Magical Northern Lights of Iceland and Finland

Your fare excludes:

P​lease note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Day 1: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 Reykjavík, Iceland

Your tour opens in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital city. Make yourself comfortable at your hotel upon arrival, as your rooms are ready for an early check-in and breakfast awaits you. This afternoon, get acquainted with old town Reykjavík with a local guide on a walking tour featuring the harbour, city hall, the Parliament building, and the nearby cathedral, dating back to 1796. Gather with your fellow travellers at a popular restaurant for dinner featuring Icelandic cuisine. This evening, take an exhilarating northern lights cruise** and sail into the darkness of Faxaflói Bay in search of the aurora borealis.*

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 2: Wednesday, January 1, 2025 Reykjavík - Golden Circle - Lava Exhibition Centre - Seljalandsfoss - Vik

This morning, travel the Golden Circle to experience natural wonders, including the explosive Geysir thermal area and the double-cascade Gullfoss waterfall. You’ll also experience the famous Thingvellir National Park, where you’ll stand upon the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In the afternoon, stop at the Lava Exhibition Centre and delve into Iceland’s past and present volcanic eruptions. Afterward, witness Seljalandsfoss, a rushing waterfall where you may walk behind the water for unique views from the inside out. Next, continue onto Vík. Drive or venture on foot into the stillness of rural Iceland in search of the northern lights. You’ll enjoy three nights of searching to increase your likelihood of catching a glimpse of these elusive lights.*

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3: Thursday, January 2, 2025 Reynisfjara - Skógar Museum - Vík

Begin your day with journey to Reynisfjara, a volcanic sandy beach surrounded by basalt formations and home to thousands of nesting sea birds. Look out over the natural rock formations at Dyrhólaey, a small peninsula of volcanic origin towering over the ocean. Next, visit the Skógar Museum and discover its turf-built homes and artefacts. Afterward, stand in awe before the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls. Cap off your day with a visit to Sólheimajökull Glacier, Iceland’s fourth largest glacier. After dinner, gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights.*

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4: Friday, January 3, 2025 Skaftafell National Park - Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon - Vík

Travel through Skaftefell National Park, gateway to Vatnajökull Glacier known for having Iceland’s highest mountains and Europe’s largest ice cap. Travel to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, filled with floating icebergs. Explore this extraordinary landscape and search for seals swimming in cold waters. After dinner, continue searching for the northern lights dancing across the night sky.*

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5: Saturday, January 4, 2025 Vík - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavík

Drive along the south shore towards the Reykjanes Peninsula. Known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, and numerous hot springs, the peninsula is home to the Blue Lagoon. Take a dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the geothermal pool, cated in the heart of a dramatic lava field. Return to Reykjavík for your farewell dinner and overnight stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6: Sunday, January 5, 2025 Reykjavík - Helsinki, Finland

Depart Reykjavik with some new memories. Get ready to board your flight to Helsinki.

Helsinki! Finland’s vibrant capital, where history converges with architectural style and combines with a laid-back vibe across beautiful islands and pristine public parks, welcomes you. This evening, gather with new friends for a welcome dinner in the city centre. Hyvää ruokahalua! (Bon appetit!)

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7: Monday, January 6, 2025 Helsinki

Join a local expert for an engaging city tour. If Finland’s heart beats in Helsinki, then Helsinki’s core is in Senate Square, home of Helsinki Cathedral, the city’s most iconic building. Walk the streets of empiric-designed Tori Quarters before enjoying some free time in Market Square, the city’s famous international market. See the steel monument dedicated to the composer Sibelius. During your leisure time, explore more of Helsinki independently.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Helsinki - Kakslauttanen - Northern Lights Search

Escape to northernmost Finland’s winter wonderland on board a flight to Ivalo and magical Lapland. Like a storybook come to life, Lapland’s culture is steeped in myth and legend. Relish encounters with reindeer and unspoiled views of the northern lights.* At the breathtaking Kakslauttanen Resort, spend two nights in your very own Finnish log cabin** indulging in your personal Finnish sauna and other unique fixtures. Travel north towards Inari on a chase for the northern lights.* Stops along the pursuit allow you the chance for a front-row seat at nature’s dazzling, electric light show.*

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 Kakslauttanen - Santa Claus’ Home - Reindeer Safari - Northern Lights

Hit the snow and mush to breakfast aboard an authentic Finnish sleigh. From Kakslauttanen, head to the home of Santa Claus, an epicenter of Christmas cheer. Among prancing reindeer, learn about Santa’s origins during a meet and greet at his house. Under the Arctic moonlight, a reindeer farmer introduces you to some friendly Lappish reindeer that will escort you on an exhilarating reindeer safari through remote Kakslauttanen. Gain insight into the importance of reindeer herding to the Sámi indigenous culture. Sip warm berry juice, a Finnish tradition, under the cover of blankets in the surround of northern Finland’s wilderness as you continue the search for the elusive northern lights.*

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10: Thursday, January 9, 2025 Kakslauttanen - Husky Safari - Northern Lights Search

Breathe in the fresh Arctic air this morning and step into the role as leader of your own dog sled team. Zoom through the wilderness on a husky safari, driving your husky guides that are as fast as they are adorable. Spend some time getting to know these amazing dogs and learn about their different commands. You’ll also be introduced to the equipment you’ll need to experience this incredible Arctic venture at its best. Enjoy your last night in the heart of the Lappish wilderness, nestled in your own private glass igloo.*** You may even see the northern lights* dancing overhead.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11: Friday, January 10, 2025 Kakslauttanen - Helsinki

Say goodbye to enchanting Lapland and fly back to Helsinki. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Explore the city’s central squares and get in tune with the latest Finnish trends at a collection of charming shops. Tonight, in downtown Helsinki, toast to grand adventures and new friends.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 12: Saturday, January 11, 2025 Helsinki - Tour Ends

Set out for home with incredible memories and a longing to return.

Meals Included: Breakfast

**Please note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.

T​our commences in Reykjavik on 31 December 2024, ends in Helsinki on 11 January 2025:

• t​win/double share $11,425 per person
• s​ingle traveller $13,575 per person

C​all 1300 414 198 to secure your place today, we can assist with additional accommodation and flights.

• Centerhotel Plaza, Reykjavik
• Hotel Dyrholaey, Vik
• Centerhotel Plaza, Reykjavik
• Lilla Roberts Hotel , Helsinki
• Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort - West Village, Kakslauttanen
• Lilla Roberts Hotel , Helsinki

Please note: h​otels are subject to change without notice at the tour operator's discretion.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS Passports are required at your own expense for travel outside of Australia. Certain countries require a minimum of 6 months passport validity beyond the return date from the destination. Some countries require a visa in addition to a valid passport for entry into the country. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate embassy or consulate for specific information and entry requirements.

IMPORTANT: We recommend that our guests take a photocopy of their passport and applicable visa. It should be packed separately from your actual passport and visa. We also recommend leaving a copy at home with your emergency contact. An ETIAS visa waiver will be required for travel beginning in 2024, for a fee, when visiting a Schengen Area Country. To identify Schengen Area Countries and to complete the ETIAS application, please visit https://etias.com/etiasrequirements/ etias-for-australian-citizens.

*The northern lights are in the Northern Hemisphere from September through April and are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. As this tour is weather dependent, sightings of the northern lights are not guaranteed.

The overall activity level of this tour is a level 3. This means you’re an on-the-go traveller. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. You can navigate hills and a moderately paced two- and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable uneven ground, climb into various modes of transport (tuk-tuk, cable car, Zodiac, etc.), and could possibly anticipate changes in elevation. You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. You can expect some longer days balanced with free-time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. Whilst you are searching for the northern lights, you will be walking and waiting outdoors. It is recommended that you wear sturdy non-slip snow footwear and warm clothing including thermals, hat, scarf and gloves. Most natural sites such as waterfalls, beaches, and lava fields require walking on unpaved, uneven surfaces rendered slippery by ice and rain. Sturdy footwear and ice crampons are required if you plan to walk in these areas or approach the waterfalls. This level is not a fit for travellers who require mobility assistance devices.

Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. Coaches which may not be lavatory equipped may be used on this program. In this case, stops are made during travel periods. Due to the remoteness of the sites we visit, the travel time between restrooms may be up to 2 hours.

**The northern lights cruise is weather dependent and may be postponed or cancelled in the event of adverse weather or sea conditions.

This tour takes place in the winter. You can expect varying weather conditions with brisk days and limited daylight. We seek to best utilise your time while on tour; to account for the potential for adverse weather, some activities or days may need to be altered, shifted, or cancelled. In addition, museum visits and shopping may be affected by observance of religious or local holidays.

Hotel check-in will be immediately available on your arrival day. If your flight arrives in the early morning, breakfast will be included once you arrive to your hotel. Hotel check-in on your day of arrival in Helsinki is 3:00 p.m. Rooms may not be available prior to that time.

The days and order of sightseeing may change to best utilise your time on tour. This tour is not wheelchair accessible due to Arctic terrain.