Scandinavian Northern Lights

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.