Three Countries Aurora Short Break – Tromso, Glass Igloos and ICEHOTEL
- Details
Details
Embark on an epic Aurora tour spanning across three Nordic countries. This 5-night trip takes you into the Northern Lights territories of Norway, Finland and Sweden, with an Aurora hunt by boat or dog sled, 3-borders snowmobiling, two nights in a Glass Igloo and a stay at the world-famous ICEHOTEL® all included.
From the Arctic fjords of Norway to the stunning wilderness of Finland and the incredible ICEHOTEL® carvings of Sweden, this short-break Northern Lights adventure packs in three Nordic countries, while also giving you the chance to stay in some of the most exceptional accommodation we offer: Glass Igloos and Ice Rooms!
In Norway, you'll discover the wonderful city of Tromso. Known as the capital of the Arctic, it provides a brilliant introduction to the north, with plenty of time to explore the vibrant centre. As night falls, you'll embark on either a Northern Lights cruise or if you choose you can upgrade to an invigorating husky safari search for the Aurora (please see the 'Personalise Tour' section for full details). In either case, you will leave the lights of the city behind and have the best chance of seeing the lights from a unique vantage point.
Next, you'll journey into Finland on the Arctic Bus and embark on an unbelievable snowmobiling adventure, visiting the borders of each country featured on this trip. As darkness descends, you'll have the opportunity to stay in a Glass Igloo where you can hunt for the Northern Lights as you lay tucked up in your cosy bed! The igloos are situated on a reindeer ranch, so you may even have the added Lappish touch of seeing the herd walk by.
In Sweden, you'll finish your holiday in style with a night in the world's original ICEHOTEL®. This famous structure is made completely of frozen material, for one of the coolest nights you can experience. This is all metaphorical, of course, as you will be wrapped up warm in your Arctic-grade sleeping bag.
With the opportunity to Aurora hunt in three superb locations and the chance to stay in some of the most sought-after accommodation in the Arctic, this break may be short but it packs in some extremely bucket list-worthy moments.
Image credits: Adobe Stock & Alexandr, Adobe Stock & BlueOrange Studio, Adobe Stock & Olivier Rapin. © ICEHOTEL & Agnes Maltesdotter, Asaf Kliger
Important Information
Pricing
Please note: Dates and prices are subject to availability at the respective hotels and may change. Reach out to our Travel Experts today for the full terms and a tailored quote – and start imagining your next adventure!
Due to the pricing structure of some of the unique accommodations featured in this itinerary, supplements may be required if you are travelling over a weekend, as well as Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day.
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
You’ll arrive in the capital of the Arctic to begin your three-country Aurora adventure. After a transfer to your city centre hotel, you’ll have time to get settled into your Nordic surroundings.
Make use of the onsite facilities such as the gym or relax in the hotel’s lounge area. If you arrive in good time and would like to add an additional Northern Lights activity tonight, please speak to one of our Travel Experts.
Breakfast will be served in the hotel then you have a free day to explore the city. The hotel’s ideal location means you’re only a short distance away from the ‘Paris of the North’ as well as some exceptional Arctic experiences such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. See our Personalise section for more information.
Tonight you will head out on the open water in search of the Northern Lights. You’ll cruise away from areas of light pollution to the very best Aurora viewpoints, determined by your guide who will use the most up-to-date forecasts. Warm clothing (if required), and hot drinks are included in this activity. You will be out for around 3 hours. The starting point for this activity is a short walk away from your hotel.
If you are looking for a real taste of adventure as well as the chance to see the Aurora why not upgrade to a husky safari? In the late afternoon, you’ll be collected a short distance from your hotel and then transfer to the husky camp, where you’ll have the chance to meet the friendly huskies and be shown how to control your sled and team of dogs. Riding 2 people per sled, you’ll then set off on a safari lasting approximately 2 hours. When you return to the camp, you can relax around a campfire with warm drinks and snacks. You will be out for around 6 hours in total tonight.
Today is an early start (approximately 7am departure) as you travel to Finland. Make sure to ask the hotel reception for a boxed breakfast this morning for you to take on your journey.
The scheduled bus transfer from Tromsø to Kilpisjärvi takes around 3 hours and you’ll be accompanied by an English-speaking driver who will show you points of interest along the way. The bus has an onboard toilet, USB charging points and free Wi-Fi; we also recommend bringing your own hot drinks and snacks to enjoy on-board. The bus stop is only 100m from your hotel in Tromsø, however if you prefer, we can arrange a private transfer to your accommodation in Finland for a supplement.
You will arrive at Kilpisjarvi, Finland at approximately 11am (+1 hour ahead of Norway). You will then be met by your local guides and transfer to a nearby safari house where you can drop your luggage and get changed ahead of your snowmobiling adventure. After full instructions and a safety briefing, you will take to the trails to explore the Finnish wilderness, on the edge of the breath-taking Malla Nature Reserve. Travelling across frozen Lake Kilpisjarvi, you will journey to where the borders of Finland, Sweden and Norway meet. You will travel 2 people to a snowmobile, with a chance to swap drivers along the way. However, if you prefer, you can ride in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Please note, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile.
On the conclusion of your snowmobile tour, you will return to Kilpisjarvi, Here you will have some time to take lunch at a local restaurant (which is not included and payable locally). There is also a supermarket nearby if you prefer to find lunch there. Following this, you will meet your transfer for the short 20 minute drive south to Vasara Reindeer Ranch where your Glass Igloo accommodation awaits.
Your accommodation is on the edge of a frozen lake, with rolling mountains in the background and it sits right in the heart of the reindeer ranch, so you may well see the iconic Lappish animals wandering around during your time here.
Enjoy dinner in the Kota restaurant and then as night falls, you can retire to your Glass Igloo for a night of Aurora hunting from the comfort of your cosy bed.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today has been left free for you to enjoy Vasara Reindeer Ranch as you wish. Its stunning location is the perfect place to switch off and enjoy the scenery. During your time here, free use of winter equipment is included, so you could enjoy a leisurely snowshoe walk, try cross-country skiing, kick sledding, or even ice fishing. Cold weather clothing is included while staying at the ranch.
Alternatively, you may wish to add on an activity. You could try Vasara’s own authentic reindeer experience where you can meet and feed the animals, or perhaps you would like to try guided snowshoeing, or their wood-fired hot tub and sauna, or maybe even a night searching for the Aurora by minibus. Please see our personalise section for full details.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before your 4-hour transfer to Sweden for the grand finale of your holiday. There will be a rest stop along the way at a local café and supermarket, where you can break for lunch, a coffee or snack, should you wish (payable locally).
You’ll arrive at the ICEHOTEL® mid-afternoon and have plenty of time to admire the intricate details of the ice and snow sculptures. A guided tour is included as part of your overnight experience here. You can also add on a wilderness dinner tonight if you’d like to head out into the wintery landscape for a chance to see the Northern Lights. See our Personalise section for more information.
Your Ice Room will be available to check-in from approximately 6pm onwards. You’ll be provided with an Arctic-grade sleeping bag to keep you nice and warm as you sleep in this unbelievable structure. This really is the most fitting way to complete your winter adventure.
We can also arrange room upgrades if you wish to spend your last night in Sweden in one of the suites, please see the ‘Accommodation’ section for details.
Although lunch and dinner are not included at the ICEHOTEL®, we can arrange a table reservation for you at one of the nearby restaurants, please see the ‘Accommodation’ section for details, or speak to one of our Travel Experts.
Following breakfast, you will transfer to Kiruna Airport for your flight home or to the train station if you plan any onward travel.
Alternatively, if you would like to add-on extra nights at the ICEHOTEL® or perhaps even journey south to the famous Treehotel, this can be arranged too. Please speak to one of our Travel Experts for further information.
What's included?
- Transfers: Taxi from Tromso Airport to Hotel, Arctic Bus scheduled transfer from Tromso to Kilpisjarvi, activity transfers in Kilpisjarvi and to Vasara Reindeer Ranch, Taxi from Vasara to ICEHOTEL®, shuttle transfer from ICEHOTEL® to Kiruna Airport
- Accommodation: 2 nights in an en-suite standard double/twin hotel room at Clarion Hotel The Edge, 2 nights in a Glass Igloo at Vasara Reindeer Ranch and 1 night in an ice room at the ICEHOTEL®
- Meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- Northern Lights Cruise (Tromso)
- 3-border snowmobiling tour (Finland)
- Experienced guides and instructors for all activities
- Cold weather clothing during snowmobiling activity onlly (and while at Vasara Reindeer Ranch)
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
Excluded
- While flights are not included in the holiday price, our team will happily provide a quote and arrange them for you. Simply ask one of our Travel Experts for details of the available options
Accommodation
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Situated right in the centre of Tromsø, the Clarion Hotel – The Edge offers a prime location from which to explore this fascinating Arctic city.
The hotel’s striking, ultra-modern architecture looks incredible at night when it is reflected in the waters just outside.
Hotel Facilities
NB: The hotel is cash-free. They take payment by credit or debit card and accept all major international cards |
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Twin/Double
The hotel offers standard double rooms as well as a standard twin room (two single beds). All rooms are ensuite and come with Wi-Fi, minibar, iron and ironing board.
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Get the full Lappish experience in the presence of the much-loved native reindeer when you stay on the Vasara Reindeer Ranch. The ranch, situated in the heart of Sámiland, gives you an authentic insight into the local culture and the importance of reindeer herding. Surrounded by vast wilderness, complete with a rolling mountain and a stunning lake, you’ll also be away from light pollution and in prime Northern Lights territory. Your accommodation in the onsite Glass Igloos makes the most of this opportunity with their half-glass roof providing brilliant views of the Arctic and if conditions are favourable, the Auroras may appear overhead. Hotel facilities
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Glass Igloos
There are currently four igloos at the reindeer ranch, situated on the shore of the frozen Lake Peerjärvi and gazing out to the rolling mountains beyond.
The igloos are within the reindeer ranch, which means that the chances of roaming reindeer wandering by are high.
Each igloo has a king-sized bed, plus space for an extra bed. They have en-suite shower and toilet facilities, as well as hairdryer, minibar and a coffee machine.
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The ICEHOTEL® at Jukkasjärvi has the impressive claim of being the world’s first ice hotel, having been developed in 1989. Now it is one of the most well-known and exclusive hotels in the world, with only a handful of people being lucky enough to stay in each incarnation of this ice and snow masterpiece. Each year, architects, designers and artists submit designs for the classic hotel’s features and a handful are chosen to go forward with their theme. The structure is a marvel to see and, come summer, simply melts back into the river from which it came. The hotel complex consists of several buildings including the classic ice building and ICEHOTEL 365 (the year-round structure).
ICEHOTEL 365The hotel now boasts ICEHOTEL 365, a permanent structure, allowing guests to enjoy the experience year-round. Containing deluxe rooms, art suites, an ice bar and a sculpture hall, this environmentally sustainable building is a construct of glass, metal and concrete, but with the same incredible standard and visual design of snow and ice on the inside, with cooling tubes to keep it at a temperature of around -5 at all times. The Classic ICEHOTEL®The classic ICEHOTEL® building, is constructed purely of ice and snow and carefully crafted each December, utilising blocks of ice from the nearby Torne River.
Home to ice rooms, suites, and a chapel, it is a real thing of beauty.
The rooms which are contained within the ice and snow building tend to be available from mid-December (approximately 11-14th, depending on conditions) to the end of March. Check-in time for the cold rooms is usually around 6pm (and for the warm rooms, it is approximately 3pm). The ICEHOTEL® is open to members of the public for viewing between 10am and 6pm. You will check out after breakfast.
Hotel Facilities
Image credits: Asaf Kliger, Karl & Moa |
Ice Rooms in the classic ICEHOTEL® - Cold Accommodation
The ice rooms are the simplest rooms which are included as standard. These are made of ice and snow, and each contains a mattress topped with reindeer skins and also some ice furniture and simple carvings. They are closed off from the corridors via thick curtains as opposed to doors, but the thick walls of ice and snow allow for great sound insulation. There are typically around 15 rooms available for guests. Check-in is from 6pm once the structure closes to visitors.
Art Suites in the classic ICEHOTEL® - Cold Accommodation
These are uniquely and beautifully designed by chosen artists around the world each year and offer a wide variety of themes. As with the ice rooms, these have curtains instead of doors and there are around 15 in total for guests to book. Please note, that we cannot book a specific suite for you, so you will be allocated a suite on arrival, and we are not able to control which one. Check-in is from 6pm once the structure closes to visitors.
Deluxe Suites in the ICEHOTEL®365 - Cold Accommodation
The unique and enchanting Deluxe Suites 365 are individually themed and hand-carved by artists commissioned from around the world, with the designs changing each year. To spend a night amidst the lifelike and exquisite carvings is a surreal and magical experience. A sauna session then awaits you before you enjoy a delicious breakfast. The Deluxe Suites are part of the ICEHOTEL 365, available all year round thanks to a new specially designed building which is run on solar power. There are three different types of Deluxe suite available, please ask our team for details.
Art Suites in ICEHOTEL®365 - Cold Accommodation
These offer the same amenities as the art suites in the classic ice building but being part of the permanent building allows them to have a proper door. Each is independently designed by handpicked artists and architects to reflect the annual theme. There are 12 art suites in total.
Kaamos Standard/Deluxe/Superior Hotel Room - Warm Rooms
Light and airy, these en-suite rooms have modern décor and furnishings including a desk and a seating area. Each has a double bed (two twins together in the standard and the superior, 1 queen bed in the deluxe), TV, Wi-Fi, hairdryer, ensuite bathroom, ironing board and tea and coffee making facilities. They are housed in single storey buildings or between 6 and 8 rooms.
The superior and deluxe rooms offer little extras like bath robes, and Nespresso machines (the deluxe rooms include a complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar too).
Arctic Cabin - Warm Rooms
These modern yet rustic cabins are built in traditional style and offer a double and a single room, so are best suited to three people. Each chalet is en-suite and has a shower room, a small living area, fridge, kettle, TV, Wi-Fi, hairdryer and tea and coffee facilities.
Personalise This Tour
Enjoy an authentic three-course wilderness dinner inspired by the season. You will head out in a minibus to a secluded camp with a guide who will tell you all about the characteristics of Sweden's eight seasons and the inspiration behind your meal tonight. You will also keep an eye on the sky as you enjoy your food, as the Northern Lights could make an appearance to really make your wilderness experience extra special.
Duration: 4 hours including transfers
Duration: approximately 6 hours, including transfers and depending on weather conditions. 2 hours of dog sledding).
Vasara boasts a lakeside wood-fired hot tub and sauna with views like no other. You can rent them out for a 2-hour private session, and enjoy the stillness of the surroundings and the stunning setting. The sauna and hot tub are available between the hours of 4-7pm, depending on the weather.
Duration: 2 hours
| Tour Loaction: | Jukkasjarvi,Sweden |
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| Tour Loaction: | Tromso,Norway |
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| Tour Loaction: | Kilpisjarvi,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Kilpisjarvi,Finland |
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Additional Info
Price is based on 2 persons travelling
Tour terms, click here
Payment and Cancellation Terms:
Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in sections 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.
– 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 37 days prior to departure – 70%
– 36 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
