Nordic Winter Odyssey
View Trip Notes
Our most popular independent itinerary, the Nordic Winter Odyssey is designed to optimise the chances to see the Aurora Borealis. It travels from Oslo, over the North Cape, through the Lyngen Alps, to Tromsø and Swedish Lapland and down to Stockholm.
You stay at boutique hotels such as the ICEHOTEL and Lyngen Lodge, and use various modes of transport taking you through a fairytale winter landscape. During this 'odyssey' you have access to all the activities that make chasing the Aurora Borelis so wonderful; snow mobile rides, husky safaris, reindeer riding and various Northern Lights excursions.
Oslo - a fairy tale town in Winter, awash with lights and winter sports
Oslo, a free day to enjoy the Viking Ship Museum and Ice-skating in Central Oslo.
Fly to Kirkenes
Coastal voyage over the North Cape.
Lyngen Lodge sits in a natural forest clearing above a fjord with a striking mountain backdrop.
Tromsø - Aurora Borealis
Abisko, in the middle of the Aurora zone, is considered to be the best place on earth to see the Aurora Borealis.
Winter activities in Abisko
ICEHOTEL - a night to remember.
ICEHOTEL - dog mushing, night time snowmobile excursion
Free morning at the ICEHOTEL and then fly to Stockholm
Stockholm, the charming capital of Sweden
Depart from Stockholm
Countries visited
Places visited
Transportation
Domestic Flights Oslo - Kirkenes & Kiruna - Stockholm,Private transfer Skjervøy– Lyngen Lodge - Tromsø, Express boat Tromsø to Harstad, Private transfer Abisko – Harstad, Train tickets Abisko - Kiruna (second class)
Included In Price
* Domestic flights Oslo - Kirkenes & Kiruna - Stockholm including taxes* All accommodation as described in twin share rooms including breakfast
* One night in a Ice Room and one night in a warm hotel room at the ICEHOTEL
* Meals as described in the itinerary:
* Bed & breakfast in Oslo, Kirkenes, Tromsø and Stockholm
* Full board on board coastal voyage (Hurtigruten)
* Full board at Lyngen Lodge
* Half board at Abisko Mountain Station (breakfast & dinner)
* Other meals as listed
* Private transfer Skjervøy– Lyngen Lodge - Tromsø
* Express boat Tromsø to Harstad
* Private transfer Harstad - Abisko
* Train tickets Abisko - Kiruna (second class)
* Arrival and departure transfer to/from ICEHOTEL
* Hire of warm clothing and boots at ICEHOTEL only
* Activities/excursions:
* Sami experience in Abisko
* Exclusive Nordic dinner at Aurora Sky Station including entrance and cable car
* Dogsled excursion including lunch at ICEHOTEL
* Aurora Snow Mobile safari including dinner at ICEHOTEL
* City passes 24 hours for Oslo & Stockholm
Meals Included
This tour includes 20 meals; 12 breakfasts 3 lunches 5 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
* Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
* 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.
| Valid From | Valid to | Twin share pp | |
| 1 Dec 2013 | 14 Apr 2014 | AU$ 7100 | |
| Those travelling after 15 Feb will use an alternative to Lyngen Lodge. | |||
Day 1: Oslo - a fairy tale town in Winter, awash with lights and winter sports
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 Hotel Continental Oslo in a twin room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
noneDay 2: Oslo, a free day to enjoy the Viking Ship Museum and Ice-skating in Central Oslo.
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 Hotel Continental Oslo in a twin room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 3: Fly to Kirkenes
In the morning make your way to the Oslo airport, Gardermoen for a 2-hour flight to Kirkenes.
Upon arrival in Kirkenes, in the early afternoon make your own way to the hotel in the centre for the city for check in. 2 hours by flight
Accommodation
Overnight at Rica Arctic Hotel in standard twin room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 4 & 5: Coastal voyage over the North Cape.
In the morning make your way to the pier and board the Hurtigruten ship for an overnight voyage over the top of Norway rounding the North Cape and the beautiful North Norwegian coast. Arrive Skjervøy in the evening of day 5 and transfer to your base in the Lyngen Alps. Lyngen Lodge sits in a natural forest clearing above a fjord with a striking mountain backdrop. High in the Arctic Circle, it's as remote a spot as you could hope to find, in Europe at least. It is a place to enjoy nature, dog sledding, skiing and other snow activities. Or you can just laze around with breathtaking views across the fjord and the Alps. And, if you're there from November to March, you can gasp at the Northern Lights.
Co-owner Graham Austick, who grew up in the north of England before defecting to St Anton to become a ski instructor and mountain guide, spotted the
2000
site when hiking through a nearby forest. He wanted to create a place which complemented rather than offended the nature around it, so he used a traditional Norwegian "lafting" pine timber frame with a thick grass roof, which also insulates the property. For the skiing enthusiasts, fast boats transport you direct to the snow, where you can ski down from spectacular summits to snow-covered beaches – potentially basking in the midnight sun if you're there in May.
Optional activities on offer:
• Dog sledding
• Sea safari by boat
• Horse sled rides
• Snow shoeing
• Skiing
Accommodation
Hurtigruten ShipMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 6 & 7: Lyngen Lodge sits in a natural forest clearing above a fjord with a striking mountain backdrop.
You have two full days here to enjoy the beauty of Lyngen Lodge. Skiing, snow shoeing, gazing at the Northern lights... what ever is your pleasure.
Your lodge sits in a natural forest clearing above a fjord with a striking mountain backdrop. High in the Arctic Circle, it’s as remote a spot as you could hope to find. It is a place to enjoy nature, dog sledding, skiing and other snow activities. Or you can just laze around with breathtaking views across the fjord and the Alps.
Accommodation
Overnight at Lyngen Lodge in twin room on full board basis.Meals Included
2 x Breakfasts2 x Lunches2 x DinnersDay 8: Tromsø - Aurora Borealis
After breakfast the owners of the lodge will transfer you by road to Tromsø, where you have the rest 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.
Accommodation
Overnight at Rica Ishavshotel in standard twin room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 9: Abisko, in the middle of the Aurora zone, is considered to be the best place on earth to see the Aurora Borealis.
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 in the morning 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.
In the evening you are transferred to the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko. You take the ski-lift up the mountain to see the Northern Lights and view the exhibition. Included is also an exclusive Nordic dinner at the Aurora Sky Station this evening. The excursion includes warm clothes, ticket, warm drink and biscuits. Aurora Sky Station: http://www.auroraskystation.se/.
Accommodation
Overnight Abisko Mountain Station. Dinner & breakfast.Meals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 10: Winter activities in Abisko
The morning is free in Abisko to enjoy the winter landscape, or just to laze around in the lodge or hut and enjoy the warmth of the Scandinavian indoors in winter.
In the afternoon visit the Sami Camp, an exhibition displaying how the Sami lived in the late 19th century. The camp is a reconstruction of a spring and fall residence. After a tour around the camp we enter the hut to gather around the fire, sip coffee and have some reindeer meat. We drink the coffee while discussing the life of the Sami people.
Accommodation
Overnight Abisko Mountain Station. Dinner & breakfast.Meals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 11: ICEHOTEL - a night to remember.
In the morning walk to the train station for a 1-hour train ride to Kiruna. On arrival in Kiruna you are transferred to the village of Jukkasjarvi, where the ICEHOTEL is situated.
At ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi you can choose between several different types of accommodation. The ideal is to combine one cold night in ICEHOTEL with a warm night in the hotel. Inside ICEHOTEL, the temperature is never colder than -5 °C to -8 °C, regardless of how cold it may be outside. Dress in warm thermal underwear, put on a hat and slip into the cozy sleeping bag. You are awakened in the morning with a cup of hot lingonberry juice at your bedside. The Ice Rooms are comfortably furnished with furniture made from ice. Unique artwork decorates the rooms. You sleep in a thermal sleeping bag on a special bed built of snow and ice, on reindeer skins.
Breakfast buffet, morning sauna and towels are included in your stay.
Dinner is served a-la-carte in the IceHotel Restaurant. A table reservation is made, but you pay this direct.
Accommodation
Overnight in twin Ice Room at the ICEHOTEL sleeping on reindeer fells. Bed & breakfast.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 12: ICEHOTEL - dog mushing, night time snowmobile excursion
In the morning you are woken with a nice glass of lingon berry juice before you can enjoy a hot sauna. The rest of the morning is free to enjoy the ICEHOTEL and its surrounding area.
Today we have organised an exclusive excursion where you get an insight in a dog musher’s exciting everyday life. The journey will take you by dog sled through the snow covered, arctic landscape to a wilderness camp far from the civilisation. While the dogs rest and drink in order to cope with the rest of this exciting journey you will be served a generous lunch in a traditional manner with local ingredients. Throughout the journey your experienced guide will answer all your questions about dogs, equipment, expeditions and competitions. The tour departs at 11:00 am and lasts for about 4 to 4.5 hours (approx. 25-30 km).
In the evening (7 pm-11 1eb6 pm) we depart on a guided snowmobile excursion in search of the Northern lights. In cooperation with the Swedish Institute of Space Physics we offer a snowmobile excursion in search of the magical Northern lights. During the excursion our trained guides will tell you truths and tales about the mythical celestial phenomenon. A three-course dinner with local ingredients served in a wilderness camp is included. Also includes; safety instruction, dinner, guide, information about the Northern lights. Approx. 1 hour stop at a camp and 3 h snowmobile driving. The tour starts/stops at ICEHOTEL.
Accommodation
Overnight in twin room warm Kaamos Hotel. Bed & breakfast.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 13: Free morning at the ICEHOTEL and then fly to Stockholm
Enjoy a free morning at the ICEHOTEL. 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 Victory Hotel Gamla Stan, Stockholm in a twin room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 14: Stockholm, the charming capital of Sweden
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 Victory Hotel Gamla Stan, Stockholm in a twin room, including breakfast or similar.Meals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 15: Depart from Stockholm
Our services end after breakfast.