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  4. Finnish Lapland in Winter

Explore Finland like never before on this journey through snow-covered Lapland.

Lapland, home of the indigenous Saami people, is a magical place of pristine peaks and snow-dusted woodlands. In this Arctic wonderland, the cold air is cut only by the sound of rushing rivers and panting huskies as they prepare to rush across this impossibly vast, white wilderness. Strap on your hiking boots and crunch a path through Finland’s spectacular taigas, get cosy with the locals over a glass of salmari and experience the rush of a real dog-sled. From the docks of Helsinki to mountainous Yllastunturi and Santa’s workshop in Rovaniemi – witness a beautiful part of the world where Christmas feels always close.

Start
Helsinki, Finland
Finish
Rovaniemi, Finland
Destination
Finland
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
BMXF
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Be pulled across the landscape at high speed on the back of a dog sled. These incredible huskies are doing what they love most – making a lot of noise before rushing along sprawling trails

  • Visit a local Finnish family, who will guide you through their world and lifestyle. You will be shown their skills in reindeer herding with the option to get close and personal with some of the animals on the farm

  • The aurora borealis is the best lightshow on Earth, and this trip is your ticket. Stay up late to see the northern sky dance with green light (subject to weather conditions)

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.

  • Due to the remote locations we visit, there are a few long drives on this trip. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery and spend some time getting to know the other members of your group.

  • 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. A single supplement is not available on this trip due to the small size of the accommodation we use in Yllastunturi. 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 remote areas the only option for dinner will be at the guesthouse we are staying at. Please stock up on food at a supermarket prior to arrival if you would like to opt out eating at the guesthouse's restaurant.

  • Just as a heads up before you book: this trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

Map of Finnish Lapland in Winter including Finland
A herd of reindeer in Finland
The Northern Lights in Finland
Get up close with the Huskies in Finland
Visit snow covered Helsinki in Finland
Beautiful snowy lapland in Finland
Reindeer in the snowy woodland of Finland
Witness the breathtaking Northern Lights in Finland

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2018 to 31 Mar 2019.
 View the 2019 itinerary

Welcome to Helsinki, Finland. If you’re in the city early, head out and discover a wealth of historical sights and gastronomic wonders in Helsinki. Surrounded by the sea, Helsinki is a modern European city that offers an endless array of options. Maybe check out the magnificent Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Senate Square or catch a performance at the National Theatre. You may want to consider purchasing the Helsinki Card – an economical way to travel on Helsinki City Transport (HKL) services, as well as free admission to the main Helsinki sights and nearly 50 museums. Throughout its 450-year history, the city has often been the buffer between the east and west. This is shown in their cuisine, with a mix of root vegetables, berries and fresh fish. Perhaps head out in the evening to sample some traditional dishes with the other members of your group.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend the welcome meeting. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. Your leader will be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have these ready.

Join your leader on an orientation walk around Helsinki in the morning. Once you get the lay of the land, the rest of the day is completely free for you to explore Helsinki in your own time. A few options to consider during your time here are a visit to the city's cathedral or the Design Museum. Don't miss the historic harbour-side market and market hall for local oddities. If you didn’t have time yesterday make sure you take a short ferry ride to the magnificent Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a World Heritage-listed site that was once an important point of defence for the city and often referred to as the Gibraltar of the North. Later in the evening, you’ll board the comfortable overnight train to Kolari (approx 15 hours), a quaint town in Finland’s far north, sitting close to the border with its neighbour Sweden.
Accommodation
  • Overnight Train (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • National Museum of Finland - EUR12
  • Museum of Cultures - EUR9
  • Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum - EUR14
  • Design Museum - EUR12
  • Suomenlinna Sea Fortress - EUR7
  • Mannerheim Museum - EUR12
  • City Museum - Free
  • Ateneum Art Museum - EUR15
  • Cathedral - Free
  • Rock Church - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The cabins on the train are very comfortable, with 4 berths to a cabin. Please note that cabins are allocated on a mixed gender basis, and depending on the group size some group members will share a cabin with passengers that are not part of our group. All cabins have heating, and there are communal bathrooms at the end of each carriage. Please note that due to variations in train schedules we may be travelling to Rovaniemi on the overnight train rather than Kolari, from where the group will travel onwards to Yllastunturi.

The train arrives at Kolari early this morning. In Kolari you may have some free time to explore the town and take in some of the beautiful natural landscapes surrounding the area. The town sits close to the Torne River, the longest free flowing river in all of Europe. The modern Church of Kolari is worth a visit for its unique architecture. Maybe round out your time in town with some excellent local gingerbread cookies or blinis. In the afternoon, board a bus to Yllästunturi, a popular cross-country and downhill skiing location. Perhaps sweat out the rest of the day in a sauna before turning in for the night.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Sauna Evening (3 hours) - EUR170
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
In Yllästunturi our hotel is situated about 3km from the town centre, in quiet forest surroundings. Catering is available for purchase at the hotel's cafeteria, and the hotel offers a variety of optional activities. Alternatively, there are restaurants and supermarkets a short taxi ride or a 35-minute walk away. Don't forget to take your torch/flashlight, as it does get dark early at these latitudes.

Make sure you rug up for today’s adventures, as you’ll be pulled across the landscape at high speed on the back of a dog sled. These incredible huskies are doing what they love most – making a lot of noise before rushing along sprawling trails. With the wind in your hair, ride through the snow as your new four-legged friends pull you onwards in a truly memorable experience. After the ride warm yourself by an open fire and chow down on sausages and drink some coffee or tea. If you’re lucky, you might get to give the dogs a pet and a cuddle – just be sure to ask the sledmaster first!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dog Sledding
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
In some years snowfall in the north of Finland can come late. In these cases snow based activities aren’t able to be offered, however we work with our local operator to offer you suitable alternatives.

Your next adventure in Yllästunturi takes you on a visit to a traditional local family, who will guide you through their world and lifestyle. Their reindeer farm has been operating since 1861 and you may have the opportunity to feed and watch these cute animals go about their daily routine. You will be shown their skills in reindeer herding with the option to get close and personal with some of the animals on the farm. If the skies are clear tonight, why not take a stroll out into the snow and look skywards for the dancing green lights of the Aurora. Far away from the city lights, the guesthouse is an ideal base to see the Northern Lights. The natural display of coloured lights in the night sky are often visible in the high northern hemisphere.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Reindeer Farm Visit
Optional Activities
  • Northern Light Viewing Opportunity (subject to weather conditions) - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Yllästunturi turns off their street lighting at 10pm from November to mid-February, so the Northern Lights can be seen better. Please note that while there is a good chance of seeing the lights of the aurora this far north, there is no guarantee, as they are a natural phenomenon and weather conditions can affect visibility. There are a number of apps you can download that show current and forecast activity of the aurora around the world. Some of these apps have a function that allow you to be alerted at night when the aurora becomes visible in your current location. Please also note that reindeer wander freely around the countryside and only come to the farm to feed. There is a possibility that many of the herd are roaming elsewhere on the day of our visit.

Yllästunturi is home to the largest skiing resort in all Finland, boasting some of the longest downhill skiing runs through its rolling snow parks. Today you’ll have a free day to explore this winter wonderland with plenty of optional activities that your leader or the accommodation owners can help organise for you. You may want to explore the snow-dusted wilderness with a snow-shoeing expedition, or alternatively ice fishing is also an option for anyone who’s after a more relaxing experience, with the added bonus of a self-caught dinner to boot. If it’s very cold (around minus 30 degrees C) try throw boiling water in the air and see it freeze before it hits the ground. It’s called the ‘Mpemba effect’ and it’s free to try.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Snowshoe Hire - EUR15
  • Guided Hike or Snowshoe Hike to Kuertunturi - EUR69
  • Meän Elämää (Our Life) Exhibition - Free
  • Mpemba Effect - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Depart in the morning to Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, by private vehicle (approx. 3 hours). Known also as the official home of Santa Claus in the Arctic Circle, this city is an urban oasis amidst the Arctic wilderness, full of culture and stunning scenic hikes. With a free afternoon to explore the city and its surrounds, you have the option of visiting Santa’s workshop, or taking part in the numerous activities that the city has to offer. Maybe meet Siberian huskies at the Arctic Circle Husky Park, or go hiking and witness spectacular rapids and aapa mires. Make the most of your time here as tomorrow is your departure day – perhaps meet up with your group afterwards for a farewell dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Santa Claus Village - Free
  • Arktikum - EUR12
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your adventures through Lapland come to an end today after breakfast. If you would like to extend your stay in the region we are happy to book additional nights for you (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

6 breakfasts

Transport

Overnight train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Tram

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Included activities

  • Dog Sledding
  • Reindeer Farm Visit

Dates & availability

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Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is not available on this trip.

NEW TRIP
Just as a heads up before you book: this trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

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.

View Essential Trip Information

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