Winter Lapland: Ultimate Arctic Adventure
7 days / 6 nights, Saariselkä - Kakslauttanen - King Crab Safari - Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village - Kemi - Sampo Icebreaker | This unique escorted journey to Lapland is a blend of first class travel and fascinating and invigorating winter activities. Witness the incredible King Crabs in Kirkenes and taste this giant delicacy of the Barents Sea. The King Crab Safari was voted as one of the 25 best new adventure trips by National Geographic in 2008. Stay in Saariselkä with it's dazzling wintery landscape at the Kakslauttanen Igloo village, where you experience a night in extraordinary Glass Igloos. Weather permitting and on clear skies, you will see the spectacular Northern Lights from your bed. Visit Santa Claus Village, home of Santa in Rovaniemi. The highlight of your winter adventure is the 'Sampo' Ice-breaker safari where the brave have a chance to swim in the fresh Arctic waters of Kemi.
Highlights: King Crab Safari / Glass Igloo night / Rovaniemi / Santa Claus Village / Sampo Icebreaker cruise / Ice swimming
Northern Lapland - show on Google Maps ™
| Departure | Escorted tour with guaranteed departures: January 17th February 7th March 14th & 28th, 2010 |
| Price | $2,395 per person in double room $490 single room $2,135 3rd adult in extra bed sharing a double/twin room $1,845 child* ((3-15 years years) when sharing room with parents * Due to the nature of the tours and the destination, we are unfortunately not able to accept children younger than 3 years old on this tour. |
| Included | 5 nights First Class / Superior First Class hotels in standard double/twin rooms with private facilities 1 night in a Glass Igloo at the Kakslauttanen Igloo Village Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily 3 x Lunch 1 x Dinner as per program King Crab Safari including warm clothing Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village Sampo Icebreaker Cruise, including ice swimming Multilingual tour escort throughout All tours and transportation by first class motor coach as per program Excursions and entrances as per program Porter service at hotels Tax and service fees |
| Not Included | International Airfare Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | This is an escorted tour! Maximum 2 children per room, sharing with parents. In order for children to share room with parents in Kakslauttanen, a Log Cabin will be confirmed or a separate Glass Igloo. Due to the nature of the tour and the destination, we are unfortunately not able to accept children younger than 3 years old. Due to the size of the Glass Igloos at the Kakslauttanen Igloo there are no private facilities in the Igloo, however it is fitted with private separate toilet. Also the size restricts the amount of luggage so all guests must leave their main luggage at the main building a short walk away, however they are encouraged to bring an overnight bag with them to their Igloos. There are shower facilities and saunas next to the Igloo village, which are available for guests every morning. We reserve the right to amend the itinerary and/or included entrances without notice due to extreme weather conditions. The weather conditions in the Norwegian and Finnish Lapland can vary and road closures are sometimes enforced by local authorities, which is out of the control of Five Stars of Scandinavia and its handling suppliers/partners. |
| Tour Options | Pre-booked only) Snowmobile safari to the Fells, 2 hours, $135 per person Cross-country Skiing, 2 hours, $78 Snowmobile Safari Rovaniemi, 2 hours, $155 Snowmobile Safari to Husky Farm, 3 hours, $190 Search for Northern Lights, 3 hours, $175 |
Day 1 ARRIVAL IVALO - SAARISELKÄ Sunday Arrival in Ivalo, in Finnish Lapland. Meet & greet before your private transfer to Saariselkä, a small village surrounded by untouched wilderness. Check-in to your hotel, and the rest of your day is at leisure. Please consult the Destination Management information bulletin at your hotel for information about the upcoming tour program & activities.
Day 2 SAARISELKÄ - KIRKENES - SAARISELKÄ (B, L) Monday - King Crab Safari Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure by private coach for a full day journey through the fascinating white countryside of Lapland to Kirkenes. Travel a short distance out of Kirkenes to Jarfjord, with a quick stop on the Russian border on the way. From Jarfjord we travel either by boat or snow mobile, depending on ice conditions, in search of the King Crabs. The King Crab Safari was voted as one of the 25 best new adventure trips by National Geographic in 2008 and rated the best experience in the World at the FITUR travel workshop 2009. You will have the opportunity to watch a diver catch the giant crab, giving you the chance to experience this giant of the sea, up close. Get to taste (King Crab lunch) this local delicacy while watching a unique multimedia lecture on this incredible creature. After the gourmet experience a leisurely coach journey back to Saariselkä. The day's safari ends back at your hotel, with early evening arrival. The evening is at leisure. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 3 SAARISELKÄ - KAKSLAUTTANEN IGLOO VILLAGE (B, D) Tuesday Breakfast at the hotel. This morning is at leisure, so why not take part in one of the optional tours available to you in Saariselkä (see end of program for details). In the afternoon transfer to the nearby Igloo Village in Kakslauttanen for check-in to your private Glass Igloos. Enjoy the warmth of your Glass igloo and weather permitting and on clear nights, watch amazing Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and the millions of stars from your bed. There is also an opportunity to choose to stay in a Snow Igloo, sleeping in a thermal sleeping bag in approximately – 5 degrees Celsius. Dinner and overnight at Kakslauttanen Igloo Village. Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4 KAKSLAUTTANEN - ROVANIEMI (B, L, D) Wednesday Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Kakslauttanen by private coach and travel south towards Rovaniemi with a memorable stop on the way. A few kilometers outside of Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus, we will visit the Santa Claus Village, enjoy lunch at the Aurora Café/Restaurant, and free time to experience this unique attraction including the possibility of having a quick visit with Santa Claus himself. After some free time you board your coach and continue to Rovaniemi for early evening arrival and check-in. Overnight at the Clarion Hotel Santa Claus for the next three magical nights. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Clarion Hotel Santa Claus ****
Day 5 ROVANIEMI (B, L, D) Thursday Breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy this full day at leisure allowing you time to participate in one of the many optional Snowmobile safaris (see end of program for details), such as learning the fun of snowmobiling along frozen rivers and through snow-covered forests or visiting a husky dog farm. You may also like to experience a snowmobile safari by night in search of the Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis. Meals: Breakfast
Clarion Hotel Santa Claus ****
Day 6 ROVANIEMI - KEMI - ICEBREAKER CRUISE - ROVANIEMI (B, L, D) Friday Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure in your by private coach travelling South to Kemi, one of the highlights of this winter adventure. Board the Sampo Icebreaker at Kemi Harbor for a 4-hour cruise on the icebreaker vessel breaking though the ice in the northern Gulf of Bothnia. Enjoy a guided tour of the ship with its massive engine room and bridge and a warm lunch onboard. In the midst of Europe's largest ice field the brave can jump into jump the icy sea and float, fitted with a warm survival suit. Those who dare will also be presented with a certificate by the ship's Captain. Return transfer to Rovaniemi with early evening arrival at your hotel. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Clarion Hotel Santa Claus ****
Day 7 ROVANIEMI DEPARTURE (B) Saturday Breakfast at your hotel. Your day is at leisure until your transfer to the airport in for your departure flight. Meals: Breakfast