7 days / 6 nights from £2,125 pp
This tour provides an opportunity for a comprehensive Arctic holiday. Your tour starts in Tromso, home of the world's northern most university and a great place to see the Northern Lights. Your journey continues by Hurtigruten, the famous Norwegian coastal cruise line, to Kirkenes where you will stay overnight in the Snow Hotel. On the route you will also stop at the North Cape. The trip will allow you to experience a range of winter activities from dog sledding and snowmobiling to king crab fishing.
Period
|
Price from |
| 16 December - 20 April |
£2,125 pp |
Package price is per person based on availability and two people sharing a twin or double room.
Package includes:
- Flights on SAS Scandinavian Airlines or Norwegian Air
- 1 piece of check-in luggage
- Transfer: Tromso Airport – Clarion Collection Hotel With
- 2 night accommodation at Clarion Collection Hotel With, Tromso incl. breakfasts
- 2 nights Hurtigruten cruise: Tromso – Kirkenes
(outside cabin incl. full board - 2 dinners, 1 lunch and 2 breakfasts)
- 3 hrs tour to North Cape
- Transfer: Hurtigruten terminal – Rica Arctic Hotel
- 1 night accommodation at the Rica Arctic Hotel, Kirkenes
- Husky safari in search of the Northern Lights incl. dinner
- 4 hrs king crab safari incl. lunch
- 4 hrs snowmobile safari incl. lunch
- 1 night stay at Kirkenes Snow Hotel incl. dinner and breakfasts
- Transfer: Kirkenes Snow Hotel – Kirkenes Airport
Atctic Combo Tour - detailed itinerary:
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TROMSO
Upon arriavl in Tromso, shuttle bus transfer to the Clarion Collection Hotel With. Tromsø is the world’s most northern university town and the largest city in the Nordic countries north of the Arctic Circle. The city lies between the sharp craggy peaks of the Lyngen Alps, and combines wild scenery with urban life. Sights of interest are the Polar Museum, Northern Light Planetarium, Arctic Cathedral and Tromsø Museum. Accommodation at the Clarion Collection Hotel With incl. breakfasts.
DAY 2: TROMSO
Day to explore the city and the surrounding area. Try some winter activities such as dog sledding, snowmobiling, a traditional Saami dinner, fjord fishing, downhill or cross country skiing. We can provide you with a list of optional tours and activities. Accommodation at the Clarion Collection Hotel With incl. breakfasts.
DAY 3: TROMSO – HURTIGRUTEN
Breakfasts at the hotel and time to explore the city before boarding Hurtigruten voyage north in the evening. The ship will arrive in Tromso at 14.30 and you can board shortly afterwards, departure at 18:30. Accommodation onboard the Hurtigruten in an outside cabin incl. dinner.
DAY 4: HAMMERFEST – HAVOYSUND – HONNINGSVAG – KJOLLEFJORD – MEHAMN – BERLEVAG - KIRKENES
After an early call at Hammerfest you arrive in Honningsvåg, the largest fishing village in Finnmark and doorway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape, mainland Europe’s northernmost point at 71º north. Guided 3 hour tour to North Cape between 12:00 - 15:00. Accommodation onboard the Hurtigruten in an outside cabin incl. breakfasts, lunch & dinner.
DAY 5: ARRIVAL IN KIRKENES
Breakfasts onboard. The vistas become more dramatic as the ship approaches the finale of the northbound voyage here in the far reaches of Europe. Benefiting from the warm currents of the Gulf Stream, this region is rich in sea life and the coast is largely ice free in winter allowing ships access to most harbours. At 09:45 you'll reach Kirkenes, from where the emotive border with Russia lies a few kilometres away. Disembark the ship and look for a transfer to take you to Rica Arctic Hotel.
13:00 – 17:00 KING CRAB SAFARI & LUNCH
At 13.00 you will be picked up at the hotel for a King Crab Safari, followed by lunch in the local fisherman’s home. Fisherman will take you to his historic home from where the “fishing trip” to the fjord starts. You will be given warm winter clothing: overalls, winter boots, mittens. Also, as you’ll be a passenger in a sledge pulled by the snowmobile, you will have a helmet. During the tour everyone is taking part in sawing the hole in the ice. The big catch, king crab, will be served for lunch at fisherman’s home. The superb, white meat of the legs and claws is particulary juicy and has a naturally sweet taste. One king crab leg is enough to provide a grown man with a filling meal. The presentation is simple, but the taste is in a league of its own when it comes to seafood. Please note that this tour is not done by divers or by boat.
Duration – 4 hours.
17:00 – 22:00 HUNTING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS WITH HUSKIES
Eager huskies will take you to the deeper wilderness. En route you will have several stops to watch the polar sky: maybe the Northern Lights pop up tonight? A dinner will be served at the end of the tour. Tour operates by two people sharing a sledge.
Accommodation at the Rica Arctic Hotel incl. breakfasts.
DAY 6: KIRKENES – SNOW HOTEL EXPERIENCE
13:00 – 17:00 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI
At 13.00 your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to the snowmobile resort, about 15 minutes drive from Kirkenes. You will get a lesson on how to handle the snowmobile and will be provided with an appropriate Arctic gear. When ready, you’ll travel by snowmobiles across the polar landscape with your guide. There will be two persons sharing a snowmobile and drivers can change at a stops made on the way. An outdoor lunch and coffee break is made during the trip. The total length of the trip is approximately 50 kilometers and depends on the weather conditions. Duration – 4 hours.
18:00 – 09:00 KIRKENES SNOW HOTEL EXPERIENCE
At 18:00 guide will meet you at your hotel from where you’ll be transferred to the Snow Hotel (about 20 mins). Welcome drink in the Snow Bar and chance to meet some reindeer. Evening continues with a 3-course diner at the nearby wooden restaurant by a cosy fireplace, featuring some Arctic fare.
KIRKENES SNOW HOTEL is a beautiful piece of snow architecture and sculpture in the Arctic nature. The hotel has 20 suites, ice sculptures and live reindeer. The Snow Hotel is situated walking distance from Kirkenes in Gabba, a reindeer safari park. Big luggage stays at Rica Hotel Kirknes for the night and you only need to take small overnight bag with you to the snbowhotel. Long underwear, pullovers, hat and socks are needed.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE FROM KIRKENES
After a night spent in a sleeping bag in the SnowHotel, traditional sauna is available for hotel guests. All Kirkenes Snow Hotel overnighters will receive the “Coolest Certificate”! At 09:00 transfer back to Rica Arctic Hotel to collect your suitcases and further on to Kirkenes airport for a return flight.