6 days / 5 nights from £1,125 pp

This tour starts in Helsinki, the trendy capital of Finland and takes you North to Kemi, where you have the opportunity for an icebreaker cruise.  Conintue further North to Lapland, for some Arctic fun in Rovaniemi.

Helsinki is a vibrant, cultural and modern city, highly characterized by the presence of water. From Helsinki you proceed North by overnight train to Kemi, home to  the magnificent Sampoo Ice breaker.  After Kemi continue further north to Rovaniemi, the Artic city in the heart of Lapland. Rovaniemi is considered, by many to be the home of Santa Claus.

Package price is per person based on availability and two people sharing a twin or double room.

Package includes: 

• Flights from London to Helsinki and return from Rovaniemi to London via Helsinki on Finnair 
• 1 night accommodation in Helsinki
• Train journey in a sleeping compartment (en suite) upper deck: Helsinki – Kemi
• Sampo Icebreaker excursion with lunch
• 1 night accommodation in Kemi
• Train tickets: Kemi – Rovaniemi
• 2 night’s accommodation in Rovaniemi
• 4 x breakfast buffet

Polar Safari Adventure itinerary:

DAY 1:  ARRIVAL IN HELSINKI
Arrival in Helsinki. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.Our suggested top ten list, includes: - The Temppeliaukio Church (The Rock Church), Helsinki Cathedral, Esplanade Park, The Sibelius monument, Havis Amanda Fountain, Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral, Finlandia Hall, Presidential Palace (Presidentinlinna), Kiasma Art Museum and Suomenlinna Maritime Sea Fortress (outside city centre).
Overnight at the Sokos Hotel Presidentti.

DAY 2:  OVERNIGHT TRAIN: HELSINKI - KEMI
After breakfast enjoy your remaining hours in the delightful capital. You have enough time to continue ticking away at the suggested sights of interest. Departure from Helsinki is at approximately 19:30 to Kemi. Meals are available on board the train. 
Overnight on board the train.   
                                                                                                      
DAY 3:  KEMI - SAMPO ICE BREAKER
06:30 arrival in Kemi. Proceed to the Hotel Merihovi. Today you will create lasting memories as you enjoy a 4 hour excursion on board the Sampo Ice breaker. Depart Kemi at 1200, a traditional lunch (either reindeer or salmon) is served on board. During the ice breaker excursion you will have an opportunity for ice swimming. Return to Kemi at approximately 16:00. If you are still feeling adventurous, we recommend a dinner in the snow castle, located within close proximity of your hotel. (not included)
Overnight at the Hotel Merihovi.

DAY 4:  TRAIN: KEMI - ROVANIEMI
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast.  The rest of the morning is free.  In the afternoon your departure by train will be at 15:10.  Journey time to Rovaniemi is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.  Enjoy the scenery that passes on board this short train journey. Arrival in Rovaniemi and check in at the hotel. 
Overnight at the Rantaisipi Pohanhovi Hotel.

DAY 5: ROVANIEMI
Breakfast at leisure and full day to explore the ‘capital’ of Finnish Lapland.  Activities such as reindeer safaris, husky safaris and snow mobile safaris are available (price as shown below).  Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Santa Claus village. 
Overnight at the Rantaisipi Pohanhovi Hotel.

DAY 6: DEPARTURE FROM ROVANIEMI
Breakfasts at the hotel and transfer to Rovaniemi airport.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN ROVANIEMI
(01.12.2011 – 18.04.2012)

These activities can be pre-booked and included in your package. Minimum 2 participants required for each departure. The equipment for outdoor activities - thermal outfits, shoes, gloves, helmets/hats, fuel, meals and/or coffee breaks, as well as a guided tour in English, are included in the prices (800 EUR personal liability for damages to snowmobile excluded). The snowmobile safaris are operated with 2 persons per snowmobile. Children 4-14 years will receive a 50% discount when sitting in a sledge. Please note: 01.12.2011- 09.01.2012 child discount -25 %. Children under 4 years - free of charge.
 
REINDEER HERDING SAFARI
Excursion days: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun
Transfer by car to a Reindeer Park at the Arctic Circle. There the guide will tell about reindeer husbandry and show how to harness the reindeer. During an enjoyable ride through the snowy forest, we stop at a campfire for a cup of traditional Finnish coffee with cookies. You will have an opportunity to drive the sledge on your own and receive a “Reindeer Driver’s Licence”. On return to the Park, we un-harness and feed the reindeer. Transfer back to town by car. 
Duration: 2,5 hours
Departure time: 10:00
Price: £ 110 /person
 
REINDEER SAFARI TO THE HUSKY FARM
Excursion days: Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun
Transfer by car to a Reindeer Park at the Arctic Circle. Covered in warm reindeer pelts and blankets, we travel by a reindeer sledge through the snow-covered forest to a husky farm for a short husky sledge ride. We will also hear about the life of these amazing dogs while enjoying hot juice around a campfire. Return by reindeer sledge to the Reindeer Park. Transfer back to town by car.
Duration: 3 hours
Departure time: 10:30
Price: £ 135 /person
 
REINDEER SAFARI TO SANTA'S VILLAGE
Excursion days: Daily
Transfer by car to the Reindeer Park. We learn about reindeer husbandry and meet the reindeer that will pull us by sledges through the winter forest to the Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle. You can meet Santa Claus in his official chamber and send postcards with a special Arctic Circle stamp from his Main Post Office. You will also have time to visit the handicraft and souvenir shops of Santa's Village. A “Reindeer Driver´s Licence” and a Certificate of Crossing the Arctic Circle will be given as a souvenir. Transfer from Santa's Village back to town by car. 
Duration: 4 hours
Departure time: 11:00
Price: £ 130 /person 
 
ARCTIC TRIP BY SNOWMOBILE
Excursion days: Daily
Are you interested in learning to drive this arctic vehicle? Even if you are an experienced driver, this is a good way to see the snow-covered nature of Lapland. We drive on varying tracks in the winter forests and on the icy rivers and lakes. You have an excellent opportunity to take pictures of the beautiful landscape. 
Duration: 2 hours
Departure time: 14:00  
Price: £ 105 /person
Supplement: £ 40 /person if only 1 person on snowmobile

SNOWMOBILE SAFARI TO THE HUSKY MAN'S CAMP
Excursion days: Tue, Thu, Sat & SunWe drive by snowmobiles along the frozen rivers and through snowy forests to the Husky Man's Camp. After arrival, we will learn about the many aspects of living with and caring for the husky dogs. Then we take a short ride on sledges pulled by these wonderful animals. We guarantee that you will be thrilled with the speed of the ride! We return back to town by snowmobiles.
Duration: 3 hours
Departure time: 10:30
Price: £ 130 /person                                                     
Supplement: £ 40 /person if only 1 person on snowmobile
 
ARCTIC CIRCLE MAGIC
Excursion days: Tue, Thu & Sat
We will drive by snowmobiles across the icy rivers and through snow-covered forests up to the Arctic Circle. During the day we will visit Reindeer Park where we meet the reindeer herder himself and get familiar with reindeer husbandry. We also take part in Ceremony of Crossing the Arctic Circle and have a short ride with the reindeer. During your visit to Santa Claus' Village at the Arctic Circle you meet Santa Claus in his Official Office and have time to send postcards with a special Arctic Circle stamp from his Main Post Office. You can also visit the handicraft and souvenir shops of Santa's Village. Before leaving Santa Claus' Village by snowmobiles, we will enjoy lunch at a restaurant.
Duration: 6 hours
Departure time: 10:00         
Price: £ 180 /person
Supplement: £ 75 /person if only 1 person on snowmobile
 
NIGHT SAFARI BY SNOWMOBILE
Excursion days: Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun
We leave the city lights of Rovaniemi behind and drive into the wilderness by snowmobiles. We enjoy a  light evening snack by a campfire and, if we are lucky, we might see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) dancing in the sky. We return back to town by snowmobiles later in the evening.
Duration: 3 hours
Departure time: 19:00                                 
Price: £115 /person
Supplement: £ 40 /person if only 1 person on snowmobile
 
AURORA BOREALIS EXCURSION
Excursion days: Daily
In the evening we make our way by car to the Arctic Circle Hiking Area, which is located 20 km North of Rovaniemi. From there we walk to a peaceful location in search of the Aurora Borealis - the Northern Lights. We will enjoy a hot drink by a campfire and we will also have an opportunity to take a walk on snowshoes. If the sky is clear we may see the Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky! Return to your hotel by car. 
Duration: 2,5 hours
Departure time: 19:00                                 
Price: £ 75 /person             
                                                                                                                                    
HUSKY EXCURSION
Excursion days: Daily  
We will be taken by car to the husky farm. We are greeted by the friendly huskies that will take us on a husky-sledge safari through the frosty forest and over snowy meadows. You will learn how to control your own team of sledge dogs and enjoy the quiet ride once the dogs start to run. The driving time with the huskies is 1h 30 min - 1h 45 min. The safari ends at the farm with a cup of hot juice. Transfer back to town by car.
Duration: 3 hours
Departure times: 8:30 and 13:30        
Price: £ 135 /adult 
           £ 95 / children 4-14 years of age