CHRISTMAS IN LAPLAND

Arrival at Ivalo airport and regular transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the far north of Finnish Lapland lies the well-known town of Inari-Saariselka.  National parks, lake areas, rivers and hills offer a variety of alternatives and activities throughout the year. During the winter months, the possibility of the Aurora Borealis dance can be enjoyed over the Arctic sky for 200 days a year. The legendary village of Saariselka is Finland's northernmost tourist destination and offers a wide range of services. In Inari and other villages in the area, Sami culture is still very much evident in everyday life and is where the real Lapland is to be found. Rest of the day at leisure. Ask during your check-in for a welcome letter from our provider with information about the meeting time with your accompanying guide.

Breakfast. In the morning, get ready for a morning activity in the fresh air, literally in the footsteps of the Sami. Your guide will show you how to set up your snowshoes to ensure a safe walk through the endless white carpet of Lapland's forests. You will feel the crunch of snow beneath your snowshoes capturing the true feeling of winter in the northern forests. As you explore the surrounding nature you will discover the hills and Urho Kekkonen, the national park surrounding Saariselka. Once back in town your guide will give you information on where you can have a delicious Finnish soup. In the afternoon we recommend a sauna to relax your muscles after your morning activity.

Optional Excursion: Hunting for auroras in a heated sleigh 

Duration: 2 hours

Included: English speaking guide, warm berry juice, cookies and marshmallows, thermal clothing inc. overalls, boots and mittens, seat in a heated sled.

Description: The silent, snow-covered forest, night fell on the edge of the boundless wilderness and the magical aurora borealis above you. Take a seat on the heated Aurora sled and enjoy!

Your guide tows the sled with a snowmobile through the snowy, lunar and starry landscape to the top of the fall, away from residential areas and their light pollution. After arriving, we set up our cameras and take pictures of the northern night sky.

We wait for the northern lights to appear comfortably by the fire, enjoying hot drinks and listening to stories until someone sees the first aurora. Now your imagination is the only limit: the northern lights fluttering across the sky, the constellations, the snowy trees and the glittering snow-covered hills ... How will you compose your photos?

Price: Net $295.00 per person Approx.

Breakfast. In the morning, after breakfast, the adventure continues as we head to Rovaniemi. On the way, we will visit one of the highlights of the tour. Meet traditional Sami who will inform you about reindeer and the Sami culture in relation to the importance of reindeer to it. Your host will teach you how to pull Suopunki (the Sami lasso). In two-person sleds, you will enjoy a brief experience pulled by your reindeer, experiencing this traditional and peaceful form of movement across the white landscape over the lake and through the forest, where the only sound you hear is the faint melody of the reindeer's bells. A typical three-course lunch is served during your visit to the farm. After the reindeer excursion, you will check in at the Scandic Hotel and begin your Christmas adventure. Once settled in at the hotel, you can enjoy a buffet dinner of traditional Lappish food. You may choose to complete the evening with the unique experience of a Finnish sauna.

Optional Excursion: Arctic Ice Floating

Duration: 3 hours (18:30- 21:30)

Includes: Transportation, thermal clothing, guide and hot drinks.

Net Price: Usd 255.00 Approx.

Children between 7-11 years old: Usd 188.00 Aprox

Minimum height to float: 120 cm 

You will have the opportunity to dive into a frozen lake under the Northern Lights (weather permitting) and let your mind rest, sounds strange, doesn't it? Tonight, this is possible! This guided float is totally safe with a high quality rescue suit that covers your whole body and keeps you dry. As you have your own clothes under the suit, you won't get cold even in the open water at 0 degrees - the circumstances are truly arctic! If the weather is clear, we will be able to see beautiful stars and even get to marvel at the magnificent Northern Lights. PRE-BOOKING REQUIRED.

Breakfast. To continue the Lappish tradition, enjoy a typical Scandinavian breakfast in the morning.

After breakfast we will head to a Husky dog camp.

The barking of husky dogs will welcome you. The head musher will tell you about the life and training of these Arctic animals. You will also have the opportunity to take beautiful pictures with these affectionate animals. After a brief instruction you will drive your own husky sled. 

The day continues with a visit to the world famous Santa Claus Village, built just above the Arctic Circle. Visit Santa's house where he will welcome you himself. No words can describe the feelings provoked during this fairy-tale moment! But we guarantee that it will be etched in your memory forever. During the visit you will also be able to send a letter to your loved ones that arrives on Christmas with a greeting from Santa Claus. 

After the visit to Santa's house, you will enjoy a 15 minute bus ride to Rovaniemi. 

Christmas Eve gala dinner will be served at the hotel.

Breakfast. In the morning we will visit Ranua Zoo. It is located 80 km south of Rovaniemi and takes about an hour to get there by bus. There we will take an interesting walk through the zoo, where you can see different animals and birds. We will start the tour with different types of owls (snowy, eagles, eagles, hawks, ducks and swans). Then you will appreciate the rodent sector just before moving on to the most beautiful part of the zoo, where we will find brown bears and polar bears that live in the natural conditions of the northern latitudes. At noon we will have a “self service” lunch at the zoo's restaurant. After lunch we will have 1 hour of time to explore the surroundings, maybe visit the souvenir stores or the workshop of the Fazer candy factory, or the local wine store where they sell unique wines made from forest fruits: blackberries, blueberries, etc.

After noon we will return to Rovaniemi, free afternoon to continue touring this wonderful destination.

We will bid farewell to this fantastic Christmas with a gala dinner at the hotel. 

Breakfast. In the morning after breakfast the adventure continues in the direction of the fantastic Santa's Igloos located about 10 kilometers from Rovaniemi. On the way you will visit one of the highlights of the trip. 

Continue through the white forests to Santa's Igloos, for your accommodation in a glass igloo. Enjoy the warmth of your igloo with its transparent domed roof from where you can admire, weather permitting, the stunning Aurora Borealis and the millions of stars from your bed. Tonight we invite you to enjoy a typical Lappish dinner in a giant wooden “kota” where fresh salmon will be slowly roasted over the embers of a giant barbecue in the middle of the kota. Three course dinner.

Optional Excursion: The night of remembrance by snowmobile.

Come and experience an arctic and exotic night driving through snow-covered forests and treeless mountains. With a little luck, if the sky is clear, the moon, stars and even the Northern Lights can show you the way. The safari heads to the Igloo site, where you will have the chance to walk around the nearby forest, and watch the northern lights show in the comfort of the igloo. During the trip, your guide will build a fireplace and you can enjoy a snack by the campfire.

PRE-RESERVATION REQUIRED

Price: $300 per person approx.

Single use supplement: $145.00 approx.

Children between 7-11 years old: $235.00 approx. 

Duration: Approximately 3 hours (20:00-23:00) Includes snack.

Includes: Transportation, thermal clothing, English guide, snowmobile & snack.

*Important note: To drive a snowmobile in Finland you need a valid driving license from a country that has signed the Genoa Traffic Convention. Viahansa & Borealis cannot take responsibility for driving licenses that are not accepted. Please consult in case of doubt. 

In the morning breakfast at the hotel. In the morning transfer to Rovaniemi airport where a Via Hansa & Borealis representative will meet you for the regular transfer service to Rovaniemi airport.