View the Northern Lights from 2 “Igloo Cabins” in Finnish Lapland

The new Stars of Scandinavia tour from Off the Map Travel takes visitors to two locations in Finland known for exceptional Aurora viewing. The six-day tour features accommodations in new luxurious igloo-style, glass-roofed cabins with a striking presence against the Finnish tundra. Guests can lie on the luxe queen-sized beds in comfort and warmth while experiencing the magic of the Northern Lights overhead. Rooms have been specially outfitted with low-level red lighting to enable guests’ eyes to adjust to the night sky.

CREDIT Tundrea – Igloo

The program begins in Tromso, Norway and travels first to Kilpisjärvi, Finland where the new two-story Wow House “igloo” cabins face North for optimal viewing of the Northern Lights. Just 30 miles from the Arctic Ocean, Kilpisjärvi has virtually no light pollution with a population of a little over 100 residents. 

The second stop travels south to Rovaniemi, Finland, the capital of Lapland, located right on the Arctic Circle. Here the Lappish Kammi Suites have been ecologically designed to provide both clear viewing of the Aurora and sustainable accommodations. The igloo design extends to full glass domes over the bedroom on the mezzanine level for clear viewing of the night sky.

Daytime activities offer a range of Lapland adventure with dogsledding, a fat bike tour over the frozen tundra, and snowmobiling to the border point of Norway-Finland-Sweden to meet reindeer and indigenous people in an exploration of Sami culture.

CREDIT Tromso Vilmarkssenter – Husky Sled

The six-day/five-night “Stars of Scandinavia” tour is priced starting at £1795 ($2454 USD per person at the time of writing), based on double occupancy, including some meals, all transfers, four-star accommodations in Tromso, four nights in luxury glass-roofed “igloos,” and all activities. Airfare is additional. The tour is available from December 2021 through March 2021. 

The new concept was developed by travel experts at Off the Map Travel who recognized a desire for visitors to experience an exciting, socially distanced holiday. “With two top locations for viewing the Northern Lights, plus a range of outdoor activities, we can offer a trip that’s both fulfilling and safe,” notes Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel. “The snowy magic of Lapland makes for a special winter experience,” he added.

Full itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Tromso in northern Norway, often referred to as the “Paris of the North.” Transfer to harborside hotel with beautiful views of the fjords. This evening, start your trip with an adventure as you head into the wilderness on a husky dogsled, searching for the Aurora as you journey through the snowy landscape.

@Kilpissafarit

Day 2: After breakfast, transfer across the border to Finland. Tonight, after a 3-course dinner, you will sleep in a design-forward igloo cabin with the chance to see the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed. With little light pollution, the area of Kilpisjärvi gives you optimal viewing opportunities.

Day 3: Enjoy an exhilarating snowmobile experience to the border meeting point of 3 countries: Finland, Norway and Sweden. This afternoon, experience a fat bike tour over the snow and ice in the local area. 

Day 4: Continue your Arctic adventure with a transfer south to Rovaniemi where you will check into an igloo-style suite for two nights. Enjoy dinner and sit back to watch the skies.

Day 5: Today you will meet the most iconic animal of Lapland – the reindeer. Learn about the local Sami way of life and enjoy a short reindeer sleigh ride. Hopefully the Northern Lights will show themselves tonight for the perfect end to your trip, and you can view them while staying warm and comfortable in your suite as you gaze upward through the sky-view, windowed dome.

Day 6: Check out after breakfast and transfer to airport.

CREDIT Wild Nordic – Reindeer

About Off the Map Travel

The team at Off the Map Travel works with experiences and destinations that allow people to explore hidden wonders of our planet. Specializing in Soft Adventure, Off the Map Travel creates tailor-made holiday itineraries offering authentic experiences not offered by many larger travel companies. For more information on Off the Map Travel itineraries visit www.offthemap.travel; call +44 (0) 800 566 8901; email info@offthemap.travel  or join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or Pinterest.

Feature photo, credit Apukka – Lappish Kammi Suite