Arctic Explorer Escorted Vacation

Arrival to Tromsø Airport. Upon exiting, 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 to the center of Tromsø and drop you off within walking distance of your hotel. Check-in at your hotel (guaranteed from 15:00). The rest of the day is at your leisure. 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.OPTIONAL: Tromso Cable CarA short transfer will take you from the hotel to the cable car station. Board the cable car, and in just four minutes you will be transported 421m above sea level to experience Tromsø’s best view. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Tromsø and the surrounding islands, mountains, and fjords. If we are lucky, the Northern Lights will show up and top off this already impressive experience.

After breakfast, depart by private coach for a 3-hour city sightseeing tour. This tour will be the perfect introduction to Tromsø, where you will visit the world’s northernmost botanical gardens. Note the beautiful views of the mountains to the east and south. Tromsø keeps a subarctic climate, its location corresponding to the northern coast of Alaska. Visit the Tromsø University Museum, where you will learn fascinating facts about the nature, history, and culture of northern Norway, including that of the indigenous Sami people. You will then continue on a tour around the island, passing Lake Prestatyn, 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 northern Norwegian nature, culture, and faith with a monumental stained-glass window. We end the city tour with a visit to the world’s most northerly aquarium Polaria, where the co-dependency of sea and land life is both seen and felt. Polaria has a focus on family-friendly exhibits and is located within walking distance from the hotel, should you wish to extend your visit. (B,D)AURORA HUSKY VISIT Then, be ready for a pick-up right outside your hotel at 18:30 where you will be met by a representative from Tromsø Villmarkssenter and taken on a 25-minute bus ride to the Aurora Camp. You will be equipped with thermal overalls and boots to keep you nice and warm all evening. 300 friendly Alaskan Huskies will be waiting to greet you and enjoy some cuddles, followed by an affectionate and playful visit to the puppy enclosure. Once you have filled up on puppy love, it is time to enjoy a traditional Norwegian dinner in our cosy Gamme-hut (turf home). You will be served Norwegian Bacalao, prepared with locally sourced cod and tomato sauce, and for dessert their savoury signature chocolate cake. As it is impossible to predict when the Aurora will appear during the evening, your guide will keep a close eye on the sky and the program will be adjusted accordingly. For those of you who wish to sit outside and wait for it to appear, a bonfire will set the mood and keep you toasty.The departures of January 30th and February 6th are waitlisted at Scandic Ishavshotel. The hotel will be confirmed latest 3 weeks prior to departure and it will be a 4* centrally located hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then depart for Alta. The ride from Tromsø to Alta is breathtaking regardless of the time of year, boasting stunning scenery and magnificent nature. This trip will be something that stays with you for a while! The distance between Tromsø and Alta is about 300 km and the journey takes approximately 8 hours and includes two ferry crossings. Lunch (included) en route. Arrival in Alta and check in at your hotel. Evening at your leisure. (B,L) 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 capture some beautiful images of the Northern Lights. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

Breakfast at the hotel before departing for the prestigious award-winning Alta Museum. The museum is situated on the site of early settlement of Finnmark, dating from around 11,000 years ago. It presents exhibitions on local culture and historic industries and is a must-see for anyone in the area! Afterwards, we will pay a visit to the modern Northern Lights Cathedral located in the central part of town. (B) ALTA MUSEUM Experience Northern Europe’s largest and richest rock carving site, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Walk on pathways arranged around the rock carving area while enjoying a fantastic view over the Alta Fjord. The 2000 to 6200 year old rock carvings depict the lives 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. NORTHERN LIGHTS CATHEDRAL The impressive Nordlyskatedralen is a result of an architectural competition launched in 2001. Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects in collaboration with architect Kolbjorn Jenssen of Link Arkitektur, the elegant and modern construction features concrete and wood with external cladding of titanium sheets. Their pièce de résistance is the towering spiral with its belfry. The interior of the church is decorated with artwork by Danish artist Peter Brandes. OPTIONAL: NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR & SORRISNIVA ICE HOTEL Meet your guide 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 world's northernmost ice hotel, built from the ground every year with different themes. Get a break from your daily life and relax in the serenity and silence of the Igloo Hotel. Wander among handcrafted ice sculptures or take an ice drink in our bar. Everything is made from pure snow and ice. After the visit, you will embark on a Northern Lights chase! Along the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to learn more about this amazing natural phenomenon as well as the local history of Alta. Your guide will be there to help you catch some beautiful images with your own camera. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

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 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) 

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 King Crab Safari. Afterwards, you will continue by coach towards Saariselka. Travel south through the northern Lapland landscape to the centre of the Sami world at Inari, the capital of Lapland. Here you will visit the Sajos Sami Cultural Centre and Parliament set in the heart of S á pmi. S á pmi is 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 are interwoven with authentic, living Sami culture. After the visit, we will continue on to the tiny village of Saariselka, the centre of Finland’s winter sports. Check-in to the hotel and the evening is at your leisure. (B,L)KING CRAB SAFARIRated one of the best 25 excursions in the World by National Geographic, the King Crab Safari is one of the highlights of Northern Norway and a chance to taste an internationally acclaimed local delicacy. You will head out to the Kirkenes Fjord to come face to face with this giant of the sea. 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 will be transferred to a remote cabin where the crab will be prepared for a delicious lunch. All equipment and clothing will be provided.

Following 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, the Sami Reindeer Farm. (B,L,D)SAMI REINDEER FARM VISIT & SLEIGH RIDE Meet the traditional Sami farmers who will tell you about the reindeer and the Sami and teach you how to throw Suopanki (Sami lassos). Sitting in a two-person sleigh pulled by 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 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 you may even have the opportunity to marvel at the amazing Northern Lights and millions of stars from the comforts of your bed (weather permitting). 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 a huge central fire pit. OPTIONAL: SNOW SAUNA & OUTDOOR JACUZZI Even the most experienced sauna goers will be 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 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. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. ONCE THE SNOW SUITE IS BOOKED, THE GLASS IGLOO IS NO LONGER AN OPTION.

Breakfast at the hotel and depart late morning for the next step on your winter adventure. Heading towards Rovaniemi, we will stop on the banks of the Kemi-joki river to enjoy one of the most idyllic Husky Safaris of the region. (B,L)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 opportunity to take photos. After brief instructions you will embark, riding in pairs, on a run through the forest behind your pack of Huskies (3 km). After the ride, we will 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 the home of 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 fairytale moment - it is something you will always remember, and an absolute must for any visit to Lapland. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure. OPTIONAL: EXCURSION TO AURORA BOREALIS CAMP BY SNOWMOBILE 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 over 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 just lay back in the snow observatory by the open fire to admire the northern sky. With a little luck, the sky will be clear and the Northern Lights may show up! Delicious reindeer burgers will be served before your return back to the city. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING *Note: To drive a snowmobile in Finland you must have a valid driver’s license from a country of issue which has signed the Road Traffic Convention of Geneva. Please consult if you have any doubts.

Breakfast at the hotel and meet up at 08:45 in the hotel. Then it’s time for a swim as you head to the town of Kemi for a full day of activities. First, visit the SnowCastle of Kemi*, the biggest snow fort in the world. It’s rebuilt every year with different architecture! Enjoy the snow slide, ice sculptures, children’s adventure land, SnowRestaurant, and Snow Chapel. 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 through the ice of the northern Gulf of Bothnia. (B,L) *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 ICEBREAKER & ICE SWIMMING This extraordinary experience includes a guided tour of the ship, ice swimming, and a three-course meal at the on-board restaurant. You will have the opportunity to jump into the sea and float in the middle of the largest icefield in Europe! 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. This is truly a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience. Return to Rovaniemi with an early evening arrival at your hotel. * December 12th departure will include a visit to the Ranua Wildlife Park instead of Sampo Icebreaker cruise. * January 16th and 23rd 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 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! You will enjoy a dinner of local specialties and then sit 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. (B)