Kirkenes Winter Adventure – including Ice Hotel

Welcome to Oslo

Touch down at Oslo Airport and head straight to your airport hotel – just a stone’s throw from your gate, perfect for maximizing tomorrow’s Arctic adventure time. If you’ve got energy to spare, the express train whisks you into Oslo’s city centre in about 20 minutes for a quick taste of cafés and Nordic design. Then it’s back to base for a solid night’s sleep – tomorrow you’re trading city lights for Northern Lights.

Highlights

The Oslo travel guide

Why it’s worth going on a fjord cruise from Oslo

Journey to the Arctic

Rise and shine – it’s Arctic time! Your morning flight whisks you to Kirkenes, a true frontier town where Norway, Russia, and Finland practically high-five. This isn’t just any northern town: Kirkenes sits in the heart of aurora country, where winter nights bring Northern Lights more often than not.

After a quick 20-minute airport bus ride (or a taxi if you’re feeling fancy), drop your bags at your central hotel and get ready for tonight’s main event. As darkness falls (spoiler: it’s early up here), you’ll meet your new best friends: a pack of eager huskies who’ve been waiting to show you their backyard. These four-legged athletes will pull you through the stunning Pasvik Valley on an authentic dog-sledding adventure while you scan the skies for those elusive green dancers. Two hours of pure Arctic magic with expert guides who know exactly where the Aurora loves to show off.

Arctic Adventure at the Snowhotel

Today’s the day you’ve been scrolling Instagram for – welcome to the world‑famous Snowhotel Kirkenes. After pickup from your hotel, you’ll arrive at this frozen masterpiece by a remote fjord, featuring professional ice sculptures, rooms carved from snow, and an ice bar where even the glasses are made of ice(!).

Want to boost your Arctic street cred? Add a king crab fishing trip – these prehistoric-looking giants are dinner and a show. Or hop on a snowmobile safari straight from the Snow Hotel if you’re craving more adrenaline. The best part of this remote ice palace? With zero light pollution, the stars shine bright, and if conditions are right, the Northern Lights might put on a private show right outside your igloo.

After a proper Arctic feast at the Snow Hotel restaurant – local ingredients with a gourmet twist – you’ll get a full briefing on ice-hotel sleeping etiquette. Spoiler: thermal sleeping bags are involved, and yes, you’ll be cozy. Bucket-list material, for sure.

Journey back to Oslo

Wake up to the surreal fact that you just spent the night in a hotel made of ice: achievement unlocked! After a hearty breakfast to warm up (kidding – those sleeping bags are surprisingly toasty), it’s time to head back to civilization. You’ll transfer to Kirkenes sentrum for your return flight to Oslo.

Back in Oslo, the airport bus or a taxi whisks you to your city-centre hotel, where you can finally process that you just dog-sledded under the Northern Lights and slept in an ice room. Spend your last evening exploring Oslo’s vibrant winter scene – maybe duck into a cozy pub to share your Arctic tales with envious locals. Your adventure officially wraps after breakfast tomorrow, but those ice hotel bragging rights? They last forever.