2007-08 Winter Norway Tour Descriptions

Dog Sled Safari in Norway	Winter in Norway	Norwegian Coastal Voyage Ship

Exciting Winter Activities &
Norwegian Coastal Voyage
This trip brings you to a magical part of Norway named Finnmark. This part of the country will offer you more than you could ever imagine. The lively university city of Tromsø, also called Paris of the North, the world famous Norwegian Coastal Voyage and of course the North Cape before reaching Kirkenes. On to Karasjok, the Sami Capital of Norwegian Lapland before continuing to Alta, home of the Igloo Hotel. In between you might experience the northern light, a snow storm and a taste of the Sámi Culture.

7 days / 6 nights Land Only

Destinations: Tromsø - North Cape - Kirkenes - Karasjok - Alta
Departure: This program can start on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
(Special departure times for buses and activities at Easter)
Sales Period: January 12 – April 15, 2008
Airport of arrival / departure: Tromsø / Alta
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Minimum: 1 person

DAY 01: ARRIVAL TROMSØ - (Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday)
Arrival in Tromsø. (Air on own or call us for a quote on SAS)
Take airport bus on own to the centre of Tromsø, a 15 minutes ride.
Check-in at Rica Ishavshotel.
The hotel is centrally located in the heart of Tromsø, the capital of Northern Norway. The hotel has a unique warfside position, there is a wonderful view across the Tromsøsundet and the harbour area, the Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen) and the Tromsø Bridge.
Overnight stay at Rica Ishavshotel.

DAY 02: TROMSØ - COASTAL VOYAGE (Thursday/Friday/Sunday)
Breakfast at hotel. Day on your own in Tromsø.
For activities and sightseeing in Tromsø: www.destinasiontromso.no
6:00pm, embarcation on Hurtigruten/Norwegian Coastal Voyage ship.
6:30pm, departure from Tromsø on the northbound coastal voyage for 2 nights towards Honningsvåg and Kirkenes, accommodation in unspecified cabin including dinner and breakfast. The natural light plays an important role, dramatizing the scenery and enhancing the experience on the Coastal Voyage. During your trip a quiet, atmospheric darkness prevails, penetrated by warm embers of light from navigation beacons, clusters of houses and towns along the shore. If conditions are suitable the night sky will be illuminated by the fluorescent northern lights dancing on their black stage.
Accommodation in NCV cabin.

DAY 03: NORTH CAPE - COASTAL VOYAGE (Friday/Saturday/Monday)
11:45am, arrival Honningsvåg.

Thanks to its excellent sheltered harbor, Honningsvåg has become a major fishing port and is the main town of the North Cape region. About 4,000 - 5,000 ships call here each year.

12:00pm, Excursion to North Cape.
Join an excursion to North Cape,71°10’21 latitude, See the panoramic
views from the North Cape plateau which rises a sheer 307 meters from the
sea. In the North Cape Hall, you will watch Ivo Caprino’s superb wide-screen
film about the Cape and the county of Finnmark. There is also a souvenir shop,
café, a tunnel in which historical tableaux are displayed and an ecumenical chapel.

With reservation, due to weather conditions the North Cape convoy may be cancelled.

3:15pm, continue with Hurtigruten east towards Kirkenes as you sail by some small and beautiful fishing villages.
Accommodation in NCV cabin.

DAY 04: COASTAL VOYAGE - KIRKENES (Saturday/Sunday/Tuesday)
10:00am, arrival Kirkenes harbor.

Optional activity in Kirkenes: (Tue/Wed/Thu only)
10:00am-1.00pm King Crab Safari. (See the pricelist below)
There will be transport by bus from the harbor to Jarfjorden approx. 30
minutes ride. We offer the largest and freshest King Crabs in the world.
Join us for the King Crab Safari, and catch this giant crab which can have a
span of 2 meters and weigh up to 15 kilos. Enjoy fresh crab for lunch, after a unique multimedia presentation.

Optional activity in Kirkenes:
6:00pm - Evening snowmobile trip. (See pricelist below)
3 hour snowmobile trip to the mountains between Finland and Russia. In good
weather you may see the Northern Lights and the Russian town of Nikel.
Coffee and reindeer meat served during the trip.

Overnight at Rica Hotel in Kirkenes.

DAY 05: KIRKENES - KARASJOK (Sunday/Monday/Wednesday)
Breakfast at the hotel. 8:05am, scheduled bus from Kirkenes Bus station to Karasjok with arrival at 1:10pm.
Check-in at Rica Hotel Karasjok
The beautiful village of Karasjok is the Sami Capital of Norwegian Lapland.
In this village, where 90 % of the 3000 inhabitants are Sami, we find the
Sami Parliament and the National Museum for Sami Culture.
Karasjok is also the land of the Northern Lights, with the best opportunities
to see the Northern Lights, as most of the winter days here are cold and
clear. Colorful, mystic and dancing, the northern lights - Aurora Borealis -
is the origin of many myths. Rica Hotel Karasjok offers Northern Lights
wake-up calls should the Northern Lights appear during the night.

Optional:6:30pm-10.00pm, 3 course dinner at the Sami restaurant - Storgammen This restaurant is built like a traditional Sami turf hut, serving traditional Sami meals around the fire place. ( see the pricelist below)

Optional activity: Hunting for the Northern Light, transfer by snowmobile or by bus. As you wait for a possible Northern Light "show" you will be served warm drinks in a lavvu. ( see the pricelist below) Time: 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Overnight at Rica Hotel Karasjok.

DAY 06: KARASJOK - ALTA (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday)
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
10:00am-12.30pm, you visit the Sami Cultural Park – Sápmi Park.
Sápmi is a theme park presenting the real Sami culture, history and
contemporary life in an entertaining and engaging manner. The unique
Magic Theatre tells about Sami culture and traditions. Visit Sami
settlements and Sami silver smith. See the Sami jewellery and Sami
handicraft. You should not miss it during your stay in Karasjok.

1:40pm, scheduled bus from Karasjok to Alta, with a connection in Olderfjord, arrival at 6:20pm followed by a quick transfer to Alta Igloo Hotel for check-in.
In indoor temperature between -4/-7 degrees Celsius you spend the night
wrapped comfortably up in sleeping bags and on reindeer skins.
Meals are served in the Laksestua restaurant.
Dinner and accommodation at Alta Igloo Hotel or
alternatively overnight at RICA Hotel Alta with dinner on own.

DAY 07: DEPARTURE ALTA (Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday)

Breakfast at the hotel. (sauna and below option is ONLY available with overnight stay at Igloo Hotel)
We recommend you try the sauna in the morning after a night in the icehotel.

Optional activity in Alta:: 10:00am — 1:00pm Snowmobile Safari from Alta Igloo Hotel to the Finnmark plains. (see the pricelist below)

10:00am or 1:15pm, (or 1:30pm from RICA Hotel Alta) departure with the Winter-Express coach to the airport.

Return to your homeward destination on your own.

Alta Igloo Hotel

Price sample 1: Incl. overnight stay Alta Igloo Hotel last night:
Total prices per person for the package as specified in this program:
Per person in double room: $2055,-
Per person in single room: $2430,-
Children (4 - 12 years in parents’ room): $ 935,-
Children (12 - 16 years in parents’ room): $1210,-
This price includes 3 nights at Rica Hotels with breakfast in double room, Hurtigruten/Norwegian Coastal Voyage Tromsø – Kirkenes in 2 berth unspecified cabin including dinner and breakfast. North Cape Excursion incl. entrance at North Cape, Winter adventure in Sápmi park incl. entrance and the Magical Theatre, guided tour in park, FFR bus from Karasjok to Alta by regular bus plus transfer to Alta Igloo Hotel, 1 night at Alta Igloo Hotel incl. 2 course dinner, breakfast, sauna and transfer back to Alta city or Airport.

Price sample 2: Incl. overnight stay RICA Hotel Alta last night:
Total prices per person for the package as specified in this program:
Per person in double room: $1585,-
Per person in single room: $1945,-
Children (4 - 12 years in parents’ room): $ 675,-
Children (12 - 16 years in parents’ room): $ 715,-
This price includes 4 nights at Rica Hotels with breakfast in double room, Hurtigruten/Norwegian Coastal Voyage Tromsø – Kirkenes in 2 berth unspecified cabin including dinner and breakfast. North Cape Excursion incl. entrance at North Cape, Winter adventure in Sápmi park incl. entrance and the Magical Theatre, guided tour in park, FFR bus from Karasjok to Alta.

Additional prices p.p. for optional activities in USD:

Optional activity in Kirkenes:
1. Snow Crab Safari
(Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday only)
$244.-
$122.- children under 12 years.
Includes transfer, thermal suit, shoes, gloves, hat and guide.
King Crab lunch and 1glass of wine/juice

2. Evening Snowmobile trip
Adults: $295,-, 2 persons per snowmobile.
Adults: $395,-, 1 person per snowmobile.
Children under 12 years: $140,-

Optional activity in Karasjok:
3. Three-course Dinner in Storgammen Restaurant
Adults: $80,- .

4. Hunting for Northern Light in Karasjok.
2 hour tour looking for Northern Light, sightings are not guaranteed, incl. hot drinks.
Option 1. Transfer by bus:
$170,- adults
$105- children under 12 years.

Option 1. Transfer by snow mobile:
$295,-  when 2 persons pr. snowmobile
$445,-  when 1 person pr. snowmobile
$295,- Children over 12 years.
(under 12 not allowed on snowmobile on this tour)

Both tours incl. winter clothes.

5. Snowmobile safari incl. lunch from Alta Igloo Hotel, Alta
$320,- 2 persons pr. snowmobile
$368,- 1 person pr. snowmobile
$160,- children under 12 years
Incl. thermal suit, fuel, shoes, hat/helmet and gloves. Guide

 

Additional information:
Optional activities may be bought on arrival in the hotel reception and at gross prices by 3:00pm the day before the activity.
FFR is the bus company who runs the regular buses in Finnmark. The bus driver will give information in English about bus changes.
Please notice that there may be some changes for Easter holidays concerning departure times for buses and activities.