TOUR Itinerary
On arrival at Helsinki International Airport, you will be greeted by our local representative in Finland for a brief meet and greet. Later, proceed to your city centre hotel in Helsinki for check-in.
The World Design Capital for 2012 and venue for 1952 Summer Olympics, Helsinki, capital of Finland, was named as the World’s most liveable city in 2011 by British Magazine Monocle. The largest city of Finland, Helsinki Archipelago consists of over 300 enthralling islands. Helsinki has been known to attract tourists from all over the World due to its sea facing landscape, Nordic cuisine, diverse architecture and rich history.
Rest of the day is free for you to explore Helsinki on your own.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Helsinki.
After breakfast in hotel, proceed for a Helsinki City tour:-We will begin the tour by visiting Temppeliaukio Church. Also known as the Rock Church, it is built directly into a solid rock and was opened in 1969. Because of the excellent acoustics inside the church, it is also a popular venue for music concerts in Helsinki. Next on the list we have Sibelius Monument. Dedicated to the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, it consists of over 600 steel pipes which are grouped together to resemble a soundwave made of clusters of organ pipes. Afterwards, we shall proceed to witness the largest Orthodox Church in Northern and Western Europe that is Uspenski Cathedral. The church is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, also known as, Uspenie and is the most visible landmark of Russia’s influence on Helsinki. After this, you will proceed to Kamppi Chapel of Silence. Winner of the International Architecture Award 2010 by Chicago Athenaeum, this Chapel’s carved wooden façade and gently shaped interiors provide peace in the busiest region of the city.
In the evening, proceed to the airport to catch a flight to Rovaniemi – the official home town of Santa Claus!
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel followed by check-in.
Rovaniemi is the administrative capital of the Finland’s Northern most province – Lapland. It is also known as the official home town of the Santa Claus. The city was completely destroyed during the World War II. But it was rebuilt to a plan by Alvar Aalto, with the major streets in the shape of a reindeer’s head and antlers! Apart from the stunning Santa Claus village, the city boasts of witnessing the magical northern lights and riverside location.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Rovaniemi.
After breakfast in the hotel, we will proceed for the city tour of Rovaniemi followed by a visit to Santa Claus Village and Lapland tour.
We will begin the tour with a visit to administration and cultural center of Rovaniemi which consists of Library, Town hall and Lappia Hall. These building are an architecture
lover’s dream and say a lot about modern Finnish architecture. Then we will proceed to Arktikum museum which has exhibits on Lapland’s nature and culture.
Later, we shall travel through the Lapland to cross the Arctic Circle and enter the Santa Claus village. This place has an exciting array of activities for both children and adults. You can enjoy a warm cup of coffee or get yourself clicked with the Santa. You can visit the museums, Santa’s workshop, post a letter to yourself or just immerse in the knowledge of various Christmas traditions around the World!
Overnight stay at the hotel in Rovaniemi.
SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Head over to Kemi near Rovaniemi for a cruise in a real life icebreaker that has been continuously sailing since the 1960s. By breaking the ice, the the Sampo Icebreaker used to ensure that trade routes through the sea did not choke during winters. As the ship sets sail and breaks new ice, you can take a tour of the vintage cruise or relax in its lovely coffee shop. Also included in the tour is a visit to the snow castle in Kemi. This castle made of snow and ice melts in summer and is therefore rebuilt every year by expert craftsmen. It looks like something straight out of a fairytale and is beautifully decorated with ice sculptures.
After breakfast in the hotel, we will proceed to the Ice hotel in Kiruna. This ice hotel was the World’s first Ice hotel initially built in 1989. It is built from scratch each year with snow from Torne River. It has ever changing ice art on display with each room displaying art of some of the most talented artists from the World.
After the tour of Ice hotel, we will transferred to Abisko.
Abisko is known as one of the World’s best place to witness Northern lights. Located at north of Arctic Circle, it is a small village in Sweden with such a scanty population that the light pollution is almost nil. Apart from Aurora lights, the village is famous among tourists for its connectivity to great national parks such as Abisko National Park which was the first national park to be established by Sweden in 1909. Another highlight of the region is the Abisko Scientific Research Station which attracts scientists studying climate change from all over the world.
Upon reaching Abisko, check-in at your hotel.
In the evening, board a chairlift car to Aurora sky station. In 2015, Lonely Planet awarded this place as the best place on earth to witness the northern lights. The station is situated on Mt. Njulla. The chairlift takes approx. 30 minutes, in which you can soak in stars visible abundantly and the Northern lights show even before reaching the station!
Overnight stay at the hotel in Abisko.
After breakfast in the hotel, you will have the day at leisure in Abisko.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Abisko.
SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Abisko National Park was established in 1909 to protect the area home to wild Reindeers, Moose, Arctic fox and some of the oldest trees in the world. You can opt for a guided hike in the snow laden National park and soak in all the natural beauty of the place. A popular trail leads through birch forests to the Abisko River canyon, wanders through Abisko River Delta and takes you to the shore of Scandinavia’s largest lake – Lake Tornetrask. Adventure lovers can opt for a snowmobile tour which allows you to speedily cover larger distances of the national park to catch sight of the artic flora and fauna.
After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to Tromso.
Tromso, which seems like a small suburb with mountains and fjords, is the largest urban area in Northern Norway and the cultural hub of the region. It is home of the world’s northernmost university, brewery, cathedral and botanical garden. The sun does not shine at all between November to January and there is midnight sun in summers. This quaint town has so much to offer – from midnight or northern light concerts to cable car ride to Mount Storsteinen, from hiking on numerous trails to experiencing whale watching, from bustling nightlife to art exhibitions, Tromso has it all!
Upon reaching Tromso, proceed for the hotel check-in.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Tromso.
SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Head to the Polaria aquarium, one of the two places in Europe where you can find the bearded seal! It is world’s northernmost aquarium. The architecture of the building resembles ice floes pressed up against land by rough Arctic seas. This place is full of interactive and informational exhibits which will empower you with the knowledge of how animals and plants sustain in Arctic life. The highlight of this aquarium are the Arctic walkway and Theatre.
After breakfast in the hotel, proceed for a tour of Sami culture including reindeer feeding and a short reindeer ride.
Sami is a collective term used for people living in Scandinavia and Russia north of the Arctic Circle. These Nomadic tribes have their own unique culture and their primary occupation is Reindeer herding. On the tour, you shall learn more about the life and culture of Sami people apart from petting and feeding playful Reindeers. You will also go for a short ride on sleigh pulled by reindeers.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Tromso.
SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Embark on a silent whale watching cruise in Tromso. The fjords around the city are rich in marine life and hence attract Humpback and Orca whales. Set sail on a hybrid electric boat which provide minimum disturbance to the nature and observe these giants in their natural, wild and free environment.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed to catch a flight to Oslo.
Oslo, where the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded since 1901, is the capital of Norway. The city is also a hub of Norwegian trade, banking, industry and shipping. The city is home to the world’s largest shipping companies, shipbrokers and maritime insurance brokers. One of the largest and most rapidly developing cities, Oslo has maintained its forests striking a perfect balance between nature and development. It was officially The European Green Capital of 2019. There is never a dull moment when visiting Oslo.
Upon reaching Oslo, check-in at your hotel. Later, proceed for a sight-seeing tour of the city:
We will begin the tour with a visit to the Viking ship museum which contains the world’s best preserved Viking ships. These beautiful vessels were extracted from Viking grave sites where they were buried along with their rich owners. The next stop will be the Oslo City Hall. Every year in December, The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in the City Hall to the deserving candidate since 1901. After the tour of city hall, we will proceed to the Opera house. Immerse in the views of the city from the rooftop where you can see fjord archipelago, city core and mountains surrounding Oslo. Later proceed to Vigeland Park which is the World’s largest sculpture park by a single artist and is a must visit! This park consists of approx. 212 stunning statues made by artist Gustav Vigeland.
Overnight stay in Oslo.
SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Holmenkollbakken is a large ski jumping hill which was built in 2010 for FIC Nordic World Ski Championship, 2011. Its iconic shape invites the adrenaline junkies from all over the world. Head over to Holmenkollen to enjoy a ride down this insane hill on a ski jump simulator, and learn more about the sport at Holmenkollen Ski museum
After breakfast in the hotel, proceed to airport for a flight back home.
Arrive home with pleasant memories of your Northern lights tour in Scandinavia organised by State Express Global Voyages, which we are sure you will treasure for a lifetime
