The Winter Magical Arctic Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Helsinki

Sightseeing tour of Helsinki to see the Rock Church, the Sibelius Monument, the Senate Square and the Uspenski Cathedral.
Spend some free time for shopping in the capital city of Finland. Look for the famous designer brand of Marimekko, which is a finish design company renowned for its original prints and colours since 1951. The company designs and manufactures apparel, bags, textiles, kitchenware and many more.

Day 2: Helsinki – Rovaniemi- Santa Claus Village – Rovaniemi

Transfer to Helsinki airport for your flight to Rovaniemi. Depart by early morning flight (packed breakfast) to Rovaniemi. Your coach meets you and takes you to the town of Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is a gateway to the arctic wilderness and to witness the Northernlights, also known as the official town of Santa Clause. During the rest of today and tomorrow you will have a variety of activities for which warm clothing is usually provided:

• Snowmobile Safari (2 people in one vehicle)
  The best way to get to the nature. Enjoy snowmobiling along the frozen rivers and through forests covered with snow. You also have a chance to enjoy the beautiful views of the river valley from the top of the hills (includes warm clothing and helmet).
• Arktikum (entrance included)
  Is a museum, science center, attraction and a popular cultural destination. The exhibitions provide the history, nature, people, climate and culture of Lapland as well as of Arctic knowledge.
• Visit the Santa Park and Santa Claus main post office
  Santa park is an exciting fantasy world filled with the warm atmosphere of Christmas. There are many souvenir shops, cafes, restaurant as well as Santa’s main post office for you to send a postcard to your friends and relatives around the world (includes Arctic Circle Crossing Certificates).
• Visit the Santa Claus office
  You can see and make a wish with the old man everyday of the year. Our elves can create a lasting memory of your meeting with Santa Clause – includes photo with Santa Clause based on photo for 4 persons.

Day 3: Rovaniemi – Ranua Wildlife Park (Lapland) – Rovaniemi

Ranua wildlife park – the Ranua zoo, consists of approximately 50 wild animal species and 200 individuals, including top predators such as lynx, brown bears and wolves and also European moose and deer.
Arktikum, which includes arctic science centre and Lapland’s provincial museum, is also well-known of its unique architecture. The exhibitions provide an insight into the way of life, culture and history of the world’s northernmorst regions from prehistoric times and into the future.
Gala dinner in Rovaniemi in Snowmanworld in ice restaurant: http://snowmanworld.fi/ice-bar-restaurant/ice-restaurant-rovaniemi-lapland/.

Day 4: Rovaniemi – Luosto – Saariselka

Drive to Luosto, where you’ll board a special wagon called Amethyst Pendolino which will bring you to the Amethyst mine. Climbing the hill will offer you some of the most amazing views in Lapland, over the immense forest and fells. In the Amethyst mine visitors get an introduction about this mineral and they all have the chance to dig for their own lucky stone.
Continue the scenic ride to Saariselka.

Day 5: Saariselka – reindeer safari & husky farm – Kakslauttanen

Visit to a reindeer safari and enjoy exhilarating reindeer sleigh rides through the winter woodlands with warming log fires and hot drinks along the way. Visit the husky farm, get closer to the puppy and get to learn how the huskies train to become sled dogs on husky safari. Experience the husky. Sledge through the wilderness, dran by these eager and friendly dogs.

A lifetime experience to spend a night in the unique Glass Igloo. From inside of glass igloos, you can with a bit of luck even admire the northern lights (this natural phenomena can’t be guaranteed to appear that given night) and twinkling of the blinking starry sky with your loved one, with a comforting warmth room temperature inside the igloo (the toilet is inside the Igloo, the showers and female & male sauna are available in separate buildings).
Hotel: Kakslauttanen arctic resort (small glass igloo).

Day 6: Kakslauttanen – Kirkenes – King Crab Excursion Tour

Depart Ivalo continue to crab safari. King Crab Safari- named as the world’s best experience. The original and famous King Crab Safari is one of our specialties. Enjoy your catch at a nearby farmhouse.
Visit to Kirkenes snow hotel, the coolest hotel in the world. See the beautifully decorated snow suites and the largest ice bar in Norway. Admire the snow and ice art and pay a visit to the souvenier shop dedicated to native craft.

Day 7: Kirkenes – Oslo

Flight to Oslo after breakfast. Your coach meets you in Oslo and then meet & greet with the english speaking local guide. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Oslo to see the Aker Brygge, The City Hall Quare, Karl Johan Street, Vigeland SculpturePark and Holmenkollen area.

Visit and entrance Viking Ship Museum. Display the world’s two best preserved wooden Viking ships built in the 9th century, as well as small boats, sledges, a cart with exceptional ornamentation, implements, tools, harness, testiles and household utensils. Transfer to hotel dinner .

Day 8: Oslo and time to say goodbye

After breakfast free time until your transfer to the airport (no lunch included).

What’s included

7 overnights in hotels as previewed (or similar) in twn/dbl rooms with breakfast:

• 1x Esboo Scandic, Helsinki
• 2x Santa Claus hotel, Rovaniemi: http://www.santashotels.fi/en
• 1x Kakslautten Glass Igloo
• 1x Hotel Tunturi, Saariselka: http://www.santashotels.fi/fi/hoteltunturi
• 1x Scandic Olympia, Oslo

• 6 lunches, 7 dinners and all meals accompanied with tea or coffee
• Coach as per itinerary: max. 12 hours a day
• English speaking local guide for half-day tour of Oslo (incl. meet & greet at the airport)

Admission and activities:

• Viking Ship Museum, Oslo (time permitting)
• King Crab Safari
• Husky Farm sledge demonstration and ride
• Snowmobile Safari (2 people in one vehicle); driver must have a car licence (a national car license is sufficient, if not, he can ride behind the driver; or they can stay in the sledge and the guide drives)
• Arktikum
• Santa Park and Santa Claus office (incl. photo)
• Ranua National Park
• Reindeer Safari in Lapland
• Amethyst Mine with pendolino from Luosto center