FinnishLapland
3
Day Itinerary •
Finland
Three days in Finnish Lapland delivers the most extraordinary Arctic winter experience in Europe, from the remarkable husky dog sled safari through snow-covered forest and the extraordinary reindeer sleigh ride with Sami herders to the fine northern lights aurora hunt under the extraordinary Lapland sky, the remarkable Saariselka fell snowshoe walk above the treeline and the fine Ranua Wildlife Park polar bears. This focused route covers the essential Finnish Lapland winter experience. The extraordinary husky safari, reindeer sleigh ride and snowmobile across the frozen lakes on Day 1, the remarkable northern lights aurora hunt, the fine Saariselka fell snowshoe walk and the extraordinary Urho Kekkonen National Park wilderness hut on Day 2, and the fine Rovaniemi Arctic Circle and the remarkable Ranua Wildlife Park polar bears on Day 3.
Best Time To Visit
December to March for snow activities, November to January for best aurora
Getting There
Fly into Ivalo (IVL) or Kittila (KTT) airports, Lapland
Getting Around
Organised safaris and activities from base lodge. Hire car optional.
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 500 EUR per person per day all activities included
Difficulity
Easy, all activities guided and suitable for all fitness levels
DAY 1
WINTER SAFARIS
MORNING
HUSKY DOG SLED SAFARI
The most extraordinary winter experience in Finnish Lapland, the remarkable husky dog sled safari through the extraordinary snow-covered forest landscape of northern Finland. The fine team of 6 to 8 huskies pulls the remarkable sled through outstanding snow-burdened pine forest trails at remarkable speed in extraordinary silence broken only by the fine patter of paws and the remarkable sound of the sled runners. The extraordinary connection with the husky team and the fine responsibility of driving the sled through the outstanding winter landscape is unlike any experience in Europe. Tours approx 80 to 120 EUR. 1 hour back
MIDDAY
REINDEER SLEIGH RIDE AND SAMI CULTURE
The extraordinary reindeer sleigh ride across the remarkable frozen Lapland landscape, the most traditional winter activity in Finnish Lapland, with the fine Sami or local Lapland reindeer herder guiding the remarkable sleigh through outstanding snow-covered forest. The fine visit to a traditional reindeer farm gives the most extraordinary introduction to the remarkable Sami reindeer herding culture that has been the foundation of Lapland life for thousands of years. Tours approx 60 to 100 EUR. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SNOWMOBILE SAFARI AND FROZEN LAKE
The extraordinary snowmobile safari across the remarkable frozen Lapland lakes, the finest motorised winter adventure in Finland, where the fine snowmobiles cross the extraordinary expanses of frozen lake ice with outstanding visibility of the remarkable snow-covered fells rising around the frozen water. The fine campfire stop in the Lapland forest with the remarkable hot lingonberry juice and the extraordinary Finnish mustard sausage grilled over the fire is the finest outdoor meal in Lapland. Tours approx 80 to 130 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort near Saariselka, famous for the remarkable glass igloos under the northern lights, is the finest hidden splurge in Finnish Lapland. The remarkable smoke sauna at Kakslauttanen is the largest in the world. For those not staying, the extraordinary igloo village is visible from the road and the fine sauna is bookable by non-guests. Approx 50 EUR per person. ourhiddenearth.com
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lodge breakfast Substantial Finnish breakfast before the extraordinary husky safari. The huskies require an early start. | Lunch: Reindeer farm lunch Remarkable traditional Lappish lunch at the extraordinary reindeer farm. Fine reindeer soup and remarkable rieska flatbread. | Dinner: Lapland lodge dinner Outstanding Finnish Lapland dinner. Extraordinary smoked reindeer, fine Arctic char and remarkable cloudberry dessert.
DAY 2
AURORA AND FELLS
MORNING
NORTHERN LIGHTS AURORA HUNT
NORTHERN LIGHTS AURORA HUNT Night into morning The most extraordinary natural spectacle accessible in Europe, the remarkable northern lights aurora borealis above the extraordinary Lapland sky, best seen from Finnish Lapland between November and March on clear moonless nights. The fine aurora safaris by snowmobile, on foot or by glass-roofed vehicle take visitors away from the remarkable village light pollution to the extraordinary dark skies of the Lapland forest and lake landscapes. Aurora probability is highest around the autumn and spring equinoxes. Tours approx 60 to 100 EUR. Return to lodge
MIDDAY
SAARISELKA FELL SNOWSHOE WALK
The extraordinary Saariselka fell landscape in the remarkable Urho Kekkonen National Park, the finest upland national park in Finland, where the outstanding treeless tundra fells rise gently above the extraordinary Lapland forest and the remarkable open panorama of the snowy fell landscape in every direction is the finest winter view in Finland. The fine snowshoe walk from Saariselka village gives the most extraordinary above-treeline experience in Finnish Lapland. Snowshoe hire approx 15 EUR. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
URHO KEKKONEN NATIONAL PARK WILDERNESS HUT
The extraordinary Urho Kekkonen National Park wilderness hut experience, where the remarkable open wilderness huts maintained by the Finnish national park system provide the finest free-of-charge shelter in the Nordic wilderness. The fine open hut with its remarkable wood stove, the outstanding view over the extraordinary snowy fell landscape and the fine silence of the Lapland wilderness in winter create the most extraordinary free outdoor experience in northern Europe.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Inarijoki river valley near Inari, the finest and most remote river valley in Finnish Lapland, offers the remarkable possibility of seeing the extraordinary wolverine in the wild during winter, one of the rarest sightings in European wildlife. The fine Siida Sami Museum in Inari is the finest museum of Sami culture in Finland. Entry approx 12 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lodge breakfast after aurora Good breakfast after the extraordinary aurora hunt. Warm Finnish porridge and fine hot coffee. | Lunch: Wilderness hut fire Remarkable sausage grilled on the extraordinary wilderness hut fire. The finest outdoor lunch in Finland. | Dinner: Lapland lodge Outstanding Lapland dinner. Fine reindeer fillet and extraordinary cloudberry compote with remarkable Lapland cheese.
DAY 3
ROVANIEMI
MORNING
ROVANIEMI AND SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
The extraordinary Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland and the official hometown of Santa Claus, where the remarkable Arctic Circle crossing at the Santa Claus Village gives the most extraordinary visitor experience in Lapland. The fine Arktikum Museum is the finest Arctic culture and history museum in Finland with the most remarkable collection of Arctic exploration artefacts and the outstanding exhibition on the extraordinary destruction and rebuilding of Rovaniemi bombed flat in 1944. Entry approx 15 EUR. 45 min drive
MIDDAY
RANUA WILDLIFE PARK
The extraordinary Ranua Wildlife Park 80km south of Rovaniemi, the finest Arctic animal park in the world, where the remarkable polar bears, outstanding wolverines, fine Arctic foxes, the extraordinary snowy owls and the remarkable lynx are visible in large naturally landscaped enclosures designed for the extraordinary subarctic species. The fine polar bear enclosure, the only polar bear park in Finland, is the finest single wildlife exhibit in Finnish Lapland. Entry approx 22 EUR. 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
DEPARTURE FROM ROVANIEMI
A final extraordinary afternoon in Rovaniemi with the remarkable Alvar Aalto-designed city centre, the finest urban design in Finnish Lapland, and the fine Lordi's Square with its outstanding reindeer market before the flight south. The extraordinary Kemijoki river frozen beneath the remarkable Jaktila bridge is the finest farewell view of Finnish Lapland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lumberjack's Candle, a remarkable method of splitting a vertical log and setting it alight to create a 2-metre standing flame that burns for hours, is the finest hidden Lapland winter tradition and the most extraordinary way to spend an evening in the snow-covered forest. Ask any Lapland guide or outdoor operator to demonstrate the remarkable technique. The extraordinary standing flame in the snowy forest is unlike anything in Europe.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Rovaniemi hotel Good breakfast before the Arctic Circle visit. | Lunch: Ranua Wildlife Park cafe Simple Finnish lunch at the extraordinary wildlife park. Fine reindeer soup and remarkable Finnish coffee. | Dinner: Rovaniemi airport or flight Fine farewell Finnish dinner before the flight south.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Saariselka Saariselka Tunturi Hotel or Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Approx 150 to 500 EUR per night. Levi Levi Hotel Sky or Levin Matkakeskus. Approx 120 to 400 EUR per night. Budget Lapland cottage or hostel. Approx 60 to 120 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Book all Lapland activities months ahead. December and February sell out completely.
2. Aurora hunting requires dark clear nights. November to January is the finest period in Finnish Lapland.
3. Dress in layers. Lapland temperatures reach minus 30 Celsius. Lodges provide all outerwear.
4. The husky safari is the finest activity in Lapland. Book the longest option available.
5. Ranua Wildlife Park polar bears are most active in the morning. Arrive at opening for the finest experience.
6. The glass igloo experience at Kakslauttanen is extraordinary. Book a year ahead for Christmas and New Year.
Total Budget
260 to 1,030 EUR/day