Experience the winter wonders of Finnish Lapland on this adventurous break in Rovaniemi. Meet the man in red himself at Santa Claus Village and enjoy thrilling excursions by snowmobile and dog sled with chances to see the northern lights. You’ll also learn about the local culture at a reindeer farm, relax in a real Finnish sauna and explore the Arctic SnowHotel with the option to upgrade to an overnight inside a snow room or glass igloo.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Northern Lights Snowmobile Excursion
Arrive at Rovaniemi Airport where you will be met by a driver and transferred to your hotel in Rovaniemi. Spend some time resting up or exploring the town before your first adventure of the trip. This evening you’ll embark on a guided snowmobile excursion into the wild to look for the northern lights dancing in the sky. Before returning to the city you’ll get to enjoy a hot beverage and a snack around a campfire with the guide.
Spend the night in Rovaniemi.
Day 2: Dog Sledding & Traditional Finnish Sauna
Today you’ll learn about a traditional mode of winter transport in Lapland by taking part in a guided dog sled excursion. Following a brief lesson at the kennel, you’ll soon be mushing with your own sled, pulled by a team of energetic huskies, through the woods and over the snowy plains. After a thrilling ride, enjoy a hot beverage with the musher back at the kennel.
Back in the city, spend the rest of the afternoon and evening as you wish. Since Finland is famous for its sauna culture, we highly recommend spending some time today relaxing in the sauna at your hotel. It’s a great way to feel refreshed for the adventures yet to come on your trip.
Spend the night in Rovaniemi.
Day 3: Visit To A Reindeer Farm & Santa Claus Village
The day begins with a guided snowmobile excursion to a reindeer farm, which presents a unique opportunity to experience the culture of Lapland’s native Sami people. Along with learning fun facts about reindeer, you’ll enjoy a short sled ride and learn first-hand how fast these animals can run. You’ll also join your hosts in a special ceremony of crossing the Arctic Circle.
In the afternoon you’ll travel by car to the Santa Claus Village where you’ll have some time to do some souvenir shopping, send postcards from Santa’s main post office and enjoy lunch at a cosy restaurant. Of course, you will also get to meet Santa Claus himself! Afterwards you’ll be returned to Rovaniemi, where you can spend the evening at your leisure.
Spend the night in Rovaniemi.
Day 4: Open Day & Evening At The Arctic Snow Hotel
Explore Rovaniemi on your own for the first part of the day. To learn more about the local history, nature and culture, pay a visit to the Arktikum Museum and browse the interesting exhibits about Finnish Lapland and the Arctic region.
In the evening you will be taken to nearby Lehtojärvi, which is known for its excellent opportunities to view the northern lights. Here you’ll go on a guided tour of the Arctic SnowHotel, which is built entirely of snow and ice each year and includes beautifully crafted ice rooms as well as an ice restaurant and ice bar. There are also warm glass igloo accommodations on the premises. After the tour you’ll enjoy a dinner based on local specialties at the rustic Restaurant Kota, modelled after a traditional Sami structure. Around midnight you will be returned to the city.
OPTIONAL – overnight in a glass igloo or at the Arctic SnowHotel: To add even more adventure to this trip, you can upgrade your accommodation this evening to a warm glass igloo or a snow room at the Arctic SnowHotel (optional; not included). If you’re interested in sleeping under the stars (great for northern lights viewing!) or spending a night surrounded by ice art on a frozen bed lined with reindeer furs, this is your chance to do it.
Spend the night in Rovaniemi.
Day 5: Departure
After an adventurous winter getaway in Finnish Lapland you will be transferred back to Rovaniemi Airport for your departure flight.
Package Inclusions
Inclusions:
• Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport to accommodation
• Accommodation (comfort/quality/ounasvaara cabin) for 4 nights
• Daily Breakfast
• Northern lights snowmobile excursion in Rovaniemi, includes refreshments
• Visit to a reindeer farm & Santa Claus Village, includes lunch
• Dog sledding excursion in Rovaniemi, includes refreshments
• Visit to the Arctic Snow Hotel, includes a 3-course dinner
• Transfer to Rovaniemi Airport on departure
• Loan of additional outerwear & safety gear