Overview:
This tour will take you from Rovaniemi Finland to the North Cape in Norway, the northernmost plateau in Europe. Along the journey you will get acquainted with Lapp culture, see impressive Lapp scenery and experience the' White Nights', when the sun is above the horizon all night.
The North Cape Tour can also be joined from Rovaniemi directly after the Scenic Finland Tour. Furthermore, extra nights can be added in Helsinki to extend your stay in Finland.
Prices start from TBA per person based on availability and accommodation in twin-bedded rooms. Single supplement TBA. Please contact us for pricing.
Flights to be confirmed upon booking.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki
Arrive in Helsinki. Free time to explore Finland's capital. Accommodation in 4 star Scandic Hotel Simonkenttä or similar.
Day 2: Architecture in Lapland
Early morning flight brings you to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. During the sightseeing tour you will see works designed by Finland's most famous architect Alvar Aalto. Crossing the magic line of the Arctic Circle is a great experience for any visitor. To make it truly exotic, you take part in a Lapp initiation ceremony.
You will also enjoy lunch at the Arctic Circle, in a Lapp tepee. Continue northwards along the Ounasjoki River, and stop at the Art Museum of Reidar Särestöniemi, the most notable Lapp artist who found his motifs in Lapland's nature. His former studio and home, a complex of log houses, represent traditional Lapp architecture. Dinner and accommodation at 3 star Hotel Sirkantähti or similar in Kittilä.
Day 3: Shooting the Rapids
Properly equipped with rain gear and a life vest, you set off from Harriniva on board a pneumatic lifeboat on an exciting, yet comfortable and perfectly safe one-hour journey through seven rapids. As you come ashore, nothing will taste better than steaming hot soup served around a glowing campfire. You continue northwards via Kautokeino, the largest Lapp cultural centre in Norway. As you travel, you notice the rolling hills of Finnish Lapland changing into Norwegian tundra. At last you reach the Arctic Ocean and the fishing port of Alta. Dinner and accommodation at 4 star Rica Hotel Alta or similar.
Day 4: North Cape Panorama
Alta is famous for its 5000 to 6000 year-old rock carvings, which are so prestigious that they have been included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. During a visit to the Alta museum there is a unique opportunity to experience the world of an ancient Lapp depicted in the rock carvings. Continue towards Honningsvåg stopping for lunch on the way. You reach the North Cape in the evening. In front of your eyes opens the Arctic Ocean and the endless scenery. Standing on Europe's northernmost plateau you celebrate this unforgettable moment with sparkling wine and local caviar. Dinner and accommodation at 3 star Rica Hotel Honningsvåg or similar.
Day 5: The Past and Present of the Sami People
Enjoy the last glimpses of the awesome northern landscapes, as you head back south driving along one of the most beautiful Norwegian fjords. Lunch will be en route in the little village of Karasjok. Back in Finland, you visit an open air Sami museum in Inari. Buildings and handicraft collected from different regions of Lapland give you a fascinating look into the life of the nomadic Samis or Lapps of yesterday. While visiting a local reindeer herder at his home, you will have the opportunity to see how a present day Lapp family lives and treasures the ancient traditions. You will listen to joiku-singing, a chant in the Sami language, and hear the owner of the farm telling you about reindeer breeding. Dinner and accommodation at 4 star Hotel Riekonlinna in Saariselkä.
Day 6: Gold Rush in Tankavaara
The last stop in northern Lapland is the Tankavaara Gold Village. Relive the thrills of the Gold Rush that once attracted hundreds of men into the region in the hope of finding a gold nugget. Today you will also have the opportunity to try your luck in washing for gold. Lunch will be taken in Luosto on the way to Rovaniemi airport. Take the evening flight back to Helsinki. Accommodation at 4 star Scandic Hotel Simonkenttä or similar.
Day 7: Goodbye to Finland
Departure. Check out from the hotel and transfer to the Helsinki ' Vantaa airport for your flight home.
Package Includes:
- Direct return flights from London Heathrow to Helsinki
- Domestic flights Helsinki-Rovaniemi-Helsinki
- 2 nights accommodation in Scandic Hotel Simonkenttä or similar **** in Helsinki
- Breakfasts at the hotel in Helsinki
- Airport transfers in Helsinki and Rovaniemi
- Accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with bath/shower during the tour
- Luggage handling in hotels
- 4 buffet breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners throughout the tour
- Transportation by private coach
- Sightseeing, visits, excursions and entrance fees
- according to the programme
- English speaking tour guide
- Service charges and taxes
Enquire now »
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.
Transportation
Railway mostly serves domestic routes and is used as an easy and quick way to get from the capital to major cities of the country. There are some international routes, like to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but time spent on the way will be quite long.
Buses are one of the most convenient ways to travel between the Baltic States. Eurolines will get you between Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. One way tickets will cost £ 15 - £ 20 and approximate travel time is 5 hours between the cities. Ticket reservations in advance are recommended.
Taxis are the quickest and most convenient way of travelling round the city. You'll find them located close to the main hotels. Usually it's quite easy to catch a taxi on the street, however, it's much better and safer to order one by phone. Taxi costs in all of the Baltic countries and Poland are approximately the same and a ride in the centre of the city will cost you approx £ 5 - £ 7. Taxis in Finland and Russia are considerably more expensive. It is always a good idea to get your hotel to book a taxi for you and ask approximately how much the trip will cost before you get in.
We would not recommend you to take public transportation within the city, as it's usually crowded and it may cause you unnecessary anxiety about where to stop.