Nordic Winter Journey - small group
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Join our only Nordic winter small group Journey to Northern Scandinavia. We will take you snow mobile riding, dog mushing and reindeer sledding; all under the spectacle of the Northern Lights. We travel through beautiful winter landscapes, blanketed in snow from Harrivina in Finland to Tromsø in the far north of Norway. This trip is designed to maximise the chances of seeing the Northern Lights, as you spend the complete 9 days travelling through the Aurora Zone.
We stay in cosy family run lodges, central hotels and wilderness cabins, enjoying winter activities and hot chocolates by the fire.
Experience a Nordic winter in a small and exclusive group accompanied by private local guides - min group size is 8, maximum is 16 people.
Arrive Kittilä, the Aurora Borealis heartland.
Skiing, Snowmobile driving through the forests and frozen lakes and sauna...
Husky safari and husky farm visit.
Evening Aurora Borealis tour, skiing or snowshoe adventures.
Private Minibus journey to Tromsø.
Tromsø guided tour, visit the Polar Institute & evening Aurora Chase tour.
Head off to your wilderness camp for snow mobile riding, dog sledding and reindeers. Sleep in a traditional Lavvu on reindeer skins.
Snow mobile adventure, drive back to Tromsø.
Depart Tromsø
Countries visited
Places visited
Transportation
We travel by private minibus from Finland to Norway, dog sleds and snow mobiles.
Included In Price
* All accommodation as described in twin share rooms including breakfast* Half board (dinner & breakfast) at Harriniva
* Welcome dinner & daily breakfast in Tromsø
* Full board at Camp Tamok
* Transfers Tromsø – Camp Tamok return
* Bus from Harriniva to Tromsø
* Service of a local guides throughout the trip (not including the bus journey)
* Daily sauna at Harriniva
* Thermal clothing for complete stay at Harriniva, as well as at Camp Tamok (not in Tromsø)
Activities/excursions:
* Reindeer sledding, dog sledding & snow mobile ride at Camp Tamok
* Husky safari and snow mobile ride at Harriniva
* Two night Aurora Minibus tours
Meals Included
This tour includes 16 meals; 8 breakfasts 2 lunches 6 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
Maximum numbers are 16 people. Unless the departure is 'guaranteed' this trip requires at least 8 people to run.Please ask us for pre & post arrangements in Oslo and/or Helsinki.
Transfers between Tromsø hotels and airport/train station 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.
| Start | End | Twin share pp | Single Supp | |
| 26 Jan 2014 | 3 Feb 2014 | AU$ 3540 | AU$ 545 |
Day 1: Arrive Kittilä, the Aurora Borealis heartland.
Upon arrival in Kittila, transfer to Harriniva (one hours drive). We will hold a group briefing in the reception area of the arrival hotel at 18:00 this evening with your local guide, followed by a welcome dinner at the restaurant.
Harriniva is located in Western-Lapland, near the Pallas-Ylläs national park, close to the road E8, 3 km South from Muonio village. It is situated next to the Muonio River and hundreds of kilometres of snowmobile, cross country skiing and hiking treks. It is a family run holiday resort with a restaurant and hotel sauna.
Accommodation
Harriniva ResortMeals Included
1 x DinnersDay 2: Skiing, Snowmobile driving through the forests and frozen lakes and sauna...
After breakfast in the hotel restaurant, you have a free morning to relax and take it all in. If you do want to plan an activity, please let us know - you can book an Ice fishing trip or just head off for short morning ski.
Early afternoon, you will meet your guide who will give you the snowmobile driving instructions and safety regulations. After that you will start the safari through forests and frozen lakes, the perfect fell scenery. Driving distance is approx. 30 km. You will be driving 2 persons per snowmobile. After the active day a relaxing sauna is waiting for you. The dinner is served in the restaurant, keeping an eye out for the Northern lights.
Accommodation
Harriniva ResortMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 3: Husky safari and husky farm visit.
After breakfast, you will meet with your guide and our happy huskies - there are over 400 husky dogs in our husky farm. After the guided tour of the husky farm and driving and safety instructions you will start the 2-hour husky safari – 2 persons per husky team. The driving distance is approximately 17 km. Return to hotel. In the afternoon free time or optional activities. Again, enjoy your evening sauna, separate times for different genders.
Accommodation
Harriniva ResortMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 4: Evening Aurora Borealis tour, skiing or snowshoe adventures.
Breakfast in restaurant. This day is free. You can go skiing or visit a local reindeer herder - these additional programmes can be booked at reception. Dinner included before the evening tour.
This evening from 9pm, there is a 4 hour minibus tour, searching for the Northern Lights. The minibus allows the driver and group to travel around looking for the best vantage spot to see the Northern lights.
Accommodation
Harriniva ResortMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 5: Private Minibus journey to Tromsø.
After breakfast, board your mini bus to travel via Alta to Tromsø. This journey is 360 kilometres, approx. 5 hours of driving, through parks, along fjords and beautiful valleys.
Tromsø is the main town in northern Norway and right in the heart of the Aurora Zone. It is a small cosmopolitan city with lovely cafes and restaurants around the harbour, is known as the "Paris of the North'. Your hotel is right on the water, dead centre of town with magnificent views of the harbour, Ishavskatedralen and Tromsdalen.
Once you have settled into your room, there will be a group dinner in the hotel with your local Tromsø guide.
Accommodation
Rica IshavshotelMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 6: Tromsø guided tour, vi 2000 sit the Polar Institute & evening Aurora Chase tour.
Your guide will take you on a guided tour for the morning, your afternoon is free. 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 activity is taking the cable car up the mountains above Tromsø to go for a walk to enjoy the views. 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.
This evening, there will be an Aurora Chase bus tour included. You will be meet at 7pm in the lobby and the tour will be approximately 4 - 5 hours duration. Dinner is on your own before the tour. Be sure to bring your own warm clothing and boots (there will be extra clothes available if needed). You may travel up to 140 kilometres away from Tromsø in your search for the lights. A cup of hot chocolate and some cake will be offered to warm you up during your wait.
Accommodation
Rica IshavshotelMeals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 7: Head off to your wilderness camp for snow mobile riding, dog sledding and reindeers. Sleep in a traditional Lavvu on reindeer skins.
In the morning at 08:45 you are picked up at the hotel and head off to the wilderness camp.
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 camp 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).
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!
After lunch we go reindeer sledding - 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.
Duration: 4.5 hours reindeer/Sami experience
Included: English speaking guide, transport, dog sledding, warm over clothes.
After having spent time with the Sami people we will tonight spend a night in their traditional home, the lavvu. You will sleep on reindeer skins in a large circle around a central fire place. This is a perfect night to bond with your fellow travellers on the winter journey.
Accommodation
Camp TamokMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 8 : Snow mobile adventure, drive back to Tromsø.
This morning, 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.
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.
After lunch, it is time to head back to Tromsø for your final night.
Accommodation
Rica IshavshotelMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x LunchesDay 9: Depart Tromsø
Our small group tour finishes after breakfast. Make your own way to the airport for departure.
Private city 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 city centre to Tromsø Langnes Airport costs NOK120-150 per taxi.