Winter Sámi Adventure, Finland

Highlights Include:

Helsinki, the capital of Finland
Learn about the Sami Culture
Stay in an Aurora Cabin with windows to the sky
Opportunity to see the Northern Lights
Meet the reindeer and huskies of Lapland

Photo: Mikko Ryhänen/Visit Finland

Tour Details

From: $3,242 | Single supplement from $795

Price includes transatlantic airfare from New York (please inquire for pricing from your US departure city)

7 days

2022/2023 Departures: Daily, December – March

Experience the amazing arctic winter in Inari, one of Finnish Lapland’s most magical villages. This package offers opportunities for dog sledding, reindeer interaction, and learning about the native Sámi culture. In the evenings the Northern Lights are the main attraction and with opportunities for heading out on a hunt, chances of a sighting are great – including during a night in an Aurora Cabin with a partial glass roof! With the option for customizing your day tours to your interests and activity level, this package is the perfect starting place for a truly enchanting visit to Lapland.

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 1Departure from US

Day 2Arrive Helsinki, Finland

Upon arrival, independently transfer from the airport to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city. 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 3Travel to Finnish Lapland | Meals: B

Transfer independently back to the Helsinki Airport for your flight north up to Ivalo. Transfer by shuttle bus from Ivalo airport to Inari Village, located on the shores of Lake Inari. Included for activities during your stay is winter outdoor clothing (if required). Accommodation this evening is in an Aurora Cabin with a partial glass roof/windows offering an excellent view to the night sky. With luck you can admire the Northern Lights directly from your bed! Overnight in Holiday Village Inari Aurora Cabin

Day 4Reindeer Encounter & Aurora Camp | Meal: B D

Enjoy a relaxing morning – perhaps make an optional visit to Siida, the famous Sámi Museum in Inari. In early afternoon, enjoy a traditional reindeer sled ride. Listen to the silence of the snowy forest and experience the old traditional Sámi way of travelling, as you sit in a wooden sleigh gently pulled by a reindeer. After the ride, there will be a chance to warm up by the fire with a hot beverage. This evening is an excursion to an exclusive Aurora Camp, located away from light pollution. In a traditional kota hut, your guide will prepare a tasty reindeer burger by the open fire. During this excursion you will have possibility to go out on snowshoes, experience the arctic nature with the sound of snow crunching underneath your feet. With good luck the dancing Northern Lights will color the sky above. Your guide will explain the Aurora as a phenomenon and help to find the right settings for picture taking. Overnight at Hotel Inari

Day 5Dog Sledding | Meal: B D

This morning you will be driven to a husky farm, where the energetic huskies are waiting to take you on a ride into the white wilderness, After receiving driving instructions, you will become a real musher for a little while! After the safari, learn more about the huskies and enjoy a hot drink in a wooden hut by the open fire. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, then after dinner at the hotel, you will have one more chance to head outside in search of the Northern Lights. Overnight at Hotel Inari

Day 6Return to Helsinki | Meal: B

Today say goodbye to Lapland and Inari. You will be transferred back to the Ivalo Airport for the flight south to Helsinki. Transfer independently into the city center and check into your hotel for a final night in Finland (option for last night at a Helsinki airport hotel, if preferred). Overnight in Helsinki

Day 7Depart Helsinki, Finland | Meal: B

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

Included

Transatlantic airfare from New York including government taxes & fuel surcharges
(please inquire for pricing from your US departure city)
Inter-Finland flights, as noted
Five nights’ accommodation as per itinerary
Round trip transfers Ivalo airport to Inari accommodation, as indicated
Meals as per itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
Reindeer Sleigh Ride excursion
Aurora Camp evening excursion, incl. use of snowshoes
Husky/Dog Sled Safari
Use of winter outdoor clothing – boots, overall, mittens, hat

Not Included

Additional airline fees, such as meals, seat reservations, luggage costs
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.

Optional Excursions

At additional cost, subject to availability. Note that not all excursions are offered daily.

Snowmobile Safari – drive your snowmobile through the winter landscape, into the forest or on frozen Lake Inari.
Taste of Reindeer Herder’s Day – you will be driven in a snowmobile sleigh to the nearby forest to seek out the reindeer herd, who are wandering freely in the surrounding area. You can help to feed the reindeer before enjoying a hot beverage and pastry around an open fire.
Snowshoe Trip into Lappish Nature – navigate on top of deep snow and enjoy the beauty of the wintry forests with the guide on this snowshoe walk. (A guided tour is also offered at night.)
Sami Historical Sights – by snowmobile or by sleigh across frozen Lake Inari, visit the old Sámi winter village center in Pielpajärvi, where now only the wooden wilderness church from 1760 remains. Experience the rugged ancient Sámi sacrificial island, “Ukko’s rock”. A picnic soup lunch will be offered by open campfire.
Ice Fishing – transfer by snowmobile or sleigh through the frozen landscape of Lake Inari – the guide will find the best spots and provide tips for catching fish.
Northern Lights Search with Reindeer – sit in a wooden sleigh pulled by reindeer, travelling through the forest just as the Sámi people have done it for thousands of years. Sit back, enjoy the ride and observe the sky for those magical Northern Lights.
Aurora Hunting by Car – this four-hour tour has the biggest probability to see the northern lights, as the location gives possibility to choose from five different directions to chase after the Aurora.

Notes

The order of the Lapland excursions in the itinerary may vary.
Longer programs in Lapland are available, please inquire!
Optional Excursions may be added to the itinerary, time permitting, or switched with others included above. Additional costs may be incurred.
The Northern Lights are a naturally occurring phenomenon and are weather dependent, therefore sightings are not guaranteed.