Northern Lights of Scandinavia
From Helsinki to Oslo
Tour Operator: Insight Vacations
Prices From:
Tour Overview
Chase the aurora borealis on this bewitching journey across Scandinavia's breath-taking mountains, rivers, cities and fjords.
Highlights
Top Rated Highlights - Tromso: Enjoy your orientation of Tromsø, Northern Norway’s largest city located on the island of Tromsøya.- Dining Summary: 9 Breakfast (B), 3 Dinner (D), 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- Top Rated Highlights - Oslo: On your orientation of Oslo city, see the Oslo Opera House and the new Deichmann Librabry in the contemporary Bjørvika district.
- Oslo: On your orientation of Oslo city, see the Oslo Opera House and the new Deichmann Librabry in the contemporary Bjørvika district.
- Alta: Enjoy an orientation of Alta, where the world’s first Northern Lights observatory was built at the end of the 19th century. With increasing tourism the city is going through quick development offering a wide range of activities.
- Ivalo: Your delicious Welcome Dinner will be served at the boutique Aurora Village hotel.
- Tromso: Dine on traditional food, served with hot drinks with the fascinating Sami people, as you hear tales of Scandinavia from its indigenous people.
- Tromso: Enjoy your orientation of Tromsø, Northern Norway’s largest city located on the island of Tromsøya.
- Alta: Head for drinks at a local ice bar, where you'll get the chance to catch up with your fellow travellers.
- Top Rated Highlights - Alta: Enjoy an orientation of Alta, where the world’s first Northern Lights observatory was built at the end of the 19th century. With increasing tourism the city is going through quick development offering a wide range of activities.
- Alta: Meet Trine and her huskies. Hear tales about their marathon Artic dog sled races during a hearty dinner.
- Honningsvåg: During your orientation with your Travel Director hear about the past and present of this small fishing community.
- Alta: Savour a delicious oven-baked dinner of local seasonal specialities of fresh salmon or the local's favourite, reindeer, served with fresh salads and wine.
- North Cape: There is no better way to search for the Northern Lights than by toasting to your adventure with bubbles and caviar at North Cape, the most special place on earth.
- Oslo: Scandinavian hospitality is matched with fine food and a glass of wine at your Celebration Dinner.
- Tromso: Delve into the fascinating history of Scandinavia in Tromsø. Norway has recognized its Sami population as indigenous and has special rules for the protection of Sami cultural heritage. During this Make Travel Matter experience a Sami family welcomes you into their reindeer camp, for a traditional evening of dinner and games, and shares their traditions, culture and history.The Sami Camp advances SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities. The camp safeguards traditional practices that are significant to the Sami tribe. Visitors are educated about the sustainability and resiliency of their community.
- Top Rated Highlights - Honningsvåg: During your orientation with your Travel Director hear about the past and present of this small fishing community.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Helsinki.
Location: Helsinki
Accommodation: GLO Hotel Art, Helsinki.
Welcome to Helsinki, with its excellent museums and pretty seaside buildings. This beautiful city is set to be your home for the night. At Helsinki airport, transfers depart at 10:00, 14:00 and 16:00 for the grand GLO Hotel Art. Meet your Travel Director at 18:00 for a drinks reception. Decorated in a distinctive Art Nouveau style, this charming four-star hotel is the ideal place to sit back and get to know your fellow travellers, before your Scandinavian adventure begins.
Day 2: The gateway to Lapland
Location: Helsinki, Ivalo
Accommodation: Aurora Village, Ivalo.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Today you’ll take a flight to Ivalo, a small yet important centre in Finnish Lapland, 250km above the Arctic Circle. Dubbed as the Gateway to the North, Ivalo is set on the Ivalo River, where the first Lapland Goldrush took place in the 19th century.You’ll enjoy a Welcome Dinner at your boutique hotel, Aurora Village, famed for its cabins with a glass roof, offering sweeping views of the night sky. Look out for the dancing northern lights, as you gaze through the glass ceiling from the comfort of your room. Please note: The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed.(Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)
Day 3: Ivalo to Honningsvåg
Location: Ivalo
Accommodation: Scandic Bryggen, Honnninsvag.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’ll be heading further North through the winter Lapland landscape. Cross the Finnish–Norwegian border as you make your way to Honningsvåg, the northernmost and smallest city in Norway. Your drive will take you along the mighty Porsangerfjord, the fourth largest fjord in Norway. You will take the subsea Nordkapp Tunnel to the island of Magerøya, to reach your hotel in this small fishing community. Explore the quaint city by taking a stroll along the waterfront before retiring to your hotel and enjoying a delicious dinner.(Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4: Northern Lights in North Cape
Accommodation: Scandic Bryggen, Honnninsvag.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a leisurely day to discover more of Honningsvåg. Take a walk to the 19th century church that survived the destruction of World War 2, a true rarity in Northern Norway. Perhaps take an Optional Experience to learn about king crabs and enjoy a fresh, sea-to-table lunch of this delicacy. Take your chance to visit the northernmost point of Europe, the famous North Cape and sip on bubbles and delight in exquisite caviar with your fellow travellers (weather permitting).(Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5: North Cape to Alta
Location: Alta
Accommodation: Scandic Alta.
Meals: Breakfast
Today’s journey will take you along an ever changing landscape from barren lands through highlands to the shores of the Altafjord. It was in Alta where the world’s first Northern Lights observatory was built at the end of the 19th century. With increasing tourism the city is going through quick development offering a wide range of activities. Start your adventures with a visit to one of the first ice hotels in the world and enjoy a chilled beverage with your fellow travellers. Your comfortable hotel is located next to the modern and iconic Northern Lights Cathedral in the heart of the city.(Breakfast)
Day 6: Alaskan Huskies in Alta
Location: Alta
Accommodation: Scandic Alta.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
You’ll enjoy a leisurely day in Alta to continue with your activities. Maybe you’ll choose to visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Alta Museum famous for its prehistoric rock carvings. This evening you’ll visit a working husky farm and get to know Trine Lyrek, a champion dog sledding team. Learn about the Alaskan huskies and the challenges they are facing competing in marathon Arctic dog sled races. Indulge on a delectable oven-baked Highlight Dinner, before meeting the dogs themselves.(Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)
Day 7: Norway’s gateway to the Artic
Location: Alta
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso.
Meals: Breakfast
Today you’ll head to Tromsø, Northern Norway’s largest city, located on the island of Tromsøya. You’ll be surrounded by snow-capped mountains and ethereal water views. Just a short walk from your hotel, you’ll find a high concentration of old wooden houses, as well as a great array of restaurants.(Breakfast)
Day 8: Delve into Scandinavian history
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Delve into the history of Artic Norway, as you meet the Sami indigenous community of Scandinavia. You will be led around the Sami camp with a knowledgeable, English-speaking Sami guide and invited to feed the reindeer herd (extra blankets are provided if necessary). You are invited into a lavuu (a traditional Sami tent) to hear stories of Sami life and Sami folk songs around the fire, after enjoying a traditional Sami meal with hot drinks.(Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9: A merry finale in Oslo
Location: Oslo
Accommodation: Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
This morning take your flight from Tromsø to Oslo. This modern city is located on the shores of the Oslofjord, surrounded by forested mountains offering easy access to nature for the city dwellers all year around. On your orientation see the Oslo Opera House and the new Deichmann Librabry in the contemporary Bjørvika district. You might want to delve into Norway’s early history at the Viking Ship Museum and take a walk through the impressive Frogner Park. At a local restaurant, join your fellow travellers to toast to newfound friends and a wonderful journey, as you enjoy a Celebration Dinner with wine.(Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)
Day 10: Farewell Oslo
Location: Oslo
Meals: Breakfast
It’s time to say farewell to your fellow travellers, as a transfer arrives at Oslo airport at 07:15 or 10:15.(Breakfast)
What's Included
-
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency
-
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available)
-
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times
-
Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas
-
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom
-
If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport
-
From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination
-
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary
-
We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels
-
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door
-
If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport
