Full Winter Holidays in Rovaniemi (6 days, 5 nights)

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL

Welcome to Lapland! Upon arrival to Rovaniemi airport (or train station), you will be transferred to your chosen accommodation. You will also receive your winter overalls and boots (if needed) to keep you warm during the activities, and your guide can answer all the questions you may have.

In the evening, you will go for a Northern lights photography hunting. Based on the weather forecasts and space conditions, your guide will drive in the most promising directions to increase your chance. A snack around the fire will be provided as you wait for the Northern lights to appear in the sky. Your guide, who is an aurora expert, will share all his knowledge about this fantastic phenomenon and the mythology associated to it. And of course, all pictures taken with the professional camera will be sent to you in high quality!

NB: depending on your time of arrival and tiredness, we can plan an additional activity during the day. 

NB2: the Northern Lights photography hunt is scheduled on the first night so you don’t miss any chance. However, it is possible to move the excursion to another night if the weather conditions are not good. Rescheduling is subject to availability. 

DAY 2 – ANIMAL DAY

This morning, you will meet the most iconic animals of Lapland: reindeer! Reindeer have played a significant part in local traditional lifestyle. Encountering those lovely semi-wild animals is always a unique experience for anyone visiting Rovaniemi! 

You will enjoy a complete visit of an authentic reindeer farm, meet the herders and their animals, learn about their lifestyles and reindeer husbandry. As it is the first visit of the day, you will also get the chance to feed the reindeers with some of their favourite food. This is a great chance to approach the animals too, as reindeer are still very wild.

You will also have the opportunity to practice your driving skills with a self-driven short sleigh ride of 400-600 m (around 2-3 min).

Lunch on your own.

In the afternoon, you will head to a family-size husky kennel located in the forests. Dogs and mushers will warmly welcome you. You will also be given driving instructions and be introduced to your own dog team.

Once ready, you will embark for a great 10km sleigh adventure (around 50 min) You are usually two per sleigh (one passenger and one driver) and you can switch half-way: this way you can enjoy a complete experience during the safari!

After the safari, you can spend time with the dogs: they love cuddles and photos! Mushers will also be happy to answer your questions around a warming open fire, before return back to Rovaniemi.

DAY 3 – THE FROZEN WATERFALLS

Let’s go today for an all-day trip to the pure nature reserve of Korouoma Canyon (located 120 km from Rovaniemi).

With your guide, you will hike down into the Korouoma canyon and get to the best spots to admire the frozen waterfalls. The protected reserve also offers beautiful nature, picturesque snowy landscapes and …fun! The best way of going down is sometimes by sledding down the little slopes created by the path!

Some of the most impressive frozen waterfalls are famous for ice-climbing, and you may spot some brave adventurers climbing the ice walls as you hiked along the canyon. If you feel fit enough, your guide may take you even closer to the waterfalls so that you can really be at the bottom and touch them! Not everyone has this priviledge…

At the end of the hike your guide will prepare an open fire and you will enjoy a delicious Finnish barbecue lunch. That is a convivial moment to warm up and fill your stomach before heading back to Rovaniemi.

DAY 4 – MEET SANTA CLAUS!

This is your free day. Visit the village of Santa Claus on your own (no guide needed), meet Santa and take a picture with him! In Santa Claus Village, you will also have the opportunity to cross the Arctic Circle.

In the afternoon, we recommend to visit the Arktikum Museum to learn more about life in the Arctic, local culture, nature and the climate change challenge.

In the evening, you will go for an evening backcountry skiing adventure. This is your second chance to experience the Arctic by night and observe the Northern lights.  You will venture into snowy landscapes or on frozen lakes with your backcountry skis, reaching places with no light pollution to observe the starry sky!

NB: backcountry skis are easy to use, even if you have never skiied before. They are equipped with skins that allows you going up and down ; they are like gliding snowshoes! However, if you feel more comfortable, you may also opt for a second standard Northern Lights photography tour or a snowshoeing tour by night. 

DAY 5 – THE ADVENTURE DAY

You will start your adventurous day with a Full Arctic Adventure! This is a guided snowshoeing hike that combines different activities: walk on deep snow, orientate yourself in arctic wilderness, learn from your environment to survive, try ice-fishing to catch your lunch and make your own fire! A typical Finnish snack will be provided to grill over the open fire.

In the afternoon, you will go for a private snowmobile safari! Enjoying a private excursion allows you to go at your own pace, whether you are beginner or a motor sport enthusiast! You will explore the white landscapes of arctic nature and head far into the wilderness. safari lasts around 2 hours, which includes driving and safety instructions of 30min. (You may request for a longer safari if you would like to).

DAY 6 – DEPARTURE

All good things come to an end… Transfer to airport will be arranged for you so you don’t have to worry about missing your flight. Goodbye Lapland!

Depending on your time of departure, we may arrange extra activities for you during this last day. You may also request to add one or several days to this program if you would like to enjoy more of Lapland.

Activities possible to add include for example: 
– another Northern Lights Hunting Experience
– visit of Ranua Wildlife Park
– visit of snow and ice hotel (with/without dinner)
– ski trekking
– long reindeer safari (3h)
– visit of amethyst mine in Luosto
etc.