Seeking the Northern Lights
TRAVEL PERIOD: AUTUMN & WINTER, 1st of September 2024 – 31st of March 2025
Seeking the Northern Lights
This tour is possible, with start in either Helsinki or Oslo. Please note if you choose to start in Oslo, the tour is lengthened by one night due to the northbound voyage. Explore the best of Finland and Norway, as we combine these two amazing countries in one great tour. You will be amazed by the contrast, of the cities, and the positively different landscapes. There is no better tour that offers the opportunity to see the Northern lights. Highlights include sailing along the Norwegian coast onboard Havila, experiencing the Flåmsbana, riding the Santa Express, and visiting Santa is his hometown, Rovaniemi. The capital cities of Helsinki and Oslo offer something for everyone. This is a tour that offers a bit of everything and suitable for all.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki Welcome to the capital city of Finland. Helsinki is a vibrant seaside city, offering design and an urban charm that you will not easily forget. The foodie scene has made its’ mark and is ever evolving. The city is close to nature, as are its people. The Finn’s have a positive and respectful attitude towards their city and the nature that encompasses it. Accommodation in 4* hotel in Helsinki city centre
- Day 3: Santa Express Spend the day exploring Helsinki. This evening you will bid farewell to the city as you board the Santa Express. The train departs in the late evening, your cabin is with private toilet and shower. Onboard the train there is a food cart/restaurant. You will travel from the south to the North, destination- Rovaniemi. Overnight onboard the train.
- Day 4: Arrival in Rovaniemi Welcome to the home of Santa Claus. Getting from the train station to the city centre is easy, you can either take a taxi, or walk approximately 20 minutes. Accommodation in 3* hotel in Rovaniemi city centre
- Day 5: Rovaniemi – Saariselka Breakfast at the hotel. Today you board a local bus that will take you from Rovaniemi to Saariselka. On arrival at the bus station, a transfer awaits and will take you to the Northern light’s village. The Northern lights village is a retreat and located away from noise and light pollution of a city. The opportunity to see the Northern lights is enhanced, as your accommodation for two nights will be in an Aurora Cabin. Dinner is included for both nights. Overnight in an Aurora cabin.
- Day 7: Saariselka – Inari Breakfast at the Northern light’s village and transfer to the bus station. Board a local bus, and travel even further North from Saariselka to Inari. Arrival at the Wilderness hotel Inari. Inari is a very special place with a lot of Sami tradition. The hotel offers a blend of quality accommodation with pristine nature and Arctic activities. The location is just five minutes from the Sámi village Inari. If you have the possibility, we highly recommend a visit to the Sami museum and nature centre. Dinner and accommodation at Inari Wilderness Hotel in a cosy log cabin.
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Day 9: Inari – Kirkenes
Breakfast at the hotel. Board the local bus form Finland to Norway as you head towards Kirkenes. You are likely to be impressed by the change of scenery as you head North towards Kirkenes, The town has a unique location and lies on a peninsula along the Bøkfjord, an arm of the large Varangerfjord.
Accommodation in 3* hotel in Kirkenes city centre
- Day 9 – 15: Kirkenes – Bergen (Havila) Breakfast at the hotel, and its finally time to leave the land as you board HAVILA for a journey along the Norwegian coast. HAVILA plays an important role and offers postage and supplies to the many small villages along the rugged Norwegian coastline. You will pass many of these small villages en-route from Kirkenes to Bergen. Full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) and accommodation onboard HAVILA in a seaside cabin
- Day 15: Bergen After one of the most amazing experiences, we welcome you to the capital of the fjords, the city of Bergen. Accommodation in 3* hotel in Bergen city centre
- Day 16: Flåm Breakfast at the hotel. Today is the start of another very well-known tour, the Norway in a nutshell. The first leg will be by train as you leave Bergen to Voss. From Voss you travel by bus to Gudvangen, until boarding a vessel that will take you along the fjord to Flåm. Dinner and accommodation in 3* hotel in Flåm
- Day 17: Oslo Breakfast at the hotel, continue by train as you experience the Flåmsbanen from Flåm to Myrdal. A spectacular journey. From Myrdal one last train journey will bring you to the capital of Norway, the green city of Oslo. Welcome to our home. Dinner and accommodation in 4* hotel in Oslo city centre
- Day 18: Departure Breakfast at the hotel. From the city centre you can take a cab, airport bus, airport train or local train to Oslo Gardermoen.
Services included:
Accommodation
• 2 nights in a centrally located hotel in Helsinki with breakfast
• 1 nights in a centrally located hotel in Rovaniemi with breakfast
• 2 nights in an Aurora cabin at the Northern lights village with breakfast & dinner
• 2 nights in a log cabin at Wilderness Hotel Inari a with breakfast & dinner
• 1 night in a centrally located hotel in Kirkenes with breakfast
• HAVILA Voyage Kirkenes – Bergen (Full Board, seaside Cabin)
• 1 night in a centrally located hotel in Bergen with breakfast
• 1 night in a centrally located hotel in Flam with breakfast and dinner
• 1 night in a centrally located hotel in Oslo with breakfast
Transfers & Trains
• Santa Express from Helsinki to Rovaniemi
• Local Bus from Rovaniemi to Saariselka, Saariselka to Inari and Inari to Kirkeness
* Transfer from Saariselka to the Northern Lights village and return
• Norway in a Nutshell Trainrides (Bergen – Flam / Flam – Oslo
Local Tips
Inari: Visit Sajos, the heart of Sami Culture in Finland. This building hosts the sami parlement as well as an educational institute about this extraordinary culture of the North. If you want to explore Sami culture & history, this is the place to start!
