Northern Lights of Scandinavia
10 Day Scandanavia Tour to Alta & Helsinki | Operated by InsightVacations
-
10 Days
-
2 Countries
Finland, Norway -
6 Cities
Helsinki, Ivalo, Honningsvag, Alta, Tromso, Oslo -
15 Meals
9 Breakfasts, 2 Dinner with Wines, 3 Dinners, 1 Lunch -
Pace: Active
Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.
Trip Itinerary
Welcome to Helsinki, with its excellent museums and pretty seaside buildings. This beautiful city is set to be your home for the night. Our stay begins at the grand GLO Hotel Art. Decorated in a distinctive Art Nouveau style, this charming four-star hotel is the ideal place to sit backand relax before your Scandinavian adventure begins. Meet your Travel Director for a drink and mingle with your fellow traveling companions.
Today you’ll take a flight to Ivalo, a small yet important center in Finnish Lapland, 250km above the Arctic Circle. The Gateway to the North, Ivalo is set on the Ivalo River, where the first Lapland Goldrush took place in the 19th century.
You’ll enjoy a Welcome Dinner at your boutique hotel, Aurora Village, famed for its cabins with a glass roof, offering sweeping views of the night sky. Look out for the dancing northern lights, as you gaze through the glass ceiling from the comfort of your room. Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Today you’ll be heading further North through the winter Lapland landscape. Cross the Finnish–Norwegian border as you make your way to Honningsvåg, the northernmost and smallest city in Norway. Your drive will take you along the mighty Porsangerfjord, the fourth largest fjord in Norway. You will take the subsea Nordkapp Tunnel to the island of Magerøya, to reach your hotel in this small fishing community. Explore the quaint city by taking a stroll along the waterfront before retiring to your hotel and enjoying a delicious dinner.
Enjoy a leisurely day to discover more of Honningsvåg. Take a walk to the 19th century church that survived the destruction of World War 2, a true rarity in Northern Norway. Perhaps take an Optional Experience to learn about king crabs and enjoy a fresh, sea-to-table lunch of this delicacy. Take your chance to visit the northernmost point of Europe, the famous North Cape and sip on bubbles and delight in exquisite caviar with your fellow travelers (weather permitting).
Today’s journey will take you along an ever changing landscape from barren lands through highlands to the shores of the Altafjord. It was in Alta where the world’s first northern lights observatory was built at the end of the 19th century. With increasing tourism the city is going through quick development offering a wide range of activities. Start your adventures with a visit to one of the first ice hotels in the world and enjoy a chilled beverage with your fellow travelers. Your comfortable hotel is located next to the modern and iconic Northern Lights Cathedral in the heart of the city.
You’ll enjoy a leisurely day in Alta to continue with your activities. Maybe you’ll choose to visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Alta Museum famous for its prehistoric rock carvings. Later, you’ll visit a working husky farm and get to know the Lyrek family and champion sled dogs. Learn about the Alaskan huskies and the challenges they face competing in the marathon long Arctic dog sled races. Indulge in a delectable oven-baked Highlight Lunch before meeting the dogs themselves.
Today you’ll head to Tromsø, northern Norway’s largest city, located on the island of Tromsøya. You’ll be surrounded by snowcapped mountains and ethereal water views. Just a short walk from your hotel, you’ll find a high concentration of old wooden houses and a great array of restaurants.
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you meet members of the Indigenous Sami community of Scandinavia. Delve into the history of Arctic Norway and join a Sami guide for an immersive journey through their camp, with an invitation to help feed their reindeer herd.
You are invited into a lavuu (a traditional Sami tent) to hear stories of Sami life and folk songs around the fire, after enjoying a traditional Sami meal with hot drinks.
In the morning, take a flight from Tromsø to Oslo, a modern city located on the shores of the Oslofjord. Surrounded by forested mountains, city dwellers and visitors alike have easy access to nature all year round. On your orientation see the Oslo Opera House and the new Deichmann Library in the contemporary Bjørvika district. Join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant to make a toast to newfound friends and a wonderful journey, over a Celebration Dinner with wine.
It’s time to say farewell to your fellow travelers. Your trip ends after breakfast.
Price Includes
Dining Summary- - 9 Breakfasts (B)
- - 2 Dinner with Wines (DW)
- - 3 Dinners (D)
- - 1 Lunch (L)
- Your delicious Welcome Dinner will be served at the boutique Aurora Village hotel.
- There is no better way to search for the Northern Lights than by toasting to your adventure with bubbles and caviar at North Cape, the most special place on earth.
- Head for drinks at a local ice bar, where you'll get the chance to catch up with your fellow travelers.
- Savor a delicious oven-baked lunch of local seasonal specialties of fresh salmon or the local's favorite, reindeer, served with fresh salads and wine.
- Dine on traditional food, served with hot drinks with the fascinating Sami people, as you hear tales of Scandinavia from its indigenous people.
- Scandinavian hospitality is matched with fine food and a glass of wine at your Celebration Dinner.
- During your orientation with your Travel Director hear about the past and present of this small fishing community.
- Enjoy an orientation of Alta, where the world’s first Northern Lights observatory was built at the end of the 19th century. With increasing tourism the city is going through quick development offering a wide range of activities.
- Enjoy your orientation of Tromsø, Northern Norway’s largest city located on the island of Tromsøya.
- On your orientation of Oslo city, see the Oslo Opera House and the new Deichmann Librabry in the contemporary Bjørvika district.
- Meet the Lyrek family and their huskies. Hear tales about their marathon Arctic dog sled races while enjoying a hearty lunch.
- Delve into the fascinating history of Scandinavia in Tromsø. Norway has recognized its Sami population as Indigenous and has special rules for the protection of Sami cultural heritage. A Sami family welcomes you into their reindeer camp to share their traditions, culture and history, and to enjoy an evening of dinner and games.The camp safeguards traditional practices that are significant to the Sami tribe. Visitors are educated about the sustainability and resiliency of their community. The Sami Camp advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.
Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Meet the Finnhorses (Available on Day 2)Join us for an up close and personal experience with the Finnhorses whose ancestors served the Finns in WW2, as well as a demonstration of how Salmon is prepared within a traditional Lapland Teepee. We'll learn about life in these extreme circumstances from a local expert, who will also give you valuable technical insights on getting the very best out of your photos of the Northern Lights.
Adult Price: €135 Aurora Snowmobile Safari (Available on Day 2)Venture into the remote wilderness of the North on an exciting snowmobile ride. Along the way learn some fascinating facts about the Arctic and about life in these extreme conditions.
Adult Price: €135 Arctic King Crab Safari And Lunch (Available on Day 4)Set out in the company of local fishermen to witness giant king crabs being hauled out of their pots. With our catch secured, continue to a remote fishing village to see the crabs being prepared and enjoy a feast of king crab for lunch.
With our Local Expert, we'll chase the Northern Lights from the top of a mountain high above Alta. We'll learn about this incredible phenomenon over a traditional hot chicken curry soup at his camp, located on the slate mountains. Then, we'll gear up into survival suits for the hunt!
Adult Price: €164 World Heritage Rock Art Center (Available on Day 6)Join us as we discover the life and culture of the people of Alta. Their ancient lives have been documented in rock art which is brought to life by the museum. With our guide, we'll learn how the rock art, slate industry and the local wildlife have shaped the lives of the people who settled here thousands of years ago.
Adult Price: €40 Wilderness Dog Sleigh Ride (Available on Day 6)Come and meet some outstanding athletes who love to run: Alaskan huskies. Their loving owners and handlers race them in the 1000-kilometer-long sleigh race – the Finnmark Race. Now it's your chance to join them in an exhilarating dogsled ride through forests and fields close by the Alta River.
Adult Price: €113 Arctic Aurora Dinner Cruise (Available on Day 7)All aboard! This incredible dinner cruise offers a unique opportunity to search for the Northern Lights from the water while enjoying a delicious selection of Arctic specialties from a local restaurant in Tromsø. Our state-of-the-art, purpose built, hybrid electric launch will cruise silently into the darkness of the Tromsø fjords while our hosts serve dinner with a modern twist inspired by traditional Northern Norwegian cuisine. While the captain keeps an eye out for the Northern Lights from the bridge, you will be free to relax and enjoy the onboard ambience. An evening to remember forever.
Adult Price: €184 Arctic Cathedral and Cable Car Experience (Available on Day 8)Visit the Arctic Cathedral of Tromsø, an architectural landmark of Northern Norway. Then, we'll enjoy soaring views of fjords as we ascend via cable car to the Storsteinen mountain range, 1,400 meters above sea level.
Adult Price: €55 Highlights of Oslo (Available on Day 9)Visit the fascinating Viking ship museum and let our Local Expert bring the era to life. Discover the world's best-preserved Viking ships, which made countless voyages across the seas before becoming the final resting places of their wealthy owners. Next, we'll leap forward in time to explore the fascinating Vigeland Sculpture Park, to admire the many surreal sculptures of human figures in all manner of poses. These two Oslo highlights are not to be missed!
Adult Price: €42