POLAR ADVENTURE
Stockholm – Luleå – Rovaniemi - Saariselkä – Kirkenes – Oslo
From the Ice Breaker Cruise in the Gulf of Bothnia – To the King Crab Safari on the Barents’s Sea.
This program offers you a unique and lifetime experience to immerse yourself fully to the northern adventure – the pure nature, artic activities and culinary enjoyment you will never forget.
DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN STOCKHOLM
Welcome to Scandinavia and the beautiful archipelago of Stockholm. Upon arrival make your way to the hotel on your own.
Stockholm is generally referred to as Beauty on Water, or Venice of the North, which is understandable, as the city is built upon 14 islands. It is surrounded by the Lake Mälaren, and by the Baltic Sea. City's grand public buildings, palaces, rich cultural history and museums tell her 700 year-old history beautifully.
Overnight in Clarion Arlanda Airport Hotel or similar (B)
You will have some free time this morning for optional activities (Snowmobile or husky safari)
Late afternoon continue further north towards Saariselkä crossing the Arctic Circle.
Arrival and check in at a hotel. Rest of evening is free for exploring this beautiful northern Finnish Lapland resort of Inari-Saariselkä. The unique northern countryside, national parks, lake areas, rivers and highland fells offer a wealth of opportunities for year-round travel. In winter, the Northern Lights dance across the sky up to 200 days a year.
Overnight in the Holiday Club Saariselkä Hotel or similar (B)
DAY 2 STOCKHOLM - LULEÅ (BY FLIGHT) - ICEBREAKER EXCURSION
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet your tourleader in the lobby at the agreed time for your short morning flight to Luleå.
Today you will head out on a 2 hours ICEBREAKER excursion.
Listen to the sound of ice blocks being crushed against the hull of the boat. Go for a walk on the frozen sea and enjoy a hot drink on the ice. Challenge the laws of nature in safe and comfortable conditions on the ice-classified vessel. You will have the opportunity to swim among the ice floes in a survival suit or go for a walk on the ice.
Lunch on route/before the excursion
Explore the city of Luleå in the evening.
Luleå is a coastal city in Swedish Lapland. It’s known for the Gammelstad Church Town, a cluster of well-preserved wooden houses and the stone Nederluleå Church from the 1400s. Offshore, in the Bay of Bothnia, there are more than 1,000 islands with beaches, cottages and seals.
Overnight in the Elite Stadshotellet Luleå or similar (B)
DAY 3 LULEÅ - ROVANIEMI (REINDEER FARM & SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE)
Breakfast at your hotel
Route to Rovaniemi from Luleå crossing the country border into Finland. You will drive past Rovaniemi to Napapiiri, where you will have a stop and guided tour at a traditional Reindeer farm. Feed a reindeer and hear the most interesting stories about them from the local herders. You will also get to experience a short reindeer sled drive.
Continue to Rovaniemi and if time allows you, visit the Santa Claus Village. Santa will be expecting you at his official office if you want to pay him a visit. Or send a post-card with the official stamp of Santa Claus. Stroll around the village to enjoy the atmosphere, have a coffee in one of the many shops or visit the souvenir shops in the village. Free time for lunch (not included)
Arrival in Rovaniemi and check in at your hotel, rest of the evening at leisure
OPTION: THE NORTHERN LIGHTS EXCURSION
– Hopefully the weather gods are on your side and you are blessed with clear skies and optimal weather conditions for this phenomenon.
Overnight in the Scandic Rovaniemi Hotel /Sky Ounasvaara Hotel or similar (B)
DAY 4 ROVANIEMI - SAARISELKA (OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES)
Breakfast at your hotel. Free day for optional activities.
DAY 5 SAARISELKA - KIRKENES (KING CRAB SAFARI)
Breakfast at your hotel
Early departure towards the small town of Kirkenes, located north east in Northern Norway, close to the Russian border. Kirkenes is known as the capital of the Barents Region and the gateway to the east.
Begin your King Crab excursion (approx. 3,5 - 4,5 hrs) upon arrival. Learn how king crab was domesticated and spread in the Barents Sea. If you catch one, you will have a chance to taste fresh crab meat for lunch.
The motor boat leaves the berth in five minutes of walk from the center of Kirkenes. Before starting the trip a briefing devoted to safety rules at sea is carried out. During the trip we will show and tell about local places of interest. When we reach the fishing area your guide will dive and try to catch crabs of sufficient size and quantity for dinner. After that you can make photos with a crab or crabs. As crabs are being cooked we provide a lecture and show a film about underwater life in the Barents Sea. Special waterproof clothing, soft drinks and crab meat for lunch are included.
OPTION: VISIT TO THE KIRKENES SNOW HOTEL
- A hotel built from scratch every year, which is open between December and April. Even though the temperature inside is a constant -4 °C, the beds are warm and comfortable with reindeer hide.
Overnight in the Thon Kirkenes Hotel or similar (B)
DAY 6 KIRKENES – OSLO EXPLORE THE NORWEGIAN CAPITAL
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the Kirkenes Airport for your flight to Oslo/Gardermoen. Check in upon arrival, rest of the day at leisure.
We recommend you venture to the Norwegian capital and explore one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities, with a population approaching 700,000, and new neighbourhoods with eye-catching architecture popping up almost by the minute. The city in Norway is quickly transforming into a cosmopolitan hub with an abundance of world-class museums, restaurants, and art, while still maintaining the relaxed atmosphere of a much smaller town.
Overnight in the Clarion the Hub Hotel or similar
DAY 7 FAREWELL
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy some last minute shopping for the Viking souvenirs.
Transfer on your own to the airport (transfer by a shuttle bus can be pre-booked in advance).
End of our services
See you soon in Scandinavia, Iceland & the Baltics
INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:
6 overnights in the mentioned hotels or similar
6 breakfasts at the hotels
Lunch before the ice-breaker excursion
1 king crab lunch after the activity
Long distance coach
Transfer from a hotel to the Kirkenes Apt
Transfer from the Oslo airport to a hotel
English speaking escort day 1 to day 7
Flight from Stockholm to Luleå
Kirkenes to Oslo
Icebreaker Excursion
Visit Santa Claus Village
Reindeer Farm Visit
Reindeer Sledge Ride 800m
King Crab Safari
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:
Arrival & Departure Flights
Airport transfers
Drinks
Lunches & Dinners
Tips
Personal Expenses
Luggage Handling