Tourism in Norwegian Lapland has become a main source of employment and income, replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Working within this growth industry in rural and remote areas means that we must take a great deal of responsibility; socially, environmentally and economically. We fully appreciate the impact of tourist visits on local communities and their residents and strive to ensure that we are having a positive effect. We have included a great deal of interaction with the Sámi culture & in addition we encourage our clients to get involved in local events and activities which help to sustain traditional values and customs.

The Rica Hotel Alta is part of the Rica hotel chain with almost 80 hotels across Norway and Sweden.  The hotel chain operates The Swan is the official Nordic environmental label and has guidelines on how hotels and their suppliers should should operate in order to mee the environmental requirments.  For example some of these requirments include all the laundry services the Rica use are environmentally certified. Suppliers involved in renovating and expansion of their hotels must act in accordance with their environmental requirements and suppliers of cleaning products must provide environmentally labelled products. 

Another project developed by Rica Hotels is to use local suppliers for the food served in the resturants in the hotel.  This has many benefits two of which are to promote traditional Norwegian dishes on the menu and also to contribute toward sthe development and growth of small scale food producers.  This also reduces cost of transport for the food and Rica Hotel's carbon footprint. 

We always encourage our clients to respect and embrace the lives and culture of local inhabitants by learning a few important words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you etc. In all of our destinations we ensure that we use local suppliers, enabling locally owned businesses and the economies in which they work to benefit directly. Through the tourism multiplier effect, this all helps to generate incomes and employment where the drift might otherwise be towards larger employment areas such as towns and cities. Our use of small businesses means that the tourism income, generated by our presence, stays where it should, in the local economy. We firmly believe in paying a fair price for all the services provided by our suppliers regardless of where they are in the world.

Our holidays rely on visiting beautiful and un-spoilt areas. Naturally we wish to maintain the natural settings in which we work, not just for the future of our company, but also for future generations. We always insist that our local providers are equally conscious of this need.

Friday: Flights, Arrivals and Transfers
After your flights to Alta airport you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to your hotel. You will then have the opportunity to discuss the programme for your stay and ask any questions you may have.

Saturday: Northern Lights Exhibition and Arctic Evening
After a guided tour of Alta you will visit the award-winning museum with a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Aurora

This evening your guide will take you just outside Alta for an exciting evening of hunting the Northern Lights. Your adventure will take you deep into the snowy forest where your guide will light a campfire and tell stories about the History of the area and of course, the Aurora Borealis.

Sunday: Snowmobile Safari
This is definitely the quickest and most exhilarating way to explore this beautiful countryside. The route will cover around 60kms between two mountain lodges. This fantastic trail offers some stunning views.

Monday: Ice Fishing
Today you will try a traditional Lappish activity, ice fishing. This is the perfect opportunity to experience how peaceful and quiet the countryside here is and hopefully see some local wildlife such as wild moose, hares and foxes as you sit and wait for the fish to bite.

Tuesday: Snowshoe trek and Northern Lights Hunting
After breakfast you can explore your beautiful winter surroundings whilst mastering the art of snowshoeing, a traditional Sami way of getting around.

In the evening you head off on a real Northern Lights ‘Hunt’. Maybe the lights eluded you at the Arctic Evening or you just want to see them again. It’s guaranteed to be just as exciting the second time.

Wednesday: Husky Safari and Taste of Lapland
After a short transfer you will hear the dogs before you will see them. The dogs are desperate for you to arrive so they can set off on the trail. It’s impossible not to enjoy the feeling of rushing through the beautiful snowy forests.

This evening you are really in for a treat. A delicious meal of local delicacies made up of the freshest ingredients cooked in the delicious traditional Norwegian style.

Thursday: Optional Evening Snowmobile Safari and overnight in the Igloo Hotel
You can either choose to make the short transfer to the Igloo hotel by car or alternatively you can head cross country and appreciate the remote location of the Igloo Hotel on the banks of the Alta River.

This Igloo hotel is truly outstanding. It is completely redesigned every year with an innovative theme. For the 2009/2010 season the theme was water and the sculptures and lighting portrayed this fantastically. Don’t forget your camera! You will then spend the night in one of only 30 snow rooms.

Friday: Departure, Transfer and Flights

Alta has truly earned its title as ‘Town of the Northern Lights”. It was at the top of the Haddle Peak that the worlds first Northern Lights Observatory was built in 1899. The main building had four flats and an office. Up to three families (complete with children and pets) lived here over the entire winter period. Two children were even born in the observatory and between them the men who lived here even carried a piano up the 9km track for a little light evening entertainment!

During your visit you will visit Alta Museum which won the European Museum of the year award in 1993. There are several fascinating exhibits which your guide will explain. One of which is detailing the Rock Carvings around the Alta Fjord, some of which date back as early as 4200BC. The museum offers some fantastic views across the stunning Altafjord.

We have designed two different itineraries here in Alta to ensure there is something to suit everyone. We have also arranged some optional activities so the programmes are flexible allowing you to add in additional activities if you are want to spend more time exploring this fantastic area through the activities alternatively you can explore at your own pace leaving plenty of time for relaxing.

Anybody aged 18 years or over.