FinnishLapland
5
Day Itinerary •
Finland
Five days in Finnish Lapland gives you the full extraordinary depth of the finest Arctic winter destination in Europe, from the remarkable husky safaris and reindeer sleigh rides to the extraordinary northern lights aurora hunt, the fine Saariselka fell snowshoe walks, the remarkable ice fishing on frozen lakes, the extraordinary Siida Sami Museum in Inari and the wilderness gold panning in Lemmenjoki National Park. This extended route covers Finnish Lapland completely. Husky, reindeer and snowmobile on Day 1, aurora and fell snowshoe on Day 2, Rovaniemi and Ranua on Day 3, ice fishing and Sami culture at Inari on Day 4, and the extraordinary Lemmenjoki wilderness and final aurora farewell on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
December to March for snow activities and aurora
Getting There
Fly Helsinki to Ivalo (IVL) or Kittila (KTT)
Getting Around
Organised safaris and hire car for Inari and Lemmenjoki
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 500 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, all safaris guided
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
INARI AND SAMI CULTURE
MORNING
ICE FISHING ON FROZEN LAKE
The extraordinary Finnish ice fishing tradition on the remarkable frozen lakes of Lapland, where the fine auger drills through 60 to 90cm of extraordinary lake ice to reveal the dark water below and the remarkable perch and pikeperch are caught through the fine ice hole with traditional jigging lines. The outstanding campfire on the extraordinary frozen lake with remarkable Finnish coffee and fine smoked fish cooked on the fire is the finest ice fishing experience in the world. Tours approx 70 EUR. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN LAPLAND FOREST
The extraordinary cross-country skiing on the remarkable groomed trails through the snow-covered Lapland forest, the finest exercise in Finland and the most extraordinary Nordic experience in Lapland. The fine 20km groomed trail system from Saariselka village passes through outstanding old-growth pine forest, across the remarkable frozen lake and up the extraordinary forested fell slopes with fine views of the surrounding tundra landscape. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SIIDA SAMI MUSEUM AND INARI VILLAGE
The extraordinary Siida Sami Museum in Inari, the finest museum of Sami culture and the Arctic environment in Finland, telling the remarkable story of the Sami people's extraordinary relationship with the reindeer, the lake and the Lapland landscape over thousands of years. The fine Inari village on the shore of the extraordinary Lake Inari, the largest lake in Finnish Lapland and the most important in Sami culture, is the finest centre of Sami heritage in Finland. Entry approx 12 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lake Inari in winter, frozen solid under extraordinary clear skies with the remarkable Sami sacred island of Ukonsaari visible in the extraordinary ice, is the finest single winter landscape in Finnish Lapland. The remarkable Inari lake stretches 80km north to south and 60km east to west, the most extraordinary frozen inland sea in Scandinavia.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lodge breakfast Substantial Finnish breakfast before the ice fishing. The lake requires an early departure. | Lunch: Ice fishing campfire Extraordinary campfire lunch on the frozen lake. Remarkable smoked perch and fine hot lingonberry juice. | Dinner: Inari restaurant Outstanding traditional Sami dinner near the Siida Museum. Extraordinary smoked reindeer and fine cloudberry.
DAY 5
WILDERNESS FAREWELL
MORNING
LEMMENJOKI NATIONAL PARK AND GOLD PANNING
The extraordinary Lemmenjoki National Park, the largest national park in Finland, where the remarkable Lemmen River flows through outstanding old-growth Lapland forest with extraordinary ravines and fine river gorges unlike any other in Finnish Lapland. The fine gold panning tradition at Lemmenjoki, where remarkable prospectors have panned the river since the 1940s gold rush, is the finest outdoor activity in the most extraordinary wilderness accessible from Inari. Gold panning equipment hire approx 10 EUR. 45 min drive
MIDDAY
WILDERNESS REINDEER HERDING EXPERIENCE
The extraordinary reindeer herding experience in the Lapland wilderness, the most remarkable indigenous cultural activity in Finnish Lapland, where the fine Sami herder demonstrates the outstanding roundup techniques, the remarkable lasso skills and the extraordinary traditional separation of the reindeer by ear mark that has been practiced for generations. The fine opportunity to herd reindeer through the extraordinary snow-covered forest is the finest cultural experience in Lapland. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
FINAL AURORA HUNT AND LAPLAND FAREWELL
A final extraordinary aurora hunt on the last night in Finnish Lapland, driven by the fine guide to the most outstanding dark sky location of the extraordinary week. The remarkable farewell to the Lapland sky, the extraordinary silence of the Finnish wilderness and the fine northern lights above the snow-covered forest create the most extraordinary final memory in Finland.
💎 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 Good breakfast before the Lemmenjoki departure. | Lunch: Lemmenjoki riverside Simple provisions by the extraordinary Lemmen River. Remarkable Finnish wilderness lunch. | Dinner: Lodge farewell dinner Outstanding farewell Lapland dinner. Extraordinary seven-course Finnish tasting menu with remarkable Lapland ingredients.
Where To Stay
Saariselka, Nights 1 to 3 Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort or Saariselka Tunturi. Approx 150 to 500 EUR. Inari, Night 4 Holiday Village Inari or Wilderness Hotel Inari. Approx 120 to 350 EUR. Budget Lapland cottages and guesthouses. Approx 60 to 120 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Book all activities months ahead. December and February are completely sold out by October.
2. Aurora hunting is best November to January. February has more daylight but good aurora probability.
3. The glass igloos at Kakslauttanen are extraordinary. Book a year ahead for Christmas period.
4. The Siida Sami Museum is the finest museum in Lapland. Allow 2 hours for the complete collection.
5. Lemmenjoki requires a hire car from Inari. 4WD with winter tyres is essential in all conditions.
6. Finnish sauna is mandatory every evening. The smoke sauna experience is the finest in Lapland.
Total Budget
260 to 1,040 EUR/day