snow. As you travel east from Levi towards Haparanda, you'll pass through the forests and hills of Finnish Lapland, which are dotted with small towns and villages.As you approach the border between Finland and Sweden, you'll cross the Muonio River, which forms the border between the two countries. The river is quite wide and frozen in the winter, and you may be able to see people ice fishing or skiing on the river. Once you cross into Sweden, you'll notice a change in the landscape, as the terrain becomes flatter,and the forests give way to open fields. Haparanda is located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, so you may be able to catch glimpses of the sea as you approach the town.Overall, the drive between Levi and Haparanda is a beautiful journey through the winter wonderland of Lapland, with plenty of opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty of the region.After arrival at Haparanda, you will have a chance to try unique ways of fishing as optional. Remember to set your watch 1 hour back

Tonight, you will stay at one of the most famous turn-of-the-century hotels in Sweden,restored to its former glory, with the authentic character of the town’s number one establishment: red plush, crystal chandeliers, stucco. Haparanda, with Stadshotellet at its center, at periods has been the European town with the fastest pulse rate.The building was designed by the architects Fritz Ullrich and Eduard Hallqvist from Stockholm. The hotel was built in the classical style, the master builder and the carpenters coming from Sundsvall, Sweden, the stucco workers came from Italy, much of the building material was from Silesia, etc. Afternoon free at leisure. Enjoy dinner at your Hotel.

OPTIONAL: Trying burbut fishnets and Ice-fishing

DURATION: approximately 2-3 hr (4:00pm-6:30pm)

MEETING TIME: 3:30pm at hotel reception

INCLUDES: guiding, hot berry juice, tools for ice-fishing, thermal clothes

MIN 2 PERSONS

 
Day 4     Haparanda - Kemi - Rovaniemi
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Breakfast at the Hotel. Time for a swim as you head to the town of Kemi for a full day of activities. First a visit to the Winter Park* with its special snow slides, enjoy the snow sculptures and Snow Experience365 complex, followed three-course or buffet lunch at Seaview Restaurant. Short drive to the harbor where you embark the impressive vessel SAMPO ICEBREAKER for a cruise through the ice of the northern Gulf of Bothnia to make your adventure unforgettable.

*Please note that the construction of the Winter Park is dependent on the weather conditions and therefore not guaranteed to be open during January.

SAMPO ICE BREAKER & ICE FLOATING INCLUDED

DURATION: 3,5h (1:00pm-4.30pm)

INCLUDES: guided tour of the ship, ice floating experience, warm welcome drink and diploma.

Lunch included

Sea Lapland is one of the few extraordinary places where the sea completely freezes over in the winter. Enjoy an unforgettable sea, snow and ice adventure on a cruise on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. Let the magical moments in arctic nature blow you away. The crew gives a presentation of this historical ship and provide a guided tour around the vessel all the way from the Captain’s bridge to the engine rooms. Feel the arctic freedom on the deck or relax in the warm indoors sipping hot beverages in Icebreaker Bar. Before returning to the port, the ship will make a one-hour stop to enable each visitor to participate in the ice floating event –in the middle of the largest ice field in Europe. You can jump into the sea and float! Of course, comfortably dressed in survival suits

*Please note that the ice floating experience requires min, height of 130cm due to safety reasons.

The adventure continues, as you make your way to Rovaniemi,located right on the Arctic Circle. Rovaniemi capital of Finnish Lapland, home of Santa Claus counts with more than 60.000 inhabitants. Evening at leisure to enjoy one of the many restaurants in Rovaniemi.

 
Day 5     Rovaniemi
Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel and depart for the next step on the winter adventure. Drive through the white nature to visit a Husky Farm located right on the Arctic Circle.

HUSKYFARM & SAFARI INCLUDED

DURATION: approximately 2 hours

INCLUDES: guide, husky ride 3-5 km, hot berry juice, thermal clothes

2 persons per sled (self-driving)

The barking of enthusiastic dogs will welcome you to the most genuine Husky farm in Rovaniemi. The head musher will talk about the life and training of these Arctic animals and you will also have the chance to take some great photos. After brief instructions you embark, riding in pairs, on a run through the forest behind your pack of huskies (3-5km)

The day continues with a visit to the world-famous Santa Claus Village, built right on the Arctic Circle and home to Santa Claus. Stop by his busy post office where you can ask Santa to send a letter to your loved ones just before Christmas. Take a step into the magical world of Santa ́s home and meet Santa himself. No words can describe the emotions of this fairy-tale-like moment. It is something you will always remember. An absolute must for any visit to Lapland. After the visit to Santa Claus Village, enjoy a 15 minutes ride by bus to Rovaniemi. The rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

OPTIONAL:

Aurora Borealis Safari by Snowmobiles

DURATION: approximately 3 hours (6:00pm-9:00[m)

MEETING TIME: 5:20pm at the hotel reception

INCLUDED: transportation, thermal outfit, guide, snack, hot beverage

MIN 2 PERSONS

Drive through the wilderness and discover the phenomena of the northern sky at our Northern Lights base. Experience the Arctic night by driving through the snow-covered forest and on the frozen river. With a little luck, you will travel under a bright sky lit by the moon and the stars. Perhaps the Aurora Borealis –the Northern Lights –will appear to show you the way. Sip warm beverages and savor a snack by a campfire and learn more about the Northern Lights and the beauty of Lapland.

REQUIRES PRE-BOOKINGAND SUBKECT TO AVAILABILITY

*Note: To drive a snow mobile in Finland you must have a valid driver’s license from a country of issue which has signed the Road Traffic Convention of Geneva. We cannot accept responsibility for licenses that are not accepted. Please consult if you have any doubts

 
Day 6     Rovaniemi
Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast and the rest of your day at leisure until your regular transfer to Rovaniemi airport in good time for your departure flight

 

Notes

We reserve the right to amend the itinerary and/or included entrances without notice due to extreme weather conditions. The weather conditions in Lapland can vary and road closures are sometimes enforced by local authorities, which is out of the control of Borealis Destination Management ApS and its suppliers. Also the snow and ice conditions can be unpredictable during the season, so some of the activities on this adventure are subject to change or cancellation without notice

Please note! Arrival transfer in Tromso is by a regular (public) airport bus service Flybussen. Departure Regular Transfer Service included in the program is only available for transfersto Rovaniemi Airport and only on the published official date of end of the tour. The transfers are escorted by an English-speaking representative from Via Hansa & Borealis and is shared with other fellow passengers; therefore, minor waiting time at the airport may occur. This transfer service is not valid for passengers with pre/post nights or passengers who require private transfers –for a supplement, private transfers can be reserved.

Price Includes
7 Dinners and 2 Lunches
Regular Airport Transfer in Levi and Rovaniemi
Hotel Accommodation As in Itinerary With Daily Breakfast
Bi-Lingual Tour Escort (english & Spanish or Portuguese) from Day 2-5
All Tours and Transportation, As Mentioned in the Program
Visits, Excursions and Entrances As Mentioned in the Program
Outdoor Clothing for Winter Activities Mentioned in the Program
Luggage Allowance Is 1 Suitcase & 1 Piece of Hand Luggage Per Person
Price Does Not Include
 Porterage
 Optional Excursions
 Air
BOR-1269
1.28.15.WP26