Fishing and Snowmobile Rides in the Arctic Circle

A six-day snowmobiling safari in Finland and Sweden is the centerpiece of a trip to the Arctic. Pello, a Finnish village 20 miles north of the Arctic Circle, is the base for snowmobiling, ice fishing and driving a reindeer-drawn sleigh in a wilderness of forests, river valleys, mountains and lakes. Weekly departures are scheduled from Jan. 8 through April 29 from New York.

Kemi is visited en route to Pello, on the River Tornio, which forms the border between Finland and Sweden. Sleighs drawn by snowmobiles lead to a cozy lodge on Lake Kukasjlrvi for ice fishing.

The snowmobile safari, with two persons to a vehicle, crosses the frozen river into Sweden and drives south across the Arctic Circle to Pullinki Ski Resort. At a reindeer farm participants take a sleigh ride and learn how to drive reindeer before taking a flight to Helsinki, which is the finale.

A city tour takes in the carved Rock Church, Senate and Market squares, the Esplanadi and the Sibelius Monument.

Cost: $1,169 to $1,269 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip transatlantic air fare from New York, in-country flight, hotel accommodations, some meals, sightseeing and airport transfers.

Contact: Norvista, 228 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017; telephone (800) 677-6454.

Tunisia: Jedi Nights

Amelia Tours is offering a tour to Tunisia to see the film locations of the movies “Star Wars” and “The English Patient.”

The itinerary features one night each in Tunis, Matmata and Ksar Ghilane, plus three nights in Tozeur. The itinerary includes a night in a deluxe tented camp in the Sahara (with private bath), a drive across the salt lake of Chott Djerid, an excursion to the island of Djerba and extensive sightseeing in ancient Tozeur.

Cost: $1,200 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations, daily breakfast and dinner, taxes and service charges. International air fare is extra.

Contact: Amelia Tours; tel. (800) 742-4591.

New Zealand

Gerhard’s Bicycle Odysseys will highlight the South Island of New Zealand on a two-week tour starting Feb. 15.

Cyclists will begin in Christchurch, follow the west coast and end in Queenstown. Overnights include the Hammer Springs thermal region for relaxing in the soaking pools, Franz Josef Glacier and a fishing lodge.

Cycling distances are moderate, typically 35 to 45 miles each day. Longer routes are offered for those who desire a greater challenge. Maps and route sheets allow everyone to set an individual pace. A support vehicle carries the luggage and offers a lift. Groups are limited to 20 adults.

Cost: $3,295 per person, double occupancy, including 14 nights’ hotel accommodations, most meals, support vehicle and two tour guides.

Contact: Gerhard’s Bicycle Odysseys, P.O. Box 757, Portland, OR 97207; tel. (503) 223-2402, Internet https://www.since 1974.com.

Galapagos Islands: Cruise

Metropolitan Touring is offering a visit to lava-strewn Sullivan Bay with its Galapagos Islands program. The tour combines day cruises on the 120-foot Delfin II motor yacht and overnights ashore at Hotel Delfin.

Sullivan Bay, on James Island, has huge black lava formations that resemble a moonscape. The fantastic shapes, which feel as smooth as glass, are the result of an 1897 volcano eruption. After hiking along the lava flows with a naturalist guide, participants can swim and snorkel in the bay. The afternoon stop at Sullivan Bay follows a morning at tiny Bartolome Island, known for the panoramic view from its summit, Pinnacle Rock and penguins.

James and Bartolome islands are included in three- and seven-night itineraries. The shorter package also features the Charles Darwin Research Station and Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, North Seymour and Plaza islands. Four-night cruises visit Puerto Ayora, the Darwin Station, Dragon Hill and Las Bachas on Santa Cruz, and Jervis, North Seymour, Point Cormorant and Post Office Bay on Floreana. Scuba diving is available for beginners and certified divers. Passengers spending a week can take an optional hike to Tortuga Bay or tour the Highlands of Santa Cruz.

On the isolated Galapagos Islands, 600 miles offshore from Ecuador, guests may see giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine and land iguanas, sea lions, frigate birds and penguins.

The Delfin program costs $555 and $690 per person, double occupancy, for three nights, $740 and $920 for four nights and $1,290 and $1,610 for seven-night packages. The lower rates are in effect from March 16 to June 14 and Sept. 1 to Oct. 31. Packages include accommodations, all meals, sightseeing excursions, snorkeling, guide and lecture services and airport transfers in Quito or Guayaquil and the islands. Round-trip air fare from the mainland to Baltra and Galapagos National Park entrance fees are extra.

Contact: Adventure Asso., 13150 Coit Road, No. 110, Dallas, TX 75240; tel. (800) 527-2500, Internet https://www.ecuadorable.com.

South: Steamboating

You can be a part of a historic steamboat race on the Mississippi River with Historic Tours of America from June 24 to July 5. The tour company is offering a steamboat trip aboard the Mississippi Queen. The original steamboat race took place in 1870 between the Natchez and the Robert E. Lee. This year the Delta Queen will race the Mississippi Queen. The cruise starts in New Orleans. Along the way, passengers stop at historic cities such as Natchez and Vicksburg, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn. The cruise ends in St. Louis, where guests will attend Fourth of July celebrations.

Cost: $2,692.50 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare, cabin on ship and captain’s dinner.

Contact: Don Eslinger at Historic Tours of America, 20325 Seabright Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92646; tel. (714) 536-3434.

Tasmania: Rafting

Peregrine Adventures is offering two rafting trips on Tasmania’s Franklin River over New Year’s Eve at Rafters Basin and Newlands Cascade in Tasmania, Australia. One runs Dec. 28 to Jan. 3, and another is Dec. 29 to Jan. 2.

The company offers three different rafting packages from November to April, including a seven-day “Upper Franklin Expedition,” a five-day “Lower Franklin Wilderness Expedition” and a 10-day “Franklin River Expedition” (combining the upper and lower rivers).

The Franklin River is located in the World Heritage Area of Tasmania’s southwest wilderness.

Cost: $990 (seven days) and $810 per person, double occupancy, including airport transfers, rafting and camping equipment, all meals and guides. Round-trip international air fare is extra.

Contact: Tourism Tasmania, 201 Balsam Ave., Toronto M4E 3C4, Canada; tel. (416) 693-8480, Internet https://www.peregrine.net.au.

Belize: Adventure

Island Expeditions, an adventure travel company, is offering a nine-day holiday in Belize that includes sea kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, fishing, hiking, Mayan ruins, caving, jungle travel and white-water paddling.

The “Ultimate Adventure” begins with two days of sea kayaking and sailing in a remote island group along the southern Barrier Reef. The next two days include snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing and board sailing at Island Expeditions’ island base camp at Glovers Atoll Marine Reserve. Then guests will walk into the jungle, enter caves, climb 120 feet into a rain-forest canopy and see Mayan ruins. The last four days, participants will paddle inflatable kayaks through the canyons and rapids of Upper Moho River. Participants need to be in good physical condition. Departures are available from December through April.

Cost: $1,799 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations, all meals, guides, transfers and charter flights within Belize. Air fare to Belize is extra.

Contact: Island Expeditions; tel. (800) 667-1630, Internet https:// www.islandexpeditions.com.

The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. These should be confirmed with travel agents or tour operators.