Norwegian Lapland & North Cape

A motoring tour especially for those wanting the

opportunity to explore the great county of Finnmark -

Norway’s Lapland - including North Cape.

This is the region of the great arctic plateau, the Finnmarksvidda, where the semi-nomadic Sámi (Lapp) people, indigenous to this area, move their herds of reindeer according to the season. Among the oldest people in Europe, the Sámi probably descended from prehistoric clans who migrated here from the east by way of the Baltic. Their language is closely related to Finnish and Estonian, though there are three different versions each with different dialects. Although originally persecuted and an effort made to ban their culture and language, in 1988 the Norwegian Constitution officially recognised the Sámi and a Sámi Parliament was opened in Karasjok. Their traditional arts and crafts are now widely available in all of Scandinavia’s major cities and, of course, in numerous locations throughout Finnmark.

North Cape is regarded as Norway’s most northerly point. Its magnificent land and sea scape is very special and truly breathtaking when accompanied by the Midnight Sun.

Day 1

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

1 night TROMSØ - Rica Ishavshotell **** (BB)

Day 2

Collect your hire car and drive southwards along the wild valley to Breivikeidet for the ferry over the Ullsfjord. Continue to Lyngseidet for a second ferry across the much photographed Lyngenfjord, overlooked by the Lyngen Alps. This is the old pack horse route between Tromsø and the far north. The road follows the coast most of the way to Alta. Day’s mileage approx. 183 miles plus two ferries.

1 night ALTA - Rica Hotel Alta **** (HB)

Day 3

Northwards through Sarves, where the Kautokeino Sámi migrate with their reindeer, before crossing the Senna Plateau, a wilderness of barren arctic beauty, to Skaidi and the Porsangerfjord. Alongside the fjord then via the sub-sea tunnel to Magerøya Island and the village of Honningsvåg. We suggest travelling out to the North Cape Plateau during the evening. North Cape Hall has its own restaurant, post office, viewing platform, craft shops etc and, with a clear evening, hopefully the Midnight Sun. Round trip journey from Honningsvåg to North Cape approx. 42 miles. Day’s mileage (excl. North Cape) approx. 72 miles.

1 night HONNINGSVÅG - Rica Hotel Honningsvåg *** (BB)

Day 4

Afternoon departure by Hurtigruten (coastal ship) bound for Berlevåg. Dinner served onboard. Arrive Berlevåg at 2245. Although this is a late arrival we have chosen the village of Kongsfjord (19 miles from Berlevåg) as your destination as this is an area of outstanding beauty and the drive is one of the most scenic in Norway. Here you have a bizarre moonscape of sharp cliffs, steep mountains and raging seas, inhabited by reindeer, sea eagles and hare. Day’s mileage approx. 19 miles.

2 nights KONGSFJORD - Kongsfjord Gjestehus *** (HB)

Day 6

Drive over the mountains to Tana Bru with impressive views of Kongsfjordfjellet, a mountain plateau reminiscent of Hardangervidda in the south. Continue across the Finnmarksvidda, a terrain of desolate beauty, to Karasjok. Karasjok is one of four major Sámi communities and site of the Sámi Parliament. Day’s mileage approx. 197 miles.

1 night KARASJOK - Rica Hotel Karasjok **** (HB)

Day 7

Westwards across vast moorland plains through small Sámi villages to Kautokeino, the largest Sámi and reindeer community with over 60,000 animals spending winter on the plateau and migrating for summer to the coastal peninsulas. Time to visit Juhl’s Silver Gallery. Continue southwards across the border into Finland to Enontekiö. Day’s mileage approx. 132 miles.

1 night ENONTEKIÖ (Finland) - Hetta Lapland Hotel **** (HB)

Day 8

Along the Finnish side of its border with Sweden, crossing back into Norway at Lake Kilpisjarvi where the borders of all three countries meet. Follow the beautiful Skibotndalen to Skibotn on the Lyngenfjord, soon reaching Nordkjosbotn at the head of the Balsfjord. Follow the fjord back to Tromsø. Leave your hire car at the downtown office. Day’s mileage approx. 208 miles.

1 night TROMSØ - Rica Ishavshotell **** (BB)

Day 9

Transfer to Tromsø Airport for return flight to the UK via Oslo.

Departure Day: Daily from London Heathrow Airport (alternative departure airports available, see below)
Departure Dates: 1st May - 30th September 2013 (however the best times to view the Midnight Sun from Northcape are between 13th May and 29th July)
Duration: 8 nights