Itinerary
- Day 1
Helsinki to Rovaniemi
You'll leave Helsinki Railway Station at 19:30 for an overnight bus journey heading north. The bus stops every 4 to 5 hours at gas stations where you can use restrooms, grab snacks, or just stretch your legs and get some movement in.
Landmarks/POIs Helsinki Railway Station - Day 2
Santa Claus Village - Kilpisjarvi
After arriving in Rovaniemi, you'll start early at 07:30 from the railway station with breakfast included. Then you'll stop at a grocery shop for about an hour before heading to Santa Claus Village. There you'll meet Santa and the elves, see reindeer, cross the Arctic Circle, and send postcards from Santa's post office. By 19:00 you'll reach Kilpisjarvi for your briefing and overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in Rovaniemi)
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Rovaniemi
- Santa Claus Village visit - cross the Arctic Circle and meet Santa Claus, elves, and reindeer; visit Santa's post office
Landmarks/POIs Rovaniemi Railway Station Santa Claus Village Arctic Circle - Day 3
Kilpisjarvi
This morning you can join an optional snowmobile safari across Kilpisjarvi lake to the three-border stone in Kuoltavuoma where Sweden, Norway, and Finland meet. Later in the evening, gather with your group for a traditional Finnish dinner (vegan and vegetarian options available) that's included with your tour.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Finnish dinner in Kilpisjarvi with vegan and vegetarian options)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner in Kilpisjarvi - traditional Finnish dinner with vegan and vegetarian options
Optional Activities
- Snowmobile safari to the three borders - three-hour excursion through Kilpisjarvi lake to the border stone of Sweden, Norway, and Finland in Kuoltavuoma
Landmarks/POIs Kilpisjarvi Lake Kuoltavuoma Three-Border Stone - Day 4
Kilpisjarvi
You'll start with an included husky safari in the morning where you'll meet Alaskan huskies, get instruction, and take a 10 to 20 minute sleigh ride trading off between driver and passenger. That evening, head out on an included snowshoe hike through the snowy landscape to see areas you couldn't reach on foot or by ski.
Included Activities
- Husky safari - visit husky farm, meet guides, pet and photograph huskies, 10-20 minute husky sleigh ride with alternating driver and passenger roles
- Night snowshoe hike - ancient snow travel experience through winter wonderland
- Day 5
Tromso - Bjorkliden
Check out at 08:30 and head for Sweden through the town of Tromsø. You'll get an included bus tour through the fjord area with photo stops if weather allows. The included sauna and ice-cold water dipping are available, or you can have free time in Tromsø instead. Departure to Björkliden is at 15:00, arriving between 20:00 and 21:00.
Included Activities
- Trip to Tromsø - bus tour through picturesque town and beautiful fjord area with photo stops
- Sauna and swimming
Landmarks/POIs Tromsø - Day 6
Abisko National Park
Morning brings an included session on Arctic survival skills where you'll learn to make fire without matches and build shelter in snow. After that, you'll hike through snowy Abisko National Park with a guide showing you the Abisjokka river canyon, Sami artwork, and other sites. The brave can take an ice dip in the frozen lake. Lunch at the visitor centre is included before you return to Björkliden.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Abisko visitor centre)
Included Activities
- Arctic skills - learn survival techniques including fire-making without matches and shelter building
- Hike in Abisko National Park - guided tour of Abisjokka river canyon, Sami artwork, and scenic points; optional ice-cold lake dip
- Lunch in Abisko visitor centre
Landmarks/POIs Abisko National Park Abisjokka River Canyon Torneträsk Lake Abisko Visitor Centre - Day 7
Rensjon
If interested, try cross-country skiing this morning as an optional activity. At 13:30 you'll depart for Rensjon to meet the Sami people and their reindeer. You'll learn about traditional Sami life and reindeer herding, feed the reindeer, and take photos. From there it's back to Björkliden by 17:00.
Included Activities
- Meet the Sámi and their reindeer - learn about traditional Sami way of life and reindeer herding; feed reindeer and take photos
Optional Activities
- Cross-country skiing - experience one of the oldest winter sports and national sport of the Nordics
Landmarks/POIs Rensjon - Day 8
Kiruna - Jukkasjarvi Ice Hotel - Rovaniemi
Check out and clean your cottage at 08:00, then head to Kiruna and the famous ice hotel. You can visit the included Jukkasjarvi Ice Hotel or take free time in Kiruna instead. At 14:00 you'll stop in Kiruna's new city centre to pick up snacks for the journey. The return bus departs at 15:30 for an overnight trip south, arriving in Rovaniemi by 20:15.
Included Activities
- Jukkasjarvi Ice Hotel visit - world's first, most famous and largest ice hotel
Landmarks/POIs Jukkasjarvi Ice Hotel Kiruna - Day 9
Rovaniemi to Helsinki
Your overnight bus journey ends with arrival in Helsinki around 09:00. That's the end of your tour.
Landmarks/POIs Helsinki
