The village of Alta is situated in the county of Finnmark, the region of Norway often referred to as 'Lapland', and has a marvellous location with the Altafjorden on one side and the Finnmarksvidda, a magnificent vast mountain plateau on the other.
The Finnmarksvidda is home to the few thousand semi-nomadic Sami or 'Lapps' who, for thousands of years, have herded their reindeer on the vast mountain plains. Outside interest in the Sami way of life plus the sheer breathtaking beauty of the wild landscape they inhabit has lead to an increase in the number of travellers wishing to visit the region. During the winter months it is now possible to use Alta as the perfect base from which to enjoy a broad selection of winter activities.
The Alta Igloo Hotel is a wonderful construction made completely from snow and ice and houses hotel rooms, ice sculptures and its own ice bar complete with ice glasses! Our short break to Alta includes one night in the Igloo Hotel providing perhaps the most unique overnight experience you will ever have!
| ITINERARY |
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| Day 1. Fly from the UK, via Oslo, to Alta Airport. Transfer to your hotel. 1 night ALTA (BB) |
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Rica Alta Hotel ***
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| Day 2. Free day for optional activity (see Excursions) before transferring at 1700 to the Alta Igloo Hotel. Dinner is included and served in Laksestua Restaurant in Alta Friluftspark, adjacent to the hotel. 1 night ALTA (HB) |
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Alta Igloo Hotel
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| Day 3. Early morning sauna followed by breakfast in Laksestua Restaurant then transfer to Alta centre and your 'warm' hotel!! Free afternoon for optional activities. 1 night ALTA (BB) |
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Rica Alta Hotel ***
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| Day 4. Transfer to Alta Airport for return flights to the UK. |
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| Alta & Igloo Hotel |
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| 16 Jan - 10 Apr 2012 |
3 Nts |
Twin
Single Supplement |
£1098
£135 |
| Extra Night Rica Alta Hotel |
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Twin
Single Supplement |
£80
£45 |
Prices are in £s per person and include: Scheduled return flight from London Heathrow to Alta via Oslo incl. taxes; 2 nights at the Rica Alta Hotel based on two people sharing a twin room with sh/wc; 1 night at the Alta Igloo Hotel based on two people sharing a 'snow room' and including return transfers from Rica Alta Hotel, dinner, morning sauna and breakfast.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Insurance cover is essential for your break. If you do not take out our insurance you must take your insurance documents with you as proof maybe required. Full details on request.
Rica Alta Hotel ***
This is a first-class hotel, located in the centre of Alta, the actual gateway to the Finnmark region. The hotel has a very central location. All the rooms come with cable TV, a film network, radio, telephone and shower/bath. Half of the rooms have a view of the Altadalen valley and some have a view of Haldé, the oldest Northern Lights observatory. Wireless internet connection. The hotel restaurant "Alta" serves an Arctic menu. The hotel also has a café, bar, night-club and pizza pub.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
A very seasonal hotel and impossible to give a star rating! The hotel is completely made from snow and ice and boasts its own bar and ice sculpture gallery along with hotel rooms (though not with shower and WC!). A real experience.
Hunt for the Northern Lights with Glød
Description: Here is an opportunity to hunt for the Northern Lights far from the light pollution around the town and with a company who know the best viewpoints and the best settings for your camera!
Operates: Mon, Wed, Thu and Sun, 1 Oct - 15 Apr
Duration: 1900 - 2230
Price: £176 per person, children under 12 £129
Price Includes: return transfer from Alta centre, hot drinks and snacks.
Dog Sledding Trip in the Realm of the Elk with Holmen Dog Centre
Description: Holmen dog Centre invites you on an adventurous husky safari! Drive your own dog sled or relax and enjoy the scenery as a passenger. You travel through the pine forest following the banks of the Alta River or up through Altadalen valley to the Finnmarksvidda Mountan plain. You are served tea/coffee and cakes in their lavvu or outdoors around an open fire. They explain how the huskies (and themselves) train and prepare for the Finnmarksløpet husky race covering 1000 kms - a huge annual event!
Operates: Daily except Sunday, 15 Dec - 15 Apr
Duration: 1000 - 1230
Price: £129 per person, children under 12 -50%
Price Includes: Transport from hotel, thermal suit, boots, hat and gloves, tea/coffee and cake
Ice-Fishing and Arctic Lunch with Glød
Description: The area surrounding Alta has excellent fishing lakes with plenty of opportunity for a big catch. Set off from the Glød camp, a 30 minutes drive from Alta, and enjoy lunch cooked over an open fire.
Operates: Mon, Wed & Fri, 1 Nov - 15 Apr
Duration: 1000 - 1500
Price: £176 per adult, children under 12 £129
Price Includes: return transport from Alta centre, Arctic lunch, hot drink and, of course, ice fishing with all equipment.
Arctic Adventure with Glød
Description: Are you fascinated by the Arctic nature? Then experience it close up and savour the peace and tranquillity and colours and forms - and perhaps a moose, hare or fox! Key words for this wilderness adventure are pine forest, frozen lake (where you drill a hole and try ice-fishing), snowshoes (in the deep snow) and traditional Sami lavvu heated by an open fire with a hot lunch cooked over it. Food supplies and equipment are pulled on a pulka by a husky dog so remember your camera!
Operates: Mon, Wed & Fri, 1 Nov - 15 Apr
Duration: 1000 - 1500
Price: £187 per adult, children under 12 £140
Price Includes: Transport, thermal suit, snowshoes, fishing gear and lunch
Campfires Burning with Gargia Fjellstue
Description: Delight in the total silence while sipping from a cup of hot tea or coffee around an open campfire at Gargia Fjellstue (mountain lodge). Take a trip into the forest and sample the traditional life in the great outdoors and hopefully see the Northern Lights.
Operates: Daily, 1 Nov - 30 Apr
Duration: 1800 - 2130
Price: £88 per adult, children under 12 £44
Price Includes: Transport from Alta Centre, warm clothing, gear, tea, coffee and other hot drinks
Dog Sledding Trip in Wonderful Winter Light with Holmen Dog Centre
Description: Holmen Dog Centre invites you on an adventurous husky safari! Drive your own dog sled or take the trip as passenger. The safari takes you through the forest and along the Alta River. Beautiful lighting with the possibility of the Northern Lights, moonlight and a red evening sky in the springtime. Coffee and cakes are served in the lavvu.
Operates: 15 Dec - 14 Apr
Duration: 2½ hours, departs 1600
Price: £129 per adult, children under 12 £65. Price includes: transport from hotel, thermal suit, boots, gloves, tea/coffee and cakes.
Snowmobile Safaris with Sorrisniva
Description: Transfer to the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. The safari starts out from the Igloo Hotel and takes you on the former trade road towards Karasjok. This is one of the last wilderness areas in Europe. Your path leads through the forest and up onto the Finnmarksplateau with its wide, snowcovered plain. A wonderful way to view the spectacular scenery of this region.
Operates: 15 Jan - 31 Mar.
Duration: 0930 - 1345 or 1730 - 2045.
Price 0930 dep: £152 per adult (2 per snowmobile), £175 per adult (1 per snowmobile), children under 12 £76.
Price 1730 dep: £135 per adult (2 per snowmobile), £158 per adult (1 per snowmobile, children under 12 £76. Price includes transport from Alta centre, warm clothes and snowsuit, helmet, fuel and warm/cold drinks. Please note: children may only travel as passengers. Driving licence required!
