ROUNDTRIP from KIRKENS to FINLAND - A TASTE OF LAPLAND
The border crossing point to Finland is only 50 km away from Kirkenes. We offer roundtrips to Finland:
DURATION: 2-3 nights (Daily departure from Kirkenes at 11.15-12.15 & return to Kirkenes 10:30-11:30)
GROUPSIZE: Max. 15 international guests
DEPARTURES: Guaranteed daily departure
ROUTE: Kirkenes-Nuorgam-Utsjoki-Inari & Inari-Sevettijärvi-Kirkenes. Stops on the way for water-fall, lakes, reindeer, coffee etc. All drivers speak English or English and German and they will tell about culture, people, reindeer-farming, vegetation and everyday life in Lapland.
ACCOMODATION: Hotel Inarin Kultahovi (www.hotelkultahovi.fi).
INCLUDED: Accommodation (double room), breakfast-buffet, guiding, transfers from and to Kirkenes, entrance to SIIDA – Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre, visit to reindeer farm
PRICE: 4860 NOK / person in double room 3 days / 2 nights
PRICE: 5220 NOK/ person in double room 4 days / 3 nights
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: 280 NOK per night
MEETING THE GUESTS IN KIRKENES HARBOUR:
Note!!! Our minibus arrives at the harbour at 11.15 – 11.30 a.m. Norwegian time!!!. Drivers have a sign with the names of the guests and the logo: INARI EVENT LAPLAND
MEETING THE GUESTS AT THE HOTELS IN KIRKENES:
About 11.30 –11.45 a.m. Norwegian time.
MEETING THE GUESTS AT KIRKENES AIRPORT:
Arrival at Kirkenes Airport earliest at 10.30 a.m. and departure from Kirkenes Airport at 12.00 – 12.15 p.m.
DEPARTURE INARI – KIRKENES: 08.00 a.m. from Hotel Inarin Kultahovi
DURATION /DISTANCE: Kirkenes–Utsjoki–Inari 5–6 hours (320-350 km/200-220 miles)
Inari–Neiden–Kirkenes 3,5-4 hours (200 km/ 140 miles)
TRAVEL PROGRAMME TASTE OF LAPLAND
Day 1: KIRKENES – NUORGAM – UTSJOKI – INARI
distance 350 km / 219 miles, duration 5-6 hours
Your driver will meet you in Kirkenes with a minibuss.
Hurtigruten ship: the minibus will arrive ca. 11.15-11.30 a.m. to the harbour.
Hotels: the minibus will arrive ca. at 11.45 a.m. The reception will know the exact time of our arrival.
Kirkenes Airport: Pick up at 12.00-12.15 (note, on the way coming from Inari drop off at 10.30)
The drive to Finland and Inari village will be going through a variety of sceneries and sites. We will first be driving along the Neiden Fjord to Neiden village. There we will make a stop at a small waterfall of a salmon river. With some luck one might see the salmon jump. In July and August, the locals fish here for salmon, using the traditional way of casting nets.
We head along the Varangerfjord towards Nuorgam through vast peat lands, passing roughly weathered rocks and cliffs. We will drive through the beautiful Tana valley westward to Utsjoki. In Utsjoki the “Sámi bridge” connects Norway and Finland across the border river. We will be stopping at the church in Utsjoki, which was built during the years 1850 – 53. Originally 22 buildings, the so-called church huts, belonged to the church which was in use until the 1930’s. Today, the 14 remaining huts are protected as cultural heritage.
From Utsjoki the journey will lead towards south through marvellous fell landscape. You will find yourself in the kingdom of reindeer. In many areas there are more reindeer than people. In the early evening we reach your hotel in Inari. The accommodation includes breakfast in the Hotel Inarin Kultahovi. The double rooms are equipped with a shower and WC.
We will have a coffee or lunch break on the way. NOTE, this is not included in the price.
DAY 2 INARI
On the day two you will visit SIIDA - Sámi museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre. The exhibitions will show how nature and people have adapted to the extreme conditions of the Northern environment. Wonderful photographs, videos, dioramas, soundcapes and original artefacts guide you between the seasons and back through past times.
You will also visit the Reindeer Farm where you will get information on the Sámi culture, past and today, reindeer and reindeer herding. Coffee/tea and cake in a Lappish hut is included in the price.
Note, the order of the visits can be vice versa.
OPTIONAL summer activities and sightseeing in Inari village:
- lnari Lake cruise to the ancient Sámi island of Ukko
- Boat cruise on the Lemmenjoki River, white water rafting on river Juutua
- Air taxi flight over Lake Inari, private boat or fishing tour at Lake Inari
- Hiking trails on both sides of river Juutua, length all together 9 km
- Hiking trail to Pielpajärvi Wilderness church, length 4,5 km to one direction
OPTIONAL winter activities and sightseeing in Inari village:
- snowmobile safari to the ancient Sámi island of Ukko and wilderness church Pielpajärvi or in the evening for “hunting Northern Lights”, possibility for overnight or several day snowmobile safaris
- reindeer safari, husky safari, ice fishing safari
- cross country skiing, tobogganing
- snowshoeing day time to wilderness church Pielpajärvi or evening for “hunting Northern Lights”
- equipment rental; cross country skis, skates, snowshoes, kick sleds
DAY 3 INARI – SEVETTIJÄRVI – KIRKENES
200 Km, duration 3,5-4 hours
We will leave the hotel towards Kirkenes at 8.00 a.m. We will drive along a scenic road, which follows Inari Lake and other lakes in the area. On the way we are able to see fine views over 50 smaller and bigger lakes. Every now and then we will be making small stops in places of interest. There are many interesting photo motives on the way.
The drive is taking you through a Skolt Sami region. Your driver will explain about the Skolt Sami life and history. In the Skolt Sami centre, Sevettijärvi village, there is a small Orthodox church and an interesting graveyard. Coffee break will take place in Sevettijärvi (not included in the price).
Remember that when crossing the border we will gain one hour. The drive will continue towards Kirkenes along the Neidenfjord. It will be a one hour drive from the border to reach Kirkenes. The driver will bring you to the airport, hotel or harbour according to your travel plans.
*We reserve the right to make changes.
