Make the most of the cold season and take a trip to Lapland in winter – this is Northern Scandinavia blanketed in white! Over eight days, you’ll travel through Finland, Sweden and Norway to see a hotel carved from ice, bake bread the traditional Swedish way, visit the UNESCO-listed church town of Gammelstad and search for the Northern Lights. Take a tour at night with a local expert in Abysko National Park and give yourself the best opportunity to see the sky light up, then meet the local Sami people and soak up their history, way of life and resident reindeer. Wander around beautiful cities and small towns, like Rovaniemi (Santa's official hometown), Lulea, Narvik and Tromso – all with a local leader by your side to give you all the insights.
- Day 1 - Rovaniemi
Tervetuloa! Welcome to Finland. Your adventure begins in Rovaniemi, the gate to Finnish Lapland, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. This city is an urban oasis in the Arctic wilderness, full of culture and scenic hiking opportunities. If you arrive early, maybe explore the city at your own pace, visit Santa’s workshop, or go hiking among the rapids and aapa mires. After the meeting tonight, consider heading out with your leader and fellow travellers for an optional welcome dinner.
Special information: It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
While entrance to Santa Village is free, to take part in activities inside, you may be required to purchase tickets.
If you have time to explore Lapland further, consider joining this trip with Finnish Lapland in Winter (trip code BMXF), which ends in Rovaniemi where this trip begins!
- Day 2 - Rovaniemi
Head out on a leader-led orientation walk of Rovaniemi this morning. Almost totally destroyed during World War II, this modern city is known for being the ‘official’ hometown of Santa Claus, as well as a popular spot to see the Northern Lights. After your walk, you’ll take the bus to the Arctic Snowhotel – carved differently every year and with a temperature of 0 to -5 °C, the walls and furniture inside are all completely made from snow and ice! Explore the rooms, adorned with snow art and light installations and maybe stop at the ice bar for a drink. After, return to Rovaniemi and maybe visit Arktikum – a museum and science centre that explores the Arctic region and the history of Finnish Lapland. You might like to spend the afternoon on the Ounasvaara walking trail – here, you can wander through the forest, past a ski area to a wooden observation tower for views over the white expanse.
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Arctic Snow hotel opening date differs every year. It typically opens around mid-December, therefore, some departures may experience Ice Sculpture activity withing the Arctic Snow hotel resort, instead of visiting the actual hotel.
- Day 3 - Lulea
Drive to Lulea – a coastal city in Swedish Lapland known for its cluster of well-preserved wooden houses and the stone Nederlulea Church, built in the 1400s. When you arrive, head to UNESCO World Heritage site of Gammelstad Church Town. Learn about the history of the world’s largest and best-preserved church as it glows in lantern light, guided by a local expert, and visit a traditional church cottage. Afterwards, learn about the Swedish baking traditions of kladda bread, try the techniques out for yourself and hear about Swedish folklore beliefs (it's said that the number of folds on your bread will reveal how many suitors you’ll have!).
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
Gammlestad Lantern Guided Walk is available from December to February and regular walk is provided in other months.
The following departures will experience traditional bread-baking workshop on Day 5 at Sami Nutti Camp: BMSL260103, BMSL260228, BMSL261205, BMSL261212.
- Day 4 - Abisko National Park
Travel like the locals this morning and hop on a public bus (or train, depending on availability) from Lulea to Abisko National Park located in the heart of Swedish Lapland and known for it's majestic beauty and year around activities. Following a short rest, put on your warmest clothing and head into the night to Abisko National Park, a remarkably scenic location where a local guide will accompany you in search of the Northern Lights. If you’re lucky, you might see the natural displays of colours – green, red and purple – light up the sky. Did you know that the Vikings believed the Northern Lights were Valkyries taking fallen soldiers to Valhalla?
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Your accommodation for the next 2 nights is in cabins on multi-shared basis (4 persons per cabin). All cabins have electricity, running water, a kitchen for self-catering and bathroom facilities that are shared between the rooms in each cabin. Bedding in the cabins is a mix of separate beds and bunk beds; final allocation depends on availability and group configuration. Linen and towels are provided.
Warm overalls and heavy duty arctic boots are available to rent for an extra charge for the Norther Light Hunting tour beforehand, please ask your tour leader for more details.
- Day 5 - Abisko National Park
Today, you’ll head out on a daytrip to the Sami Village. When you arrive in their homeland, you’ll meet with some of the locals and learn about traditional Sami culture, traditional knowledge and their relationship with nature. Meet with a local reindeer herder and hear stories about how reindeer are integral to their livelihoods. You’ll then sit down to enjoy a traditional lunch with the locals. After, head back to Abisko for the night, where you’re free to find a good dinner spot or rug up and sit outside, in search of a sky lit up by colour.
- Day 6 - Tromso
Today will be a bit of a long travel day as you head to Tromso. You’ll first take the train to Narvik, where you’ll have some time to stretch your legs and find some lunch. Narvik is an ice-free port, originally built to ship iron ore from the mines in Kiruna – Nazi Germany tried to gain control of this vital supply during World War II and the Allies tried to stop them. If you like, you can visit the war museum here and learn more about the town’s history. Later, take the bus to Tromso, a vibrant city in the Arctic nestled among beautiful mountains, fjords and islands.
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
- Day 7 - Tromso
This morning after breakfast, head out on an orientation walk through Tromso’s colourful houses, backdropped by snowy peaks. With your leader, you’ll explore some of the sights of this gorgeous city, then you’re free to choose your own adventure. Maybe go on a show-shoeing mission to help the local Arctic owls, join whale watching or just soak in the sauna! In the afternoon, regroup with your fellow travellers and head over to MACK Brewery for a guided visit. This is the most northernmost brewery in the world and was founded back in 1877. After the tour, enjoy a final evening in Tromso.
- Day 8 - Tromso
With no further activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in Tromso and increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time and organise additional accommodation.
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