Nordic Winter Adventure
View Trip Notes
Our new independent itinerary, the Nordic Winter Adventure is designed to optimise the chances to see the Aurora Borealis. It travels from Oslo, the Lyngen Valley, Tromsø, Swedish Lapland & Stockholm.
It includes unique hotels, local transport and gives you access to all the activities which making chasing the Aurora Borelis so wonderful.
Oslo - A small sophisticated city designed for Winter living
A free day in Oslo to visit the new Opera House, the Viking Museum or Vigeland Statue Park.
Fly to Tromsø, the Aurora Borealis heartland
Free day to explore Tromsø, transfer to Camp Tamok via dogsledding.
Adventures all day - Reindeer sledding, Snow mobile, Aurora Borealis searching
Abisko Mountain Station via express boat service along the Norwegian coast
Abisko - time for activities
Train to Kiruna
Dog Mushing and Snow shoe hike
A free morning in Kiruna and then fly to Stockholm
Sweden’s Capital is charming, vibrant and surrounded by beauty and water - hence its nickname, Venice of the North!
Depart Stockholm
Countries visited
2000Places visited
Transportation
Minibus, express boats, private transfers, local trains, flights.
Included In Price
* Domestic flights Oslo - Tromsø & Kiruna - Stockholm including taxes* All accommodation as described in twin share rooms including breakfast
* Meals as described in the itinerary:
* Bed & breakfast in Oslo, Tromsø and Stockholm
* Full board at Camp Tamok
* Half board at Abisko Mountain Station (breakfast & dinner)
* Other meals as listed
* Transfers Tromsø – Camp Tamok return
* Public transportation between Tromsø and Abisko
* Train tickets Abisko - Kiruna (second class)
* Activities/excursions:
* Reindeer sledding, dog sledding & snow mobile ride at Camp Tamok
* Night visit to the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko
* Northern Lights snow mobile chase in Kiruna
* City passes 24 hours for Oslo & Stockholm
Meals Included
This tour includes 17 meals; 11 breakfasts 2 lunches 4 dinners
Not Included In Price
* Transfers to and from train station/airport/ferry terminals and hotels (except where noted)* Meals not specified in the itinerary
* Gratuities and items of personal nature
* Travel insurance
Important Information
Please note that the itinerary and price is subject to availability. We do our utmost to create an itinerary as close to this published tour as possible.Transfers between airport/train station and hotels are not included. However, hotels are all centrally located and easily accessible by various means of public transport and/or taxi. All Nordic cities are very easy to get around in and transport options are well marked. In addition everyone speaks good English. Doing it this way significantly reduces the cost, as private transfers in Scandinavia are expensive, and at the same time it gives you freedom to choose means of transport.
Be sure to prebook your ABBA museum tickets if you wish to visit whilst in Stockholm.
| Valid From | Valid to | Twin share pp | Single Supp | |
| 1 Dec 2013 | 14 Apr 2014 | AU$ 4890 | AU$ 1100 | |
| We recommend this itinerary in February and March with the longer daylight hours. | ||||
Day 1: Oslo - A small sophisticated city designed for Winter living
On arrival in Oslo make your own way to your hotel.
Oslo is the perfect winter town, compact with lots of convenient public transport. The town is cozy and inviting with lots of winter lights and coffee shops to visit. Iceskating in the centre, snow skiing on the fringes, Oslo has lots of winter activities to enjoy.
Accommodation
Overnight at Rica Hotel Bygdø Alle in a twin room, including breakfast, or similar.Meals Included
noneDay 2: A free day in Oslo to visit the new Opera House, the Viking Museum or Vigeland Statue Park.
After breakfast enjoy a free day in Oslo. We recommend a trip out to the island of Bygdoy to see the Viking Ship Museum and the Folklore Museum. Thereafter walk through the Vigeland Statue Park, before heading up to Holmenkollen and Frognerseteren to enjoy panoramic view of Oslo and the fjord beyond.
In the afternoon we recommend a walk through the city centre to view the Parliament, the Castle and the Harbour area, which is well worth it. The new Oslo Opera just nearby the hotel is a must see, and you may even book tickets for a concert if this is on.
We have included an Oslo Card valid for 24 hours. The easiest way to appreciate Oslo is by the Oslo card – with the card you can benefit with free entrance to the museums and enjoy free public transportation and so much more.
Accommodation
Overnight at Rica Hotel Bygdø Alle in a twin room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 3: Fly to Tromsø, the Aurora Borealis heartland
In the morning make your way to the Oslo airport, Gardermoen for a 2-hour flight to Tromsø. Upon arrival in Tromsø make your own way to your hotel.
Private transfers are expensive and unnecessary in Scandinavia. The taxi system works well and is honest, and is the quickest and cheapest way to get from the airport to your hotel. A taxi from Tromsø Langnes Airport to the city centre costs NOK120-150 per taxi. 2 hour flight from Oslo to Tromsø
Accommodation
Overnight at Rica Ishavshotel in standard double room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 4: Free day to explore Tromsø, transfer to Camp Tamok via dogsledding.
You have the most of the day free to explore the city. Tromsø is the main town in northern Norway and home to the Polar Institute, which is Norway’s national institution for polar research. The Polar Museum, also located in Tromsø, is well worth a visit. Another great morning activity is taking the cable car up the mountains above Tromsø to go for a walk to enjoy the views.
Tromsø is a charming and intimate old town with the largest number of wooden houses in Norway - the oldest one from 1789. The landmark of Tromsø is the Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen), which stands tall and proud on the mainland at the bridgehead going out to the island on which Tromsø is situated.
In the afternoon at 16:45 you are picked up at the Rica Ishavshotell and will go dog sledding in Arctic Tromso Say hello to a bunch of barking huskies that are ready for action (but still very friendly). The dog sledding adventure starts with meeting the dogs and preparing for the trip. You will get instructions on how to drive a dog sledding team. Then you drive the dog sled by yourself into the white landscapes, through the beautiful Vass Valley, a side valley connected to the great Tamok Valley. You will at first see the ca 2000 mp on your way out in the wild. The trails you follow have a total distance of approximately 15 km. The area where you lead the sled is totally uninhabited, with mountains and forest landscape. Out in the wild these dogs are in their right environment. You will be driving in pairs, one driver and one passenger on each sled, with opportunity to switch places half way. At the end of your trail you will return to camp. There you will be served a hot meal in a lavvu (Sami herdsmen’s tent).
Duration: 4.5 hours of dog sledding and transfer 1.5 hours (total 6 hours)
Included: English speaking guide, transport, dog sledding, a hot meal, warm over clothes, head lamp. Note: Dog sledding is only possible with enough snow and weather permitting!
Tonight you will spend the night in the timber cabin at our wilderness camp. Sleeping in our cabin heated with wood stove and lighted with oil lamps is an Arctic experience in itself. Our skilled guides take care of you, making sure you are safe and comfortable at all times. Breakfast is included. The cabin has four bedrooms and two lofts, sleeping up to 14 guests. Staying in the cabin can therefore be very social, as you can expect to meet and get to know other guests from all parts of the world. Spending the night at our camp will give you the chance to experience the Northern Lights away from city lights.
Accommodation
Camp TamokMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 5: Adventures all day - Reindeer sledding, Snow mobile, Aurora Borealis searching
This morning’s activity: Reindeer sledding is the oldest form of transport in the north, and an ancient part of Sami culture. The reindeer’s majestic steps in their natural habitat move the sled through the snow. The sledding trail crosses the valley of Tamok. You will be driving in pairs, with one sled for each reindeer. People of all ages can participate on this very “soft” adventure. This cultural adventure includes trying lasso-throwing, the way the Sami people still today catch their reindeers when they are rounded up for marking or slaughter. You will also visit a Sami lavvu (Sami herdsmen’s tent), and you will learn about Sami culture and history with an introduction to traditional Sami handicraft. This daytime trip gives you an amazing view of the wild mountains in the area.
Duration: 4.5 hours reindeer/Sami experience
Included: English speaking guide, transport, dog sledding, lunch, warm over clothes.
In the afternoon/evening you will go on a snow mobile adventure. You need no previous skills to drive a snowmobile. All you need is normal physical condition. It is just as easy as it is fun, and we begin with a thorough safety introduction. The trail has a distance of 15 km each way, 30 km in total. The starting point is at 250 m above sea level, and the guide brings you up to 875 m. Imagine the views you will have during such a snowmobile trip. You will be driving in pairs, one driver and one passenger on each snowmobile, with opportunity to switch places during the trip. Due to the dramatic topography, a reduced speed is held during parts of the tour. On flat land and frozen lakes, you can speed up. The top point of the trail is a frozen lake. If time and weather permit, you can try out ice fishing on this lake. The second half of the excursion brings you back down again, ending up in our wilderness camp. There you will be served a hot meal.
You will be back in Tromsø at midnight.
Duration: 4.5 hours snow mobile ride and transfer 1.5 hours (total 6 hours)
Included: English speaking guide, transport, a hot meal, warm over clothes, helmet.
Accommodation
Overnight at Rica Ishavshotel in superior room with view, Tromsø, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 6: Abisko Mountain Station via express boat service along the Norwegian coast
In the mid morning you will make your way to the port and board the express service along the coast south to Harstad (10:15 – 12:55). On arrival in Harstad you will be picked up by our friends for a 3-4 hour drive through winter landscapes to Abisko in Sweden. Upon arrival check in at Abisko Mountain Lodge.
Abisko, in the middle of the Aurora zone, is considered to be the best place on earth to see the Aurora Borealis. With its fresh, clean air and its practically permanent cloud-free sky the prerequisites in Abisko are optimal. More or less active northern lights can be seen almost every night, however, can never be guaranteed.
During your stay in Abisko we have included an evening trip to the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko. If you wish to enjoy dinner at the sky station,(not included in tour), we would recommend booking beforehand. You take the ski-lift up the mountain to see the Northern Lights and view the exhibition (not included). Aurora Sky Station: http://www.auroraskystation.se/.
Accommodation
Overnight Abisko Mountain Station. Dinner and breakfast.Meals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 7: Abisko - time for activities
You have the day free in Abisko to enjoy the tranquility fo this small village. We highly recommend to participate in some of the many optional activities on offer, which may include dog sledding, snow-shoeing, skiing or taking part in a traditional Sami experience. Or, you can just laze around in the lodge or hut and enjoy the warmth of the Scandinavian indoors in winter.
Accommodation
Overnight Abisko Mountain Station. Dinner & breakfastMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 8: Train to Kiruna
In the morning walk to the train station for a 1-hour train ride to Kiruna. On arrival in Kiruna make your own way to your hotel in Kiruna. Snowmobile Northern Lights chase will be held this evening.
Accommodation
Overnight in twin room in Kiruna. Bed & breakfast.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 9: Dog Mushing and Snow shoe hike
Today you have the opportunity to partake in an optional (not included) excursion where you get an insight in a dog musher’s exciting everyday life. Transport to the kennel where you change into warm clothes, and then meet the sled dogs before we set off. You can drive your own dog team, alone or with a friend sitting in the sled. Alternatively you can go in the guide's sled. On arrival at the hut, we light a fire and prepare lunch. There is then a short snowshoe hike on the ‘trap line', if we are lucky we might see some tracks of the wild animals that live in the area. With the help of the dogs, we make our way back to the kennels where you will be transported back to Kiruna.
Accommodation
Overnight in twin room in Kiruna. Bed & breakfa 1c87 st.Meals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x LunchesDay 10: A free morning in Kiruna and then fly to Stockholm
Enjoy a free morning in Kiruna. In the mid morning transfer to the airport for your flight south to Stockholm (approx. 2 hours). On arrival at Stockholm airport make your own way to hotel. Afternoon/evening free in Stockholm.
Accommodation
Overnight at Rica Hotel Gamla Stan, Stockholm in a twin room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 11: Sweden’s Capital is charming, vibrant and surrounded by beauty and water - hence its nickname, Venice of the North!
Stockholm is built on 14 islands all part of an archipelago. Sweden’s Capital is charming, vibrant and surrounded by beauty and water - hence its nickname, Venice of the North! The city has a lot of charm, history and tradition! Stockholm offers interesting museums and castles; the city offers a warm atmosphere – and the old town, charming small alley ways boasting several famous restaurants.
The day is free to enjoy Stockholm, and you can spend it for a stroll through the Swedish capital, and/or join an optional city tour of Stockholm visiting the Royal Palace, the Parliament Buildings, the island of Djurgården and the Old Town (Gamla Stan), with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops.
We have included a Stockholm Card valid for 24 hours. The easiest way to appreciate Stockholm is by the Stockholm card – with the card you can benefit with free entrance to the museums and enjoy free public transportation and so much more.
Accommodation
Overnight at Rica Hotel Gamla Stan, Stockholm in a twin room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 12: Depart Stockholm
Our services end after breakfast.