Winter journey from Rovaniemi to Ivalo
Make the most of your trip to Ivalo! The itinerary is designed to let you enjoy many arctic activities on the way and experience the fairy-tale Winter scenery of Lapland.
Route Info
Type: One-way Trip (Private)
Departure: Rovaniemi
Arrival: Ivalo
Duration : 6 days, 5 nights
Transportation by Minivan
Distance : 400 km
ITINERARY
Rovaniemi – Pyhä – Luosto Nat. Park – Saariselkä – Inari – Ivalo
Nights
Accommodation in hotel twin rooms (5 nights)
Level
Easy: this trip is accessible to everyone.
BEST SEASON
Available: January – April
Recommended : March
PRICING
ADULT
2 – 3 Adults : 2090€/adult
4 – 6 Adults : 1690€/adult
CHILD
1190€/child
ITINERARY
This is our standard itinerary for this journey. If you would like to adapt the duration, the type of accommodation or the tours included in this package, please contact us. Meals are included when mentioned : (B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) Dinner, (S) Snack.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO ROVANIEMI (D)
PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM ROVANIEMI AIRPORT
Your guide will meet you directly at Rovaniemi Airport or train station. You will receive a presentation of your schedule for the week, be provided with professional winter clothing and boots, and review other practical details and questions with your guide. On your first night, you will stay in a twin room at a hotel located in the city centre of Rovaniemi, where you will enjoy a delicious dinner to begin your experience.
Note: the program of this first day may be adapted depending on your arrival time. If you arrive early for example, you may book an additional activity to fill your free time, such as a ski trekking excursion, a visit of the Arktikum Musem or a Northern lights tour in the evening.
DAY 2: ROVANIEMI & SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE (B, S, D)
VISIT OF A TRADITIONAL REINDEER FARM
Meet the most iconic animal of Lapland! Accompanied by your guide, you will visit one of the most traditional reindeer farms in Southern Finnish Lapland, located on the shores of a peaceful bucolic lake. As you enter the place, the herders will greet you and show you around their farm. You will have a chance to get closer to the animals while they will get fed. You will also test your driving skills with a short loop sleigh ride (around 2 minutes). The visit will warmly end around the fire, with some cookies and hot drinks, and a very informative explanation of reindeer husbandry in the Arctic.
VISIT OF SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE & CROSSING THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
After the reindeer farm visit, you will head to Santa Claus Village, located around 8 km north. Your guide will show you around the village, make you cross the Arctic Circle, explore the world-famous post office, and meet Santa Claus! You will have a buffet lunch with traditional Finnish food and some free time will be kept to wander in the village on your own, feel the never-ending Christmas atmosphere of the place, enjoy a bit of shopping or buy souvenirs.
OVERNIGHT IN PYHÄ – LUOSTO NATIONAL PARK
You will end the day with a nice drive in the direction of the National Park of Pyhäluosto, that is known for its majestic old-growth pine forests. After a full day of activities, you may enjoy a good dinner and some relaxing free time at your accommodation.
. DAY 3: PYHÄ-LUOSTO & TANKAVAARA (B, S, D)
SNOWSHOEING TRIP TO LUOSTO AMETHYST MINE
After breakfast, you will set out on a snowshoeing adventure through the pristine Arctic wilderness. Walking approximately 2.5 km (around one hour), you will make your way through deep snow t the foot of Lampivaara Hill, home to the renowned Lampivaara Amethyst Mine. Along the way, you will pause to enjoy a traditional Finnish snack and hot drinks prepared over an open fire. This is a wonderful moment to relax in nature while your guide demonstrates traditional fire-making skills. Without matches or a lighter!
From the base of the hill, you will board the charming “snow train” (locally known as the Pendolino) for a scenic ride to the top. As you ascend, you can admire sweeping views of the horizon, surrounding fells, and the vast Taiga forest stretching in every direction.
The guided tour of the amethyst mine lasts approximately one hour. You will learn about the geology and unique natural environment of the area, the formation of amethyst crystals some 2,000 million years ago, and the fascinating legends associated with this beautiful purple gemstone. At the end of the visit, you will have the opportunity to dig for your very own amethyst. And of course, you can keep the treasure you find as a special souvenir of your Arctic adventure.
GOLD PANNING EXPERIENCE IN TANKAVAARA
After this unique experience, we will continue to Tankavaara, a small village renowned for its 150-year tradition of gold panning. Here, you will discover the fascinating history of Lapland’s gold rush and learn the techniques and secrets of gold panning yourself.
Following the activities, you will stay overnight in Tankavaara, giving you more time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Often considered the gateway to Lapland’s gold fields, this tranquil setting offers a true sense of the region’s pioneering spirit and untouched Arctic nature.
DAY 4: SAARISELKÄ – JOURNEY TO IVALO (B, S, D)
SNOWMOBILE SAFARI IN SAARISELKÄ AREA
The day begins with a journey north toward the spectacular region. Thanks to two of the largest national parks in Finnish Lapland, Urho Kekkonen National Park and Lemmenjoki National Park, this area offers breathtaking views of untouched Arctic wilderness. You will explore these magnificent landscapes in the best possible way: by snowmobile. Riding across frozen fells, snowy forests, and vast open spaces is an unforgettable way to experience the raw beauty of the North.
PRIVATE NORTHERN LIGHTS HUNTING TOUR
After this memorable and exciting experience, we will head to Inari where your hotel is located, and you will have some free time to discover this authentic town and have some rest. In the evening, your guide will take you for a Northern Light Hunting Tour. You will be driven away from the town of Ivalo and its light pollution, to find great locations with open views to the north. The aurora excursion will also give your guide the opportunity to explain in more details this fantastic polar phenomenon and tell you some mythology associated with the Northern Lights.
DAY 5: TRIP TO INARI (B, S , D)
TRIP TO INARI & VISIT OF SIIDA MUSEUM
Village of Inari is a heart of the enchanting Sámi culture in Finland. You will then have the chance to visit the Sámi Museum and Nature Centre and learn about the Sami culture, the indigenous people of the North. The exhibitions of the Museum display informative boards, artefacts, and traditional buildings to give you a great insight of Sami lifestyle, mythology, language, interaction with the nature and many other aspects of their culture.
ICE-FISHING ON INARIJÄRVI LAKE
Enjoy a very local activity in the middle of a fabulous landscape! Not only ice-fishing is a fun way to catch your lunch, but it is certainly one of the best ways to properly experience the silence and peacefulness that reign in the Arctic. Like many locals who practice ice-fishing during their free time, you will learn how to drill your own hole through the thick ice and drop your fishing line in the clean waters.
The wilderness lake Inarijärvi stretches out in front of the Inari village. It is the third largest lake in Finland that offers a stunning view to surrounding nature. The scenery, combined with its fishing opportunities, make it an ideal place for ice-fishing parties! A snack lunch around the fire and hot drinks will be prepared by your guide to warm you up if you feel cold. And if you catch a fish of a decent size, your guide will gladly add it to the menu!
After the tour will drive back to Ivalo.
DAY 6: DEPARTURE FROM IVALO (B)
PRIVAT TRANSFER TO IVALO AIRPORT
Transfer to the airport will be arranged based on your flight departure time so you can peacefully enjoy your last moments in the city.
INFORMATION
INCLUDED
Activity
- Private Northern Lights hunting tour
- Visit of a traditional reindeer farm
- Visit of Santa Claus Village
- Visit of Amethyst mine with the snowshoe experience
- Gold panning experience
- Snowmobile safari (2h)
- Visit of Sámi museum and Nature Centre in Inari
- Private Ice-fishing experience
Accommodation
- 5 nights in twin rooms
Others Services
- Personal guide
- Airport transfers x2
- Meals as mentioned (B=breakfast, L=lunch, S=snack, D=dinner)
- Winter overalls and boots
- Transportation
- All equipment and gear for activities
- All taxes & handling fee
NOT INCLUDED
- Flight tickets
- Gratuities
PLEASE NOTE
We recommend to book in advance, as availability may be limited in peak seasons.
Transportation and most of the activities are private. Participants will be led by their own private professional guide during the whole trip.
A minimum of 2 adult participants is required for the trip to operate. The maximum capacity is 6 people for comfort reasons. For larger groups, please contact us and we can discuss a specific package.
Child rate applies from 5 to 12 years old. Because of long distance trips and the rough winter conditions in Lapland, we do not recommend to bring infants aged less than 5 years old.
Private transportation by minivan. One luggage and handbag per person allowed.
For snowmobile safari, a valid driving license (for cars) is required if you wish to drive the snowmobile. The safari is twin driving, you are 2 participants on one snowmobile (1 driver, 1 passenger). Solo driving (1 per snowmobile) may be possible at extra costs.
You will be provided with professional Winter overalls and boots if needed. However, please dress appropriately with warm inner clothes, two pairs of socks, gloves and hats.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 20% if booking is cancelled 61 days or more before departure;
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 60 days or less before departure.
BOOK THIS TRIP
HOW TO BOOK
Please send us a booking request. Our team will check availability for your dates and will send you a quote with payment instructions.
PAYMENT
Payment by bank transfer and credit card are accepted.
An immediate 30% deposit payment is required to confirm the booking. Payment of the remaining 70% is required at least one month before departure.
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