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 – OSLO
Scheduled SAS flight to Oslo. Overnight at Rica Hotel Gardermoen (Oslo Airport).
DAY 2 OSLO-KIRKENES
SAS flight to Kirkenes. Transfer on arrival to the Gabba Reindeer Park and Kirkenes Snow Hotel. Welcome drink in the Snow Bar before supper in a traditional Sami ‘lavvo’ before retiring to your Ice Suite and a night sleeping in a giant igloo at the very top of the world.
DAY 3 KIRKENES & HUSKY SAFARI
After breakfast in the Snow Hotel, transfer to Kirkenes and check in to the Rica Arctic Hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon at leisure, before an evening husky safari in the surrounding wilderness including a traditional Sami supper mid-way during your journey.
DAY 4 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI
After breakfast, a 4/5 hour 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 a sauna and relax in your hotel.
DAY 5 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 sledge to the edge of the ice where your driver guide helps you cut a hole in the ice from which you fish for crab to take back to the quayside, to cook & enjoy. Late afternoon return to Kirkenes.
DAY 6 KIRKENES – UK.
Breakfast and morning free before transfer to the airport and scheduled SAS flight(s) via Oslo to UK.
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 at the Rica Oslo hotel (airport)
- Overnight in Snow Hotel and 3 nights at Hotel Rica in twin bedded room(s) with private wc/shower
- 5 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
Departure Dates
Mid December 2013 - April 2014
Price per Adult
£1895 (subject to availability)
