Kirkenes Winter Adventure – including Ice Hotel

Welcome to Oslo

Touch down at Oslo Airport and you've got options, friend. Either crash at an airport hotel (literally a stone's throw from your gate – perfect for maximizing tomorrow's Arctic adventure time) or hop on the express train for a quick 20-minute ride into Oslo's buzzing city centre. Pro tip: If you're here early enough, Oslo's got killer coffee shops and that Nordic design scene everyone's always raving about. Rest up – 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 genuine Arctic frontier town where Norway, Russia, and Finland practically high-five each other. This isn't just any northern town; Kirkenes sits smack in the middle of Aurora central, where Northern Lights sightings are more rule than exception during winter months.

After a quick 20-minute airport bus ride (or taxi if you're feeling fancy), dump your bags at your centrally located hotel and get ready for tonight's main event. As darkness falls (spoiler: it falls early up here), you'll meet your new best friends – a pack of enthusiastic huskies who've been waiting all day 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 Aurora likes to show off.

Arctic Adventure at the Snowhotel

Today's the day you've been scrolling Instagram for – welcome to the world-famous Snow Hotel Kirkenes! After pickup from your hotel, you'll arrive at this frozen masterpiece perched beside a remote fjord. We're talking professional ice sculptures, rooms carved from snow, and an ice bar where even your glass is frozen (yes, really).

Want to level up your Arctic Street cred? Add on king crab fishing – these prehistoric-looking giants are literally dinner and a show. Or jump on a snowmobile safari straight from the Snow Hotel if you're craving more adrenaline. The beauty of this remote ice palace? Zero light pollution means the stars come out to play, and if conditions align, the Northern Lights might just throw you a private show right outside your igloo.

After a proper Arctic feast at the Snow Hotel restaurant (think local ingredients with a gourmet twist), you'll get the full briefing on ice hotel sleeping etiquette. Spoiler alert: thermal sleeping bags are involved, and yes, you'll actually be cozy. This is bucket-list material, people!

Journey back to Oslo

Wake up to the surreal realization that you just slept in a hotel made of ice – achievement unlocked! After a hearty breakfast to thaw you out (kidding, the sleeping bags are surprisingly toasty), it's time to head back to civilization. You'll transfer back to Kirkenes centre for your return flight to Oslo. Quick heads up: arrange your airport transfer through the Snow Hotel or grab a taxi – this bit on you.

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