Everything Scandic-NordicScandinavia in 15 nights

Fifteen nights for everything: Helsinki with a day in Tallinn and a tour to Porvoo, the night train to Rovaniemi for the icebreaker, Santa and the Snowhotel, huskies and two nights in a glass igloo at Saariselkä, then Tromsø for whales, dog sledding and a northern lights cruise.

Day 1

Arrive in Helsinki

Airport to hotel · about 30 minutes

A private transfer from Helsinki airport to your hotel. The evening is free around the harbour and the Esplanadi.

No meals included today Overnight: Helsinki

Day 2

Helsinki

A group city tour of Helsinki: the Senate Square and its white cathedral, the market square by the harbour and the main sights. The night is in Helsinki.

Breakfast Overnight: Helsinki

Day 3

A day in Tallinn, Estonia

About 2 hours each way by ferry

A transfer to the port and a cruise across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, for a city tour of its medieval Old Town. An evening cruise back to Helsinki and a transfer to your hotel.

Breakfast Overnight: Helsinki

Day 4

Porvoo, then the night train north

Overnight train · about 12 hours

A tour to the historic town of Porvoo, with its old wooden houses along the river. In the evening, board the Santa Claus Express to Rovaniemi and sleep in your own private cabin.

Breakfast Overnight: Night train

Day 5

Arrive in Rovaniemi; northern lights

Morning arrival in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle and a private transfer to your hotel. In the evening, a group trip out of town, away from the lights, to look for the aurora.

No meals included today Overnight: Rovaniemi

Day 6

Icebreaker cruise

A transfer to Kemi or Båtskärsnäs in Sweden for an icebreaker cruise through the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, and the chance to float in the icy sea. Back to Rovaniemi in the evening.

Breakfast Overnight: Rovaniemi

Day 7

Santa Claus Village and a reindeer safari

Visit Santa Claus Village, cross the Arctic Circle line and meet Santa in his office. In the afternoon, a group reindeer safari, gliding through the snowy forest on a sleigh.

Breakfast Overnight: Rovaniemi

Day 8

The Snowhotel and the northern lights

A visit to the Snowhotel, built afresh from snow and ice each winter. In the evening, a northern lights tour. The night is in Rovaniemi.

Breakfast Overnight: Rovaniemi

Day 9

Rovaniemi to Saariselkä

About 260 km · 3.5 hours

A group transfer north to Saariselkä, a fell village deep in Lapland. The evening is free.

Breakfast Overnight: Saariselkä

Day 10

A husky farm

Visit a husky farm and meet the dogs and their mushers. The rest of the day is free; snowshoe walks and saunas are close by.

Breakfast Overnight: Saariselkä

Day 11

A glass igloo and a snowmobile tour

A transfer to the glass igloo hotel near Saariselkä, where you can watch the sky from your bed. A snowmobile tour in the evening, then dinner at the resort.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Glass igloo

Day 12

Northern lights from the igloo resort

A day for the activities at the resort, and a northern lights tour in the evening. The night is in your glass igloo.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Glass igloo

Day 13

On to Tromsø; a northern lights cruise

About 7 hours by road (on your own)

Make your own way to Tromsø in Arctic Norway and check in. In the evening, a northern lights tour on a cruise from the harbour.

Breakfast Overnight: Tromsø

Day 14

Whale watching from Tromsø

An afternoon group cruise into the fjords to look for the orcas and humpback whales that follow the herring in winter.

Breakfast Overnight: Tromsø

Day 15

Arctic dog sledding

A dog-sledding tour in the snowy country around Tromsø, with a team of huskies pulling your sled. The night is in Tromsø.

Breakfast Overnight: Tromsø

Day 16

Onward journey

After breakfast, your onward journey. We can book the flight from Lapland or Tromsø and the transfer for you.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose your hotel. The route and sightseeing are the same with every hotel.

Hotels are 3-star or 4-star as chosen, confirmed when you book, with breakfast as per the itinerary.

Package cost

Price per person in euros, for two adults sharing a room. Land only; GST 5% and TCS extra.

Private transfers from the airport and train station to your hotels; group transfers and tours for the rest.

Rates in euros per person, minimum two adults travelling together, reconfirmed for your dates when you book. GST 5% and TCS extra as per Government of India rules. Payable in INR at the prevailing exchange rate.

Optional add-ons

Not in the package price. Add them when you book.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Nights, hotels and tours are reconfirmed in your written quote before you pay.
• Prices are per person in euros for two adults sharing a room, land only, and are payable in rupees at the day's exchange rate. Rates are reconfirmed for your dates when you book.
• Northern lights depend on clear, dark skies; the tours go out to the best spots, but sightings can never be guaranteed.
• Expect −10°C to −30°C in Lapland in midwinter. Thermal layers, a down jacket, gloves, a hat and snow boots are essential; overalls and boots can be hired locally.
• The journey from Saariselkä to Tromsø is not included; we can arrange a private transfer or flights via Helsinki for you.
• Tours marked group are shared with other travellers.
• Finland, Sweden and Norway are in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa covers the trip.
• Christmas and New Year carry hotel surcharges, quoted for your dates. Children's prices are on request.

When to go

December to March. Lapland has deep snow and long dark nights for the aurora from December to March; November and April are quieter, with less certain snow. The icebreaker sails when the sea is frozen, usually January to April.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Flights, trains and houseboats are paid in full at the time of ticketing or confirmation.
• Payments by bank transfer (NEFT / RTGS / IMPS), UPI or cheque in favour of TripRoutes. Card payments may carry a convenience fee.
• GST 5% is charged on the package cost as per government rules. On international holidays, TCS also applies as per government rules.
• Cancellation charges are per person, counted from the date of departure.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Air and train tickets are refunded as per the airline / railway rules, plus our service charge.
• Visa fees, insurance premiums and non-refundable hotel or houseboat bookings (peak dates, special events) are not refundable.
• Refunds are processed within 15 working days of receiving supplier refunds.
• There is no refund for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
• Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• TripRoutes is not liable for changes caused by weather, strikes, roadblocks, flight delays or government orders; extra costs arising are payable by the guest.

Questions about this holiday