Igloo Escape & Northern Lights
5 days / 4 nights, Ivalo / Lapland - Saariselkä - Hotel & Igloo Village Kakslauttanen |
Winter is a special season in Northern Lapland. The frozen Arctic landscape, the winter darkness, the crackling frost and the clear starry skies with the spectacle of the Aurora Borealis offer visitors a unique experience in the midst of untamed nature. In late winter the sun appears in all its glory, painting the landscape a dazzling white - freshness and warmth to invigorate the traveler. Experience a night in a thermal glass Igloo while watching the Northern Lights from your luxury bed. A reindeer hide and a woolen rug will provide you an excellent insulation against the snow and keep you warm. From Igloo village to Log cabins, Hotel Kakslauttanen above the Arctic Circle, will spoil you with traditional Finnish hospitality.
In the Igloo Village there are 20 igloos - also a honeymoon suite igloo - and an Ice Gallery, with fabulous ice sculptures carved by Lapland artists. There is also an Ice Chapel for weddings and christenings and an Ice Bar where you can enjoy hot drinks and feast e.g. on King Crayfish.
Our 5-day tour program is action-packed with daily 4-hour safaris into the wilderness and fells of Lapland! Enjoy the many winter activities and adventures, from snow mobile to husky dog sleds, reindeer farms and Sami culture, along with optional Ice fishing, snow sculptures, sleigh rides and downhill or cross country skiing on illuminated ski trails. Join the fairy tale of Lapland and perhaps on clear nights you are lucky to experience the spectacle of the Aurora Borealis, the colorful display of Northern Lights!
| Departure | Daily, November 1st - December 22nd, 2009 January 2nd - April 30th, 2010 |
| Price | $1,935 per person in double room $2,435 single room $1,195 children under 12 years, sharing with 2 adults $75 supplement for a single snowmobile |
| Included | Transfers from/to Ivalo Airport by private car & driver 1 night in a Glass Igloo 3 nights in cozy log cabins with sauna & fireplace Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily 3 x Luncheons on Safaris 4 x Dinners 4-hour Dogsled Safari with picnic lunch 4-hour Reindeer Safari with lunch in a reindeer herder's hut (no skills required) Visit to Reindeer Farm 4-hour snowmobile Safari with lunch in a wilderness hut (drivers license required) Qualified guide on safaris Taxes & services |
| Not Included | International airfare & Airport taxes Flights to/from Ivalo Fee for one-person snowmobile Downhill ski equipment and lift fee Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Please note: Self liability during snowmobiling activities is Euro 800 Deadline for Christmas package is 6 weeks prior. Additional nights at Hotel & Igloo Village Kakslauttanen and/or Helsinki available. Hotel Kakslauttanen reserves the rights for the Igloo Village. If the weather is not suitable for snow building, there might be delays with starting the Igloo Village season. Each driver must have a valid drivers license to operate a snow mobile. Two persons share one snowmobile and take turns in driving. Sole occupancy at a supplementary cost of USD 75. This a non-escorted tour. Guide service is not included, however, the excursions are with guide. Minimum of 2 participants required to operate this tour. |
| Tour Options | Additional nights in Helsinki and/or Kakslauttanen Additional activities at the hotel Day-Excursion to Icebreaker Sampo, Kemi Silja Line Cruise, Helsinki - Stockholm Tallink cruise, Helsinki - Tallinn |
Day 1 IVALO - SAARISELKÄ (D)
Individual arrival at the Ivalo Airport. Transfer by private car to Saariselkä, the traditional ski resort of Northern Lapland north of the Arctic Circle. Saariselkä, one of the best-known winter centers in Finland, is surrounded by unique fell scenery illuminated by the colorful Northern Lights during clear winter nights. Here you can experience the true spirit of Lapland. Enjoy winter holidays with activities such as downhill skiing, snow boarding, cross-country skiing or reindeer and husky sleigh rides. Visit the Sami Museum of the Nature Center of Northern Lapland. Your snow adventure begins with a delicious dinner before your overnight in a cozy first-class log cabin with shower/toilet, kitchenette and fireplace. All the cabins even have their own traditional Finnish sauna.
Hotel & Igloo Village Kakslauttanen
Day 2 SAARISELKÄ – DOGSLED ADVENTURE (B, L, D)
Buffet breakfast is served in the beautiful log restaurant, located within walking distance from your accommodation. The Husky Farm is situated just across the road from the hotel and here some 250 eager huskies await your arrival to take you on an unforgettable and exhilarating journey through breathtaking scenery. Before the Husky safari, you will be provided with the necessary outer thermal suit, gloves and hat; then you well meet your very own team of six Husky dogs. You will be given a lesson on how to drive the sledge and how to observe all the important hand signals, as given by your leader. Each team consists of six dogs, you as the driver, and your passenger who is comfortably seated in the wooden sledge. The driver and the passenger can change places at any time during the safari. Overnight in your comfortable log cabin.
Hotel & Igloo Village Kakslauttanen
Day 3 SAARISELKÄ – REINDEER FARM (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up by car from the hotel and driven to the reindeer farm. Here all necessary equipment will be provided. This safari requires no skills and the reindeer will do all the work for you as you comfortably relax in your own sleigh. The excursion lasts for 4 hours and includes a hot lunch in a reindeer herdsman's hut. Enjoy the wonderful opportunity to learn about the Sami people, the indigenous population of Lapland, their traditions, culture and way of life. Overnight in the log cabin.
Hotel & Igloo Village Kakslauttanen
Day 4 SAARISELKÄ - SNOW MOBILE SAFARI - IGLOO NIGHT (B, L, D)
Buffet breakfast at the restaurant. Today our snowmobile safari takes you to the small ski village of Saariselkä, about 10 km away. Private transfer by car from the hotel to the safari office, where you will receive full equipment including thermal suit, boots, socks, gloves, balaclava and helmet. An all-important lesson follows. The safari trail begins with a drive up to the beautiful fell of Kaunispää, 436m above sea level, from where you will have the most stunning views over the surrounding area. The trail continues through the beautifully mystical forest.
During the 4-hour safari enjoy lunch cooked over an open fire by a wilderness hut. Two persons will share one snowmobile and take turns in driving. You may request one snow mobile for sole occupancy at a supplementary cost.
There is a real arctic experience in store for you tonight, as you have a rare opportunity to sleep in a Glass Igloo. The igloos have been built from a very special thermo glass and if you are lucky, you might marvel at the amazing Northern Lights and the millions of stars.
Optionally, you can choose to spend the night in an igloo made out of snow. Reindeer hides and woolen rugs along with down sleeping bags will keep you warm. The temperature inside the igloo varies between minus 3 and minus 6 degrees Centigrade, but the padded sleeping bags would keep you warm even at much lower temperatures. The log cabin is also available should you prefer not to stay the night in an igloo.
Hotel & Igloo Village Kakslauttanen
Day 5 DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast transfer to the Ivalo Airport. Your winter adventure in Lapland has come to an end.
Option: Christmas and New Years is a special time in Lapland, and the hotel is celebrating the festivities with special activities and programs. Please inquire about special Christmas and New Years programs.