Through the forest and along the banks of the Altaelva river, mushing your own team of huskies. Hotel pick up, protective thermal clothing, cake and hot drink included. 21⁄2 hrs. Mon-Fri mid Dec-April (Evenings Mon-Thu).
The Snow Hotel at the Top Of The World
The Snow Hotel at the Top Of The World
At 69ºN, The Kirkenes Snow Hotel is the world’s most northerly Ice Hotel. With just 15 suites exquisitely sculpted, ice art and double beds topped with reindeer pelts, the Kirkenes Snow Hotel is – we think – undeniably the ‘boutique’ of the world’s Ice Hotels.
Just outside Kirkenes, characterised by rather utilitarian architecture, is the awesomely stark Gabba Reindeer Park where the Kirkenes Snowhotel is just a ‘kick sled’ ride away. Here, as you eat your supper in a traditional Sami ‘lavvo’ under the arctic night, it’s hard to imagine this being one of the Cold War’s most incendiary flash points, which the watch towered Norwegian Russian border still bears testimony to.
Kirkenes sits 400km north of the Arctic alongside the Barents Sea at the apex of the Scandinavian peninsula where Norway meets Russia and Finland.
In the surrounding plains of Norwegian Lapland you can enjoy a cocktail of adventures: snowmobiling over the mountain ridge to observation point 247 where NATO faced down the Russian Bear for half a century; husky safariing under (hopefully) the Northern Lights and snowmobiling out over the ice to fish for Giant Crabs unique to the Barents Sea. All in all, a real ‘been there – done that’ experience.
DAY 1 UK – KIRKENES
Scheduled SAS flight(s) to Kirkenes via Oslo. Transfer on arrival to safari station and then kick sled to the Gabba Reindeer Park and Kirkenes Snow Hotel. Supper in a traditional Sami ‘lavvo’ before retiring to your ice suite for the night – sleeping in a giant igloo at the top of the world.
DAY 2 KIRKENES & HUSKY SAFARI
After breakfast in the Snow Hotel, kick sled back to Kirkenes and check in to the Rica Kirkenes hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon at leisure and evening husky safari in surrounding wilderness including traditional dinner.
DAY 3 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI
After breakfast, a day long guided snowmobile tour over the mountains and alongside the watch towered Norwegian/Russian border. Along the way stop for an open fire lunch of venison washed down with hot coffee, before continuing out to the Barents Sea. Late afternoon return to Kirkenes for some relaxation in the hotel.
DAY 4 KING CRAB SAFARI
Breakfast and morning at leisure before getting ready to meet up with the sub aquatic albatross of the Barents Sea: the two metre claw span King Crab. From Lars Petter Øie’s place alongside the fjord you travel by snowmobile or RIB to the edge of the ice where your driver guide vanishes beneath the water, re-surfacing with a crab for you to take back to the quayside, cook & enjoy. Late afternoon return to Kirkenes.
DAY 5 KIRKENES – UK
Breakfast and morning free before transfer to the airport and scheduled SAS flight(s) via Oslo to UK.
Husky Safari
£120 pp
Snowmobile Safari
Snowmobile Safari across the Finnmark plateau with traditional Sami lunch included. Hotel pick up, protective thermal clothing and lunch included. 31⁄2 hrs. Twice daily (mornings and evenings) Dec – April.
£125 pp
What's Included
- Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Kirkenes via Oslo
- All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges
- Overnight in Snow Hotel and 3 nights at Hotel Rica in twin bedded room(s) with private wc/shower
- 4 breakfasts, 1 dinner and 2 lunches
- Welcome drink (1st night)
- Husky safari, snowmobile safari & king crab safari as per itinerary - Protective thermal clothing for all safaris
- All transfers in Kirkenes
- SNOWMOBILE SAFARI SOLE DRIVER SUPPLEMENT £90 NB
- *Weekday flight schedules necessitate an overnight stay in Oslo on the outbound flight at a supplement.
Departure Dates
DAILY
Daily 15 Dec -2 Apr
Typical Tour Price
Prices from £1795pp
