TRIP DOSSIER
Northern Lights Special LAPLAND (FINLAND) • Experience the Aurora in a Perfect Location • Enjoy lots of Snow Fun • Drive a Husky Sled Team • Discover the Amazing Lapland Wilderness • Warm up with Saunas each Evening
Guided Group Departures Physical Grade: A/B – Easy/Moderate Adventure Grade: A/B
Trip Code: ALNL
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Date of issue 07 March 2016
LAPLAND (FINLAND)
Northern Lights Special
Introduction Sometimes it’s said that it’s all about ‘location, location, location’ and on our recent visit to northern Lapland we think we have ‘discovered’ the ideal location to be able to see the truly magnificent Aurora Borealis-The Northern Lights phenomenon. Located high above the Arctic Circle, our base is a remote hotel that even Laplanders describe as “the middle of nowhere”. With precious little light pollution and long periods of darkness too, this enhances Aurora viewing potential. Sure, the primary purpose of this trip is to try and see the Aurora at its very best, but we’ve also included some fun snow activities during the day too. Even after our programmed Aurora viewing excursions into the wilds by snowmobile and snowshoe, for anyone who wants “more Aurora” it couldn’t be better. You can either simply walk out onto the deep frozen, snow covered lake and look up for as long as you want (snow is very comfy to lie down in), or sit in a glass-roofed arctic hut by an open fire. If you need a bit of additional warmth, simply pop into the logfired sauna, or the log fired hot tub and you’ll be toasty in no time. We’ll also enjoy an “Aurora Workshop” with an Aurora Guide who will tell us more about the Aurora and provide useful photographic tips too. That appears to be night-time taken care of (although during the polar winter it might not actually ever be daylight), so during the day we have one morning where we all become ‘mushers’ and have some fun driving a husky team pulling sleds. From our base you can also enjoy some additional free snow fun activities too and go cross-country skiing, do some more snowshoeing, kick sledding or tobogganing. Naturally, we hope the highlight will be clear skies and an appearance of the Aurora during the mystical polar night in this almost ethereal northern Lapland wilderness landscape.
The Holiday Aurora Watching mobiling)
(Snowshoeing/Snow-
Hoping to see an Aurora is clearly the principle focus and purpose of this trip. We have three nights of Aurora hunting. The first night will be after dinner out on the frozen lake by the hotel. The second night we venture a little further into the wilds with snowshoes for 2-3hrs. Our third night again we venture out for around 2-3hrs, this time by snow mobile. Additional Aurora watching www.adventureworldwide.co.uk
opportunities are available after each session either out on the lake or indoors in a glass-topped arctic hut (with open fire). For anyone not wishing to partake in either the Aurora watching by snowshoe or snow mobile you would simply remain at the hotel and could still look for the Aurora there.
Husky Sledding A morning is spent driving a husky sled team. If you did not wish to partake you can remain at the hotel and relax, or enjoy a number of snow fun activities available from the hotel base. Alternatively you can travel with the group to the husky farm and wait for the group to return from the sledding.
Optional snow fun activities Snowshoes, cross-country skis and poles, kick sleds and toboggans are available for you to use at the hotel free of charge. There are set snowshoeing trails and cross-country skiing routes through the forest and around the lake to follow.
Important Note Please note that if you choose to opt out of any planned activities, certain services (e.g. lunch at the activity location) will be forfeited by default and you may need to make meal arrangements etc locally at additional cost and you will be solely responsible for your own welfare and safety. The guide will always accompany the group and not remain with you if you opt out. Please ensure you let your guide know well in advance if you do not wish to partake in certain planned activities and ensure you are aware what additional costs you are likely to incur. No cost reductions are made for any included activities that you choose to opt out of. A full explanation of both the physical and adventure grading can be found in our brochure or online at www.adventureworldwide.co.uk. You should ensure you are both physically prepared and capable of undertaking the physical activities within this trip as well as prepared for the adventurous nature of this trip. It is essential that you have travel insurance that covers you for all activities involved in this holiday, whether they be activities included in the holiday or available locally as an option.
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Date of issue 07 March 2016
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LAPLAND (FINLAND)
Northern Lights Special
Itinerary The itinerary below provides a guide as to our intended itinerary, though of course the adventurous nature of our trips means that things can change and the itinerary and inclusions can vary from day to day. Accommodation and meals are shown at the end of each day.
Day 1. Depart UK, Arrive Ivalo. Fly from the UK to Ivalo in the far north of Finland (via Helsinki). Rendezvous at Ivalo Airport for the single timed group transfer to our group hotel by Lake Menesjarvi. See How to join and depart this trip section of this dossier. Meeting our hosts at the remote hotel, we enjoy a typically Finnish dinner. It’s pitch dark very early, so after dinner we can perhaps head out onto the frozen lake and look skywards, enjoy a sauna, or both! Hotel, Lake Menesjarvi (dinner)
Day 2. In search of the northern lights by snowshoe The morning is free to either relax, have a lie in (if you had a late night aurora watching), try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on nearby routes. There are also toboggans and kick sleds if you prefer your snow fun that way. Later in the day a special Aurora guide will provide us with an Aurora workshop. Here we’ll learn more about this natural phenomenon as well as learn how best to photograph them. Certainly you should bring a tripod, and your camera should be able to be set to slow shutter speeds. If you have telephoto lenses, bring them too. Now we go in search of the northern lights away from the hotel and will be walking using snowshoes with our guide. It only takes a few paces and we’re in a real Lapland wilderness and likely the only sound you will hear is that of silence, or the occasional tooting of an owl. We’ll be out for around 2-3hrs depending upon what is happening in the sky above. After which we return to the hotel and for anyone who wants more Aurora watching time you can quite simply head out into the middle of the lake if you prefer. Needless to say the log fired sauna will be available too. You may pre-book your sauna time. There are two saunas – one in the main building and one in Ahki building. Hotel, Lake Menesjarvi (breakfast and dinner)
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Day 3. Morning Husky Safari. Afternoon optional snow fun activities. Hunt for northern lights on snowmobiles. In the morning (although it might still feel like night as it can be 24hr darkness during certain periods in the polar winter) we drive to a nearby husky farm. Here you’ll find the huskies are probably anxious to get going and wondering what’s kept you! Everyone will receive instruction as to how to drive a husky team. Basically, there is no reverse gear and the dogs will instinctively follow the ones in front, so you’ll certainly want to know how to apply the brakes. Dependent upon snow conditions, group needs etc we’ll likely split into teams of two and take turns riding on the sled and driving too, and will be out for around 2hrs on our mini-Husky safari. Trust us, driving a husky sled is more physically demanding than may first appear, so the odd rest in the sled can be quite welcome and fun too. Invariably most people fall instantly in love with their new husky friends, but these are working dogs (and they love it too…..you’ll see) so you will have to say goodbye to them, even if they are adorable. After husky sledding avail yourself of the snow fun equipment as yesterday, or relax in the sauna. Following dinner, we go in search of the northern lights with our guide using snowmobiles….a fun way for sure. Just like last night, we’ll be out for around 2hrs or so and afterwards there’s the same additional options as yesterday. Hotel, Lake Menesjarvi (breakfast and dinner)
Day 4. Depart Ivalo, Arrive UK Of course being a natural phenomenon the northern lights can never be guaranteed or clear sky weather either. But hopefully as today is time to depart we sincerely hope they made one, or even better several appearances for you. Dependent upon flight schedules, there may be time for some more snow fun before it’s time to leave. A single, timed group transfer is provided from our group hotel to Ivalo Airport. Fly from Ivalo back to the UK via Helsinki. See How to join and depart this trip section of this dossier. Hotel, Lake Menesjarvi (breakfast)
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Date of issue 07 March 2016
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LAPLAND (FINLAND)
Northern Lights Special
Practical Information How to join and depart this trip The joining point for this trip is Ivalo Airport on day 1 of the trip itinerary. Please ensure you arrive at the joining point in time for the single timed group transfer to the group hotel at Lake Menesjarvi, which departs from the joining point after the arrival of the Finnair flight from Helsinki. Please note if flying with Finnair your luggage can be ‘thru –checked’ to your final destination. Even if you are staying overnight at the Hilton Airport Hotel either on the first or last day of your holiday, we recommend you pack a small overnight bag to go as hand luggage and arrange for your main luggage to be thru-checked to your final destination.
have made yourself, such as if your international flights were delayed or cancelled and you could not join or depart your holiday on time. If you do decide to book Land Only, we strongly advise that you do not book international flights or make other travel arrangements (especially if there are financial penalties for cancellation or change) until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run. Please also ensure when making your own international travel arrangements that they enable you to join and depart this trip in accordance with the criteria specified in the How to join and depart this trip section of this dossier.
Local Transport The single, timed group airport transfers will be by private vehicle.
Accommodation The departure point for this trip is Ivalo Airport, and you should depart no sooner than day 4 of the trip itinerary. A single, timed group transfer is provided from the group hotel at Lake Menesjarvi. This transfer arrives at Ivalo Airport to coincide with check-in time for the Finnair flight from Ivalo to Helsinki. Please note: Internal flight schedules in Finland are often subject to frequent change. The single timed group transfers stated above are fixed to the Finnair Helsinki/Ivalo/Helsinki flights and should there be any changes to these flights schedules, the transfers will be changed accordingly to coincide.
Flight Inclusive You can book this trip as a 'Flight Inclusive' package. Booking your international flights through Adventure Worldwide guarantees you peace of mind and provides 100% financial protection under our CAA ATOL licence. What's more, if you book your flights with us as well as your ground arrangements, we will manage these flight arrangements both before and during your trip. As an ATOL Licence holder, we are able to secure and arrange competitively-priced airfares with most major airlines from the UK (as displayed on our website), as well as the option of regional departures too.
Accommodation is on a twin share basis, unless you have requested single accommodation at additional cost. All nights are spent in a remote, medium sized hotel on the shores of Lake Menesjarvi, run by our friends Anne and husband Timo. The hotel is in fact a recently converted school. The buildings have been refurbished and is now a cosy family-run hotel with 27 rooms and apartments, all with private shower and toilet. Some apartments /studio rooms have a TV, fridge and kettle. The rooms are small simple with knotty pine furniture and traditional furnishings. There is free WiFi in all areas of the hotel and you will be given the access codes on arrival. There is also a computer terminal in the entrance hall by the stairs leading down to the dining room for free use. The dining room, was the former school gym and overlooks the lake with seating for up to 50 people. The meals times are slightly staggered to prevent overcrowding and your meals times will be advised on your personalised itinerary which you will receive on arrival. The meals in the restaurant are home-cooked with plenty of fresh local ingredients so there will be plenty of salmon and reindeer on offer! The hotel has two log fired saunas (one in the main building and one in the Ahki building) and a small bar situated in the dining room. During winter you can help yourself to tea or coffee in the main building and also situated on the landing in the Ahki building.
Land Only
Food
If you would prefer to arrange your own international travel you can book this trip as a 'Land Only' package, where the price does not include international flights (i.e. you will need to make your own arrangements to get to and from the specified joining and departing points). Please note that if you are booking your own flights there are certain risks you should be aware of. Many airline tickets purchased directly are non-refundable and often do not provide you with any financial protection (unlike booking your flights with ourselves where you would be 100% protected under our CAA ATOL licence). For this reason we strongly advise that you check the rules of any flight booking you make, and check the limitations under any insurance policy you may have in relation to cancellation or date changes. We cannot be held liable for any losses incurred or consequences of any flight bookings or related travel arrangements you
Meals included in the Land Only trip price are indicated in the trip itinerary. To set yourself up for the day you’ll be able to enjoy a large Finnish breakfast consisting of a selection of breads, jam, cheese, ham, herring, boiled eggs, cereals, porridge or yoghurt, fresh fruit and fruit juice as well as tea, filter coffee and hot chocolate. The evening meal is the main meal of the day and this is usually meat or fish, fresh salad, bread and dessert. There is one main evening dish which is served with salad and/or vegetables. The main meal maybe a traditional stew, baked salmon, fish pie, shepherd’s pie, pasta and bolognaise sauce and reindeer. Vegetarians are also catered for, but please advise in advance or all dietary requirements and we will do our best to accommodate this. During the meal fresh water, berry juice tea and filter coffee are included. Any additional drinks, bottled water, coke, lemonade and all alcoholic
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LAPLAND (FINLAND)
Northern Lights Special drinks are additional and during winter hot beverages are available all day. On trips which include Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, a special gala dinner is included in the price of your trip.
not have access to ATM’s/exchange facilities beyond Helsinki Airport. Alternatively, you should obtain your travel cash before departure. The hotel accepts credit cards for extras payments.
If you have other special dietary requirements please contact us before booking so that we can check whether your diet can be catered for. If you would like lunch please pre-order this at the time of booking or request the day before whilst at the hotel and pay locally.
Language
Climate
The official language of Finland is Finnish, although most of the hotel staff and particularly your host (Anne) speak excellent English. It would be helpful to learn a few basic words for politeness during your stay in Finland (yes, no, please, thank you etc).
High above the Arctic Circle at this time of year temperatures usually stay below freezing (often considerably so) during what little if any daylight hours there are. Daytime and night-time temperatures sometimes reach as low as -30C.It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather conditions you will encounter during the course of your holiday. However, we do schedule our holidays to coincide with what should be the most suitable weather periods. Seasonal variations and localised weather conditions, as well as unseasonal weather means you should always be prepared for inclement weather including rain and storms. As a general rule daytime temperatures will be higher than night time and increases/decreases in altitude during the course of a trip usually means temperature variations. As a general rule temperatures decrease by 1ºC for every 200 metre increase in altitude. You may be able to find climate statistics for this country at www.worldweather.org
Tipping
Altitude
You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through Adventure Worldwide. Please call us on 0845 304 8679 or e-mail us at:
[email protected] for a quotation.
The altitudes on this trip are moderate and you should not anticipate any problems.
Baggage Please make sure that your main luggage and hand luggage is clearly marked with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the labels get detached.
Vaccinations & health It is very important that you plan well in advance and contact a specialist health clinic or doctor for the most up to date advice on vaccinations and health precautions. We recommend Nomad Travel Health Clinic: www.nomadtravel.co.uk. Another useful travel health online resource is www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk. It is also advisable to visit your doctor and dentist for a check up before travelling.
First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (bandaids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium).
Currency The unit of currency for Finland is the Euro. Please refer to Please refer to www.xe.com for up to date rates. If you are intending to use an ATM to obtain your travel cash then you must do this at Helsinki Airport as you will www.adventureworldwide.co.uk
Tipping is not mandatory and should rightly be at your discretion. However, if you have received good service then a tip is the accepted form of saying ‘thank you’.
Maps We recommend Stanfords at 12-14 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP (Tel: 0207 836 1321) www.stanfords.co.uk.
Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are nonrefundable.
Passports & Visas UK and other EU Passport holders do not require a visa to visit Finland (please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity). You will need to ensure you have the correct visa documentation for entry, prior to travel. You can obtain the latest visa information, as well as book your visa either by contacting your reservation consultant, or by following the link below to our designated visa service: http://www.adventureworldwide.co.uk/information/visa.html
Please note that visa/entry requirements and prices change regularly. Please allow plenty of time for your visa application to be processed. We also recommend you visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for up to date information on the country/countries you are visiting, embassy contact details and other useful advice
Staff on your trip The group will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide/host during activities, as well as an Englishspeaking local Aurora expert for the workshop. There will also be a driver for the single, timed group airport transfers.
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Date of issue 07 March 2016
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LAPLAND (FINLAND)
Northern Lights Special
Clothing & Equipment Please check our website for the most up to date information regarding packing for your trip. The information we provide is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your trip. You will be provided with an all–in-one snow suit and snow boots during your stay. We recommend you take warm gloves, scarf and hat. Thick insulating mittens are provided as well as any helmets for snowmobiling.
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