General Tour Information
TRAVEL TO LONDON: This tour is organized by our British company, Sunbird, and starts and ends in London. The cost of the group flights between London and Helsinki are included in the tour cost. We regret that participants must join the trip in London. Please read the Important Travel Information for Participants on Sunbird Tours.
ENTERING FINLAND AND NORWAY: United States citizens will need a valid passport. A visa is not required. Citizens of other nations should contact the nearest Finnish and Norwegian consulates for entry requirements. Your passport, as a general rule, should be valid for at least six months after the date the tour ends.
MAP AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view maps of Finland and Norway in the University of Texas series here and here. You can adjust size by clicking in the lower right corner of the map. You can review the U.S. Department of State background notes on Finland and Norway here and here.
HEALTH: There are no unusual health hazards. Mosquitoes are not likely to be a major problem as they are only present in small numbers in northern Norway. In Finland they could be more numerous and some people may find them distracting.
CLIMATE: The weather can be extremely variable at this time of year, but nice weather usually predominates. In the south it is likely to be warm and sunny but may change to cloudy with rain or fog very quickly. Temperatures normally vary from 7°C to 20°C (45°F to 68°F) during the day with only slightly lower temperatures at night. In the north weather is cool or even cold, and at night below-freezing temperatures are normal, while daytime temperatures usually vary from 0°C to 10-15°C (32°F to 50-60°F). Periods of strong wind, fog and showers are likely in coastal Northern Norway.
PACE OF TOUR AND DAILY ROUTINE: The tour is not a strenuous one. Leisurely walking, occasionally over moderately rough terrain, is the only physical requirement, and anybody with a reasonable degree of physical fitness can take part on this tour. Because of the extended hours of daylight due to the high latitude there is the potential to be out birdwatching for very long periods. We often have early starts, at around 5:00-5:30 am for pre-breakfast excursions, and will occasionally venture out late in the evening to look for more crepuscular species.
ACCOMMODATION: All our hotels will have private facilities (toilet, shower, etc.) in the room.
FOOD: Normal Western standards. Lunches will be eaten at roadside restaurants or as picnic lunches, according to our preference each day.
DRESS: Dress is informal throughout the tour.
TRANSPORT: Our transport will be minibuses driven by the leaders for maximum flexibility.
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group if possible.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information & Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Finland and Arctic Norway will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary.
Updated: July 2006