Itinerary + Map

DAY 1 Levi
Welcome to Finland! Upon arrival at Levi, you will be transferred to The Northern Lights Village, your unique accommodation for the next 2 nights. You will be staying in an Aurora Igloo Cabin, a magical way to experience the wintery star filled sky and with some luck the dance of the Northern Lights, all while lying comfortably in your warm bed. Settle into your cabins before gathering together tonight to enjoy dinner at the local restaurant.
After dinner there will be an optional tour on offer to go Aurora Hunting by Heated Sleigh. This tour is the best option if you do not wish to ride a snowmobile and would rather sit in the comfort of a heated sleigh pulled by the guide. Travel into the forest through the snowy, moonlit landscape away from the light pollution. Arrive at a fire and enjoy warm drinks and prepare your camera to take photographs of the northern night sky and if you are lucky, the Northern Lights will appear.

Stay at: Northern Lights Village Levi (4 star)
Meals included: Dinner

DAY 2 Levi

The natural beauty, diverse wildlife, varying terrain and, of course, the Northern Lights make Lapland and Levi very special places. From its river valleys and frozen lakes up to the fells with their spectacular views over the artic landscape, Levi is all about northern nature at its best. Today you will have opportunity to get familiar with Lappish animals and the life of the locals and enjoy the magical tranquillity the Arctic nature offers.

After breakfast this morning, you will get acquainted with the Sami Reindeer as you visit a local farm and take a sleigh ride. Meet the traditional Sami farmers who will tell you about the reindeer and their importance to the Sami culture. Then you will head out in pairs on two person sleighs pulled by the reindeer to experience this traditional and peaceful way of travelling through the serene landscape. You will visit a cafe and museum followed by a traditional 3 course home made lunch.

The afternoon is then at leisure to relax or partake in the following optionals offered at the Northern Lights Village that would make this stay an even more authentic Finnish experience.

For some Finns the sauna is a daily ritual, with such a space being common in many homes. Take a sauna in the Igloo Sauna with its large sky window that offers a perfect combination of viewing the night sky while warming up in the Sauna and relaxing in a hot tub.

Or you may want to make the most out of the opportunity to photograph the Northern Lights. There is the option to join a photography workshop where you will learn all the tricks you need to capture the Northern Lights and the night sky in such a way that your photos are an accurate representation of reality. Your instructor has vast knowledge and experience of photographing the Northern Lights and will provide tips on how to handle your camera and set the exposure and shutter to be able to share the magic of the Northern Lights with your friends with the best possible photos.

Perhaps try snowshoeing this evening. The deep snow crunching under the shoes, the snow-hooded trees, and the pearly-white willow grouse watching you from afar – the winter nature is a magical world of its own. On this optional tour you will hike through the forest in snowshoes to a nearby fell where you will build a fire, enjoy a delicious meal outdoors, and enjoy the spectacular scenery including watching out for the Northern Lights. Your guide will provide information on the nature and animals of Lapland, and with any luck you may see a Siberian jay, a willow grouse, or a herd of reindeer wandering by. This trip is especially suitable for nature-lovers, who wish to take great photographs and enjoy the natural scenery in an ecological way.

Stay at: Northern Lights Village Levi (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

DAY 3 Levi – Haparanda
Your adventure continues as you make your way to Haparanda, and it's quite scenic, especially during the winter months when the landscape is covered in snow. As you travel east, you will pass through the forests and hills of Finnish Lapland, which are dotted with small towns and villages. Once you approach the border between Finland and Sweden, you'll cross the Muonio River, which is wide and frozen in winter, and you may be able to see people ice fishing or skiing on the river. Notice the landscape change, become flatter as more fields begin to appear. Haparanda is located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and you may catch glimpses of the sea as you approach the town.

Tonight, you will stay at one of the most famous turn-of-the-century hotels in Sweden, restored to its former glory, with the authentic character of the town’s number one establishment: red plush, crystal chandeliers, stucco. Haparanda, with Stadshotellet at its centre, at periods has been the European town with the fastest pulse rate. The building was designed by the architects Fritz Ullrich and Eduard Hallqvist from Stockholm. The hotel was built in the classical style, the master builder and the carpenters coming from Sundsvall, Sweden, the stucco workers came from Italy, much of the building material was from Silesia, etc.

The afternoon is free to enjoy this opulence or perhaps try another common winter activity - ice fishing! This optional tour takes you to Tornionjoki River, the biggest free-flowing river in Europe in which whitefish and salmon spawn. Your guide will teach you how to drill a hole in the ice and prepare the ice-fishing rod and baits. Then it’s time to test your skills.

Gather tonight for dinner at your Hotel.

Stay at: Haparanda Stadshotell or similar (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 4 Haparanda - Kemi – Rovaniemi
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading out for a full day filled with activities in the town of Kemi. First, a visit to the Winter Park with its special snow slides, enjoy the snow sculptures and Snow Experience 365 complex followed by lunch at Seaview Restaurant. Afterwards, drive to the harbour where you will embark on the impressive vessel Sampo Icebreaker for a cruise through the ice of the northern Gulf of Bothnia to make your adventure unforgettable. Let the magical moments in artic nature blow you away. After a guided tour around the vessel all the way from the Captain's bridge to the engine rooms, you can then either feel the arctic freedom on the deck or relax in the warm indoors sipping hot beverages in the Icebreaker bar. Before returning to the port, the ship will make an hour stop to enable each visitor to participate in the ice floating event, in the middle of the largest ice field in Europe. Here, you can jump into the sea and float comfortably dressed in survival suits.

After an adventure filled day, sit back as you continue to Rovaniemi, located right on the Arctic Circle. Upon arrival, enjoy the evening at leisure, perhaps at the many wonderful restaurants of the capital of Lapland.

*The Winter Park is dependent on weather conditions and therefore cannot be guaranteed to be open during January

Stay at: Santa's Hotel Santa Claus or similar (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 5 Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village – Rovaniemi
Today after breakfast, meet your local guide and drive through the white nature to visit a Husky Farm located right on the Arctic Circle, where the barking of enthusiastic dogs will welcome you to the most genuine Husky farm in Rovaniemi. The head musher will talk about the life and training of these Arctic animals. Don't forget to take great photos! After a brief instruction, you will embark, riding in pairs and taking turns to drive, run through the forest behind your pack of huskies.

Afterwards, continue with a visit to the world famous Santa Claus Village, built right on the Arctic Circle and home to Santa Claus. Stop by his busy post office where you can ask Santa to send a letter to your loved ones before Christmas. Feel the magical world of Santa's home, it's something that you will always remember.

After, return to your hotel by bus and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Adventure awaits tonight with an optional Aurora Borealis Safari by Snowmobile on offer. Experience the Arctic night by driving through the snow-covered forest and on the frozen river. With a little luck, you will travel under a bright sky lit by the moon and the stars. Perhaps the Aurora Borealis will appear to show you the way. You will also stop to sip warm beverages and savour a snack by a campfire and learn more about the Northern Lights and the beauty of Lapland.
Stay at: Santa's Hotel Santa Claus (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 Rovaniemi
Enjoy breakfast and your day at leisure until your group transfer to Rovaniemi Airport for your onward journey. We hope you have had a fabulous time!

Meals included: Breakfast

- All these optional tours require pre booking as they are not available to be booked once on tour.

  • 3 nights, 3 and 4 star hotel accommodation
  • 2 nights, Aurora Igloo cabin
  • Multi-Lingual Tour Manager (English & Spanish or Portuguese)
  • Group arrival transfer from Kittila Airport (first day only)
  • Group departure transfer to Rovaniemi Airport (last day only)
  • Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
  • Outdoor clothing for winter activities/safaris as mentioned
  • 5 buffet breakfasts
  • 2 lunches
  • 3 dinners

Guided tours

  • Reindeer farm visit including sleigh ride
  • Husky farm visit and safari
  • Sampo Icebreaker Cruise and ice swimming

Visit

  • Santa Claus Village
  • Kemi Winter Park*

Pricing

 
 
25 Mar 2024
Fabulous Lapland
Twin/DoubleSingle
Prices per adult in Australian Dollars (AUD)
$5,280$6,740
 
 
Enquiry

*The Winter Park is dependent on weather conditions and therefore cannot be guaranteed to be open during January.
Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and we are unable to guarantee activity, vibrancy or colour.