Description
Type of Tour: | Self-drive tour |
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Operates: | Departs daily December – March |
Duration: | 11 Days / 10 Nights |
Visit: | Tromsø – Honningsvåg – Karasjok – Kakslauttanen – Saariselkä – Rovaniemi – Muonio – Tromsø |
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Excludes: |
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Notes: |
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Full Itinerary
On this self-drive tour you are the master of your time enabling to you have your very own Authentic North experience. You start and end in Tromso and along the way you will experience; a cruise to hunt for the Northern Lights, the North Cape, the nature paradise that surrounds Karasjok and even a night in a traditional log cabin in Finish Lapland. This itinerary will show off the best of what these two countries have to offer during the winter season.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Tromsø – Hurtigruten
After arriving in Tromsø you will pick up your rental car and then you will have the remainder of the day to explore this Arctic city known as “Paris of the North” at your leisure. Tromsø is the largest city in the Nordic countries north of the Arctic Circle and is home to the world’s northernmost university, brewery and cathedral. In the early evening drive to the port and onto the Hurtigruten boat which departs at 18h30 sailing north to Honningsvåg.
Overnight: Hurtigruten (D)
Day 2: Hurtigruten – Honningsvåg
You will have breakfast on board the Hurtigruten vessel which will arrive in Honningsvåg at 11h45. Here you will join an excursion to mainland Europe’s most northern point, the North Cape. This is a wild and windswept headland where the cliffs rise dramatically 300 metres from the sea, and you gaze out with nothing but water between you and the frozen wastes surrounding the North Pole. After the excursion ends you will return to the boat, disembark your car from the boat and drive to the hotel.
Overnight: Honnignsvåg (B)
Day 3: Honningsvåg – Karasjok
After breakfast the actual self-drive portion really begins as you drive south to the area known as the capital of the Sami, Karasjok. On arrival the rest of the day will then be at your leisure to explore Karasjok. For the night you will stay at Engholm’s Husky Lodge situated next to Karasjohka river, 6 km outside of Karasjok. The log houses at the lodge were designed and built by Sven, the owner himself and have a special charm. Sven has also furnished and decorated each cabin to create a unique and personal atmosphere in each house. You could later enjoy the wood heated sauna and the very popular outdoor hot tub although the supplements for their use are not included.
Overnight: Karasjok (BD)
Day 4: Karasjok
On this day you get to experience why the word ‘Husky’ forms part of the Lodge’s name. Sven’s farm consists of 40-50 highly trained sled dogs for long-distance racing as well as tours such as the one you are about to depart on with your “own” team of huskies. This excursion includes a barbeque lunch on an open fire. The tour goes far off the beaten track and provides an interesting and unique dog sledding experience which will last approximately four hours of which the actual ride will be about one hour.
Overnight: Karasjok (BLD)
Day 5: Karasjok – Kakslauttanen
Today you will leave the splendour of Norway behind as you drive to Finland and begin discovering what Finland has to offer you which should be no less beautiful than what you have already seen. Your accommodation for the next two nights will be at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. You will overnight in traditional log cabins with your own fireplace and sauna. This arctic resort has a variety of winter activities you will be able to enjoy.
Overnight: Kakslauttanen (BD)
Day 6: Kakslauttanen
After breakfast enjoy a two hour snowmobile safari which will include an en-route coffee break. The snowmobile safari takes you to the small ski village of Saariselkä situated approximately ten kilometres away. Transfer by private vehicle from the hotel to the safari office. At the safari office you will receive full equipment, including thermal suit, boots, socks, gloves, balaclava and helmet. An all-important lesson follows. When everybody is ready the safari trail begins with a drive up to the beautiful Kaunispää fell, 436m above sea level. (2 persons sharing a snowmobile) At the top of this fell you can enjoy the magnificent views of the area below. The trail then continues through the beautiful and mystical forest. Thereafter you will return to the hotel.
Overnight: Kakslauttanen (BD)
Day 7: Kakslauttanen – Rovaniemi
This morning you will leave the arctic resort behind and drive to the capital of Finish Lapland, Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is the “official” home of Santa Claus and here you will find Santa’s village, with a post office to send your letters to Santa himself and other attractions. It is also a city offering a variety of restaurants and shopping possibilities, all your winter wishes can be made a reality here.
Overnight: Rovaniemi (B)
Day 8: Rovaniemi – Muonio
Today you will drive back North, to Muonio. Harriniva Holiday Centre is a family run business which provides unforgettable safari programs in the beautiful and unspoiled nature of Northern Lapland. It is located in the North-Western part of Lapland next to the Muonio River. The Centre provides a wide array of interesting activities you could participate in (not included).
Overnight: Muonio (B)
Day 9: Muonio
After breakfast your day will be at leisure to simply explore your surroundings or to book some of the many excursions on offer at the Centre (to be paid on the spot).
Overnight: Muonio (B)
Day 10: Muonio – Tromsø
Today you will leave Finland behind and travel back to Norway to where this journey began, Tromsø. Tromsø is also known as the gateway to Arctic as for many expeditions heading to the North Pole this would be their last stop in a city. The city is home to the world’s northernmost university, brewery and cathedral.
Overnight: Tromsø (B)
Day 11: Tromsø
After breakfast this self-drive adventure has come to a close and you will return your rental vehicle at the airport. (B)
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