On arrival at Helsinki International Airport, you will be greeted by our local representative in Finland for a brief meet and greet. Later, proceed to your city centre hotel in Helsinki for check-in.

The World Design Capital for 2012 and venue for 1952 Summer Olympics, Helsinki, capital of Finland, was named as the World’s most liveable city in 2011 by British Magazine Monocle. The largest city of Finland, Helsinki Archipelago consists of over 300 enthralling islands. Helsinki has been known to attract tourists from all over the World due to its sea facing landscape, Nordic cuisine, diverse architecture and rich history.

Rest of the day is free for you to explore Helsinki on your own.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Helsinki.

After breakfast in hotel, proceed for a Helsinki City tour:-

We will begin the tour with visit to Temppeliaukio Church. Also known as the Rock Church, it is built directly into a solid rock and was opened in 1969. Owing to the excellent acoustics inside the church, it is a popular venue for concerts in Helsinki. Next on the list we have Sibelius Monument. Dedicated to the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, it consists of over 600 steel pipes which are grouped together to resemble a soundwave made of clusters of organ pipes. 

Afterwards, we shall proceed to witness the largest Orthodox Church in Northern and Western Europe that is Uspenski Cathedral. The church is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, also known as, Uspenie and is the most visible landmark of Russia’s influence on Helsinki. After this, you will proceed to Kamppi Chapel of Silence. Winner of the International Architecture Award 2010 by Chicago Athenaeum, this Chapel’s carved wooden façade and gently shaped interiors provide peace in the busiest region of the city.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Helsinki.

After Breakfast, proceed to the airport to catch a flight to Rovaniemi – the official home Town of Santa Claus!
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel followed by check-in.

Rovaniemi is the administrative capital of the Finland’s Northern most province – Lapland. It is also known as the official home town of the Santa Claus. The city was completely destroyed during the World War II. But it was rebuilt to a plan by Alvar Aalto, with the major streets in the shape of a reindeer’s head and antlers! Apart from the stunning Santa Claus village, the city boasts of witnessing the magical northern lights and riverside location.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Rovaniemi.

After breakfast in the hotel, we will proceed for the city tour of Rovaniemi followed by a visit to Santa Claus Village and Lapland tour.

We will begin the tour with a visit to administration and cultural center of Rovaniemi which consists of Library, Town hall and Lappia Hall. These building are an architecture lover’s dream and say a lot about modern Finnish architecture.

Then we will proceed to Arktikum museum which has exhibits on Lapland’s nature and culture. Later, we shall travel through the Lapland to cross the Arctic Circle and enter the Santa Claus village. This place has an exciting array of activities for both children and adults. You can enjoy a warm cup of coffee or get yourself clicked with the Santa. You can visit the museums, Santa’s workshop, post a letter to yourself or just immerse in the knowledge of various Christmas traditions around the World!

Overnight stay at the hotel in Rovaniemi.

SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Head over to Kemi near Rovaniemi for a cruise in a real life icebreaker that has been continuously sailing since the 1960s. By breaking the ice, the the Sampo Icebreaker used to ensure that trade routes through the sea did not choke during winters. As the ship sets sail and breaks new ice, you can take a tour of the vintage cruise or relax in its lovely coffee shop. Also included in the tour is a visit to the snow castle in Kemi. This castle made of snow and ice melts in summer and is therefore rebuilt every year by expert craftsmen. It looks like something straight out of a fairytale and is beautifully decorated with ice sculptures.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to Tromso.

Tromso, which seems like a small suburb with mountains and fjords, is the largest urban area in Northern Norway and the cultural hub of the region. It is home of the world’s northernmost university, brewery, cathedral and botanical garden. The sun does not shine at all between November to January and there is midnight sun in summers. This quaint town has so much to offer – from midnight or northern light concerts to cable car ride to Mount Storsteinen, from hiking on numerous trails to experiencing whale watching, from bustling nightlife to art exhibitions, Tromso has it all! Upon reaching Tromso, proceed for the hotel check-in.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Tromso.

After a sumptuous breakfast, proceed to see the northernmost lights in a cable car with a fantastic view. The region under the auroral oval is where the northern lights most frequently appear. It includes southern Greenland, northern Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada, and Alaska, as well as latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.

During this evening cable car tour, enjoy some of the best views of the Tromso mountains and increase your chances of spotting the Northern Lights from a location free of light pollution.

Have dinner and enjoy an overnight stay at hotel in TromsO.

After breakfast in the hotel, proceed for a tour of Sami culture including reindeer feeding and a short reindeer ride.

Sami is a collective term used for people living in Scandinavia and Russia north of the Arctic Circle. These Nomadic tribes have their own unique culture and their primary occupation is Reindeer herding. On the tour, you shall learn more about the life and culture of Sami people apart from petting and feeding playful Reindeers. You will also go for a short ride on sleigh pulled by reindeers.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Tromso.

SEGV’S RECOMMENDATION – Embark on a silent whale watching cruise in Tromso. The fjords around the city are rich in marine life and hence attract Humpback and Orca whales. Set sail on a hybrid electric boat which provide minimum disturbance to the nature and observe these giants in their natural, wild and free environment.

After breakfast in the hotel, proceed to airport for a flight back home.

Arrive home with pleasant memories of your Northern lights tour in Scandinavia organised by State Express Global Voyages, which we are sure you will treasure for a lifetime