Short Break in Northern Lapland

Whether you arrive by bus or plane, we will greet you in Ivalo. You will stay in a comfortable apartment located in the center of Ivalo. After checking in, you will attend a welcome meeting with a local guide who will provide information about the upcoming activities. After the welcome meeting you will head straight to the Taiga Forest to experience the nightless night, a pleasant hike with an introduction to Northern Lapland.

On the second day, you’ll head with your guide from Ivalo to Kiilopää and to full day experience in Inari’s National Park areas.

At start of the day we meet at our shop in Ivalo, where we hop on a car and drive to Kiilopää where we have a beautiful Tundra & Forest hike. During the trek we have a lunch on the go depending of the weather, either on open fire or with camping stove. From Kiilopää we have great views for the surrounding wilderness areas and the National Park.

After the hike we head to the the cold baths and gentle steams of our smoke sauna relax the mind and the body. The atmospheric smoke sauna and swimming place in River Kiilopuro guarantee complete relaxation after a day of hiking.

On day 3 you will have a guided day in the beautiful village of Inari, which is the cultural heart of the indigenous people of Lapland, the Sámi people. During our day, we’ll familiarize ourselves with the immeasurably valuable Sámi culture, enjoy delicious open fire lunch and get to experience vastness of wilderness Lake Inari.

We will visit the  Sámi museum, “Siida”, where you’ll learn a lot about the interesting history and culture of the area, its indigenous people and the surrounding nature.

After the museum, we will make a short hike to a “kota” (an open shelter with a fire place). Here, we’ll teach different ways to make a fire, prepare lunch on an open fire and enjoy a hot meal.

When lunch is eaten, we’ll move to harbour where we board a electric-hybrid Catamaran for a cruise to Lake Inari.  Lake Inari Cruise is an easy way to experience the biggest arctic wilderness lake in Northern Lapland.

Lake Inari is the third largest lake in Finland and is home to over 3300 islands. The sacred Ukko Island (or Ukko’s Rock) was historically used as a Sámi sacrificial offering site right up until the 19th century. We will cruise around the island and admire the spectacular Ukko from a short distance.

After the cruise, we’ll return to Ivalo, just in time for you to enjoy a relaxing evening with option to pick up a Fatbike for evening ride in the Village.

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

If your flight or bus is later in the day, you can spend some time using Xwander’s complimentary rental equipment, such as fat bikes or Nordic walking gear, to explore the Ivalo River area.

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!