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Snow, Santa Claus and the fascinating culture of the Sámi people await on this arctic adventure in pursuit of the Northern Lights that dance across the dark winter skies of Finland and Sweden.
Snow, Santa Claus and the fascinating culture of the Sámi people await on this arctic adventure in pursuit of the Northern Lights that dance across the dark winter skies of Finland and Sweden.
The capital of the north and a hub for creativity and design, Helsinki kick-starts your hunt for the mystical Northern Lights. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. There's time to freshen up in the typical Finnish sauna or rooftop pool before joining your Local Specialist for a city sightseeing tour before your Welcome Reception to set the tone for your epic Scandinavian adventure.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Holiday Inn City Centre
A morning flight sees us travel north of the Arctic Circle to Ivalo before a short drive to the enchanting snowy escape of Saariselkä. Admire Finland’s forest-filled winterscape before our visit to a reindeer farm. Be sure to bundle up when we embrace the Sámi way of life and Dive Into Culture on an unforgettable experience - board a sleigh for a ride through the snowy forest to earn your international reindeer driving licence. Tonight, if the sky is clear, you will have your first opportunity to marvel at the 'dancing lights' of the Aurora Borealis after dinner at our hotel.
Delve into the centuries-old traditions and heritage of the Sámi people when you Dive Into Culture and visit the Siida Sámi Museum, located on the shores of Lake Inari. Explore the museum’s permanent collections reflecting the spirit and history of Sámi culture spanning centuries, as well as the evolution of the Sámi languages, Northern Lapland’s unique natural environment and how this community has survived and indeed thrived in the Arctic's extremes. This afternoon, you’ll want to join an Optional Experience you’ll never forget. Navigate the snowy forests and fells on a husky safari. Watch in wonder as these eager dogs race across the white landscape with you in tow. After an exhilarating encounter with your new furry friends, you’ll savour a warming drink around a fire and learn about this special canine breed.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 4
Off to Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi
Travel south to Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, where you'll celebrate the magic of Christmas and Dive Into Culture to share yuletide greetings with Santa at his post office. You could choose to send a letter to your loved ones and snap a selfie at the edge of the Arctic Circle which runs through this Santa Claus Village, before bidding farewell to Rudolph for the next leg of your adventure. Tonight’s Stays With Stories is like something out of a storybook and as you gaze upwards through your Aurora Cabin’s perfectly positioned glass roof in search of the Northern Lights, you’ll be grateful for your cosy home in the Arctic wilderness for the night.
Join us on a visit to the world-class Arktikum Museum to learn about life in the Arctic. Your Local Specialist will bring to life the unique problems and prospects of this far away frozen land. Then, we'll see the main sights of Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland.
Adult Price: €42.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 5
Venture to Luleå in Swedish Lapland
Bid farewell to Finland, bound for Sweden. Your first stop is in the church village of Gammelstad, UNESCO-listed for its 424 wooden houses built around an early 15th-century stone church, providing visitors with a view of what such a village would have looked like in northern Scandinavia several centuries ago. Continue to Luleå, the largest city in Swedish Lapland. You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to relax or visit the brick neo-Gothic Luleå Cathedral that dominates the city skyline.
This morning we venture north to Jokkmokk, a historic meeting place for trade and festivals alike. For over 400 years this important locality has been the home to an annual Winter Market and we can relish the region’s natural produce for lunch. Later, enjoy a guided tour through the Ájtte museum learning the story of life and survival in the demanding northern climate. Tonight, we Connect With Locals over a truly unique Be My Guest experience in Kiruna when we join a Sámi reindeer herder family for a traditional meal in their Sámi lavvu.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 7
Kiruna Your Way
Today, you’ll learn how Kiruna is a town on the move. In just a few years, this Swedish Lapland mining centre, including its heritage buildings, will be relocated just a few miles away due to the unstable land on which it currently sits as a result of the iron mining beneath its surface. Spend the day exploring Kiruna at your own pace or take the option to delve into this unusual feat of engineering and embark on an underground mine tour. This afternoon, stay above ground and visit the Icehotel – an Optional Experience which includes a drink at the ice bar and an ice sculpting experience. Tonight is your last chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, made even more special by the fact that in just a few years the vantage point of this hotel will be moved along with the entire town of Kiruna.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Aurora Dinner
Join us in the snowy wilderness at Aurora camp to search for the haunting Northern Lights. Away from the city lights, we’ll have a good chance to witness Nature's majesty dancing across the sky. A delicious two-course dinner will keep us warm while we gaze heavenwards. Warm clothing is included.
Adult Price: €95.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Kiruna - City on the Move, with Swedish Fika
Join us as we explore Sweden's most northerly town. Built more than 100 years ago to serve a massive iron mine, Kiruna is currently being undermined by that very mine. We’ll see historic buildings and discover how they’ll soon be moving the entire city to a new location - bit by bit - in the next few years. Finally, we’ll end with that most Swedish of refreshments - Fika - typical coffee and cake in a local café
Adult Price: €48.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Iconic Ice Hotel and Ice Bar
Visit the world's first and largest Ice Hotel. Often copied but never surpassed, we’ll take a tour around this amazing architect-designed hotel, seeing first-hand the rooms where guests spend cosy nights on ice beds, sculpted from nearby river ice. Then, we’ll enjoy time in the hotel’s Ice Bar, have a drink served in ice glasses, and admire the ice sculptures.
Adult Price: €73.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 8
Enjoy Stunning Stockholm
Leave the Arctic behind and fly to Stockholm, Sweden’s sophisticated capital. Join your Local Specialist for a city sightseeing tour exploring 'beauty on water' as the locals refer to their beloved capital. Visit the City Hall, where Nobel prize banquets are held and embark on an Optional Experience to the Vasa Museum to view the world’s best-preserved 17th-century warship. Tonight, your journey across Lapland in search of the mystical Northern Lights comes to an end with a memorable Farewell Dinner with new friends.
Enjoy the beauty of Lake Malaren with your Local Specialist, as we sail from the gardens of Drottningholm Palace, located on a UNESCO World Heritage site, in an antique steamboat through the archipelago, past country cottages and elegant homes. You’ll also visit the royal warship 'Vasa', an ornate 17th-century galleon which sank just minutes after sailing, now reclaimed from the Baltic.
Adult Price: €58.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Vasa and the Old Town
Today we’ll visit Vasa, the 17th century Galleon recovered from the sea bed after more than 300 years and now displayed in an award-winning museum. We'll also enjoy a walking tour through Gamla Stan (the Old Town) with our Local Specialist, who’ll reveal the heart of Stockholm with its cobbled streets and fascinating shops.
Adult Price: €47.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 9
Farewell Stockholm
As our journey to see the Northern Lights comes to an end, bid a fond farewell to Scandinavia and newfound friends. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 4
Arktikum and Rovaniemi Explorer
Join us on a visit to the world-class Arktikum Museum to learn about life in the Arctic. Your Local Specialist will bring to life the unique problems and prospects of this far away frozen land. Then, we'll see the main sights of Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland.
Adult Price: €42.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
Aurora Dinner
Join us in the snowy wilderness at Aurora camp to search for the haunting Northern Lights. Away from the city lights, we’ll have a good chance to witness Nature's majesty dancing across the sky. A delicious two-course dinner will keep us warm while we gaze heavenwards. Warm clothing is included.
Adult Price: €95.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
Kiruna - City on the Move, with Swedish Fika
Join us as we explore Sweden's most northerly town. Built more than 100 years ago to serve a massive iron mine, Kiruna is currently being undermined by that very mine. We’ll see historic buildings and discover how they’ll soon be moving the entire city to a new location - bit by bit - in the next few years. Finally, we’ll end with that most Swedish of refreshments - Fika - typical coffee and cake in a local café
Adult Price: €48.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
Iconic Ice Hotel and Ice Bar
Visit the world's first and largest Ice Hotel. Often copied but never surpassed, we’ll take a tour around this amazing architect-designed hotel, seeing first-hand the rooms where guests spend cosy nights on ice beds, sculpted from nearby river ice. Then, we’ll enjoy time in the hotel’s Ice Bar, have a drink served in ice glasses, and admire the ice sculptures.
Adult Price: €73.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 8
Stockholm Discovery Cruise
Enjoy the beauty of Lake Malaren with your Local Specialist, as we sail from the gardens of Drottningholm Palace, located on a UNESCO World Heritage site, in an antique steamboat through the archipelago, past country cottages and elegant homes. You’ll also visit the royal warship 'Vasa', an ornate 17th-century galleon which sank just minutes after sailing, now reclaimed from the Baltic.
Adult Price: €58.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 8
Vasa and the Old Town
Today we’ll visit Vasa, the 17th century Galleon recovered from the sea bed after more than 300 years and now displayed in an award-winning museum. We'll also enjoy a walking tour through Gamla Stan (the Old Town) with our Local Specialist, who’ll reveal the heart of Stockholm with its cobbled streets and fascinating shops.
Adult Price: €47.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Notepad Icon You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel
About this trip
About this trip
What's included
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon
8 nights
Accommodation
Trip Summary Meals Icon
13 Meals
1 Be My Guest, 1 Farewell Dinner, 1 Welcome Reception, 2 Dinners, 8 Breakfasts
Trip Summary Transport Icon
On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Connect With Locals
Join a Sami reindeer herder family in their homestead for a traditional meal in their lavvu (tepee) with insights into the way of life of a reindeer herder, their traditions and history.
Stays with Stories
Gaze up at the Arctic sky keeping a keen eye out for the Northern Lights as you settle in for your overnight’s stay in the cosy comfort of your Apukka Resort Aurora Cabin.
Dive into Culture
Visit Rovaniemi, the hometown of Santa Claus, and meet its famous resident.
Dive into Culture
Ride an authentic Sámi reindeer-drawn sleigh, the traditional means of transport in snowy northern Finland.
Dive Into Culture
Learn about the Sámi peoples' traditions, culture and history at the Siida Sámi Museum in northern Finland.
Sightseeing highlights
Experience Ti Filled Icon
Explore Helsinki, Gammelstad and Stockholm with a Local Specialist
Experience Ti Filled Icon
Visit Saariselkä, Siida Sámi Museum, Rovaniemi, Luleå, Jokkmokk, Ájtte Museum, Kiruna and Stockholm City Hall
Experience Ti Filled Icon
View the Northern Lights (weather permitting)
Experience Ti Filled Icon
See the Sibelius Monument, the Olympic Stadium, the Opera House and Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Riddarholmen Church and the Royal Palace in Stockholm
Festive Meals: The 18 December departure will celebrate Christmas in Stockholm, the 26 December departure will toast New Year's Eve in Kiruna. We have arranged festive meals for these departures that may replace one of the included meals featured in the itinerary.
Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink in all of the destinations on this trip. Please remember to bring a water bottle.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them.
What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.
