Original
Explorer
Finnish Lapland in Winter
8 Days | Explore Finland like never before on this journey through snow-covered Lapland.
4.9
Excellent
38 reviews
8 days
Start
Helsinki, Finland
Finish
Rovaniemi, Finland
Trip Code
BMXF
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
6 breakfasts
Transport
Overnight train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Tram
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Guesthouse (4 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
From £3,685(8 days)
Trip Informations
Lapland, a magical place of pristine Arctic landscapes and snow-dusted woodlands. In this winter 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 remote Yllastunturi and Santa’s workshop in Rovaniemi – witness a beautiful part of the world where Christmas feels always close. Learn how people in the North cope with extreme temperatures. You may even find your inner Finn enjoying the solitude while in pure pristine nature.
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)
Explore Helsinki, then travel on the famous 'Santa Claus Express' overnight train all the way from the cosmopolitan Finnish capital through the frozen Northern wilderness to Rovaniemi
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.
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. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. However, if you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge. Please ask your travel consultant for more details. 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 Yllastunturi the only option for dinner will be at the guesthouse we are staying at, or alternatively there are cafes and restaurants in the nearby town (approximately 35 minutes on foot, or a short taxi ride away).
On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight Under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
Itinerary
Inclusions
Meals
6 breakfasts
Transport
Overnight train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Tram
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Guesthouse (4 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Activities
Helsinki to Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Express Overnight Train
Helsinki – Helsinki Leader led orientation walk
Yllästunturi - Dog Sledding
Yllästunturi - Reindeer Farm Visit
Yllästunturi - Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna
Rovaniemi – Rovaniemi Leader led orientation walk
Add on activities
Helsinki - Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum - EUR22
Helsinki - Design Museum - EUR20
Helsinki - Suomenlinna Sea Fortress - EUR7
Helsinki - Mannerheim Museum - EUR14
Helsinki - City Museum - Free
Helsinki - Ateneum Art Museum - EUR22
Helsinki - Cathedral - Free
Helsinki - Rock Church - EUR8
Yllästunturi - Northern Light Viewing Opportunity (subject to weather conditions) - Free
Yllästunturi - Snowshoe Hire - EUR19
Yllästunturi - Mpemba Effect - Free
Yllästunturi - Meän Elämää (Our Life) Exhibition - Free
Yllästunturi - Cross Country Ski Rental - EUR30
Yllästunturi - Winter Fatbike Guided Tour from - EUR40
Yllästunturi - Guided Snowshoe Hike and Ice Fishing - EUR153
Yllästunturi - Arctic Secrets Escape Room - EUR140
Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village - Free
Rovaniemi - Arktikum - EUR18
Rovaniemi - Ounasvaara Winter Walking Trail and Observation Tower - Free
Rovaniemi - Fatbike rentals - EUR50
Rovaniemi - Korundi House of Culture - EUR11
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. The price of the single supplement does not include the night of Day 2 - Overnight Train.
Please also note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Lapland can be extremely cold at this time of year. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions. During days 3-6 you will be given additional snowsuits from our local hosts as part of your package. These outdoor outfits are intended to be used on top of your own warm clothes or used to keep your main clothes dry. Please see the Packing section in the Essential Trip Information document for more details on what is available for hire in location and what we recommend you should bring along.
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