Times Travel – Aurora Journey Through the Nordics: Norway, Finland, and Sweden
- Details
Details
Combining Norway, Finland and Sweden, this all-encompassing tour is the bucket list trip of Northern Lights holidays. Arriving high above the Arctic Circle, this Nordic tour begins in the vibrant city of Tromsø, in Norway's stunning north.
Firstly, soak up the region's cosmopolitan vibe, wealth of shops and innovative restaurants and rich heritage. Enjoy exploring all this delightful city has to offer. Experience a dedicated Northern Lights hunt which leads you far from the city lights in search of an Aurora display. Renowned as the gateway to the Arctic, unsurprisingly many of the world's greatest adventurers commence their expeditions here.
From Tromsø you will travel right to the heart of the Aurora Zone to Levi, one of our most popular winter destinations in Finnish Lapland. Here you will take part in a thrilling husky safari, where your team of dogs will lead you deep into the beautiful, snowy wilderness. You'll explore the area via snowmobile and have the chance to meet the reindeer before enjoying a leisurely sleigh ride through the snow-covered forests. We've also included another Northern Lights activity to maximise your chances of seeing the Aurora in each country. This time you'll travel by snowmobile-pulled sleigh.
On your sixth day, you will transfer to the world-famous ICEHOTEL® in Sweden. Later, there will be ample time to discover this fascinating hotel including its chapel, ice bar and sculptures before spending one night in a unique ice room, where you will be tucked up cosy in your Arctic-grade sleeping bag followed by a night in a warm room.
There are plenty of extra activities to add on, should you wish, including ice sculpting and gourmet dining experiences. You can extend your Nordic tour or upgrade your accommodation to stay in one of the ICEHOTEL's ® Art Suites.
Photography Credits: Tromso Villmarkscamp, Northern Lights Village, © Risto Hämäläinen, Asaf Klige, ICEHOTEL®, Antti Pietikainen. Clarion Hotel- The Edge, Bjørn Jørgensen - Visit Norway
Important Information
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.
Availability of specific room types at the Icehotel and hotel rooms in general in Tromso will vary across the winter. We will of course offer you the best available rooms for your needs and preferences, however this may occasionally have some impact on the price of your trip. This will of course be explained to you in any quote supplied for you to review prior to confirming your booking.
Itinerary
Your adventure begins as you are collected from Tromsø Airport and transferred to the city centre. You will have time to check in to your hotel room and visit one of Tromsø’s superb restaurants for a delicious evening meal (payable locally). Fiskekompaniet is one of our favourites serving a seasonal and authentic menu of beautifully presented seafood dishes.
Included Meals: None
Following breakfast, you will have a free day to spend as you please. There are a plethora of incredible sights and attractions to visit in Tromsø such as the Polar Museum, Polaria Aquarium and the Fjellheisen mountain top cable car. At the heart of the city centre, you will find the Domkirke square and streets lined with charming boutiques and cafes. We also have several optional activities that can be added on today, including a fjord cruise across the waters that surround Tromsø, offering the chance to see local wildlife and admire the stunning mountains – please speak to our Travel Experts for more information.
This evening, you will leave the city lights behind and travel via minibus in the company of an expert local guide to search for the Northern Lights. Informed by the latest weather and solar forecasts, your route will be carefully curated to maximise your chance of witnessing the undulating patterns and majestic hues of the Northern Lights. Snacks and hot drinks are included and you will be out for approximately 5-7 hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a leisurely breakfast, you will check out of your hotel room ready for the next country in your grand tour.
Today you will be driven from Tromsø to Finnish Lapland. The journey time is around five to six hours in total (including a lunch stop), and you will be treated to stunning scenery as you travel south through the ever-changing landscape. There will be a stop en-route where you can purchase some lunch (payable locally.)
Upon arrival in Levi, you can check in to your glass-roofed cabin, collect your cold weather clothing and relax. Take time to enjoy the snow-covered surroundings and dwell in the serene wilderness. Your evening meal will be served in the hotel’s restaurant.
Levi’s prime location and well-appointed glass-roofed accommodation is ideally situated for Northern Lights viewing, so be sure to keep an eye on the sky when you are not out and about.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
A thrilling day of adventure lies ahead. After a full safety briefing and instructions, your guide will lead you into the wilderness for an incredible snowmobile safari. Driving through snow-capped forests, you will be out for approximately 2 hours in total, covering 25-30km. Two people will share a snowmobile during this activity.
Please note: you must be at least 18 years old and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile.
A rewarding private session (one hour) in the resort’s sauna and hot tub awaits you this afternoon; there’s no better way to relax and soak in your surroundings.
After dinner, you will be met by an expert local guide and head into the wilderness in a heated sleigh pulled behind your guide’s snowmobile. You will stop enroute and enjoy a warm drink by the fire whilst searching the night sky for the Aurora. This activity lasts around three hours in total.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Huskies are synonymous with Lapland and today, you will have the opportunity to experience life as a musher, leading your own team of dogs across the snow. Upon arriving at the kennels, the excitement of the huskies will be palpable as they eagerly await the trail ahead. You will be given full instruction and a safety briefing on how to control the sled before heading out, travelling two people per sled, with one person standing on the back driving and the other sitting in the sled (there will be the chance for you to swap drivers en-route.) Admire the wintry scene, smell the aromas of the crisp forest, and listen to the rhythmic patter of paws. The activity will last for around two hours in total and you will be driving the sled for around one hour, covering approximately 10km.
Following lunch, you will encounter another creature native to Lapland; reindeer. You’ll have a chance to meet and feed them (the love lichen!) before snuggling into the cosy sleigh as the majestic reindeer pulls you along the trail. Before snowmobiles were invented, this was the traditional way of getting around in these parts of the world. The sleigh ride will last approximately one hour, and the total duration of this activity is around one and a half hours in total.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It’s time to say näkemiin to Finland and hej to Sweden. Today, you will be driven to the small village of Jukkasjärvi, home to the world-famous ICEHOTEL®. Your journey will include a stop for lunch (not included) and will take around three to four hours in total.
Be prepared to make unforgettable memories as you spend a night in one of the hotel’s ice rooms. Alternatively, if you wish to experience the ultimate in ice accommodation, we can arrange for you to upgrade to one of the Deluxe or Art Suites (subject to availability.) Each of these suites are individually themed and hand carved by artists commissioned from around the world.
Please note:?Due to availability, your first night might be in a warm room and your second night in an ice room.
A note regarding cold rooms: Between 10 am and 6 pm, the ICEHOTEL® is open to the public; for day visitors and guests to enjoy the art. This means overnight guests get their rooms at 6 pm and the wake-up call is around 7:30 am when staying in a cold room.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today’s itinerary has been kept free for you to explore all that is on offer at this celebrated hotel. You can tour the site and uncover attractions such as the ice suites, ice bar and ice chapel. Remember to visit the fascinating ice store and factory. It is almost incomprehensible that come springtime, all of the main hotel building simply melts away after learning of the hard work and numerous hours spent creating it!
At the ICEHOTEL® you relax in your warm room tonight and dine in one the restaurants (we advise to book a table in advance). The population of Jukkasjärvi is tiny so there is very minimal light pollution so just a short walk from the hotel you can find yourself in incredible Aurora viewing locations.
There are plenty of additional activities that can be added to your itinerary today, such as ice carving, a moose safari, and Northern Lights snowmobiling, to name but a few. Please speak to one of our Travel Experts for further information.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Sadly your three country adventure has come to an end, however, you will have made a wealth of wonderful memories along the way. After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to Kiruna Airport for your return flight home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Flights are included from London to Tromsø (via Oslo or direct) and returning from Kiruna to London (via Stockholm.) Flight routes are subject to change.
- Transfers: Airport transfers from Tromsø/to Kiruna and destination transfers are included
- Accommodation: 2 nights en-suite double/twin room at Clarion Hotel – The Edge, Tromsø, 3 nights in a glass-roofed Aurora Cabin at the Northern Lights Village, Levi, 1 night in an ice room and 1 night in a warm room at the ICEHOTEL®
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners (2 lunch stops are planned on the transfers from Tromsø to Levi and Levi to Kiruna, however these meals are not included)
- Northern Lights hunt by minibus in Tromsø
- 2-hour snowmobile safari
- Private sauna and hot tub session (1 hour)
- Aurora hunt by heated sleigh
- 10km husky safari and Reindeer sleigh ride
- Experienced guides and instructors for all activities
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay in Levi
- 24/7 assistance from our UK-based operations team and in-destination support from our local partners and full instructions on meeting points, times and transfers provided
Accommodation
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Situated right in the centre of Tromsø, the Clarion Hotel The Edge puts you in a prime location to explore the ‘Paris of the North’ and is an excellent base to transfer to your memorable activities. 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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Double/Twin Room
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, hairdryer, minibar, iron and ironing board.
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Located in the far north of Finland, 16km away from the centre of Levi and close to the ski resort (approx. 14km), the Northern Lights Village sits tucked away in its own piece of wilderness. With 40 Aurora Cabins, you’ll have the brilliant opportunity to view the Northern Lights right from your bed. Each cabin comes equipped with a half-glass roof with the twin or double beds situated underneath. This is one of the few places in the world where you’ll prefer a sleepless night! All cabins are in walking distance of the restaurant which serves local, Lappish delicacies. Facilities
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Double Cabin
All Aurora Cabins face north and out into the wilderness to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights through the half-glass roof. The windows are also laser heated to melt the snow so that you have clear views at all times.
Inside, you’ll find twin beds which can be made into a double and there is also a sofa bed (suitable for an additional adult or two children). There is a shower room, toilet and luggage storage area (please note that hot water is limited). You also have tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer, minibar and unlimited Wi-Fi.
Cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required.
Twin Cabin
Each Aurora Cabin comes equipped with a half-glass roof which all face north, for optimal Northern Lights viewing. What’s more, the windows are laser heated to ensure the snow melts and you have a constant view of the Arctic. The designs are based on a traditional wooden kota (tepee) in Finland.
Inside, you’ll find twin beds which can be made into a double and there is also a sofa bed (suitable for an additional adult). There is a shower room, toilet and luggage storage area (please note that hot water is limited). You also have tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer, minibar and unlimited WiFi.
Cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required.
Single Occupancy Cabin
Each Aurora Cabin comes equipped with a half-glass roof which all face north, for optimal Northern Lights viewing. What’s more, the windows are laser heated to ensure the snow melts and you have a constant view of the Arctic. The designs are based on a traditional wooden kota (tepee) in Finland.
Inside, you’ll find twin beds which can be made into a double and there is also a sofa bed (suitable for an additional adult). There is a shower room, toilet and luggage storage area (please note that hot water is limited). You also have tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer, minibar and unlimited WiFi.
Cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required.
Family Cabin
Each Aurora Cabin comes equipped with a half-glass roof which all face north, for optimal Northern Lights viewing. What’s more, the windows are laser heated to ensure the snow melts and you have a constant view of the Arctic. The designs are based on a traditional wooden kota (tepee) in Finland.
Inside, you’ll find twin beds which can be made into a double and there is also a sofa bed (suitable for an additional adult). There is a shower room, toilet and luggage storage area (please note that hot water is limited). You also have tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer, minibar and unlimited WiFi.
Cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required.
Triple Cabin
Each Aurora Cabin comes equipped with a half-glass roof which all face north, for optimal Northern Lights viewing. What’s more, the windows are laser heated to ensure the snow melts and you have a constant view of the Arctic. The designs are based on a traditional wooden kota (tepee) in Finland.
Inside, you’ll find twin beds which can be made into a double and there is also a sofa bed (suitable for an additional adult). There is a shower room, toilet and luggage storage area (please note that hot water is limited). You also have tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer, minibar and unlimited WiFi.
Cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required.
Aurora Suite
There are just 10 of these exclusive Aurora Suites and they are a very popular option for families. The spacious 44m2 size means that alongside the double bed under the spectacular laser-heated glass roof, there is space for 3 extra guests (2 on a sofa bed and 1 on an extra bed).
We however would not recommend more than 4 adults in one of the suites as it would be rather too cosy. The suites have a shower room (hot water limited but very manageable) and separate WC as well as their very own private sauna. An electric fireplace adds additional ambiance. You also have tea and coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer, minibar and unlimited WiFi.
Cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required.
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The ICEHOTEL® at Jukkasjärvi has the impressive claim of being the world’s first ice hotel and was developed from a concept beginning in 1989. A local entrepreneur by the name of Yngve Bergqvist who ran a thriving tourism business in the summer decided to attract tourists in the winter by offering ice carving workshops and creating a small ice igloo as a gallery to showcase these designs. This igloo grew in scale each year until one night a group of guests, equipped with reindeer skins and sleeping bags asked to spend the night, creating the concept of the ice hotel in the process! Although Ice and snow hotels can be found across Lapland, the ICEHOTEL® remains the original. What’s more, 2018 saw the ICEHOTEL® become the first-ever Nordic Swan Ecolabel hotel made completely of ice and snow. The certification process looks at all areas, from energy and water consumption to waste management; understandably, this presented many challenges when measuring a hotel whose rooms melt away at the end of each winter season! The eco-label adds to a growing list of certifications for the ICEHOTEL® who is also certified a Sustainable Arctic Destination. Certification ensures guests are choosing environmentally conscious products and the ICEHOTEL® are – rightly so – very proud to receive such recognition. ICEHOTEL 365The hotel now boasts ICEHOTEL 365, a permanent structure, allowing it to be a year-round destination to visitors who travel the world to sleep in a room of ice and snow. 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. Alongside this is the classic ICEHOTEL® building, constructed purely of ice and snow and carefully crafted each December, utilising blocks from the nearby Torne River. Home to ice rooms, winter suites and a chapel the structure is a marvel to see and, come summer, simply melts back into the river from which it came. Each year, architects, designers and artists submit designs for the hotel’s features and a handful are chosen to go forward with their theme. The hotel consists of several buildings including the main ice building and ICEHOTEL 365. We cannot guarantee which area our guests will stay in. The rooms which are contained within the ice and snow building will not be available until after the 14th of December. Check-in time for the cold rooms is usually around 6 pm and for the warm rooms, it is approximately 3 pm. The ICEHOTEL® is open to members of the public for viewing between 10 am and 6 pm. You will check out after breakfast. Hotel facilities
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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 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 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 Standrad/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)
Nordic Cabin - Warm Rooms
These are designed to accommodate up to four people. Each has one double room (sometimes two twins together) and one room with bunk beds, making them ideal for families or small groups of friends. 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.
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.
Tour Map
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.
Please note: this is a non-guided, independent tour. Full instructions on meeting points, times and transfers will be provided in final travel documents, with 24/7 assistance from our UK-based operations team and in-destination support from our local partners available if required.
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
