If you want to see the Northern lights, take a husky ride, go King Crab fishing or just enjoy a beautiful weekend away from the busy city, Kirkenes is the best place for you. Let’s go up north and enjoy the cute town of Kirkenes, Norway. We have made the perfect itinerary for you to enjoy of your weekend away.
If you are in Oslo, take a flight to the northern tip of Norway to Kirkenes, just a few miles from the Russian border. If you are staying with the Kirkenes Snowhotel make sure to set up an airport transfer in advance to the hotel. Even if you are not sleeping with the snowhotel, you can sign up for any of these excursions or tours, with a pickup in the city.
Kirkenes, Norway Travel Video
Day 1: Arriving at the Kirkenes Snowhotel
When you arrive to the hotel, the first thing you will do is put your luggage down and head to the front desk. They check you in and give you your schedule for the weekend. Keep in mind that if you are staying in the snow hotel rather than the heated cabins, you cannot take your luggage to the rooms, as it is too cold and break your electronics. All your luggage will be transferred to the The Luggage room, just at the end of the hotel made of snow.
Do not worry about sleeping in a bedroom with a cool temperature of -4°C, as they have heavy duty sleeping bags for each person to give you a comfy night’s sleep.
After putting your stuff down in the Luggage room you are free to roam around the hotel and take as many photos as you wish of all the rooms in the hotel. Each room has a different design and they are all pretty cool. It is a good way to see which room you will prefer, even though, you have no choice on the room as the are assigned randomly during dinner.
We took a fun husky ride through the mountains and enjoyed of a panoramic views of the fjord. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Make sure to wear the balaklava to cover your face as there is quite a bit of wind when you are out on the ride. We sat all bundled up in a sled with seven cute huskies ready to go!
After a day full of fun in the sun and snow, go and get warm at the lounge for hotel guests with a cup of hot chocolate and cozy sheepskin covered chairs. Then get ready for dinner and to find out where you are sleeping that night!
After dinner we boarded a minibus to chase the northern lights. From a pulloff out in the mountains we waited for the northern lights to appear. The day we went was low aurora activity, so we were only able to see the green in the sky for a short period. However, with the camera is where the real magic was born.
Day 2: Enjoy the day out in Kirkenes
The next morning, after a breakfast buffet, it was back into the hotel provided snow suits. We took a guided snowshoeing tour out into the mountains besides the hotel grounds. Climbing to the top of the mountain, we were greeted with panoramic views of the fjord, surrounding mountains and a warm cup of fruit juice.
To finish off our magical weekend at the Snowhotel, we participated in the Ultimate King Crab Experience. Just a short drive from the hotel, we are given a snowsuit, gloves and a helmet, before heading out on the fjord. We took a snowmobile lead sleigh onto the ice, where there is a giant hole in the ice. From there, the king crab cages are lifted out of the water and we had the chance to get a photo with the huge crustaceans, before being prepared for lunch.
Back to the cabin it is time to enjoy the feast of the fresh king crab. Enjoy all the crab you can eat in the traditional Norwegian way, on toast with lemon and mayonnaise.
If a member of your group does not eat king crab, make sure to let them know in advance and you will be provided with plenty of alternative food to meet your dietary needs.
In downtown Kirkenes, we spent the night at the Thon Hotel. Located right on the waters of the fjord, you can walk just outside for a view of the breathtaking landscape. We highly recommend staying in a Superior Room, which are the ones that look out directly of the fjord and provide a view of the northern lights from the comfort of your warm room.
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