Autumn Holiday Package in Rovaniemi (September)

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL

Welcome to Lapland! 

On your first evening, you will go for a Northern lights photography hunting. September is actually one of the best two months (with March) to observe auroras. The weather conditions are usually better during the month with more clear sky. Due to the long nights and chill temperature, we can also stay longer without suffering from the cold. Northern Lights also happen more often, around the Autumn equinox, due to the position of the Earth to the Sun. You will also enjoy the golden autumn colours of the landscapes, while the open waters offer beautiful reflection scenery! So many reasons why Northern Lights hunters always prefer September to chase auroras!

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 – CULTURAL DAY

This morning, you will discover the town of Rovaniemi with your guide. He will show you the different points of interests in the town, and provide you with explanation about its history, architecture and other aspects of local life. The capital of Finnish Lapland is rich of hidden treasures, from the Lumberjack Candle Bridge, or the Arktikum Museum to the municipal buildings designed by the world-famous Finnish architect Aalto. Touring around the city will be done either by walking or biking, depending on what you would prefer. In early September, it is also possible to pay a visit to the very interesting Local Heritage Museum, located in a manoir of last century.

Your guide will then drive (by car) to Santa Claus Village, in order to explain you more about this particular place and its history. You will symbolically cross the Arctic Circle, and understand its relation to Kaamos, the Polar Night.

In Santa Claus Village, you can visit the Post Office where all letters addressed to Santa Claus arrive. And of course, you will be able to meet the most famous bearded man in the world! September is usually not a busy month so you will be able to spend as much time as you want to talk with Santa Claus, and will have the opportunity to buy a photo with him!

A nice lunch will be provided before heading to the Arktikum Museum. The Arktikum is a Science Center and Museum that  The visit of the Museum can be carried out on your own, or accompanied by your guide. It takes usually around 2-3 hours to visit the Museum.

In the evening, you will meet up again with your guide who will lead you to some lovely nature spots. You will then enjoy a relaxing cultural night around the fire.

DAY 3 – EXPLORE GOLDEN LAPLAND 

Let’s go today for an all-day trip to the oldest National Park of Finland, Pyhä-Luosto! Those famous fells are located around 1h30 drive away from Rovaniemi.

Your guide will take you to the top of the fells where you will have a splendid view to the horizon, before heading down into a small canyon. This area is a strictly protected reserve that offers beautiful scenery, picturesque golden autumn landscapes and a bit of mystery! Some natural elements, such as a waterfall, have been considered as sacred by indigenous peoples.

During the 5 km hike, your guide will explain you more about local nature and other aspects, such as how to use your surroundings to make a fire. At the end, he will practice with you how to make a fire in nature and you will enjoy a delicious Finnish barbecue lunch. That is a convivial moment to warm up and fill your stomach before heading to Luosto, the nearby village.

Luosto is famous for its amethyst mine. This is a unique place in Lapland, hidden inside one of the hills that you can only reach by a nature-train called “pendolino”. A 2.5 km hike is necessary to reach the the pendolino will take you to the top of the hill and you will have the opportunity to explore the mine with a guided visit. You will then learn more about local geology, the formation of the precious amethyst and the story of the mine. At the end of the visit, you will dig the soil to find your own amethyst that you can keep!

DAYS 4 – 5 : ANIMAL DAYS…
AND NIGHT!

During those 2 days, you will enjoy a road trip thoughout Lapland with an overnight in a wilderness cabin to observe the brown bears! The trip combines 4 animal activities with lunch/snacks to offer you an ultimate Arctic animals journey in Lapland!

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 then drive to Ranua Wildlife Park, which is the world-northernmost wildlife park and a very popular destination in Lapland. The visit is a great opportunity to meet and learn about all the arctic animals, including polar bears, arctic foxes, eagles and owls, moose, musks, otters, wolves, etc.

You will continue your journey to reach a wilderness cabin where you can spend the night and watch wild brown bears! Bear-watching is a once-in-a-lifetime experience ; during this special night, you will sleep in the wilderness cabin while the population of brown bears will be wandering in the surroundings! 

The following morning, you will visit an ethical Polar dog kennel, and you can help the mushers by participating in the training of the dogs.  Indeed, you will be invited to seat in the training wheelcart and enjoy an Autumun dogsled ride (30-60 min, depending on the temperatures)!

You will be back to Rovaniemi around 14:00, and have a free afternoon to enjoy on your own. A buffet lunch in the restaurant, and snacks will be included during those two days. Sleeping bags and other equipment are included too.

THE FOUR ANIMALS ACTIVITIES:

• Authentic reindeer farm visit
• Visit of Ranua Wildlife Park
• Bear-Watching overnight in a Wild Cabin
• Visit of an ethical polar dog kennel with 30-60min cart ride

If you would like to include only some of those animal activities in the program, please contact us. We are always flexible.

DAY 6 – DEPARTURE

All good things come to an end… After this great week, it is time to say goodbye to Lapland! Undoubtedly, the beautiful landscapes, untouched nature, lovely animals and peaceful Nordic lifestyle will give you as many reasons to come back very soon… why not in Winter or Summer?

WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND YOUR STAY? 

Depending on your time of departure, we may arrange extra activities/trips 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 is September include for example:
– another Northern Lights Hunting Experience
– canoeing adventures
– biking tours
– sauna experience
– extended trip to Levi, Ivalo or Nordkapp
…

We are always very flexible to arrange the program that best fits you! Feel free to contact us if you would like to amend this Autumn program.