ULTIMATE ARCTIC ADVENTURE & TROMSO 10 DAYS
10 Days: Tromso-Alta-Levi-Haparanda-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. A 3-hour guided tour will take you around the city of tromso. The award-winning alta museum is also on the list of memorable visits. In kirkenes 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 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.
Day 1 - Tromso - Arrival
Arrival to Tromso airport. Upon exiting the airport, please proceed to the Flybussen bus stop (regular airport express bus) and present your voucher to the driver. Your voucher is valid for both the arrival and departure transfers so please be sure to keep it safe. The Flybussen will transfer you the 5 km distance to the center of Tromso and drop off is within walking distance of your hotel. Check-in at your hotel (guaranteed from 15:00). The rest of the day is at leisure. 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 Director
OPTIONAL: Tromso Cable Car
Day 2 - Tromso
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you will depart by private coach for a 3-hour city sightseeing tour and perfect introduction to Tromso. Tromso enjoys a subarctic climate, its location corresponding to the northern coast of Alaska. Learn about the indigenous Sami people, their traditional culture and recent history. Following this, you will continue a tour around the island, passing Lake Prestvatn where the Meteorological Institute is situated. Travel across the bridge to the Arctic Cathedral for a visit to this masterpiece by Jan Inge Hovig. Built in 1965, the cathedral reflects north Norwegian nature, culture, and faith with a monumental stained-glass window. Afternoon at leisure.(B)
OPTIONAL:Polaria Museum & Tromsø University Museum
OPTIONAL: Aurora Husky Visit
Day 3 - Tromso - Alta (300 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. The ride from Tromsø to Alta is breath-taking regardless of the time of year. Stunning scenery and magnificent nature ensure that this trip will stay with you for a long time. The distance between Tromsø and Alta is about 300 km, a route travelled in approximately 8 hours, and include two ferry crossings.Lunch (included) en-route.Arrivalin Alta and check in at your hotel. Evening at leisure.Downtown Alta is located just below the 70th latitude and is closer to the North Pole than it is to Central Europe. In spite of its high latitude the local climate is seldom severely cold thanks to Gulf Stream moderation in the prevailing wind. Due to Norway curving above its Nordic neighbors, Alta is located further east than almost all of Sweden and much of southern Finland. Being at a very high latitude, midnight sun and polar night are present for sizeable parts of the year.(B,L)
OPTIONAL: Sleigh Ride under the Northern Lights
Day 4 - Alta
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you will have the opportunity to experience an unforgettable King Crab Safari, rated as one of the best experiences in the World. 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: King Crab Safari
OPTIONAL: Northern Lights Tour & Sorrisniva Ice Hotel
Day 5 - Alta - Levi (Finland)(340 Km)
Breakfast at the hotel followed by an early departure. You will travel the 340 km south to Levi by coach, an approximately 5-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. On the way, you will visit the Finnmarks first silverwork shop (est.1959) Juhls Silver Museum-offers traditional and exclusive modern jewelry manufactured on the premises. The Tundra collection designed by Regine Juhls is recognized as modern classics within Scandinavian jewelry design. International art and handicrafts are also presented in a beautiful, special, and unique setting. 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.(B,D)
OPTIONAL: Aurora Hunting by Heated Sleigh
Day 6 - Levi
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 DURATION: approximately 3 hours (10:00-13:00) INCLUDED: guiding in English, thermal equipment,transfers,farmvisit,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.(B,L,D)
OPTIONAL: Finnish Sauna & Jacuzzi
OPTIONAL: Aurora Photography Workshop
OPTIONAL: Aurora Expedition on Snowshoes
Day 7 - Levi - Haparanda (Sweden)(290km)
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 in Haparanda in Swedish Lapland, you will have a chance to try unique ways of fishing as optional
Remember to set your watch 1 hour back.(B,D)
OPTIONAL: Trying Burbut Fishnets and Ice-Fishing
Day 8 - Haparanda - Kemi - Rovaniemi(153km)
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 by three-course or buffet lunch at Seaview Restau rant. Short drive to the harbour 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
SAMPO ICE BREAKER & ICE FLOATING DURATION: 3,5h (13:00-16:30) INCLUDES: guided tour of the ship, ice floating experience, warm welcome drink and diploma 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.
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 wonderful restaurants of the capital of Lapland.(B,L)
Day 9 - Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village - Rovaniemi
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 HUSKY FARM & SAFARI: DURATION: Approximately 2 hours INCLUDES: Guide, Husky Ride 3-5 km, Hot Berry Juice, Thermal Clothes. 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, return to your hotel by bus. The rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure(B)
OPTIONAL: Sleigh Ride under the Northern Lights
Day 10 - Rovaniemi - Departure
Breakfast and the rest of your day at leisure until your regular transfer to Rovaniemi airport in goodtime for your departure flight.(B)