8 Day: Alta – Kirkenes – Saariselka – Santa´s Igloos – Rovaniemi

Tour Overview:
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. Begin you your journey in alta and make your way to kirkenes where you may choose to try one of the delicacies of the north on a king crab safari. You will stay in saariselka with its dazzling white landscape as well as in rovaniemi, with one night in the extraordinary arctic glass igloos. Weather permitting, you will see the breathtaking northern lights from your bed. Experience santa claus village and visit the home of santa claus in rovaniemi. The highlight of this winteradventure is the ‘sampo’ icebreaker safari* where you have a chance to take a swim in the fresh arctic waters of kemi.

Day 1 – Saturday – Arrival -Alta
Arrival to Alta airport and transfer (not included) to the hotel on your own for check-in. Please consult the Via Hansa & Borealis welcome letter, which you will receive upon check-in to your hotel, and kindly note where and when to meet your tour leader. A short welcome meeting will be held at 18:00, where you will receive information on the upcoming tour program.

Optional: Sleigh ride under the northern lights
This tour offers you an evening of cozy adventure. You will be picked up in Alta and driven to a farm in the nearby countryside where you will climb aboard a sleigh and get bundled up in warm blankets. Your sleigh is then pulled by a Norwegian Fjord Horse through the forest and along the Alta River, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the peace and beauty all around you. Near the end of the ride, you will stop at a wilderness shelter where a light dinner will be served around a warm fire. Under the right conditions you might also be able to captures some beautiful images of the Northern Lights. Requires Pre-Booking
Duration: Approximately 4 hours (20:00 -24:00)
Meeting Time: 19:45 at the hotel reception
Includes: Transportation, Traditional Dinner Including Dried Meat Chips W/dip, Reindeer Meat, Lingonberry Sauce, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Bonfire-coffee And Glogg.

Day 2 – Sunday – Alta
Breakfast at the hotel before departing for the prestigious EMYA award-winning Alta museum. The museum is situated at the site of early settlement of Finnmark dating from around 11,000 years ago and presents exhibitions on local culture and historic industries. A must-see for anyone visiting the area. Afternoon free at leisure. We suggest paying a visit to the modern Northern Lights Cathedral located in the central part of town.

Alta Museum
Experience the Northern Europe’s largest and richest rock carving site, inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Here you can walk on pathways arranged around the rock carving area while enjoying a fantastic view over the Alta Fjord. The 2000 to 6200 years old rock carvings show the life of hunters and fishermen. You will have a guided tour at the museum with some free Time afterwards to walk around at your own pace. (B)

Optional: Northern lights tour & Sorrisniva ice hotel
Meet your Tour Director in the lobby of your hotel for a 20 minute bus ride into the countryside. The family owned Sorrisniva adventure facility is perfectly located to maximize your chances of seeing the magnificent Aurora Borealis in the Time between September and March. Experience the Igloo Hotel – the worlds northernmost ice hotel, built from ground every year with different themes. Get a break from your daily life and feel the serenity and silence the Igloo Hotel gives you. Wander among handcrafted ice sculptures or take an ice drink in our bar. Everything is made from pure snow and ice.
After the visit to the Ice Hotel you will take on the Northern Lights chase in the company of a knowledgeable guide. Along the way you will have an excellent opportunity to learn more about the natural phenomenon as well as the local history of Alta. Your guide will also be very happy to help you catch some beautiful images with your own camera. Requires pre-booking and subject to availability.
Duration: approximately 4 -5 hours (19:00-23:00/24:00)
Meeting Time: 18:30 at the hotel reception
Includes: transportation, guide, sweet snacks and soft drink

Day 3 – Monday – Alta -Kirkenes (465 km)
Breakfast at the hotel followed by an early departure. You will travel the 465 km east to Kirkenes by coach, an approximately 9-hour journey taking you through the beautiful northern Lapland. Your eyes will feast on breathtaking nature as you sit back and watch the landscape unfold. You will make a stop along the way in Karasjok for a 3-course lunch (included). Arrive in Kirkenes and check-in at your hotel before dinner (not included). (B&L)

Day 4 – Tuesday – Kirkenes – Saariselka (260 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free for leisure. In the early afternoon we continue by coach towards Saariselkä. Depart Kirkenes travelling south through the northern Lapland landscape to the centre of Sami world at Inari, the capital of Lapland. Here we visit the Sajos Sami Cultural Centre and parliament set in the heart of Sapmi in a unique natural landscape on the shore of Lake Inari, serving as a centre for Sami self-governance, culture, education, and know-how. Modern conference premises, facilities and technology go hand in hand with authentic, living Sami culture. After the visit we continue onto the tiny village of Saariselkä, the centre of Finland’s winter sports. Check-in to the hotel and the evening is at leisure. (B)

Optional – King Crab Safari
“Rated one of the best 25 excursions in the World by National Geographic” One of the highlights of Northern Norway with the chance to taste one of the local delicacies known worldwide. Heading out on the Kirkenes Fjord you will come face to face with this giant of the sea on the King Crab safari. The red king crab found in the Barents Sea can reach up to two meters from claw to claw and weigh up to 15 kilos. Depending on the weather and ice the trip might be by boat or snowmobile drawn sleigh. Once your king crab has been caught, you are transferred to a remote cabin where the crab will be prepared for a delicious lunch. All equipment and clothing will be provided. Requires pre-booking and subject to availability.
Duration: approximately 3 hours (08:00-11:00)
Meeting Time: 07:15 at the hotel reception
Included: transportation, thermal equipment, king crab lunch

Day 5 – Wednesday – Saariselka -Santa´s Igloos (280 km)
In the morning after breakfast, the adventure continues as you make your way to Santa´s Claus Igloos(10 km from Rovaniemi), located right on the Arctic Circle. Rovaniemi capital of Finnish Lapland, home of Santa Claus counts with more than 60.000 inhabitants. We will be welcomed to the Lappish capital by our Finnish hosts, reindeer herders. (B&L)

Sami Reindeer Farm Visit & Sleigh Ride
Meet the traditional Sami 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. A typical local three course lunch is included at the farm.
Duration : approximately 2 -2,5 hours (12:00 -14:30)
Included: a traditional 3-course lunch, reindeer sledge ride, Arctic Circle Crossing Certificate

Optional: Aurora Borealis Safari By Snowmobiles
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-booking
Duration: approximately 3 hours (18:00 -21:00)
Meeting Time: 17:20 at the hotel reception
Included: transportation, thermal outfit, guide

Overnight In A Glass Igloo
The journey continues south to Santa´s Igloos following the winding roads through the snowy forest and arriving at the unique Igloos, where you will check-in to your private Glass Igloo. Enjoy the warmth of your Glass Igloo and weather permitting you will have the opportunity to marvel at the amazing Northern Lights (Aurora Boreal) and the millions of stars from the comforts of your bed. Evening at leisure.

Day 6 – Thursday – Santa´s Igloos -Rovaniemi
Breakfast at the hotel and depart late in the morning for the next step on the winter adventure. Heading towards the Arctic Circle for our first stop, Santa Claus Village. In early afternoon continue to the banks of the Kemi-joki river to enjoy one of the highlights of the tour, one of the most idyllic Husky Farms in the region. (B)

Husky Farm & Safari
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 km).
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. Time at your own for visiting the area and enjoy a local lunch.
In early afternoon continue to the banks of the Kemi-joki river to enjoy one of the highlights of the tour, one of the most idyllic Husky Farms in the region. After the visit check-in at Arctic Snow Hotel.

Day 7 – Friday – Rovaniemi -Kemi (Ice-breaker Cruise) -Rovaniemi (119 km)
Breakfast at the hotel and meet up at 08:45 in 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 Snow Castle* with its special snow slide. Enjoy the snow sculptures and complex. Later you will experience one of the highlights of your winter adventure as you board the Sampo Icebreaker and spend 4 hours on this unforgettable vessel breaking though the ice of the northern Gulf of Bothnia. (B&L)

Sampo Ice Breaker & Ice Swimming
This extraordinary experience includes a guided tour of the ship with its massive engine room, communications room and bridge, ice swimming and a three-course meal at the on-board restaurant. In the middle of the largest ice field in Europe, you have the opportunity to jump in the sea and float! You will of course be fitted with a warm survival suit and those of you who dare will receive a certificate by the ship authorities to attest your courage. An unforgettable experience. Return to Sinetta with early evening arrival at your hotel.
Duration: approximately 3,5h (13:00-16:30)
Included: guided tour of the ship, ice floating event, 3-course lunch or buffet

Day 8 – Saturday – Rovaniemi -Departure
Breakfast and the rest of your day at leisure until your regular transfer to Rovaniemi airport in good Time for your departure flight. (B)

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