Northern Scandinavia in Winter

Lapland can be extremely cold in winter. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions and see the ‘Packing’ section in the ‘Essential Trip Information’ for more details.

Your leader may have to alter the itinerary and activities due to the weather. In this case, alternatives will be offered. Even though it will be cold, there may not always be snow cover, so snow dependent activities will be replaced.

The Northern Lights (also known as the Aurora Borealis) are a natural display of coloured lights in the night sky of the northern hemisphere. While sightings can never be guaranteed, you do have a higher chance of seeing them in locations at high latitudes, such as Northern Finland. Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies!

Accommodation on this trip is twin share and hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same gender. If you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge.

Rooms in the Nordic countries can be smaller than in other destinations, and at times you may be accommodated a short walk away from the main building. Many guesthouses will also have shared bathrooms, rather than ensuite facilities.

Nordic countries (particularly Norway) can be expensive destinations, so budget accordingly if you plan to take optional activities and eat out.

It’s advised to pack lightly, with a maximum of 15 kg, as you’ll be expected to carry your own bag between destinations and on and off public transport. You'll also need a day pack to carry water and a camera for daytrips.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, with the exception of Days 4 & 5 (Cabins). subject to availability at the time of booking. Please also note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Nordic countries can be extremely cold at this time of year. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions. Please see the Packing section in the Essential Trip Information document for what we recommend you should bring along.

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.

Many travellers carry their luggage in a compact smaller suitcase or backpack with wheels. We recommend your bag has carry straps or handles so it is easy to lift and carry for the times you are unable to wheel it (ie. on rough surfaces or up steps).

If you are taking overnight trains, or primarily using public transport then the smaller your luggage the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful especially when travelling on public transportation as well.

You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, swimming suit, waterproof pouch/bag for phone, hiking shoes and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.

Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. Your group leader or local representative will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination, and if it is, you can simply refill it with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you., PACKING
On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips. You can find Intrepid's Ultimate Packing List on our website. It should be used as a guide only and isn't intended to be a complete packing list., WINTER TEMPERATURES
During the winter months in Scandinavia, temperatures can drop to well below zero. Winter boots and overalls are available for hire in location for the included activities, however in order to ensure you have high quality equipment with the right fit for your entire time, we recommend to all our guests to bring following items from home.
- Good sturdy shoes for walking across snow or ice (good waterproof walking boots),
- Warm wind and rainproof jacket and trousers,
- Gloves or mittens,
- Thermals underwear and base layers,
- Extra wool or cotton socks,
- Warm Hat & Fleece Gloves – fleece lined beanie and light-to-mid weight fleece or wool gloves,
- Casual Clothing & Footwear – comfortable clothes and shoes to wear around accommodation,
- Sunglasses

DARKNESS
We also suggest you bring along a torch/flashlight, as days are short, and street lighting in the village will be turned off in the evening to increase the chance of spotting the northern lights.

RECOMMENDED
- Personal medical kit. Your leader will carry a large kit but we recommend you carry items such as blister relief, mild pain killers and bandaids.
- Water bottle. We recommend at least a 1.5 litre capacity. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments.
- Swimwear & flip-flops - for visits to one of famous saunas

OPTIONAL
- Camera with spare batteries. You won't be able to recharge during the day. Keep in mind that cold weather conditions drain batteries much quicker compared to warm weather. Keeping your camera or phone close to your body can be a solution.
- Earplugs and eye mask (for light sleepers)

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Hotelli Aakenus, Koskikatu 47, Rovaniemi, FINLAND, Phone: +358 16342205

Hotel Aakenus is located 500m from central Rovaniemi and just around the corner from the bath house Vesihiisi. It offers freshly decorated rooms with TV, desk, fridge, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi. The hotel also offers access to their sauna (at an additional cost) and serves home cooked meals at their in-house restaurant.

Alternate Joining Point

Moxy Tromso, Huldervegen 2, Tromso, NORWAY, Phone: +47 90227061

At Moxy Tromsø, fun blends seamlessly with the adventurous spirit of the Nordics. Our hotel is the perfect base for ticking off bucket list experiences like witnessing the northern lights and midnight sun, reindeer and dog sledding, whale safaris, and immersing yourself in Sami culture. Take in breathtaking views from our Sky Bar Moxy, which also serves as our check-in area. We provide all the comfort and amenities you need. For the eco-conscious traveler, Moxy Tromsø is proudly certified as both a Green Key and BREEAM hotel, ensuring a sustainable stay.

Alternate Finish Point

Hotel reception staff can arrange a taxi to Tromsø International Airport (TOS) on your behalf. The journey by taxi takes approximately 3 minutes. Alternatively, several bus lines (43, 24, 26, and 428) provide frequent service from the stop located directly outside the hotel to the airport. The bus ride also takes approximately 3 minutes.

Breakfasts included: 7

Lunches included: 1

Dinners included: 

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

To give you maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, only breakfasts are included on this trip. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

As we are staying in smaller towns and villages, outside of summer season, there will be a limited selection of places to eat. Most convenient may be cafeterias and restaurants at our hotels, which may need to be pre-ordered the day before, and is subject to minimum numbers.

Vegetarians might find the menu selection less varied than they would see at home. Vegetarianism is not as common in this region and generally the choices are basic, involving vegetables, soups, salads, bread, cheese, fruit, yoghurt, eggs etc. Vegans and those on gluten-free diets may find this region very challenging and may need to supplement meals with their own supplies from supermarkets and markets. Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for any included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own.

The winter months in Lapland can be extremely cold. The average temperature between November and March ranges from minus 5 to minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit), but cold snaps of below minus 35 degrees Celsius (minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit) are possible. Heavy snowfalls are common, and snow remains on the ground until the thaw in spring. Please read the 'what to pack' section for information on how to stay warm.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

If you have booked an arrival transfer, and you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly on the number listed in the joining point instructions in the section above.

In the case of a genuine crisis or emergency, Intrepid's Europe Operations Team can be reached on the number listed below:

Intrepid's Local Operator: +49 8024 4679 540

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

OVERNIGHT TRAIN
Finnish overnight trains are a very comfortable way to travel long distances without losing valuable time to explore the destinations. Compartments usually consist of 3 or 4 berths (2 bottom bunks and 1 or 2 top bunks), lockable doors with key-card access, communal bathroom facilities at the end of each carriage (sink and toilet), and plenty of space for luggage. Blankets, pillows and linen are provided, and each berth has a reading light. The exact layout of the cabin depends on the carriage type the group are allocated to. All trains have heating, however please note that windows can't be opened.