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DAY1

TUESDAY – 19 DECEMBERARRIVAL – SAARISELKA

Santa’s Tunturi Hotel

Arrival to Ivalo Airport and regular transfer to the hotel for check-in. In Saariselka, in the far North of Finnish Lapland, lies the popular re-sort of Inari-Saariselka. The unique northern countryside, national parks, lake areas, rivers and highland fells offer a wealth of oppor-tunities for year-round travel. In winter, the Northern Lights dance across the sky up to 200 days a year. The legendary Saariselka is the northernmost travel destination in Fin-land and boasts a variety of services. In Inari and other villages in the area, the Sami cul-ture is still very much in evidence in everyday life. Here is where you find the genuine Lap-land. The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY2

WEDNESDAY – 20 DECEMBERKIRKENES(BREAKFAST & LUNCH)

Thon Hotel Kirkenes

Optional: Kirkenes Snow Hotel – Snow Igloo

An early departure in driving further north to visit Kirkenes and its most famous attraction, the Snowhotel. The small town is the capital of the Barents Region and the gateway to the east located north east in Northern Norway, close to the Russian border.

ultimate arctic ADVENTURE

winterLAPLANDCHRISTMAS IN LAPLAND

with

PRE-TOUR EXTENSION TO TROMSO*

8 DAYS WINTER GUARANTEED DEPARTUREDECEMBER 19DECEMBER 16 WITH PRE EXTENSION TO TROMSO7 NIGHTS

RATES 8 DAYS / 11 DAYS Per person in double/twin room: EUR 3,685.00 / EUR 4,295.00

Supplement for single room: EUR 925.00 / EUR 995.00

3rd person in extra bed sharing a double/twin room: EUR 3,390.00 / EUR 3,950.00

Child (4–12 years), per child when sharing room with parents: EUR 3,132.00 / EUR 3,650.00

Please note! Regular Transfer Service included in the program are only available for transfers from Ivalo Airport & to Rovaniemi Airport and only on the published official date of end of the tour. The transfers are escorted by an English-speaking representative from Borealis Destination Management and is shared with other fellow passengers; therefore, minor waiting time at the airport may occur. This transfer service is not valid for passengers with pre/post nights or passengers who require private transfers – for a supplement, private transfers can be reserved.

* This tour can be combined with a pre tour extension to Tromso of 4 days/3 nights. For details see Ultimate Arctic Adventure with Pre Tour Tromso on page 22.

EXPERIENCE THIS UNIQUE JOURNEY TO LAPLAND AND BE AMAZED BY A BLEND OF FIRST CLASS TRAVEL, WITH THE MOST FASCINATING AND INVIGORATING WINTER ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION. IN KIRKENES WE OFFER ONE OF THE DELICACIES OF THE NORTH ON A KING CRAB SA-FARI. YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO EXPERIENCE A MAGICAL OVERNIGHT STAY IN A SNOW IGLOO. YOU WILL STAY IN SAARISELKA WITH ITS DAZZLING WHITE LANDSCAPE AS WELL AS IN ROVANIEMI AND SINETTA, WITH ONE NIGHT IN THE EXTRAORDINARY ARCTIC GLASS IGLOOS. WEATH-ER PERMITTING, YOU WILL SEE THE BREATHTAKING NORTHERN LIGHTS FROM YOUR BED. SANTA CLAUS WILL BE EXPECTING YOU AT SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE. YOU WILL ALSO EXPERIENCE A VISIT AT THE SAMI REINDEER FARM AND SLEIGH RIDE, AS WELL AS A HUSKY SAFARI, ENDING WITH A VISIT TO THE KINGS OF THE ARCTIC, THE POLAR BEARS, LIVING IN THEIR NATURAL NORTHERN CONDI-TIONS, AT RANUA WILDLIFE PARK.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Activities everyday

• King Crab Safari

• Reindeer farm visit with sleigh ride

• Snowshoes Safari

• Visit Arctic Snow Hotel and dinner

• Husky farm visit with sledge drive

• Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village

• Visit to Ranua Wildlife park

• 2 Christmas gala dinners

• A visit from Santa Claus at Santa Claus Hotel

• 1 night in a Snow Igloo (optional)

TOUR INCLUSIONS• 7/10 nights in First Class hotels in standard double/twin rooms

with private facilities

• 7/10 breakfasts, buffet style

• 3 dinners, 4 lunches & 1 picnic as mentioned in the program

• Bi-lingual Tour Escort (English & Spanish or Portuguese) from day 1 to day 8 inclusive

• Arrival transfer from Ivalo Airport

• Departure transfer to Rovaniemi Airport

• All tours and transportation, as mentioned in the program

• Visits, excursions and entrances as mentioned in the program

• Outdoor clothing for winter activities mentioned in the program.

Kirkenes

Saariselkä

Rovaniemi

FINLAND

NORWAY

Ranua

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Today you will enjoy the amazing experience of the “KING CRAB SAFARI”, departing from your hotel at 13:00 hours.

INCLUDED:KING CRAB SAFARI

APPROX. 3–4 HOURS

“RATED ONE OF THE BEST 25 EXCURSIONS IN THE WORLD BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC”

One of the highlights of Northern Norway with the chance to taste one of the local del-icacies known worldwide. Heading out on the Kirkenes Fjord you will come face to face with this giant of the sea on the King Crab safari. The red king crab found in the Barents Sea can reach up to two meters from claw to claw and weigh up to 15 kilos. Depending on the weather and ice the trip might be by boat or snowmobile drawn sleigh. Once your king crab has been caught, you are transferred to re-mote cabin where the crab will be prepared for a delicious lunch. All equipment and clothing will be provided.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

OPTIONAL:VISIT THE SNOW HOTEL & DINNER (REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING)

175 EUR /PERSON

OPTIONAL:OVERNIGHT IN A SNOW IGLOO WITH DINNER & VIS-IT (REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING)

325 EUR /PERSON

Enjoy a visit to the Snow Hotel and a deli-cious dinner in true northern style. After din-ner, for those who are game, there is also an

opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience and choose to stay in a Snow Igloo with its unique snow wall carvings and sculpted ice bed. Each bed has a mattress and thermal sleeping bags so you can sleep warmly while the room temperature will be -5 degrees Cel-sius.

DAY3

THURSDAY – 21 DECEMBERKIRKENES – SAARISELKA(BREAKFAST & LUNCH)

Santa’s Tunturi Hotel

Depart Kirkenes travelling south through the northern Lapland landscape to the center of Sami world at Inari, the capital of Lapland. Here we visit the Sami culture centre and par-liament set in the heart of Sapmi in a unique natural landscape on the shore of Lake Inari and serves as a centre for Sami self-gov-ernance, culture, education and know-how. Modern conference premises, facilities and technology go hand in hand with genuine, liv-ing Sami culture. Lunch is included. After the visit, onto the tiny village of Saariselka, the centre of Finland’s winter sports. Check-in to the hotel and the rest of your day is at leisure.

OPTIONAL:SNOWMOBILE SEARCH FOR  AURORA  BOREALIS (REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING)

150 EUR /PERSON. SNACK INCLUDED

18:00–22:00

Come and experience an exotic Arctic evening by driving through snow-covered forests and over treeless fells. With a little luck, if the

sky is clear, the moon, stars and even the Northern Lights may show you the way. The safari is heading to the Igloo site, where you have the possibility to roam around the forest nearby, and watch the Northern Lights show inside the igloo. During the trip your guide will build an open fire and you can enjoy a snack by the camp fire.

* NOTE: To drive a snow mobile in Finland you must have a valid driver’s license from a country of issue which has signed the Road Traffic Convention of Geneva. Borealis Destination Management cannot accept responsibility for licenses that are not accepted. Please consult if you have any doubts.

DAY4

FRIDAY – 22 DECEMBERSAARISELKA(BREAKFAST)

Santa’s Tunturi Hotel

In the morning, get ready for some fresh air activity literally following the footsteps of the Sami.

INCLUDED:SNOWSHOES SAFARI

1:30–1:45 HOURS

Put on your snowshoes, feel the crunch of snow under your snowshoes and capture the true feeling of winter in the northern woods as you explore the nearby white wilderness of forest and hills and Urho Kekkonen National Park, which surrounds Saariselka.

The afternoon is at leisure and we recom-mend trying a Finnish sauna, available at the hotel.

OPTIONAL:AURORA BOREALIS SLEIGH RIDE, PULLED BY SNOWMOBILE (REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING)

88 EUR /PERSON. MIN 4 PERSONS

19:00–22:00

During this brisk safari you can just sit back and enjoy the view and ride! Your guide will

Ice barSinettaFinland

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take you up to the fell district to see the beautiful hilltop scenery with unlimited views of the northern sky. Your journey will head towards a beautiful fell cabin where you can enjoy warm berry juice while admiring the na-ture. If you are lucky, the sky will be clear to see the moon, the stars and even the North-ern lights may appear!

DAY5

SATURDAY – 23 DECEMBERSAARISELKA – ROVANIEMI(BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER)

Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus

In the morning after breakfast, the adventure continues as we travel south to Rovaniemi. Heading towards Rovaniemi, you stop on the banks of the Kemi-joki river to enjoy one of the most idyllic Sami reindeer farms of the region.

INCLUDED:SAMI REINDEER FARM & SLEIGH RIDE

2:00–2:30 HOURS

Meet the traditional Sami farmers who will tell you about the reindeer, the Sami and teach you how to throw Suopunki (Sami las-so). On sleighs for two people, pulled by your reindeer, you will experience this traditional and peaceful way of moving through white landscape over the lake and through the forest where the only sound you will hear is the melody of reindeer bells. A typical three course lunch is included at the farm.

We continue our journey through the snow covered woods, until we arrive to Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland.

INCLUDED:SAUNA & DINNER AT HOTEL SANTA CLAUS

19:00–21:00

Begin feeling the Christmas atmosphere with a buffet dinner at your hotel, consisting of Lappish food. The Hotel also offers traditional Finnish sauna in the evening.

DAY6

SUNDAY – 24 DECEMBERROVANIEMI – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE – ROVANIEMI(BREAKFAST, OUTDOOR PICNIC & CHRISTMAS DINNER)

Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus

Departing late in the morning for the next step on the winter adventure. Heading to-wards Rovaniemi, you stop on the banks of the Kemi-joki river to enjoy one of the most idyllic Husky Safaris of the region.

Winter LaplandFinland

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INCLUDED:HUSKY FARM & SAFARI

2:00–2:30 HOURS2 PERSONS PER SLEDGE

The barking of enthusiastic dogs will wel-come you to the most genuine Husky farm in Rovaniemi. The head musher will talk about the life and training of these Arctic animals and you will also have the chance to take some great photos. After brief instruc-tions and riding in pairs, you embark on a run through the forest behind your pack of husk-ies. After the trip there is time to visit the farm and enjoy a traditional outdoor lunch of Lappish sausage grilled on the campfire fol-lowed by Lappish pancakes.

The day continues with a visit to the world famous Santa Claus Village, built right on the Arctic Circle and home to Santa Claus. Stop by his busy post office where you can ask Santa to send a letter to your loved ones just before Christmas. Take a step into the magical world

of Santa’s home and meet Santa himself. No words can describe the feelings raised by fairy-tale-like moment. It is something you will always remember. A must for any visit to Lapland. From Santa Claus Village it is a short trip to the hotel for check in.

INCLUDED:VISIT FROM SANTA CLAUS & CHRISTMAS EVE GALA DINNER

At approximately 16:00, children will have the opportunity to decorate the Christmas tree.

Around 18:00 Santa Claus will pay you a visit at the hotel and will deliver gifts to our young guests. Families will also have the possibility to have Santa Claus deliver one gift of their own to their children.

Christmas Eve Gala Dinner buffet will be served at the hotel Santa Claus. Included are an aperitif and two glasses of house wine, beer or soft drink.

DAY7

MONDAY – 25 DECEMBERROVANIEMI – RANUA – ROVANIEMI(BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER)

Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus

This morning we will visit the Ranua Wildlife Park, situated 80 km south of Rovaniemi, 1 hour by coach. The Ranua Wildlife Park, established 1983, specializes in arctic and northern animal species. The spacious animal fencings are located in the midst of northern conifer forests, the natural habitat of most of the animals. You will be able to enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful park, and visit different animals and birds. The guide will tell you detailed information about the animals and their personalities as well as answer your questions about their living habits and about the arctic nature. 

Enjoy a self-service lunch at the park’s restau-rant.

After lunch you will have one hour to visit the surroundings. You may want to visit the sou-venir shops, the Fazer factory or the local wine shop and their unique wine selection, made with berries.

Return to Rovaniemi, the remainder of the af-ternoon is at leisure.

INCLUDED:CHRISTMAS GALA DINNER

Enjoy a Christmas Gala Dinner buffet at the hotel Santa Claus. Included are an aperitif and two glasses of house wine, beer or soft drink.

DAY8

TUESDAY – 26 DECEMBER ROVANIEMI – DEPARTURE(BREAKFAST)

Breakfast and the rest of your day at leisure until your regular transfer to Rovaniemi air-port in good time for your departure flight.

RanuaFinland