Chase the Northern Lights on a 9-day winter journey through Finland and Sweden, from Helsinki and Lapland to Kiruna and Stockholm.
9 days, 2 countries and 9 cities
There are winter journeys, and then there are journeys that chase the sky itself. This Nordic adventure drifts from design-forward cities to deep Arctic wilderness, from Sámi traditions to snow-laced villages where nightfall brings the promise of dancing lights overhead. Over nine days, Finland and Sweden unfold in hushed forests, frozen rivers, candlelit meals, and moments where silence feels like luxury.
Day 1 | Welcome to Helsinki
- Arrive in Helsinki, where your Northern Lights journey quietly begins.
- Transfer to your hotel with time to settle in after your flight.
- Join a Local Specialist for a guided city sightseeing tour, offering an elegant introduction to Finland’s capital.
- Gather in the evening for a Welcome Reception and dinner, setting the tone for the days ahead.
- Meals: Dinner
- Hotel: Clarion
Day 2 | Journey to Saariselkä
- Fly north from Helsinki, crossing the Arctic Circle into Finnish Lapland.
- Continue by road from Ivalo to Saariselkä, your snow-dusted base for the next two nights.
- Visit the Siida Sámi Museum on the shores of Lake Inari for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, discovering the traditions, language, and living culture of Europe’s only Indigenous people.
- Evening at leisure, or opt for an Aurora Hunting experience led by a Local Specialist, blending science, folklore, and Arctic landscapes in search of the Northern Lights.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Hotel: Santa’s Tunturi
Day 3 | Discover the Arctic
- Wake to a full day in Saariselkä, surrounded by pristine Arctic scenery.
- Choose to explore independently or join optional snowshoeing along the Aurora Path through winter forests.
- Later, opt for a snowmobile safari across the frozen Ivalo River, learning about life in extreme northern conditions.
- As night falls, another opportunity awaits to head out on an optional Northern Lights hunt beneath the polar sky.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hotel: Santa’s Tunturi
Day 4 | Off to Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi
- Travel south to Rovaniemi, officially known as the hometown of Santa Claus.
- Visit Santa’s Post Office, where yuletide greetings are sent from the Arctic Circle to every corner of the world.
- Continue your Dive Into Culture experience at a local reindeer farm, meeting Santa’s famed sleigh-pullers and learning about reindeer herding traditions.
- Evening dinner in Rovaniemi.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Hotel: Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus
Day 5 | Venture to Luleå in Swedish Lapland
- Farewell Finland and cross into Sweden.
- Stop at Gammelstad Church Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 424 red wooden houses clustered around a medieval stone church.
- Explore the historic village with a Local Specialist before continuing to Luleå, the heart of Swedish Lapland.
- Optional experiences include a visit to Ranua Wildlife Park or an atmospheric dinner at Brändön Lodge overlooking the frozen Gulf of Bothnia.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hotel: Scandic Luleå
Day 6 | Onwards to Kiruna
- Travel deeper into Sweden’s Arctic north, arriving in Kiruna.
- Spend the afternoon exploring independently or join an optional walking tour with fika, learning how the town is being gradually relocated due to mining activity.
- In the evening, share a Be My Guest experience with a Sámi reindeer herding family, enjoying a home-cooked meal inside a traditional lavvu while hearing stories of life in the far north.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Hotel: Scandic Kiruna
Day 7 | Kiruna Your Way
- Enjoy a full day at leisure in Kiruna, a town undergoing one of the world’s most ambitious urban relocations.
- Optional experiences include a husky sled adventure through snowy forests, a visit to a working sled dog kennel, or a tour of the iconic Icehotel and Ice Bar.
- In the evening, consider an Aurora Dinner at a remote camp beside the frozen Torne River, combining Arctic cuisine with Northern Lights watching.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hotel: Scandic Kiruna
Day 8 | Enjoy Stunning Stockholm
- Fly south to Stockholm, leaving the Arctic landscapes behind.
- Join a Local Specialist for an orientation tour of the city often called ‘beauty on the water’.
- Wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town and admire the grand Stockholm City Hall.
- Celebrate the journey’s end with a farewell dinner in Sweden’s elegant capital.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Hotel: Clarion
Day 9 | Farewell Stockholm
- After breakfast, bid farewell to Stockholm and your fellow travellers.
- Depart with memories of Arctic nights, Sámi stories, frozen rivers, and the quiet thrill of chasing the Northern Lights across Scandinavia.
- Meals: Breakfast
These are not holidays you scroll past. TFN journeys are crafted for travellers who value taste over trends and depth over display—where every route, stay, and experience is chosen with intention. You travel unhurried, discover what most never see, and return with more than memories. You return with stories worth the brag, told quietly, and remembered long after.
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
- Enjoy your stay at cherry picked hotels and lodges, all tried and trusted.
- Travel comfortably in air-conditioned coaches.
- Our Travel Directors play a crucial role in curating unforgettable experiences for the guests. These seasoned explorers, and culture enthusiasts share local insights from the start, offering a personalized, insider’s perspective of each destination.
- Airport transfers are provided on the first and last travel day. Conditions apply.
- Many meals and daily breakfasts included.
- Extensive variety of Choice Experiences.
COST: $3797 Onwards
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