Day 5 - Kirkenes & Northern Lights
This morning we leave our train with an overnight bag at the
Russian border station of Nikel, and we transfer by bus (90 minutes
drive) across the Russian/Norwegian border to Kirkenes for a
two-night stay at the Thon Hotel (or similar). We will visit the
magical Snow Hotel just 15 km outside Kirkenes. We'll have a
welcome drink in the snow bar and a tour of the Snow Hotel with its
ice sculptures and snow paintings by local and international
artists. After a traditional meal including a reindeer hot dog in
the snow hotel's warm lodge restaurant, we'll take an evening bus
tour in search of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). If the sky
is clear our guest astronomer will be on hand to advise us during
star-gazing and will bring the night sky to life with his extensive
knowledge. You may like to book some additional optional activities
such as a Snow Shoe Walking Tour, go in search of the Northern
Lights by snowmobile or take a magical excursion by husky dog
sledge. Each sledge is pulled by a team of eight dogs and can seat
two people, and a driver called a dog musher. These activities have
limited places and are weather permitting - please request at the
time of booking the tour. Contact us for prices.
For a really memorable experience why not choose the 'coolest'
hotel check-in around and stay overnight at the Snow Hotel?
Upgrades to the snow hotel are limited so book early to avoid
disappointment. The snow hotel stays at a constant minus five
degrees centigrade and thermal sleeping bags are provided. Showers,
toilets and a Scandinavian sauna are provided in a building next to
the snow hotel.