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Fabulous Lapland














Visit: KIRKENES - SAARISELKA - SINETTA – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE - ROVANIEMI - KEMI (Ice-breaker Cruise) - ROVANIEMI
6 Days & 5 Nights
Guaranteed departures 2019/2020
Begin your adventures in Kirkenes and prepare for the amazing experience of the king crab safari. The adventure continues on towards Lapland, the homeland of the indigenous Sami people. Sleep under the northern lights in a glass igloo, go on a reindeer sleigh ride and take a swim in the frozen sea if you dare. Santa Claus village will restore your childhood faith in the magic of the holidays.
FEATURES
• Winter activities
• King Crab Safari
• 1 night in a Glass Igloo
• Dinner in a traditional Kota
• Reindeer farm visit with sledge drive
• Visit Husky Farm & Safari
• Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village
• Kemi Snow Castle visit (no guarantee)
• Sampo Icebreaker cruise & ice swimming (not included in the December departure)
Arrival to Kirkenes Airport and regular transfer to the hotel for check-in. This north eastern town lies a mere 15 km from the Russian border. The area offers a world of experiences for the adventurous traveler wanting to experience mountains, fjords, forests, lakes and the beautiful dancing northern lights. Approximately 10% of the population are Russians and you will find street signs in both Russian and Norwegian. Please consult the welcome letter, which you will receive upon check-in to your hotel, and kindly note where and when to meet your Tour Director. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out at 08.30 and meet at the lobby at 08.45 for departure at 09.00 for the amazing experience of the “KING CRAB SAFARI”. Directly after the King Crab Safari you continue by coach towards Saariselka. 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 Saariselka, the centre of Finland’s winter sports. Check-in to the hotel and the evening is at leisure.
KING CRAB SAFARI - INCLUDED
DURATION: approximately 3 hours (09:30-12:30)
MEETING TIME: 09:00 at the hotel reception
INCLUDED: transportation, thermal equipment, king crab lunch
“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.
In the morning after breakfast, the adventure continues as you make your way to Sinetta, located in the outskirts of Rovaniemi. Along the way, you will experience one of the highlights of the tour.
SAMI REINDEER FARM VISIT & SLEIGH RIDE - INCLUDED
DURATION : approximately 2 hours 30 minutes (11:30-14:00)
INCLUDED: a traditional 3-course lunch
Meet the traditional Sami farmers who will tell you about the reindeer, the Sami and teach you how to throw Suopunki (Sami lasso). 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 three course lunch is included at the farm.
OVERNIGHT IN A GLASS IGLOO - INCLUDED
The journey continues south to Sinetta following the winding roads through the snowy forest and arriving at the unique Arctic Snow Hotel, 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. In the evening, you are invited for a traditional Lappish three course dinner in a magnificent wooden “Kota” where fresh salmon is slowly grilled over the fire on a huge fire pit in the center.
OPTIONAL: SNOW SAUNA & OUTDOOR JACUZZI
DURATION: 1 hour 30 minutes (22:00 – 23:30)
EXCLUSIVE FOR OUR GUESTS
Even the most enthusiastic sauna bathers are deeply impressed by the snow sauna with its walls made of snow and ice. Only the sauna benches are made of wood! The sauna bathing experience is an astonishing combination of thick steam within intimate snow walls. Afterwards jump into the outdoor Jacuzzi and admire the Northern Lights or the spectacular starry night skies of Lapland. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING
OPTIONAL: OVERNIGHT IN A SNOW SUITE with EVENING SAUNA & OUTDOOR JACUZZI EXPERIENCE
OVERNIGHT INCL. SNOW SAUNA & OUTDOOR JACUZZI 22:00 – 23:00
SAUNA & JACUZZI ARE SHARED WITH OTHER GUESTS
Each year the snow hotel is built with local artists designing and creating the ice and wall sculptures that decorate the hotel and Snow suites. Each Snow Suite is different each year and offers a unique arctic experience to spend the night as the Sami once did in a snow igloo. A mattress on an ice bed with special arctic sleeping bags keep you warm in the ambient temperature of 0 and-5 C. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING
Breakfast at the hotel and depart late in the morning for the next step on the winter adventure. Heading towards Rovaniemi, you stop on the banks of the Kemi-joki river to enjoy one of the most idyllic Husky Safaris of the region.
HUSKY FARM & SAFARI - INCLUDED
DURATION: approximately 2 hours (14:00-16:00)
INCLUDED: picnic in a Sami Kota
2 persons per sledge (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 km). After the ride there is time to visit the farm and enjoy a traditional outdoor lunch of Lappish sausage grilled on the campfire followed by Lappish pancakes & coffee. 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. The rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
OPTIONAL: EXCURSION TO AURORA BOREALIS CAMP BY SNOWMOBILE
DURATION: approximately 3 hours (21:00 – 24:00)
MEETING TIME: 20:30 at the hotel reception
INCLUDED: transportation, thermal outfit, guide
meal, hot beverage included
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 to the Aurora Borealis camp. At the resort, you will find a theatre, presenting a film about the myths and facts of this natural phenomenon. You will also have time to roam around the resort, take a brisk sleigh ride or you can just lay back in the snow observatory by the open fire admiring the northern sky. With a little luck, the sky is clear and the Northern Lights may show up! Delicious reindeer burger will be served before your return back to the city. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING
*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.
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 we board the Sampo Icebreaker and spend 4 hours on this unforgettable vessel breaking though the ice of the northern Gulf of Bothnia.
*Please note that the construction of the Snow Castle is dependent on the weather conditions and therefore not guaranteed to be open before the 19th of January
SAMPO ICE BREAKER & ICE SWIMMING - INCLUDED
DURATION: approximately 4 hours (13:00-17:00)
INCLUDED: guided tour of the ship, ice floating event, 3-course buffet
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 Rovaniemi with early evening arrival at your hotel.
* December 16th departure will include a visit to the Ranua Wildlife Park instead of Sampo Icebreaker cruise.
* January 20th and 27th departures will go on a 3 hour cruise from 14:00-17:00. Lunch will be included onshore in the Seaview Restaurant immediately prior to the cruise.
OPTIONAL: THE MAGIC OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
Exclusive for our guests
Min 6 persons
DURATION: approximately 3 hours (19:30 – 22:30)
MEETING TIME: 19:15 at the hotel reception
INCLUDES: Private transfer, guide, typical 3-course dinner
Dinner included
You are invited to a perfect evening in Snowland, the first and only great Arctic construction in the capital of Lapland. Do not miss this unique opportunity to visit and dine in this idyllic igloo, which only opens its doors for special events. During this evening you will enjoy a dinner with local specialties and then sit on the white patio, around a bonfire, waiting for the Aurora Borealis. Snowland has been built in the vicinity of the city but with the purpose of offering the best conditions to appreciate the dance of the Aurora Borealis when it announces its arrival on the clear nights of Rovaniemi. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING
*This optional will be operated on Thursday or Friday; the day will be advised at destination
Breakfast and the rest of your day at leisure until your regular transfer to Rovaniemi airport in good time for your departure flight.