Chasing the Aurora from Norway to Finland
- Details
Details
Offering a magical trip to Norway and Finland, this multi-destination holiday starts with your arrival in Kirkenes, Norway. Here, you'll settle into the Thon Hotel by the water's edge. Kirkenes, located in the far northeast of Norway is a small, charming town known for its unique Arctic experiences. Positioned by the Barents Sea, Kirkenes offers stunning coastal views and invites you to explore the rugged, icy landscapes. It's also renowned for its Snow Hotel, featuring intricate ice sculptures. You will visit the snow hotel and enjoy a king crab safari with the opportunity to taste the freshly caught crab! Furthermore, the town's remote location also makes it an excellent spot for Northern Lights viewing.
After exploring Northern Norway, you will then transfer to the stunning Wilderness Hotel Nellim in Finland; over the next 4 nights you will enjoy a perfect blend of thrilling winter activities in a remote winter haven. Nestled in Finland's far northeast, the Wilderness Hotel Nellim offers stunning Northern Lights viewing potential and lots of adventure.
During your time in Nellim, you'll get to experience all of the very best Arctic activities, including a husky safari, snowmobiling excursions by day and night, a chance to meet and feed reindeer, as well as hunting for the Northern Lights.
Undoubtedly, Nellim holds a special place in our hearts, as many of us at The Aurora Zone experienced our first Northern Lights sighting here. Its combination of warm hospitality, stunning landscapes, knowledgeable guides, and lack of light pollution makes it an ideal destination for an Aurora adventure.
Important Information
Itinerary
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only. Your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which will be emailed to you around a week prior to departure), or upon arrival.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Kirkenes, you will be transferred on a short journey to Thon Hotel, Kirkenes situated right on the waters edge. Settle in for the evening and a hearty dinner before the adventures begin tomorrow.
Included Meals: None
Today you will explore the best of Kirkenes and discover the magic of the Arctic with a day visit to the Snow Hotel in Kirkenes, combined with a King Crab Safari. Begin your Norwegian adventure by exploring the Snow Hotel, a wonderland of ice and snow, where local artists intricately design each room, to create stunning ice sculptures.
Next, embark on a thrilling King Crab Safari across the fjord, traveling by snowmobile and sleigh. Assist local fishermen in pulling up enormous King Crabs from beneath the ice, before enjoying a fresh, delicious crab feast in a cozy, rustic cabin. An unforgettable Arctic experience.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Light lunch (*Fresh king crab)
After enjoying breakfast in Norway, a private transfer will take you to the enchanting landscapes of Finland. The journey takes just over four hours and ends at the stunning Wilderness Hotel Nellim, your base for the next few days of snow-filled adventures. Upon arrival, you will check in and enjoy a hearty dinner in the hotel’s main restaurant.
Before turning in for the night, consider taking a stroll to the edge of Lake Inari, one of the best spots to witness the Northern Lights. Thanks to Nellim’s remote location, light pollution is almost non-existent, so you will not need to venture far to catch a glimpse of the Aurora if the skies are clear.
Please note that the activities outlined in this itinerary are for guidance, and your final schedule will be provided upon arrival at the resort.
Lunch is not included today but there will be a stop in your journey where you will be able to purchase snacks/a light lunch at your own expense.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, the adventure begins. Following a comprehensive safety briefing and driving lesson, you’ll set off on a snowmobile safari through the untouched wilderness to a traditional reindeer farm. There, you’ll discover Sámi culture, feed the reindeer, and gain insight into life in the Arctic. Lunch will be served during the excursion. Please note that to drive a snowmobile, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a full driving licence. The activity lasts approximately 4 hours, including lunch and rest breaks.
In the evening, step into a snowmobile-pulled sleigh and journey across the snowy landscape to a secluded Aurora Camp. Far from light pollution and beneath vast open skies, the Aurora Camp locations offer excellent opportunity to witness the Northern Lights; hopefully they will make an appearance for you tonight. Warm drinks will be served by the fire as you search the skies above. The evening excursion lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, you’ll experience one of the most memorable highlights of any trip to Lapland: taking charge of a team of enthusiastic huskies. The kennels are just a short distance from the hotel, and before setting off, your experienced musher guide will provide a full safety briefing and detailed instructions.
You’ll ride two people per sled, with the opportunity to switch drivers and take turns guiding the dog team as they pull you across frozen lakes and through snow-covered forests. The husky safari lasts around 2 hours in total, with approximately 1 hour of driving time, and upon returning to the kennels, there will be time for photos with the dogs. Lunch will be served back at the hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, head out into the winter wilderness on a guided snowshoe adventure. As you move through the forest, your guide will share fascinating insights into Lapland’s wildlife, landscapes, and folklore, allowing you to fully appreciate the tranquillity of the Arctic surroundings. The excursion lasts around 4 hours in total, including a wilderness lunch.
Later this evening, you will set out in search of the Northern Lights again, this time via snowmobile. Journey along frozen trails and across open fells beneath a star-filled sky, stopping at prime viewing locations in search of the Aurora Borealis. Hot drinks will be served around a campfire as you search the sky for the Northern Lights. Again, you will travel 2 people per snowmobile with a chance to swap drivers along the way (drivers must be 18+ and hold a full driving licence). Tonight’s adventure lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will transfer for your return flights home. If you are departing on an early flight, then a boxed breakfast will be provided for you to take with you.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Travel worry-free – fully organised and run by a trusted, fully regulated UK operator. Read more about our bonding and the types of financial protection that we offer
- Private transfer: Kirkenes airport to Thon Hotel Kirkenes
- Private transfer: Thon Hotel Kirkenes to Wilderness Hotel Nellim
- Scheduled group shuttle transfer: Wilderness Hotel Nellim to Ivalo airport
- Accommodation: 2 nights at Thon Hotel Kirkenes in a standard twin/double hotel room
- Accommodation: 4 nights at Wilderness Hotel Nellim in a standard twin/double hotel room (upgrade options available on request)
- Meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 light lunch (Freshly caught King Crab) in Kirkenes
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners in Nellim
- Snow Hotel Visit
- King Crab Safari
- Reindeer day with snowmobile
- Aurora Camp
- Husky safari
- Snowshoeing adventure
- Aurora snowmobile safari
- Cold weather clothing during King Crab Safari in Kirkenes and for the duration of your stay at Nellim
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
Excluded
- Flights are not included – please speak to our Travel Experts for a quote if you wish to include these
Accommodation
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Located in a scenic quayside setting, the Thon Hotel in Kirkenes enjoys wonderful views across the waters of the surrounding Bøkfjorden. It benefits from being just a short transfer from the Hurtigruten Terminal and within easy walking distance of the shops, restaurants and tourist attractions of the city of Kirkenes.
With its modern and bright Scandinavian décor, the hotel offers guests a friendly and comfortable base from which to explore the delights of Northern Norway.
Hotel facilities
- The spacious and relaxing bar and restaurant area offer a varied and exciting á la carte and drinks menu with a focus on locally sourced produce such as king crab
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building for guests use
Standard Room
There are 144 rooms in total. Each has a double or twin bed in addition to an en-suite shower room, a hairdryer, a phone, minibar and a TV.
Superior Room at Thon Hotel (Fjord View)
Superior rooms are the same size as the standard rooms but boast additional features such as an espresso maker, bathrobe and slippers and chiefly a view of the fjords.
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Wilderness Hotel Nellim is owned by our good friends Jouko and Mari Lappalainen. Nellim was their first hotel (they now also own the delights of Nangu, Muotka, Juutua and Wilderness Hotel Inari) and is now renowned as an Aurora destination. It will always hold a special place in our hearts for being the first place many of us saw the Northern Lights. The hotel has been upgraded over the years and now has a wide range of accommodation options including rooms, suites, log cabins and unforgettable Aurora Cabins which are all within a short walk of the main reception and restaurant building.
A tiny village, Nellim is a remote spot close to the shores of Lake Inari and surrounded by incredible wilderness, providing perfectly dark skies, ideal for Aurora viewing.
Hotel facilities
- The restaurant/reception building is the focal point at Nellim. With locally-made furnishings, the atmosphere is charming. Hearty buffets of local and international favourites are served three times a day. There is usually a soup and salad selection, two choices of main meal and a pudding for evening meals
- Guests can relax next to the roaring fire and enjoy a drink from the bar in the restaurant
- A sauna is available for guests to use and can be reserved at reception in hourly slots
- There is a fully stocked gift shop which offers a range of local produce and souvenirs for you to take home
- Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the main building for guests outside meal times
- Cross-country skis and snowshoes are available to hire from the onsite activity centre
- The small lake behind the hotel is a great spot for some independent Aurora stakeouts
Double/Twin Wilderness Room
Wilderness rooms are situated in three separate buildings within the resort area. Each room features a bathroom stocked with amenities and a hairdryer. Guests can choose between rooms furnished with either double beds or twin beds. The rooms are tastefully decorated with decor inspired by the Arctic nature surrounding them, capturing the refined spirit of Lapland.
Arctic Suites
Many guests like to upgrade to one of the six Arctic Suites at Nellim, all of which are situated in one of the annexe buildings across from the reception and restaurant. The suites offer guests additional room and their own space in which to relax after a day or night of activities.
Each suite varies in size and facilities. Suites are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis according to the accommodation which best suits your party.
Cabin
Nellim offers a variety of cabins which offer varying facilities and which are mainly within easy walking distance of the hotel. Cabins are allocated on a first come, first served basis, according to the accommodation which most suits your party and availability. Specific facilities cannot be guaranteed.
Log Suite
Located between 30-70 metres from the main building these charming log suites at Nellim offer approximately 33m² of comfortable space. There are four suites in each of the separate log buildings.
Aurora Cabins
Experience the Northern Lights in comfort from a glass-roofed Aurora Cabin, featuring a double bed, sofa bed, bathroom, shower, and unforgettable views of the Arctic sky. Nellim also offers premium and deluxe cabins.
Other Upgrade Options
Nellim boasts an exceptional range of high-quality accommodations.
For more information please speak to one of our Travel Experts.
Tour Map
Additional Info
Price is based on 2 persons travelling
Tour terms, click?here
Booking conditions click?here
Payment and Cancellation Terms:
If you are travelling between, and including, the dates of 15.12-03.01, the following cancellation terms apply:
– Prior to 31.08 – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of the flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– 01.09 up until departure date – 100%
For all other travel dates, the following cancellation terms apply:
– Up to balance due date (this is normally 16 weeks prior to departure however some holidays differ. If this applies to your holiday you will be advised at the time of booking) – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– Between balance due date and 35 days prior to departure – 70%
– 34 or less days – 100%
Snow coverage in early December
If you are travelling early in the winter season and there is not enough snowfall, then some activities may be adapted by the local team, or alternatives provided, to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. For more information on this, please see section 11 of our booking terms and conditions.
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
