Kirkenes and the Snow Hotel

The former mining town and port of Kirkenes is situated in

the region of Sør Varanger in the county of Finnmark,

Norway.

The town is a mere 10 kms from the Russian border lying alongside the Bøkfjord, an arm of the Barents Sea, 240 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The sheltered little port provides the last stop and turning point for the Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruten) which arrives daily every morning.

Kirkenes Snow Hotel is set in an Arctic landscape of low birch woods, within walking distance of the town of Kirkenes and the Arctic Ocean, in the Gabba Reindeer Park. Be prepared on arrival to feed the reindeer before you sit down to eat in Gabba Restaurant, where everything is cooked over an open fire. The your snow room you will lie on a good mattress in sleeping bags originally designed for Polar expeditions, with gentle lighting coming through from illuminated sculpted blocks of ice - pure fairytale! A hot sauna is followed by a hearty breakfast in the morning.

DAY 1

Fly from the UK, via Oslo, to Kirkenes. Transfer to your hotel.

1 night KIRKENES - Rica Kirkenes Hotel (BB)

DAY 2

Morning and afternoon free. 1800 pick up from your hotel and transfer to Kirkenes Snow Hotel. Dinner is served in Gabba Restaurant before retiring to your snow room for a unique night's sleep!

1 night KIRKENES - Kirkenes Snow Hotel (HB)

DAY 3

After your morning sauna and breakfast transfer to your hotel.

1 night KIRKENES - Rica Kirkenes Hotel (BB)

DAY 4

Transfer to Kirkenes Airport for return flights to the UK.

By Air:  Daily
Departure Date:  2 Jan - 2 Apr 2012
Duration:  3 nights (additional nights on request)

NB. Unfortunately current flight schedules mean this holiday is only available with departures from London Heathrow, however if clients are happy to add an overnight stay in Oslo to their itinerary departures from Manchester are possible. Please ask for further information and prices.

King Crab Safari with Radius Kirkenes

Description:  The largest and freshest King Crabs in the World! Ice fishing by snowmobile (you are a passenger on a sledge pulled by a snowmobile) to catch this giant that can reach 2 metres and weigh up to 15 kilos. After sawing a hole in the ice you hope to catch a red king crab, or Kamchatka as it is also known. Then you will enjoy fresh crab for lunch in the home of your guide, one of the local fishermen. Please note, this tour is not operated by diver or by boat.
Operates:  1 Jan - 30 Apr.
Duration: 4 hours.
Departs:  1300.
Price:  £189 per person.
Price Includes:  Transportation, guide, warm winter clothing with snowmobile suit, King Crab mea.

Barents Safari by Snowmobile with Barents Safari

Description:  By bus from Kirkenes to Sandsnes (10 mins) then by snowmobile into the Siberian Taiga forest in Pasvik visiting an old Norwegian farm from 1854. Coffee and reindeer meat served during the trip.
Operates:  1 Dec - 30 Apr.
Duration:  0945 - 1245 or 1300 - 1545.
Price:   £162 per person (2 per snowmobile); £195 per person (1 per snowmobile); children under 12 £65 (children under 15 only allowed as passengers).
Price Includes: transport, warm winter clothing with snowmobile suit, shoes, hat and gloves. Coffee and dried reindeer meat.

Northern Lights Safari by Snowmobile with Barents Safari

Description:  Snowmobile trip to the mountains between Finland and Russia. Cultural historical guided tour. In good weather you may see the Northern Lights and the Russian town of Nikel. Tea/coffee and reindeer meat served during the trip. Length of trip: 32 kms.
Operates:  1 Dec - 30 Apr
Duration:  1800 - 2100
Price:  £162 per person (2 per snowmobile); £195 per person (1 per snowmobile); children under 12 £65. NB. Children under 15 may only travel as a passenger.
Price includes:  local transport, warm winter clothing with snowmobile suit, boots, helmet and gloves, tea/coffee and dried reindeer meat. NB. A valid driving licence is necessary.

Snowshoe Trip - Steps in the White Snow with Radius Kirkenes

Description:  Snowshoe trip with a professional guide in the white snow. You will receive all necessary equipment: snowshoes and protective clothing. Walking distance is approx. 2 kms according to abilities of all participants. Refreshments served en route.
Operates:  2 Jan - 20 Apr
Duration:  2 hours
Departs:  1300
Price:  £88 per person (unsuitable for children under 8).
Price Includes:  transport, guide, clothing, snowshoes and hot drink.

Sollia Relax & Spa with Dinner

Description:  Delight in the beautiful scenery on the Russian side of the border, while you relax in a warm massage hot-tub, only a stone's throw from Russia. Act like a true Viking and take a dip in the snow before relaxing in the wonderful sauna. Genuine Norwegian Lapland atmosphere around the open fire beside the hot-tub.
Operates:  1 Jan - 30 Apr (closed 24 - 27 Dec)
Duration:  Approx. 4 hours
Price:  £132 per person
Price Includes:  return transport from Kirkenes, free use of hot-tub and sauna (bathing suit obligatory), one choice of soft drink, bathrobe, hat, towel and 3 course or 5 course dinner.

Dog Sledding Safaris with Birk Husky (day and evening)

Description: Birk Husky offer a selection of dog sledding activities from their husky ranch in the Pasvik Valley. The two we feature are the day trip or the evening or Northern Lights trips, both of which include a local meal. During the day trip each participant handles their own dog sled and during the evening there are two people per sled. Full instruction from experienced guides is given before setting out into the beautiful region which is Pasvikdalen.
Operates: Mon - Thu, 1 Dec - 20 Apr.
Duration: 1000 - 1630 & 1700-2230.
Price: Day Tour: £205 per person. Evening Tour: £171 per person. Price includes transport, warm winter clothing with snowmobile suit, boots, hat and gloves and dinner.

Please view our Terms & Conditions for this holiday.