Finnish Lapland in Winter

8 Days | Discover a Finnish winter wonderland

4.9 out of 5 based on 38 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
AUD $5,249
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Visit Lapland – a magical place of Arctic landscapes and snow-dusted woodlands – on this eight-day adventure through northern Finland. Strap on your hiking boots and crunch a path through Finland’s taigas, experience the rush of a real dogsled, then get cosy with the locals over a glass of salmari. From the docks of Helsinki to remote Yllastunturi and Santa’s workshop in Rovaniemi, witness a part of the world where Christmas always feels close.

Trip overview

Map of Finnish Lapland In Winter including Finland
Start
Helsinki, Finland
Finish
Rovaniemi, Finland
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Finland
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
BMXF
This trip generates 15 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Be pulled across the snowy landscape at high speed on the back of a dogsled. The incredible huskies are doing what they love most – making a lot of noise before darting along the trails.
  • Visit a traditional Sami family and let them guide you through their daily life and show you around a lavvu (a traditional tent).
  • Snowshoe to a secluded spot to see the Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights is the best lightshow on Earth and this trip is your ticket to watch it (subject to weather conditions).
  • Travel on the famous 'Santa Claus Express' overnight train all the way from Helsinki through the frozen Northern wilderness to Rovaniemi.
  • Enjoy lots of free time to explore northern Finland as you wish – this might include skiing, ice fishing or visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site Suomenlinna Sea Fortress – it's up to you!

Is this trip right for you?
  • Lapland can be extremely cold at this time of year. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions. Please see the Packing section in the Essential Trip Information document for more details. There may be the rare occasion where your leader has to alter the itinerary and activities due to the weather. In this case an alternative will be offered. Please also note that even though it will be cold, not always will there be snow cover, especially on the departures earlier in the winter season. In these cases snow dependent activities will be replaced with suitable alternatives.
  • The Northern Lights (also known as the Aurora Borealis) are a natural display of coloured lights in the night sky of the northern hemisphere. While Northern Light displays can never be guaranteed, as they are a natural phenomenon, you have a higher chance of seeing them in locations at high latitudes, such as Northern Finland. Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies during your visit.
  • As accommodation on this trip is twin share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same sex. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. However, if you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge. Please ask your travel consultant for more details. Also, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Please also be aware that many guesthouses offer shared bathrooms rather than en-suite facilities. Rooms in Finland can be small, and at times you may be accommodated a short walk away from the main building.
  • Finland can be an expensive destination in terms of eating out. Your leader will be able to advise on how to save money. In Yllastunturi the only option for dinner will be at the guesthouse we are staying at, or alternatively there are cafes and restaurants in the nearby town (approximately 35 minutes on foot, or a short taxi ride away).
  • On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight Under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Map of Finnish Lapland In Winter including Finland

Inclusions

Meals

6 breakfasts

Transport

Overnight train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Tram

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Guesthouse (4 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Activities
  • Helsinki to Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Express Overnight Train
  • Helsinki – Helsinki Leader led orientation walk
  • Yllästunturi - Dog Sledding
  • Yllästunturi - Reindeer Farm Visit
  • Yllästunturi - Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna
  • Rovaniemi – Rovaniemi Leader led orientation walk
Add on activities
  • Helsinki - Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum - EUR22
  • Helsinki - Design Museum - EUR20
  • Helsinki - Suomenlinna Sea Fortress - EUR7
  • Helsinki - Mannerheim Museum - EUR14
  • Helsinki - City Museum - Free
  • Helsinki - Ateneum Art Museum - EUR22
  • Helsinki - Cathedral - Free
  • Helsinki - Rock Church - EUR8
  • Yllästunturi - Northern Light Viewing Opportunity (subject to weather conditions) - Free
  • Yllästunturi - Snowshoe Hire - EUR19
  • Yllästunturi - Mpemba Effect - Free
  • Yllästunturi - Meän Elämää (Our Life) Exhibition - Free
  • Yllästunturi - Cross Country Ski Rental - EUR30
  • Yllästunturi - Winter Fatbike Guided Tour from - EUR40
  • Yllästunturi - Guided Snowshoe Hike and Ice Fishing - EUR153
  • Yllästunturi - Arctic Secrets Escape Room - EUR140
  • Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village - Free
  • Rovaniemi - Arktikum - EUR18
  • Rovaniemi - Ounasvaara Winter Walking Trail and Observation Tower - Free
  • Rovaniemi - Fatbike rentals - EUR50
  • Rovaniemi - Korundi House of Culture - EUR11

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. The price of the single supplement does not include the night of Day 2 - Overnight Train.
Please also note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Lapland can be extremely cold at this time of year. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions. During days 3-6 you will be given additional snowsuits from our local hosts as part of your package. These outdoor outfits are intended to be used on top of your own warm clothes or used to keep your main clothes dry. Please see the Packing section in the Essential Trip Information document for more details on what is available for hire in location and what we recommend you should bring along.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 38 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Zoe · Traveled March 2024
What an amazing adventure! Every corner of Finland will leave you breathless and this trip captures this well.
Review submitted 09 Mar 2024

Lauren · Traveled March 2024
While I chose this trip to see the Northern Lights, we didn’t see them - but the rest of the trip was so incredible, I was not disappointed. The scenery and food far surpassed my expectations and beyond. Particularly for an Australian, this was breathtaking landscape, and the Husky tour was one of the best things I’ve ever done!
Review submitted 09 Mar 2024

Courtney · Traveled February 2024
A really magical trip that exceeded my expectations. The included and optional activities were amazing, especially the dog sledding. Our guide Casper was exceptional and made the trip super enjoyable!
Review submitted 10 Feb 2024

Xiaolin · Traveled February 2024
Review submitted 10 Feb 2024

Monika · Traveled February 2024
Such a great trip, being outdoors in the Finnish Lapland is an experience everyone should go for! Enjoyed every minute of it!
Review submitted 10 Feb 2024
Finnish Lapland in Winter
From
AUD $5,249