Aurora Adventure Holiday

Experience the unique and pure nature of Lapland!

7 days/6 nights

Embark on an epic Aurora Adventure Week in Lapland, where thrilling experiences await. Stay at the comfy Xwander Suites and dive into backcountry skiing, Husky Safari, winter fatbiking, survival skills camp, tundra trekking, tobogganing, and electric snowscooters. Witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights at the enchanting Aurora Camp, indulge in a tent sauna and open fire dinner, and feel the rush of ice karting. This action-packed week promises unforgettable moments in the Arctic wilderness.

Accommodation

You'll be staying at Xwander Suites, located in the center of Ivalo Village. Middle of Northern Lapland and the widest wilderness areas of European Union. Apartments are air conditioned and highly equipped. In the same building you have access to all of Xwander rental equipment that are complimentary for you to use during your stay.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival to Ivalo / Aurora camp with open fire dinner

You will stay in a comfortable apartment located in the center of Ivalo. After checking in, our local guide will provide information about the upcoming activities and you will head straight to the Taiga Forest to experience the nightless night, a pleasant hike with an introduction to Northern Lapland.

While we are looking to the sky and waiting auroras to be seen, we can sit comfy next to the open fire. Your guide will prepare a tasty dinner by the open fire. You can also try on snowshoes and explore the surroundings.

Day 2 - Backcountry skiing

Our arctic skiing adventure takes us deep into the untouched wilderness of Inari. Equipped with OAC skin-based skis, we’ll immerse ourselves in the beauty of the surroundings. Safety is paramount when exploring the winter mountains, so we ensure all participants have proper gear and equipment. Throughout the journey, we’ll be treated to awe-inspiring panoramic views that even the most avid skiers can only dream of.

It’s essential for participants to have a good level of physical fitness as we’ll spend the entire day traversing the backcountry. No prior experience is required—just bring your curiosity and a desire to learn how to navigate through the deep snow! This classic skiing adventure in the winter wonderland aims to inspire everyone to safely enjoy the arctic conditions and encourage exploration of their own hidden backcountry treasures. We’ll also enjoy a delicious open fire lunch during the excursion.

Day 3 - Husky safari & winter fatbiking

On the third day you will experience a two hour husky safari. Here you can drive yourself a husky sledge and enjoy the ride. After the safari, you will hear information about the huskies while drinking a warm drink.

After the husky trip we cycle around the area of Ivalo. Our trail goes trough the village, nearby forests and its old riverbeds. We can observe how the village developed around the Ivalo river, see how the infrastructure survived flood periods and how locals moved around the area. We will stop by an open fire for a light lunch and continue our trip until we finish back at the Xwander shop.

Day 4 - Survival skills camp with ice swimming, tent sauna & open fire dinner

Welcome to our bushcraft and survival skills day excursion in northern Lapland! This immersive experience offers participants a chance to learn essential wilderness skills while exploring the wilderness. Our day begins in Ivalo, where we gather before embarking on a twelve kilometer drive to our wilderness camp location.

Our expert guides will provide hands-on instruction on setting up the perfect campsite on our arrival. You will learn how to choose a suitable location, pitch a tent, and set up a tarp for shelter. Next, we’ll delve into firemaking techniques, exploring the different types of wood, how to cut and prepare it, use of the resin, bark, tinder iron, flintstone, and tinder fungus to ignite and maintain a fire. Safety and environmental responsibility will be emphasized throughout the session.

Our excursion continues with navigation training, covering the use of maps and compasses as well as natural navigation methods. Participants will learn to interpret signs in nature, such as anthills, tree branches, and stars, to determine direction. We’ll also demonstrate how to use mirrors in rescue situations for signaling purposes. Our expert guides will then teach basic knot-tying skills for various situations, including setting up tarps, tents, fishing rods, and mastering the versatile prusik knot.

Finally, we’ll venture into the world of ice fishing, where you’ll learn how to catch, handle, and prepare fish using different cooking methods over an open fire. Throughout the day, our knowledgeable instructors will ensure you gain practical, hands-on experience that will equip you with valuable skills for any outdoor adventure.

Our guides are very experienced outdoor people with official wilderness guide degrees. You’ll be safe in their professional hands!

Day 5 - Day in the tundra - Winter trek, toboggan & smoke sauna

A full day experience in Inari’s most popular National Park areas. We’ll hop in a car and drive to Saariselkä where we have a trek in the beautiful winter forest, choosing the equipment (snowshoes or backcountry skis) depending on the conditions. After the trek we have a lunch on top of one of the highest fells of the area, Kaunispää. From Kaunispää we have great views of the surrounding wilderness areas and the national park.

The best way to get down from the top of the fell? On a toboggan, of course! We have the longest toboggan trail in Finland: Two kilometers of pure joy and excitement! After the thrilling descent we head to Kiilopää smoke sauna with an optional dip in the icy pond!

Day 6 - Electric snow scooters & ice karting

We start the day by hopping on electric snow scooters. Our guide will give you a short lesson about the snow scooter and how to drive safely. We will drive a nice snowy path to our lunch location.

After lunch we will go ice karting! Experience the excitement of driving our specially designed winter go-karts on a thrilling track near Aurora village. Engage in friendly competition with your friends as you strive to surpass each other’s qualifying times. And when the moment arrives, be the first to cross the finish line, emerging victorious in this exhilarating winter race.

After the race we will drive back to Xwander shop.

Day 7 - Departure day / Additional activities

Goodbyes are always hard! To make things a bit easier, we have arranged transportation to the airport or bus station for you. You may also choose to take your own car, of course.

If you want to extend your Lapland holiday by visiting Rovaniemi, Kirkenes or elsewhere, we will be happy to help you with planning, and can recommend places that we have already identified as good destinations.

We hope you have enjoyed your vacation with us, and look forward to welcoming you back again in the future!

Price Includes

  • Transfers from Ivalo Airport or bus station
  • Accommodation in a comfortable and spacious double apartment
  • All the aforementioned activities, meals and transfers to and from activities

Price Excludes

  • Flights to and from destination
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Gear & clothing needed for activities

FAQ

What is the cancellation policy

  • Cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before the event
  • Cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 30 days or less before the event
  • Cancellation fee of 30% if booking is cancelled 45 days or less before the event

What do I need to bring?

  • Clothing & gear suitable for all weathers
  • Good walking shoes
  • A small backpack for daily outings

What is the recommended minimum age?

All of the activities are beginner friendly and suitable for 14 years+ with minimum moderate fitness level.

Book With Confidence

  • Local family owned business
  • Personalized service
  • Flexible itineraries
  • Small group sizes

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