HELSINKI, LAPLAND & KIRKENES ARCTIC EXPEDITION

Welcome to the striking capital of Finland! Upon touching down at the Helsinki airport, a comfortable coach will be waiting to collect you. Your cultural immersion begins straight away with a 3-hour guided exploration of Helsinki's prime highlights, accompanied by an English-speaking local expert. The city provides a truly distinctive blend of eccentric urban life and tranquil natural surroundings, granting you the silence and space necessary to deeply connect with your environment. This introductory tour features an awe-inspiring visit to the famous subterranean Rock Church. Following your sightseeing, you will be transported to your accommodation—such as the Sokos Hotel Presidentti or a comparable property—where a welcoming dinner and your first night's rest await.

Relish a hearty morning meal at your hotel to begin the day. Today is entirely dedicated to your personal leisure, allowing you to roam Helsinki's streets independently, or you may elect to join an optional day-long adventure across the gulf to Tallinn. If you choose the Estonian excursion, a transfer will take you from your hotel to the harbor to board a Tallink passenger ferry. Upon docking in Tallinn, a private vehicle and an English-speaking guide will be at your service for three hours to unveil the city's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, an area universally recognized as a priceless, living historical treasure that remains vibrantly active. Concluding the Tallinn tour, you will head back to the harbor, savor a buffet lunch on the return ferry, and settle back into your Helsinki hotel for the night.

After your breakfast, you will be driven to the Helsinki airport to catch your northbound flight. Once you arrive in Ivalo, a transfer vehicle will take you across the border into Norway, delivering you to a Snow resort in Kirkenes for a world-class King Crab safari. Under the guidance of a seasoned fisherman, you will be fully outfitted in winter survival gear, including an overall suit, boots, mittens, a balaclava, and a safety helmet. The Red king crab stands as the largest and most flavorful shellfish you could possibly taste, and this experience allows you to actively participate in the catch. A freshly prepared king crab feast, served alongside bread or rice, is the culinary reward of this Arctic outing. You will then proceed to check in at the Thon Kirkenes hotel, or an equivalent establishment, for the night.

Enjoy your morning meal before traveling back into Finland to the renowned Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort West Village. Your visit includes entry to the Kakslauttanen Planetarium, celebrated as Northern Europe's largest privately-owned planetarium with a massive 18-meter-diameter dome. Here, you will be captivated by a 30-minute visual journey showcasing the Northern Lights, filmed regionally to perfectly encapsulate the sheer beauty of the Aurora Borealis. The day's thrill continues with a 2-hour guided snowmobile safari through the frozen forests, complete with protective thermal wear and a warming hot beverage break. As the day concludes, you will be served a required 3-course dinner before retiring to an enchanting Small Glass Igloo, offering a mesmerizing view of the night sky from your bed.

Have breakfast at the resort before hitting the road toward Rovaniemi, the vibrant capital of Lapland. Today’s agenda is packed with traditional Arctic transport, featuring both a reindeer and a husky experience. The adventure begins with a serene 400-meter glide on a reindeer-drawn sleigh, allowing you to comfortably take in the snowy scenery, followed by an exhilarating, fast-paced 800-meter husky sled ride. Professional English guidance and warm winter attire are provided for these activities. Next, you will journey to the enchanting Santa Claus Village, where you will have ample leisure time to browse boutiques, personally meet Santa Claus, and mail postcards directly from the Arctic Circle post office. You will conclude the day with a transfer to the Scandic Pohjanhovi hotel (or similar) for an evening meal and a comfortable night's rest.

Following your hotel breakfast, a transfer will take you to the expansive Ranua Wildlife Park. Operating for nearly four decades, this zoological park is dedicated entirely to northern and arctic species. The animal habitats are seamlessly integrated into the surrounding coniferous forest, offering a true-to-life environment for over 150 individual animals, encompassing 50 distinct species including the majestic polar bear. A wholesome fish and vegetable lunch will be served during your park visit. After returning to Rovaniemi for some afternoon downtime, you will be whisked away from the city lights for an Aurora Borealis Picnic. Your guide will locate an ideal vantage point with an unobstructed sky, giving you the best possible chance to witness the Auroras while enjoying snacks in the wilderness. Head back to the Scandic Pohjanhovi for dinner and sleep.

Savor your morning breakfast at the hotel. You may utilize this day to simply unwind in Rovaniemi, or you can elevate your journey by booking an optional, full-day Icebreaker excursion. For those embarking on the maritime adventure, a transfer will bring you to Kemi to check in at the SnowCastle grounds before boarding the legendary Icebreaker "Sampo." During this 4-hour voyage, you will watch in awe as the massive vessel crushes through the frozen sea. The absolute peak of this activity is donning a buoyant thermo-survival suit and taking a completely secure plunge into an ice-hole in the freezing waters. Upon completion, you will be awarded an official certificate signed by the ship's Captain. Return to your Rovaniemi hotel for a final farewell dinner.

Enjoy one last hearty breakfast at your accommodation. Look back on an extraordinary week filled with immense icebreakers, starlit glass igloos, and the freshest Arctic seafood. After concluding your check-out procedures, a designated vehicle will smoothly transport you to the Rovaniemi airport. This transfer concludes your spectacular northern escape.