This journey takes us from Finnish Lapland to the small villages of Varanger, with New Year’s Eve at its heart in Kongsfjord. Along the way, we’ll discover Arctic scenery and Sámi traditions, with time to slow down and enjoy being here.
30 December – Arrival in Ivalo and transfer to Kongsfjord
We arrive at Ivalo Airport and travel directly by minivan to Norway. Our route takes us through the snowy landscapes of northern Lapland to Kongsfjord Arctic Lodge on the Veines Peninsula. After checking in, we enjoy dinner at the lodge. This day is reserved for travel and enjoy the sceneries.
31 December – Båtsfjord and New Year’s Eve under the Northern Lights
After breakfast, we travel to Båtsfjord across the Varanger highlands. We stop to take in the Arctic scenery before strolling through the village and its harbour. In the afternoon, we return to Kongsfjord for some time to relax in the lodge’s sauna and get ready for the evening. We celebrate with a New Year’s Eve dinner in Kongsfjord, enjoying delicious local specialities in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. After dinner, we put on our snowshoes and head out with our guide into the Arctic night, hoping to see the Northern Lights. We return to the lodge for a midnight toast and welcome the new year together.
1 January – A slow morning and journey to Berlevåg
We take our time over breakfast and enjoy a relaxed morning after the celebrations. In the late morning, we set off for Berlevåg along the coastal road, passing fjords and snow-covered scenery. We explore the village and harbour area. If it is open on the public holiday, we will also visit Berlevåg Harbour Museum to learn about the history of this stretch of coast. In the afternoon, we return to Kongsfjord. The evening brings another opportunity to watch the Arctic sky.
2 January – Dog sledding in Tana Bru
We travel from Kongsfjord to Tana for our dog sledding experience. Pulled by a team of huskies, we glide through the snowy landscape and experience the energy of the dogs and the quiet of the Arctic winter. After lunch, we return to Kongsfjord for our final night beside the Barents Sea.
3 January – Sámi reindeer farm and return to Lapland
We leave Kongsfjord and travel south towards Finland. Along the way, we visit a Sámi farm, meet the reindeer and hear stories about local culture and traditions. We then continue to Kaamanen for our final overnight stay and northern lights experience.
4 January – Last-minute shopping and departure
After breakfast, there is time for some last-minute shopping, depending on the flight schedule. We then transfer to Ivalo Airport for our journey home.
What to Bring: Make sure to bring clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Temperatures will remain below freezing and may drop to –20°C. It is essential to choose garments that ensure both comfort and safety throughout the trip. We recommend packing snow crampons, a ski mask or windproof face protection, and a winter barrier cream to protect your skin from extreme cold. Quality gloves and socks are also highly recommended.
For wildlife photography, lenses with a minimum focal length of 400 mm are suggested. For landscape photography, a wide-angle lens is ideal.
Participants: Minimum 4, maximum 8
Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Italian
Important Information: The tour will be confirmed with a minimum of 4 participants; otherwise, a full refund will be issued.
Ivalo airport
Outdoor activities may change depending on weather and road conditions. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed. Entry to Berlevåg Harbour Museum on 1 January depends on its public-holiday opening. Flight times, activity availability and included services must be confirmed before the programme is published.
