Exploring Sámi Culture in Northern Finland

Highlights Include:

Experience the midnight sun
Up close encounters with Sámi culture
Cruise on Lake Inari
Husky excursion options
Visit Siida, the Sámi Museum & nature center

Photo: Visitfinland.fi

Tour Details

From: $2,298 per person | Single supplement from $503

6 days

2025 Departures: June – early September

The Sámi are a proud, indigenous people whose homeland is the northern region of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and northwestern Russia. Their ability to adapt to the beautiful and rugged Arctic surroundings has shaped the heart of their culture and influenced the Sámi way of life. This package will take you to Inari, the center of Finnish Sámi culture. From centrally located accommodations, explore the Sámi life and history by visiting their museum & nature center, national forests, and the local huskies!

Gallery

Itinerary

This is a sample semi-independent itinerary. Travel will be independent with guided tours and activities along the way. Our Destination Specialists will work with you to create an itinerary to meet your preferences.

Day 1Arrive Helsinki, Finland

Independently transfer to your Helsinki hotel. Remainder of day at leisure to explore on your own. Helsinki is uniquely situated on the Baltic Sea where it has for centuries protected Finland from invaders coming from Russia in the east and Sweden in the west. Built upon this foundation, the city offers both historic sites like the sea fortress Suomenlinna, as well as modern art like the Sibelius Monument and the Kiasma Museum. The series of trams that cover the whole city make navigating simple for visitors. Overnight in Helsinki

Day 2Fly to Finnish Lapland - Inari | Meals: B D

Independently transfer to the Helsinki airport for your flight north to Ivalo. Once there, meet your transfer for the half-hour ride from Ivalo airport to your accommodation in Inari, located in Finnish Lapland, next to beautiful Lake Inari. Time to relax and settle in – enjoy dinner at the hotel. Since the Midnight Sun will still be up during your visit, evenings are a great time to explore on a walk//hike – or join a hiking excursion in the late evening. Overnight in Inari

Day 3Sami Culture & Arctic Nature| Meals: B L

Enjoy a six-hour tour that combines classic local activities. During the day you will have a guided tour in the Sámi museum and nature center Siida, enjoy an outdoor lunch by the river Juutua, and join a cruise on Lake Inari. You will learn about the ancient and vibrant Sámi culture and arctic nature, plus see the historical Ukko Island. In Siida, you will also have a chance to shop local handicrafts. Overnight in Inari

Day 4Husky Experience on Wheels | Meals: B D

After a short transfer to the local husky farm, you´ll meet and greet the lovely dogs. Husky musher will tell you about huskies
and show you the farm. During the visit you will also have an exciting trip with huskies on wheels. Musher will be driving the wagon pulled by the husky team and two persons can sit on the same wagon. After the ride, sit and relax by the fire to enjoy a drink while your pulse calms down. Duration 2.5 hours. (Note: this activity has temperature restrictions). Dinner in evening at hotel. Overnight in Inari

Day 5Inari - Helsinki | Meals: B

After breakfast and check-out, say goodbye to Lake Inari and Lapland, before transferring from your hotel to Ivalo airport for your flight south. Arrive in Helsinki and independently transfer to your hotel for your last night in Finland. Overnight in Helsinki city center (or airport hotel)

Day 6Depart Helsinki, Finland | Meals: B

Independently transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US – or extend your stay in Scandinavia!

Included

Flights Helsinki-Ivalo roundtrip, including taxes & surcharges
Five nights’ accommodation
Meals as indicated (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
Ivalo airport-Inari hotel transfers as indicated
Entrance & guided tour of Siida, Sami museum & nature center
Lake Inari Cruise
Husky Farm Visit with Experience on Wheels

Not Included

Transatlantic airfare
Travel insurance, recommended
Fees for passports
Transfers, sightseeing, activities, meals, and beverages not specified
Luggage handling at airports and hotels
Gratuities
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, spa services, internet, phone, etc.
Additional/optional excursions

Optional Excursions

At additional cost, subject to availability

Midnight Sun Hike – late night hike from Inari with beautiful scenery & unique nature – duration 3 hours (offered thru 7/22, Mon/Wed/Fri)
Lemmenjoki River Trip – riverboat cruise with local Sámi in Finland’s largest National Park, duration 6-7 hours (offered Mon/Wed/Fri)
Reindeer & Handicraft – get a sense of the Lapland way of life and meet the reindeer at the home of an Inari local – duration 3 hours (offered starting July 2, Tue/Fri)
Midnight Sun Cruise – experience daylight on the water at nighttime, north of the Arctic Circle! Duration 2 hours (on request, June-July)
Fishing trip – to forest pond or pike fishing on Lake Inari, duration 2.5 hours (not offered Sundays)
Foraging Lappish Wild Food – harvest berries or mushrooms like a local in the forest – duration 2.5 hours (offered Tue/Thur/Sat)
Inari Summer Bike Tour – guided electric fat bike tour through the landscape, with a snack break halfway – duration 3 hours (offered Tue/Thur/Sat)
Hike with the Huskies – the musher will lead you and the huskies into the Lappish arctic nature. Duration 2.5 hours, including transfers (offered Mon/Wed/Fri)