Europe
Arctic Circle Tour
11 Day Guided Tour & Cruise
An once-in-a-lifetime journey into the one of the most unique regions in the world. On the Arctic Circle Tour, guests will experience a magical adventure into the winter wonderlands of Lapland, Finland and Norway.
The Arctic Circle tour includes an arctic cruise along the northern-most fjords of Norway as well a guided tour through northern Scandinavia, visiting a snow hotel, Santa Claus Village and experiencing both a reindeer and husky safari.
Optional excursions to enjoy include a Krab Safari, Snowmobile Safari, Ice Fishing and a Polar Ice Breaker Experience! This comprehensive tour of the arctic also allows guests the best opportunities for Northern Lights sightings with a stay in the Lights of Lapland hotel.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival at Ivalo & Northern Lights Excursion
Arrival to Ivalo Airport. Here we guarantee 2 shuttle shared transfers to the Santa’s Hotel Tunturi in Saariselkä during the day. In the evening, meet our guide for a welcome drink and a briefing about the program of the following days. If the weather allows and there is auroral activity, your guide will
take you out to see the Northern Lights.
Day 2 - Norway & The Snow Hotel Visit (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. We leave in the morning and cross the border between Finland and Norway to reach Kirkenes, a small town facing the Barents Sea. Here we’ll have lunch in the restaurant of the Snow Hotel, followed by a visit of the Snow Hotel 365 itself.
Marvel at the ice and snow art and discover all the ice suites; you can also visit Santa`s workshop and the icebar, taking all the time you need to explore the park with huskies and reindeers.
For those who want, it’s possible to join the king crab safari at 17:00. For those interested in history instead, the Varanger Museum in Kirkenes has exhibits about the town’s ordeal during WWII; bombed a total of 328 times in four years, making it the most bombed place during the war after Malta. For more insights into this somber period, visit the Andersgrotta WWII Bomb Shelter which can house up to 2,500 people underground.
Dinner and overnight at Thon Hotel Kirkenes.
Day 3 - Overnight Norway Arctic Cruise (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Hurtigruten pier. Lunch on board. Our journey on the famous Hurtigruten starts.
In the port of Vardø, you’ll find the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains a part of the military to this day.
We cruise Norway’s coastline to arrive in the small port of Båtsfjord in the evening and then on to Berlevåg. You might be able to make out Mount Tanahorn to the west or see Kjølnes Lighthouse blinking atop a cliff overlooking the Barents Sea.
Dinner and overnight on board – Polar Outside cabins
Day 4 - Hammerfest & Tromsø Arrival (B, L, D)
Breakfast on board. We make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund. Lunch on board.
In the early afternoon, you’ll spend time in Hammerfest, once the northernmost town in the world until Longyearbyen in Svalbard claimed the title. Check out the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint on Mount Salen.
We continue cruising Norway’s coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks.
Dinner on board and late evening arrival in Tromsø. Transfer to your hotel, check-in and overnight.
Day 5 - Tromsø Tour (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic visit of Tromsø that will take you through the centre of this town in the Arctic. A charming blend of old and new, where modest wooden houses sit alongside the modern architecture of this university city. Our guide will give you a true sense of the city who carries the nickname “Paris of the North”.
Cross the Tromsø Bridge which connects Tromsø Island to the mainland, and see the Arctic Cathedral reveal itself on the way over. Tromsdalen Church, also known as Ishavskatedralen (The Arctic Cathedral) was built on November 19, 1965. The cathedral is a landmark visible from the Tromsø Sound, the Tromsø Bridge and when landing in Tromsø by aircraft.
For those who want to walk a little more, it’s possible to reach the cable car and go all the way to the top of Mount Storsteinen, 421 meters above sea level in just four minutes, and enjoy a bird’s-eye-view of the city and its impressive surroundings. We’ll visit a local brewery where you will learn about the ingredients in the beer and the brewing process that Norwegians use in the arctic region to produce a delicious beer.
After some free time for lunch, we will depart for Kilpisjärvi. This is where the three nations of Norway, Finland, and Sweden meet. Driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.
Dinner will be included at Santa’s Hotel Rakka, where you will also spend the night. Kilpisjärvi hosts some of the best conditions for viewing the northern lights, so make sure to head out at night for a peak. Please keep in mind, seeing the Northern Lights is dependent on weather and nature conditions.
Day 6 - Three Borders Region (B)
We will enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, there is the possibility to visit Finland, Sweden, and Norway in less than one minute. This is a bucket list experience that we strongly suggest: a snowmobile safari for beginners and first timers, with a trail that runs on the frozen lake and through beautiful snowy birch forest to Koltavuoma where the yellow border cairn of three Nordic countries is located. It is called the most peaceful border in the world. Take your time to make pictures and mark your presence at the point of intersection of three European borders! (the snowmobile activity is an optional extra)
We will then embark for Levi and explore different part of Finnish Lapland. The driving time is approximately 3.5 hours. Arrival at your hotel for the night, the exclusive Design Hotel in Levi. Dinner at leisure. Overnight.
Day 7 - Levi, Sweden (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Levi is very popular also among the locals because it’s the perfect place for skiing. Morning at leisure to explore this magical winter destination, to test your skiing skills or to join an ice-fishing experience. In the afternoon, we’ll depart for Haparanda to experience Swedish Lapland.
Dinner and overnight at Haparanda Stadshotell
Day 8 - Optional Ice Breaker Excursion (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
For those who want, another bucket-list experience is awaiting today: the Icebreaker! A 3 hours cruise in the frozen water of Bothnian sea in Lapland. For 3 hours you will be a witness of the massive ice breaking power of the vessel, have a guided tour all the way down to the engine
rooms and all way up to Captain’s bridge. You can relax in the cozy saloon, enjoying warm juice or go for walk on the frozen sea ice during the stop. The icebreaker makes a pool free of ice and every visitor can take a swim in the dark icy water in flotation survival suits. The captain will present Cruise & Swim Certificate to everyone as a memorable gift (the Icebreaker activity is optional).
In the afternoon you will have some time to explore Haparanda Tornio, crossing the border between Sweden and Finland as you walk from your hotel to the local shopping mall, or to join one of the several available activities.
Dinner and overnight at Haparanda Stadshotell.
Day 9 - Meet Santa Claus (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Rovaniemi, in Finland, which is The Official Home of Santa Claus. Here he spends his time at the Santa Claus Village every day of the year to take care of his mission in life: to enhance the wellbeing of children and the kindness of grown-ups, as well as spreading the message of love and goodwill of Christmas Spirit throughout the globe.
We’ll stop at the Santa Claus Village for a visit. After that, we’ll leave towards the most authentic part of Lapland and reach the small village of Posio and the resort for the last two nights: Lights of Lapland. Indulge in the beauty of Finnish Lapland from the comfort of the Aurora Gems. You can admire the sky’s beauty from the comfort of your bed, or relax in the dedicated Aurora Room, a very exclusive and authentic experience that only this tour can offer. Dinner and overnight.
Day 10 - Huskies & Reindeers (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the resort. During this day we’ll do two of the most iconic experience that Lapland can offer.
In the morning we’ll visit a traditional reindeer farm and learn about reindeer herding. Take photos, feed them and enjoy a short sleigh ride through the forest.
After a light lunch (soup) in a cozy Kota, we’ll continue to a husky farm. Here we’ll meet the dogs and go on a thrilling husky ride, with a break for photos and driver swap.
End the day with hot juice and pastries by an open fire in a Lappish teepee. Return to your resort for the farewell dinner, and hopefully for another great night looking at the Northern Lights from your Aurora Gem.
Day 11 - Depart Kuusamo Airport (B)
Breakfast at the resort. Shuttle shared transfer to Kuusamo Airport (we guarantee two group transfers during this day).
Tour Rates
Winter
Dec 2026 - Mar 2027
from R
99,405
per person sharing
-
Set departure dates
-
Excludes Christmas & NYE Departure
Christmas
Christmas & NYE Departure
from R
102,195
per person sharing
-
Departs on 23 Dec 2026
Winter
Dec 2026 - Mar 2027
from R
121,495
per person sharing
-
Set departure dates
-
Excludes Christmas & NYE Departure
Christmas
Christmas & NYE Departure
from R
125,355
per person sharing
-
Departs on 23 Dec 2026
Prices exclude flights from South Africa (can be added on request)
This tour runs exclusively during the European Winter (Dec - Mar)
Arctic Circle Guided Tour
Included
Excluded
Hotels
Depature Dates
Included
- 7 nights in hotel rooms on b&B basis
- 2 nights in aurora accommodation on B&B basis
- 1 on board the Hurtigruten Cruise from Kirkenes to Tromsø (Polar Outside cabins) on B&B basis
- 8 dinners, tap water included
- 4 lunches, tap water included
- English speaking Tour Escort from day 1 to day 10
- 2 guaranteed transfers Ivalo Apt – Hotel**
- 2 guaranteed transfers Hotel – Kuusamo Apt**
- Long distance coach from Tromsø to Kuusamo
- Entrance to Snowhotel Kirkenes
- Panoramic walking tour of Tromsø
- Brewery visit with tasting
- Santa Claus Village
- Reindeer safari
- Husky safari
Excluded
- International flights from South Africa (can be included on request)
- Meals and Drinks not mentioned
- Travel Insurance (ask your travel consultant for assistance)
- Visas.
- Activities and tours not mentioned
- Items of personal nature
Packages prices listed on this website are subject to increases by the tour operator and any unforeseen circumstances and can change without prior notice.
Hotels
The below hotels are the preferred accommodations for this tour but can change due to availability.
- Santa’s Hotel Tunturi (1 night)
- Thon Kirkenes (1 night)
- Hurtigruten Kirkenes -Tromsø (1 night – cabin with view)
- Moxy Tromsø (1 night)
- Santa’s Hotel Rakka (1 night – superior rooms)
- Design Hotel Levi (1 night – Deluxe Room)
- Haparanda Stadshotell (2 nights)
- Lights Of Lapland (2 nights – Aurora Gems)
Depature Dates
Mar 2026
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Legend
Available - Low Season
Available - Mid Season
Available - High Season
On Request