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Winter Cathedral - VisitFinlandEsplanade park wrapped in snow - Niklas Sjöblom, City of Helsinki Tourist & Convention Bureau

Polar Safari Adventure


from £1,595 pp - 6 days / 5 nights

(5/5) based on 1 review
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Sampo ice breaker - VisitFinland

Overview:

Our tour starts in the capital city of Finland – a very cool welcome to the design metropol Helsinki. The city of Helsinki was founded in 1550 by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa. In 1917, Finland gained its independence and Helsinki became the capital of the new Republic. Helsinki is a vibrant, cultural and modern city, highly characterized by the presence of water.

From Helsinki you proceed North, to Kemi. Kemi is located in the heart of Finland and is home to the magnificent Sampoo Ice breaker. After Kemi continue further north to Rovanemi, the artic city in the heart of Lapland. Rovaniemi is considered, by many to be the home of Santa Claus.

Holiday price is from £1,595 per person based on availability and two people sharing a standard twin/double room. Single supplement upon request.

Departure Dates:

Season Departure
04 Dec - 12 Apr Daily

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki

Arrive in Helsinki and enjoy the rest of your day at your own 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 the city centre).

Accommodation at the Cumulus Hotel Kaisaniemi or similar

Day 2: Overnight train Helsinki – Kemi

After breakfast enjoy your remaining hours in the delightful capital – you have enough time to continue exploring. Departure from Helsinki is at approximately 19h30. Meals are available on board the train.

Accommodation on board the train.

Day 3: Kemi – Sampo Ice Breaker

At 06h30 you arrive to Kemi. Proceed to the hotel Merihovi - Today you will create lasting memories as you enjoy a 4 hour excursion onboard the *Sampo Ice breaker. *(please note Sampo Ice breaker departure dates as detailed at the end of the itinerary). At about 11:25 you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the ice breaker. Depart Kemi at 12h00, with a traditional lunch (either reindeer or salmon) served on board. During the ice breaker excursion you will have the opportunity for ice swimming – definitely recommended. Return to Kemi at approximately 16h00 and transfer back to the hotel. 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 or similar 

Day 4: Kemi – Rovaniemi by train

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and the rest of this day is at your own leisure. This afternoon your departure by train will be at 15h10. Journey time to Rovaniemi is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. Enjoy the scenery that passes on board this short train journey. Arrive in Rovaniemi and check in at the Rantaisipi Pohjanhovi hotel

Accommodation at the Rantaisipi Pohjanhovi hotel (2 nights)

Day 5: Rovaniemi

The day is free to explore the 'capital‘ of Finnish Lapland. Activities such as reindeer safaris, husky safaris and snow mobile safaris are available. Please see the activity options in our Rovaniemi city break. Don‘t miss the opportunity to visit the Santa Claus village! There is a lot to see and do in Rovaniemi, all from simply enjoying your surroundings to partaking in fun filled adventures.

Day 6: Departure from Rovaniemi

After breakfast, say good bye to this magical country.

Optional Activities In Rovaniemi

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. - 09.01. child discount -25 %. Children under 4 years - free of charge.

Silence of Nature

Excursion days: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun
Lapland is the land of the reindeer. This polar animal is very important for the Northern Civilizations! Today you will learn about the reindeer husbandry in the reindeer park in the Arctic Circle. Sitting in the sledges you will enjoy the silence of the nature during a peaceful ride through white Lappish landscape. A cup of traditional Finnish coffee will be served around the campfire. Back at the park a little souvenir is awaiting each of you: A Reindeer Driving Licence! Before returning to the city by car, you will release the reindeer from their harness and feed them.
Duration: 2,5 hours
Departure time: 11:00
Price: TBA

Discover the Arctic Snow Hotel

Excursion days:Tue, Thu Sat (operated from mid-Jan)
If you wish to experience one of the most beautiful and special sights in Rovaniemi, this safari will offer you an unforgettable journey! Hop on your snowmobile, leave the city behind and get ready to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the arctic nature. Steering your snowmobile deep into the forest and along the frozen lakes you will arrive to the Arctic Snow Hotel. After resting awhile and tasting some traditional hot berry juice you will drive back to town.
Duration: 4 hours
Departure time: 14:00
Price: TBA
Supplement: TBA

Aurora Borealis Adventure

Excursion days: Daily
Far away from the city lights, in the cozy old log building, Poro-Pekan Pirtti, you will have the chance to experience the magical phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis. Situated 50 km from Rovaniemi, in the peaceful atmosphere of Pirtti you can almost feel time stop as the hundred-year-old clock ticks on the wall. Down by the river you will enjoy hot drinks and fried sausages around the campfire while listening to stories about the past and present lives of the local inhabitants. Return transfer back to town by car.
Duration: 4 hours
Departure time: 21:00
Price: TBA

Snowmobile Safari to the Husky Man's Camp

Excursion days: Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun. We 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 by the speed of the ride! We return back to town by snowmobiles.

Duration: 3 hours
Departure time: 10:30
Price: TBA                                                   
Supplement: TBA

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: TBA         

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: 9:30 and 13:30         
Price: TBA

Package Includes:

  • Flights from London Heathrow to Helsinki and return from Rovaniemi to London via Helsinki (other UK airport available upon request - please contact our team)
  • 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 23 kg)
  • 1 night's accommodation in Helsinki
  • Train journey in a sleeping compartment (en suite) upper deck: Helsinki – Kemi
  • Bus transfer Kemi - Sampo - Kemi
  • Sampo Icebreaker excursion incl. lunch
  • 1 night's accommodation in Kemi
  • Train from Kemi – Rovaniemi
  • 2 nights' accommodation in Rovaniemi
  • 5 x breakfast
  • 24-hour emergency service
  • ATOL protection
  • All taxes

Enquire now »
 
Cumulus Hotel Kaisaniemi

Scandic Hotel Kaisaniemi

Helsinki, Finland - 3 stars
Hotel Scandic Kaisaniemi is a modern hotel with a cosy atmosphere in Helsinki city centre. It is located within a very short distance from the main railway station and across from the metro for easy transportation within Helsinki.

Find out more »
Hotelli Merihovi

Merihovi Hotel

Kemi, Finland - 3 stars
This hotel Merihove in Kemi offers a nostalgic look back to how it was in the 50's. Hotel Merihovi is the place, nostalgic but cosy. The style is an attractive funtionalist-style, needless to say, well designed. Many prominent politicians etc have stayed here.

 

 

 

Find out more »
Rantasipi Pohjanhovi Hotel

Rantasipi Pohjanhovi Hotel

Rovaniemi, Finland - 3 stars,
Known as a meeting place for all the North, the Rantasipi Pohjanhovi is full of the genuine Lapland spirit - but is also a very international hotel. Lapland's cosmopolitan capital Rovaniemi offer plenty of outdoor activities and culture, on top of Santa and a picture-perfect landscape.

Find out more »


This map uses Google Maps, so you can zoom and interact with it as we hope it is familiar to you.

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The lines shown give you an indication of our destinations and are not the exact route used.

You'll see...


March 2017
Overall rating: (5/5)

Dear Inga

 

Andy and I are back from our Finland/Sweden trip and we've had a great time.  We enjoyed both Helsinki and Stockholm, but our favourite place was Kemi.  We loved the Sampo Icebreaker experience (especially the swim), walking on the frozen sea, and meeting Father Christmas and a Sailor Elf (we're sure he's a real one!) in Santa's Seaside Office.  We were warmly welcomed at the Merihovi and enjoyed their old-fashioned hospitality. On the face of it, Kemi seems a place with little to do, but we'd have been happy to spend another couple of days there on the ice under blue skies in such a friendly town where so many people were happy to stop and chat.

 

By far the best hotel was the Fabian in Helsinki.  It's extremely stylish, comfortable, the staff bend over backwards to help in every way, and when we came back from Kemi it was like coming home. For our final night they gave us a bigger room that the original one, which was a nice touch, and our stored bags had been taken up for us. The staff without exception are charming and nothing is too much trouble. The breakfast is superb (I became a porridge lover - served with great spoonfuls of Finnish berries on top, it's delicious).  The location couldn't be better - very quiet, but just a short walk from the Esplanade and the harbour. 

 

We were lucky to discover just before our holiday that there was a concert in the Rock Church while we were in Helsinki, so that was a treat for us, as we always try to find either a musical or a sporting event when we're travelling.

 

In addition, we preferred the personal touches at the Merihovi and the Fabian - smaller, non-chain hotels, which are much more our style and where we felt much more at home.

 

All the arrangements you made for us were impeccable and travel went extremely smoothly.  We thoroughly enjoyed the Silja crossing from Helsinki to Stockholm.  The one thing we wouldn't repeat is the night train, not because there was anything wrong with the service, it's just that we got very little sleep as the train stopped and started many times during the night, and we're not people who can lay down our heads and sleep anywhere!  We'll put that down to experience and avoid overnight rail travel in the future.

 

We're already starting to think about another trip north next year, somewhere further and colder!  We'll be keeping an eye on your Facebook posts and your web site, as we'll be very happy for you to arrange us a third holiday.

 

Irene and Andy M

Will I see the Northern Lights?

Please scroll down to see the specifics for the country you wish to visit:

Iceland:
The Northern Lights are in the Northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone. But it’s worth it to be patient. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly amazing event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod. Much of Iceland offers a very a good chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right. Remember – the Northern Lights are natural phenomena, not guaranteed, but appreciated all the more for their elusive qualities.

Norway:
Northern Norway is one of the world's best places to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In Northern Norway, Northern Lights occur in up to 90% of every clear night in the period from late September to late March. Most Northern Lights occur in the time span from 6pm to slightly after midnight, with an absolute peak at around 10-11pm. 

In Norway, the area north of the Arctic Circle is prime aurora territory. The various destinations in the High North have a distinct personality, and are well worth exploring. Major places in Northern Norway are Tromsø, Kirkenes, Alta, Bodø, Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Svalbard.

Finland:
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the Northern Lapland region, which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months here, when the sun rarely peaks its head over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October. The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.

The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowy fell landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.

As mentioned, Lapland is the best place to see the Finland Aurora Borealis, with the Kilpisjarvi area offering the most abundant opportunities. The best time of the day to see the Finland Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 11:30 pm, though they are certainly not restricted to this time frame.

Sweden:
In Northern Sweden, the Northern Lights usually occur during the winter months through late March or early April, but they can be spotted as early as September in the Northernmost parts. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights, which dilute the effects of these natural phenomena, so head out into the countryside. On clear nights, the Northern Lights can be visible from most locations in Swedish Lapland, occurring between 6 pm to and 2 am, with the strongest shows happening between 10 pm and 11 pm. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations in Swedish Lapland for viewing these phenomena:

Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park, a couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, is a prime location for viewing the Northen Lights. The scientifically proven “blue hole” — a patch of sky over the Torneträsk lake that usually remains clear despite overcast weather in surrounding areas — gives Abisko its own micro-climate, which is suitable for catching the lights.

Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley
Not only does the village of Jukkasjärvi (population roughly 541) boast the world’s first ice hotel (rebuilt ever year from Torne River ice), it’s also one of the best regions to view the Northern Lights. ICEHOTEL organizes guided tours for guests which takes the to the Esrange Space Center located 30 minutes from Kiruna. You can dine at a wilderness camp and get the chance to scan the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis.

Other regions in Swedish Lapland
As mentioned earlier, if weather conditions are just right (clear, dark, cold, and cloudless), you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from any location within subarctic and arctic Sweden — even close to larger towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur, and Gällivare.

Greenland:
The northern lights - or Aurora Borealis as it is officially known - actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April. If you are travelling during this period, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country, whilst in South Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August.

 

Car Rental

You can rent a car, as long as you have a valid EU or international driver's license. Most cars will have manual transmission.

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We never allow third parties to use your data and we do not keep financial information. We protect your data as if it was our own, because we’re people too!

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We never allow third parties to use your data and we do not keep financial information. We protect your data as if it was our own, because we're people too!


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