Polar Explorer
Best for
Couples, Photographers
Duration
10N/11D
Season
November–March
Difficulty
Easy
Vibe
Wintry, Scenic
Polar Explorer
10N/11D, 5 cities, From €3,990
per person, twin sharing
A Tibro Journey
It opens on the Polar Explorer icebreaker off Rovaniemi, then runs south through Helsinki and over to Norway. Bergen, the Flåm railway, and Oslo to finish.
Winter Wonders of Finland & Norway is a 10N/11D snow & aurora journey through Finland + Norway. Highlights include Polar Explorer Icebreaker, Norway in a Nutshell, Reindeer & Husky safari.
Signature Moments
Three Mornings You'll Remember
No. 01
Polar Explorer Icebreaker
Polar Explorer Icebreaker
No. 02
Norway in a Nutshell
Norway in a Nutshell
No. 03
Reindeer & Husky safari
Reindeer & Husky safari
No. 01
Polar Explorer Icebreaker
Polar Explorer Icebreaker
No. 02
Norway in a Nutshell
Norway in a Nutshell
No. 03
Reindeer & Husky safari
Reindeer & Husky safari
Day by Day
10N/11D, in order
Day 1
Welcome to Finland - Rovaniemi
Welcome to the Land of Thousand Lakes. Arrive in the city of Rovaniemi. After clearing immigration proceed to your hotel. In the evening proceed to visit Northern Lights Tour by Van. This 3-hour tour includes transportation, guidance, storytelling and hot sausages by the campfire. Learn about Nordic myths and see the colorful lights fire up the sky. Aurora hunt lasts for 3 hours you will go to secluded country location where you will sit by an open fire and wait for the lights. Snacks and drinks are included, so help yourself to sausages cooked on the open fire and recuperate with some hot tea. Please note that Aurora sights are not guaranteed. Even when the solar activity is right and the timing is perfect, we still need to be lucky to see the lights. Dinner at a restaurant. Overnight stay at a Arctic Tree House in Rovaniemi.
Day 2
Polar Explorer Icebreaker Cruise Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. After that proceed for Morning Polar Explore Icebreaker cruise tour. Polar Explorer tourist Icebreaker offers 3 hours cruise in the frozen water of Bothnian sea in Lapland. During 3 hours you will be a witness of a massive ice breaking power of the vessel, have a guided tour all the way down to the engine rooms and all way up to Captain’s bridge. Tour is available on 16 languages via audio guide application and includes 11 min movie in icebreaker cinema about icebreakers all over the world. You can relax in the cozy saloon, enjoying warm juice or go for walk on the frozen sea ice during the stop. The icebreaker makes a pool free of ice and every visitor can take a swim in the dark icy water in flotation survival suit. The captain will present Cruise & Swim Certificate to everyone as a memorable gift. Return to Rovaniemi in the late afternoon around in Rovaniemi. Overnight stay in Rovaniemi.
Day 3
Rovaniemi Local Sightseeing
After having breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to take Lapland Reindeer and Husky Safari from Rovaniemi. This 2.5-hour reindeer sleigh and husky sled experience from Rovaniemi is just the ticket. Meet and learn about friendly reindeer at a reindeer farm, and settle on a reindeer sleigh for a wonderful ride through the snowy woods. Receive a souvenir reindeer driving licence, enjoy a hot drink, and visit a husky farm. See the beautiful sled dogs, and take an exciting husky-sled ride through the wintry forests. Finish with a coffee or sweet hot berry juice before returning to Rovaniemi. Later afternoon you can visit Santa Claus Village. Visitors can also send postcards. With Santa’s special postmark. From the Santa Claus Post Office, shop for souvenirs at the various handcraft shops or learn about Finnish Christmas traditions at the Christmas exhibition. Overnight stay at hotel in Rovaniemi.
Day 4
Rovaniemi - Helsinki
After having breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to board flight from Rovaniemi to Helsinki. Rest of the day is free in Helsinki. Overnight in Helsinki.
Day 5
Helsinki Sightseeing
After having breakfast at the hotel proceed for Hop on Hop off Helsinki Sightseeing tour. See Helsinki, the lively Finnish capital, at your leisure on a City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour! With 19 tour stops along the route, passengers can hop-on and off as they please to explore Helsinki at their own pace. Dinner at a restaurant. Overnight in Helsinki.
Day 6
Helsinki/Bergen
After having breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Helsinki airport to take flight to Bergen. Arrive Bergen and proceed to Hotel. Check in the hotel and rest of the day is free to explore Bergen City Centre on your own. Overnight stay at 4-star Opus XVI in Bergen.
Day 7
Bergen/Flam – Norway in Nutshell
After having breakfast at the hotel. Check out and today start your Norway in Nutshell tour till Flam. This legendary tour takes you through Norway’s most breathtaking UNESCO-protected fjord and mountain scenery, as well as a trip on Europe’s top scenic rail journeys, the Flåm Railway and The Bergen Railway. Bus: Bergen – Arna Train: Arna – Voss Bus: Voss – Gudvangen Boat: Gudvangen – Flam Arrival in Flam and transfer to your hotel in Flam and check in the hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore picturesque town of Flam on your own. Overnight stay at 4-star Fretheim Hotel in Flam.
Day 8
Flam
After having breakfast at the hotel proceed for proceed for RIB-boat winter tour in Flåm - Enjoy a winter fjord safari with RIB-boat on the famous Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO World Heritage Nærøyfjord. You also get to visit the charming little village of Undredal and taste the famous goat cheese The tour begins in Flåm and takes you deep into the narrow Nærøyfjord. Along the way, stops will be made where your local guide will explain about the rich wildlife of the area, the distinctive nature and the cultural history of the tiny little villages and local farms scattered along the fjord. The many waterfalls will be frozen solid, the fjord is calm, the water clear and the snow lies just like frosting on the high, steep mountains. On the return from the Nærøyfjord you will make a stop to visit Undredal, idyllically situated on the shores of the fjord, surrounded by high mountains. With its 90 inhabitants and 500 goats, Undredal is truly is a special little village. A visit to the local shop is included, and here you will be served some hot beverages and hear from one of the locals what life is really like living along the fjord. Here you will also have the opportunity to sample and buy the award-winning local goat cheese Overnight stay at 4-star Fretheim Hotel in Flam.
Day 9
Flam/Oslo – Norway in Nutshell
After having breakfast at the hotel. Check out and today continue your Norway in Nutshell tour till Oslo. Train: Flam – Myrdal Train: Myrdal - Oslo Arrival in Oslo and own transfer to your hotel in Flam and check in the hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore picturesque town of Oslo on your own. Overnight stay at 4-star Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Oslo.
Day 10
Oslo Discovery Tour
After having breakfast at the hotel. Today proceed to Meeting point to Join Oslo Discovery Tour – 5 Hours 30Min. Perfect for first-time visitors and those with limited time, this comprehensive coach tour of Oslo takes you to the city's most important attractions, including Vigeland sculpture park and Holmekollen ski jump, as well as the Fram and Folk Museum. Overnight stay at 4-star Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Oslo.
Day 11
Oslo - Departure
After having breakfast at the hotel. Check out and proceed to Helsinki Airport to Board your flight back home. ………. END OF TOUR…….
Where You'll Stay
Hand-Picked Hotels
Oslo (2 N)
Clarion Hotel the Hub
Tromso (2 N)
Clarion Hotel the Edge
Rovaniemi (2 N)
Santa Claus Holiday Village
Oslo (2 N)
Clarion Hotel the Hub
Tromso (2 N)
Clarion Hotel the Edge
Rovaniemi (2 N)
Santa Claus Holiday Village
Honestly
Things most travel sites won't tell you.
On-the-ground details your designer wishes every guest knew before they landed.
Things to Look Out For
The lights are a numbers game
Nobody can promise you the aurora. It needs a clear sky and an active sun, and either can let you down on a given night. The fix is to give yourself nights, not a night: three or four in Lapland between late August and early April, away from town light. Most resorts run a wake-up alarm if the sky clears at 2am, and a glass-roofed igloo lets you watch from the bed.
Layers, and trust the snowsuit
Lapland in deep winter runs to minus 20 and below, but it's a dry cold and the resorts hand you a thermal snowsuit and boots for the safaris. Wear thin layers underneath, not one thick coat, and the gear does the rest. The mistake is cotton next to the skin; it holds sweat and chills you. Merino base layer, then fleece, then the suit.
Rovaniemi is the official Santa
The Santa Claus Village sits right on the Arctic Circle line outside Rovaniemi, and Finland has long played it as the official one. You can meet Santa year-round, post a card with the Arctic Circle stamp, and step over the painted Circle for the photo. It's frankly commercial, but with children along it's the heart of the trip. Go early; the coach groups arrive by eleven.
- №1
The lights are a numbers game
Nobody can promise you the aurora. It needs a clear sky and an active sun, and either can let you down on a given night. The fix is to give yourself nights, not a night: three or four in Lapland between late August and early April, away from town light. Most resorts run a wake-up alarm if the sky clears at 2am, and a glass-roofed igloo lets you watch from the bed.
- №2
Layers, and trust the snowsuit
Lapland in deep winter runs to minus 20 and below, but it's a dry cold and the resorts hand you a thermal snowsuit and boots for the safaris. Wear thin layers underneath, not one thick coat, and the gear does the rest. The mistake is cotton next to the skin; it holds sweat and chills you. Merino base layer, then fleece, then the suit.
- №3
Rovaniemi is the official Santa
The Santa Claus Village sits right on the Arctic Circle line outside Rovaniemi, and Finland has long played it as the official one. You can meet Santa year-round, post a card with the Arctic Circle stamp, and step over the painted Circle for the photo. It's frankly commercial, but with children along it's the heart of the trip. Go early; the coach groups arrive by eleven.
The Details
What's Included
Included
- Hotels as per mentioned above.
- Sightseeings as per below on SIC basis
- Oslo bus sightseeing coach bus tour (3 hrs) in a group
- Norway in Nutshell program from Oslo to Bergen, which includes excursions to Norway's most spectacular scenery and the Fjord cruise on the narrow UNESCO heritage Nærøyfjord & the beautiful Aurlandsfjord and scenic rail journeys on the Bergen Line & the famous Flåm Railway (independent tour with all the tour tickets included)
- Private Walking Tour in Bergen - 2 hrs
Not Included
- 5% Government Service Tax is applicable in addition to the total invoice.
- 2% Tax Collected at Source (TCS)
- PCR Tests if necessary, for the required destination
Plan Your Timing
When to Go
Finland is really two trips. Deep winter. December to March. Is the Lapland season everyone pictures: snow, the aurora overhead, husky and reindeer sleds, Santa at Rovaniemi, and the polar twilight. Summer, June to August, flips entirely: the midnight sun never quite sets, the lakes warm enough to swim, and Helsinki comes alive on its terraces. The shoulder months are the ones to skip. The dark, snowless run of November, and the muddy thaw of April into May.
Your Memoir
Here's how you'll remember it.
Vol. 10, A Tibro memoir, printed on archival paper, shipped after you return.
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