Visit Northern Lapland, a region above the Arctic Circle that boasts one of the highest displays of the Aurora Borealis!
During your stay, you’ll get to experience the best of what Lapland has to offer in winter. You will get to joinin a variety of experiences, from the exhilarating pursuit of the Northern Lights to the soothing and relaxing moments in a smoke sauna.
We are not forgetting the cultural side of things either, as you learn about the vibrant history and customs of the indigenous Sámi people on a visit to the local Sámi museum. At the local reindeer farm you’ll not only get to feed the animals but also learn about the importance of reindeer in the local culture and economy, past and present.
Your home base will be in Ivalo, a picturesque village bordering one of the most remote and least visited wilderness areas of Western Europe. The top-class apartments are in the center of the village, just a few minutes’ walk from the shops.
What to Expect
This seven-day holiday is all about the true sense of arctic wilderness, as our carefully planned daily activities introduce you to the northern way of life and culture.
We’ll take you hunting for the northern lights, winter trekking through the pristine Arctic wilderness, treat your taste buds to delicious meals cooked in a traditional way over an open fire, teach you how to catch fish like the locals do, and take you to meet friendly reindeer and huskies, to name but a few of the adventures that await you here.
You can find a full listing of activities in the daily itinerary below.
In the checkout section of your booking you are able to choose extra activities that we are able to combine with your holiday.
Depending of your group, maybe if you are travelling with children you might choose to opt-for “Meet Santa Claus” or if you want to
Choose from:
- Aurora Ice Floating
- King Crab Safari day trip to Norway
- Treasure Hunt and Escape Game
- Bushcraft Camp
- Electric Snowscooters & Ice Karting
Accommodation
You will be staying at the Xwander Suites, located in a modern building in the center of Ivalo. All the apartments are fully furnished, and they have heating and air conditioning. Kitchens are fully equipped with all types of necessary appliances and utensils. The apartments also have free WIFI and television. Xwander's rental equipment storage is in the same building, and you can use all equipment for free during your stay.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ivalo & Aurora Camp with Open Fire Dinner
Whether you come by bus or plane, we will meet and greet you in Ivalo. Let the holiday begin!
Once you have checked into your apartment and settled in comfortably, it’s time to meet your local guide who will give you all the information you need about the upcoming activities.
On the night of your arrival, we take you to our cozy Aurora Camp, where you can watch the sky and wait for the first glimpse of the northern lights while our professional guide cooks your dinner over an open fire. Despite the cold, you feel warm and cozy wrapped in thick blankets and a hot drink in your hand.
Day 2: Ice Fishing & Open Fire Cooking
On this comprehensive winter fishing trip to a local lake Rahajärvi near Ivalo, you get to experience Lapland’s traditional winter fishing methods. Our guides will teach you all the necessary skills, from drilling a hole through the ice to catching a fish with ice fishing equipment.
After that, you will learn how to handle and prepare fresh fish using different cooking methods over an open fire.
Day 3: Dog sledding
On the third day of your holiday, it’s time for a dog sledding adventure! During this two-hour dog sledding safari, you will experience a unique adventure in the wilderness of Inari. You get to drive your own dog sled and enjoy the fantastic views and silence.
After the safari, you will be offered a hot drink, and the team will tell you more about the dogs and how they spend their time in different seasons.
Day 4: Snowmobile Sleigh Ride & Aurora Hunting
On this trip, we combine a snowmobile sleigh ride with Aurora spotting. The sleigh ride takes us through a beautiful snowy forest and during the ride we keep an eye out for signs of wildlife, such as a black grouse that might be hiding in the snow.
Our guides give you tips for photographing the northern lights, tell you how they form and how to best predict their appearance.
Day 5: Day in the Tundra - Winter Trek & Smoke Sauna
On the fifth day of your holiday, you get to experience the magic of the wonderful Urho Kekkonen National Park, as the day begins with an unforgettable winter trek through the pristine arctic wilderness.
After the hike, it’s time to have lunch at the top of one of the highest fells in the area, Kaunispää. And what is the best way to descend from top of the fell? Well, with toboggan, of course! Saariselkä has the longest toboggan run in Finland, 2000 meters of pure joy and terror.
After the outdoor activities, we head to Kiilopää’s Smoke Sauna, where there is also an opportunity to take a refreshing swim in the icy pond.
Day 6: Day in Inari - Siida Museum, Open Fire Lunch & Reindeer Farm Visit
The day begins with a visit to the remarkable Sámi museum, Siida, where the vibrant history and customs of the indigenous Sámi people come alive, offering a profound insight into their timeless way of life.
After the museum tour, it’s time for a mouth-watering, traditional-style lunch in a wilderness hut. Your guide will give you a brief lesson in winter survival skills, and there may even be a chance to do a spot of ice fishing as well.
In the afternoon we visit a reindeer farm to get to know these iconic animals of Lapland. The animals are very tame and allow you to pet and feed them. You can even take a picture with the reindeer and capture a unique moment of your holiday in Northern Lapland!
Day 7: Departure from Ivalo with an option for extending your holiday
Goodbyes are always hard. To make things easier, we can arrange transportation for you to the airport or bus station if needed.
If you want to extend your holiday by visiting Rovaniemi, Kirkenes or anywhere else, we are happy to help you plan and can recommend places that we have already identified as good destinations.
We hope you enjoyed your vacation with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future!
FAQ
What do I need to bring?
- Clothing & gear suitable for all weathers (we will top it off with extra winter gear)
- A small backpack for daily outings
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 is the recommended minimum age?
All activities are beginner-friendly and suitable for 8-year-olds and older with at least a moderate fitness level. If you are travelling with younger children we can make adjustments on your program to meet the needs of the young ones!
Book With Confidence
- Local family owned business
- Personalized service
- Flexible itineraries
- Small group sizes
Price Includes
- Transfers to and from Ivalo Airport or bus station
- Accommodation in a modern and spacious double room apartment
- All the activities listed above and transfers to and from activities
- Winter gear such as overalls, boots, and gloves.
- Meals as described in the descriptions of daily activities
Price Excludes
- Flights to and from destination (We can help you with these!)
- Personal travel insurance