Itinerary
Helsinki kick-starts your hunt for the mystical Northern Lights. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. There's time to freshen up before joining your Local Specialist for a city sightseeing tour and Welcome Reception.
Today, take to the skies as you fly north from Helsinki, crossing the Arctic Circle to the wilderness of Finnish Lapland. From Ivalo, a short drive brings you to Saariselkä, your snowy base for the next two nights.
Later, uncover the traditions and heritage of Europe's only Indigenous people during your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Siida Sámi Museum, set by the edge of Lake Inari. Through thoughtful exhibitions, you'll learn how Sámi culture, languages and customs have evolved, and how communities continue to live in connection with this remote northern landscape.
Enjoy a relaxing day in the picturesque Arctic village of Saariselkä. For those looking for adventure, consider joining an Optional Experience to go snowshoeing along the scenic Aurora Path, and later opt in to feel the thrill of a snowmobiling excursion across the frozen Ivalo River. As night falls, don't miss the chance to participate in another Optional Experience—a magical Northern Lights hunt.
Visit Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. Celebrate the magic of Christmas when you Dive Into Culture and share yuletide greetings with Santa at his post office. Dive Into Culture once again as we visit a reindeer farm to meet Santa's sleigh-pullers.
Bid farewell to Finland, bound for Sweden. Your first stop is the historic church village of Gammelstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its 424 wooden houses surrounding an early 15th-century stone church. Explore the village with a Local Specialist who will bring its fascinating history to life. Afterward, continue on to Luleå, the largest city in Swedish Lapland.
Travel from Luleå to Kiruna, deep into Sweden's Arctic north. This afternoon, explore on your own or join an Optional Experience with a Local Specialist for a walking tour of Kiruna. Learn how this mining town is being reshaped and relocated, then pause for a traditional fika.
In the evening, join a Sámi reindeer herding family for your Be My Guest experience. Inside their lavvu, you'll share a home-cooked meal and hear first-hand about their way of life in the far north.
Today is yours to explore Kiruna, a fascinating town undergoing one of the most ambitious urban relocations in modern history. In a remarkable feat of engineering, much of the town — including its historic buildings — is being methodically moved 3 kilometres east to accommodate the growth of the world's largest underground iron ore mine.
You might choose to explore at your own pace, or perhaps join one of our enriching Optional Experiences. Take a husky safari through the snow, or if conditions don't allow, visit a working sled dog kennel to learn about life with these remarkable animals. Explore the Icehotel, built entirely from natural ice and snow, or join a local guide to learn more about Kiruna's ambitious move. End the day with an evening Optional Experience to Aurora Camp, where a two-course dinner is served beside the frozen river as you watch for the northern lights.
This morning leave the Arctic behind to fly to Stockholm. Enjoy an orientation tour led by a Local Specialist, exploring the city known as 'beauty on the water.' Walk the cobbled streets of the Old Town, and visit the impressive Stockholm City Hall. Tonight, your journey in search of the Northern Lights concludes with a memorable dinner.
As our journey in the snowy Arctic lands of reindeer and Father Christmas comes to an end, the memories of ancient Sámi culture and Nordic traditions in our hearts, we bid a fond farewell to newfound friends.
Trip Inclusions
- Explore Helsinki, Gammelstad and Stockholm
- Visit Saariselkä, Rovaniemi, Gammelstad Church Town, Kiruna and Stockholm City Hall
- View the Northern Lights (weather permitting)
- See the Sibelius Monument, the Olympic Stadium, the Opera House and Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Riddarholmen Church and the Royal Palace in Stockholm
Be My Guest
- Kiruna: Join a Sami reindeer herder family in their homestead for a traditional meal in their lavvu (tepee) with insights into the way of life of a reindeer herder, their traditions and history.
Dive Into Culture
- Rovaniemi: Visit Rovaniemi, the hometown of Santa Claus, and meet its famous resident.
- Rovaniemi: Ride an authentic Sámi reindeer-drawn sleigh, the traditional means of transport in snowy northern Finland.
Iconic Experience
- Helsinki: Your Local Specialist will show you the sights of the harbour city. Wander through the aromatic stalls of a traditional food market and sample local produce like liquorice or smoked reindeer before enjoying free time to explore the harbour of this fascinating city of design.
- Gammelstad: Visit the immaculately-preseved historic trading settlement of Gammelstad. Gain insight into the customs and development of this region as you view the wooden cottages and central stone church.
- Stockholm (Solna): With your Local Specialist, visit the Stockholm City Hall and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city with your fellow travelling companions.
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Flight from Helsinki to Ivalo
- Flight from Kiruna to Stockholm
- Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
- 8 Breakfasts (B)
- 5 Dinners (D)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
You’ll enjoy the icons and hidden gems with a Local Specialist by your side. Read more
With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you. Read more
Find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. Read more
Trip Reviews (3)
There were plenty of optional excursions, and we chose to do all of them. They were 100% worth it! The reindeer farm was a great experience, and the husky sledding adventure was so much fun, even though there was no snow. We also visited the Icehotel, and what an amazing and fun experience that was! Seeing the incredible ice sculptures and the creativity that goes into creating the hotel was fascinating. We learned that the outdoor ice hotel is being built later and later in the year. I can only wonder if climate change and warming temperatures are contributing to that. The permanent Icehotel was awesome and well worth seeing!
We also toured the Vasa Museum and the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm. The Vasa Museum literally took my breath away! Seeing the Vasa ship in person was incredible and definitely a highlight of the trip. I highly recommend allowing extra time in Stockholm to explore these attractions and enjoy the city.
A little advice for future travelers: Consider arriving a day or two early to adjust to the time difference. The 10-hour time change (from California) was much harder to adjust to than I expected! I would also recommend staying an extra day or two after the tour to give yourself enough time to truly explore Stockholm.
Another important tip: Pack for the Arctic weather! We traveled in October, and it was COLD. If you're traveling to Finnish and Swedish Lapland, make sure you bring proper cold-weather clothing, including a warm winter jacket, insulated pants, gloves, a hat, and appropriate footwear. Some people in our group had to purchase additional clothing because they weren't adequately prepared. You don't want to spend your time being cold when you should be enjoying the experience!
Our tour guide, Mike, was awesome! He was personable, funny, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel comfortable throughout the trip. He also did a great job managing a group of 27 people, which is no easy task. Our driver, Kristoff, got us everywhere safely, and our two local experts, Lucas (Northern lights hunting) and Adi Nobel and Vasa Museum** (I hope I spelled their names correctly!), were great as well. I really enjoyed Adi's tours he was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. You could just tell how passionate he was.
Our group of 27 people was the perfect size. Everyone got along really well and, best of all, everyone was ready on time, which helped keep everything running smoothly. The first couple of days involve quite a bit of travel, but once you settle into the pace, the trip is fantastic.
If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure with great guides, beautiful scenery, fun excursions, and a wonderful group experience, I highly recommend this trip! The Northern Lights are a bonus, but there is so much more to see and experience along the way. I would absolutely consider traveling with Trafalgar again!
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Trafalgar Europe (2025-26)
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Trafalgar. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
