Golden Lapland Adventure Retreat 2019

Day 1: Singapore - Helsinki - Ivalo

Gather at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 21:30 to embark on our adventure to the north. We will leave on the Finnair flight to Helsinki. This is my preferred flight just because you get to sleep through the night and wake up early in Helsinki at about 06:00 in the morning!

With a 10 hours layover in Helsinki before your flight to Ivalo, take a walking tour around Helsinki City Centre and check out the iconic places such as Temppeliaukion Church (a.k.a. Rock Church), Senate Square and White Church, Market Square, and Uspenski Cathedral. If you are keen, this is also one of the best times to take a ferry (using the same bus card) to Suomenlinna the Finnish fortress by the sea.

Return to the airport on time (before 15:00) to take your flight Ivalo! A layover of up to 5 days can be arranged during the flight booking if you are keen to spend more time in the south of Finland. My personal recommendation is to do the layover before the trip to Lapland to enjoy the summer activities - that's when the Finns get out to play!

Day 2: Day at the Gold Village

After a long day of flights, the second day will be relaxing. Choose from the list of activities including gold panning, guided hikes and canoeing trip (subject to availability) and spend the afternoon the way you like. I personally found the gold panning activity to be quite meditative and therapeutic.

Day 3: Heading North to Norway

On our way to Norway, we will spend the afternoon at Siida in Inari to learn more about the Sami people's way of life. As we continue the way to our lodge for the night, enjoy the beautiful scenery. We will spend the night in Kirkenes.

Day 4: The Most Remote Village in Norway

Get a little adventurous as we visit the most remote village in Norway - Grense Jakobselv and visit the beautiful stone church just 500 meters away from the Russian borders. The day will also include the famous king crabs safari and a little crab feast afterward.

Day 5: Cruise through the North-eastern Fjords

We will hop on the cruise at 12:30 and sail our way further north to a remote corner of the world. Relax and chill under the sun and cool breeze till we get to Honningsvåg. The night will be spent on the cruise. We will arrive at 05:30 the next morning.

If everyone on board for the trip is flexible with not needing a cabin to sleep in (since we are hoping off early at 05:30), we can be a little more flexible with the dates.

Day 6: Nordkapp Exploration

Arriving at Honningsvåg 05:30 in the morning, we will head to Nordkapp - the northernmost point of continental Europe before going to Skarsvåg, a small and beautiful fishing village that is usually inaccessible during winter to have breakfast and check out Kirkeporten, a 2.5km hike away. After checking in the accommodation, we rest a little before heading back to Honningsvåg to explore the little town. 

Day 7 & 8: All the Way to Alta

After a good night's rest, we will make our way to Alta. Along the way, we will make a small detour to see this beautiful chapel by the sea I discovered during my last trip. Explore the City of Northern Lights as we will visit the Husky Farm, UNESCO World Heritage Rock Art Centre (a.k.a. Alta Museum) and the beautiful Northern Lights Cathedral.

Day 9: Going Back South

Along the way back south, we will be dropping by a few small places I've discovered during my last trip, and also the new Karasjok Church and old Karasjok Church, which is the oldest Lutheran Church in Finnmark. We will spend the night at Karasjok before heading back to Finland the next day.

Day 10: Heading Back to Finland

While we make our way back to Finland, we meet reindeers along the way. During my last trip, I stayed with a Sami family and they own reindeers which were passed down from father to daughter. Each of the reindeers has a name! Hopefully, I can make some special arrangement to stay there for the afternoon to experience life and have a conversation with the locals.

Day 11: Hiking in the Kiilopää Fell

Kiilopää Fell is one of the most beautiful places I've seen. Even though it was fogged up the last time I was there, but it is such a beautiful place that I will go back again in a heartbeat. This is where you will get hike into the beautiful golden feels, and experience the authentic Finnish smoked sauna and swim in the ice cold water after it!

Day 12: Back to the City

We will fly back to Helsinki and you get to follow me to Turku - the city I lived for 1.5 years and had fallen deeply in love with. This is the capital of Finland before it was moved to Helsinki by the Russians. Check out the South-west Finland itinerary for more information (to be updated)!

For those who are not joining me, we will part ways at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Feel free to spend an extra day in Helsinki, or two. I can arrange the stopover if you are keen to have it after the trip instead of the beginning!

Day 13: Back to Singapore

Arrive back in Singapore!