Finnmark / Varanger
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When: 2th - 6th June (other can possible be arranged)
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Starting point – Kirkenes
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Duration: 4 days (total of 580 km driving)
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Skills: A bit of easy walking
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Participants: 10 -15 (if not otherwise agreed)
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Discover the unique scenery of eastern Finnmark, the end of Europe and watch the midnight sun (weather permitting).
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Explore geological locations with some of the world’s oldest rocks and signs of early life on Earth
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Visit the Witch Museum (and other local museums if time allows)
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Learn about the war history from World War II
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Taste local snacks and one dinner (King Crab/Reindeer)
The Finnmark trip typically lasts for 4 days in the field and requires 4 nights in the north.
However, the trip can be tailored in different ways based on requests from the organizer.
Accommodation and Transport by boat to be paid separately (booking can be organized by Henriksen Maritime).
Day 1: Travel by plane, car, or bus, arriving early afternoon in Kirkenes. Begin with a presentation of the trip, including what we plan to see and safety instructions. Take a local walk around Kirkenes town and check in at the hotel. There will be an explanation of Kirkenes as a border area to Russia and Finland, along with current regulations. An introduction to World War II history will be provided.
Day 2: Start the day traveling by minibus/bus to visit the Syd-Varanger iron mine. On the way to Varanger Bottom (inner fjord), several stops are planned along the road to examine the oldest basement rocks of the area and 700-million-year-old moraine material. Information about the earliest settlements in the region will be shared. In the afternoon, check in at accommodation in Vadsø/Ekkerøy.
Day 3: Travel further eastwards to explore several interesting geo-sites, including with spectacular landscapes and fascinating information about the evolution of Earth. Visit Hamningberg, which features a preserved old Russian settlement from the Pomor trade period. On the return, visit the famous Witch Museum in Vardø. Enjoy a local walk around the beauty of Ekkerøy and bird watching.
Day 4: Travel westward, visiting geo-sites towards the Tana River and stopping at the Eastern Tana quartz mine. Then drive towards Berlevåg, passing the Kongsfjord mountain. Several stops will be made in the Kingsford valley and along the coast towards Berlevåg, including volcanic intrusions, deformed rocks, and signs from the last Ice Age. We will pass through large beaches and beautiful rivers along the coast.
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Return to Kirkenes by Hurtigruten boat overnight or by bus. This must be organized in advance due to tourist traffic.
Click the image to enlarge.
