Saariselkä Winter Adventure Week

What's included?

• 7 nights accommodation
• Full board meals (from the dinner upon arrival until the breakfast on departure day)
• Transfers from/to Ivalo airport
• Winter outdoor clothing
• Activities mentioned below

Holiday Program

Day 1. Arrival

Welcome to Lapland! You will be greeted at the airport with a hotel sign and transferred to Wilderness Hotel Saariselkä (approx. 35 min). Upon arrival, you will receive your program schedule before dinner. Depending on your arrival time, cold weather gear will be given to you either upon arrival or the next day.

Days 2.-7. Winter Activities

Husky Safari (2,5hrs)

This adventure will take you through stunning lakes and forests. Before we set off, you'll learn how to handle the sled. Feel the excitement of the huskies as they get ready, and then enjoy the serene silence as they pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery. Each sled is set up for two guests, with one mushing and the other seated in the sleigh. Halfway through the journey, you'll switch positions so both of you get to experience the thrill of mushing. (Sledge driving time approximately 1 hour)

Meet the Reindeer (2hrs)

Ever wondered what it's like to be a reindeer herder? Join us for a fun and informative tour where you'll get to meet these amazing animals up close. Our friendly guide will share stories about the Sámi culture and the important role reindeer play in the North. You'll even get a chance to feed them, they might come right up and eat out of your hand! Join us for this unique way to learn more about Northern Lapland culture. The tour includes a sleigh ride of about 20 minutes.

Inari Cultural Day (6hrs)

Today is all about immersing yourself in the rich culture and stunning nature of Northern Lapland. We’ll head to Inari and visit the Sámi Museum Siida, awarded the European Museum of the Year and the Finnish Museum of the Year in 2024. Explore the ancient and vibrant Sámi culture, as well as the Arctic nature. At the museum, you'll also have the opportunity to buy local handicrafts and souvenirs. Afterwards, we'll enjoy a delicious lunch at one of our Wilderness Hotel restaurants. The day concludes with a relaxing walk by the river rapids, enjoying the serene surroundings. Throughout the day, our guide will share knowledge about the local nature, wildlife, and culture.

Snowmobile Adventure (4,5hrs)

Snowmobiling is the best way to truly explore the wilderness. After a driving lesson, we'll head off on an exciting snowmobiling day that will take us through Lapland landscapes into untouched wilderness surroundings. We'll enjoy a lunch and warm drinks, making the day even more special.

Snowshoeing Adventure (4hrs)

Strap on your snowshoes and let's explore the stunning winter landscape of the Arctic. We'll trek through deep snow, spot animal tracks, and maybe even encounter some wildlife. Our friendly guide will share fascinating stories about Finnish nature and wildlife as we go. We'll take a break for lunch, adding a special touch to this exciting day. This tour is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Arctic in an eco-friendly way.

Aurora Camp (2,5hrs)

We'll start with a cozy sleigh ride pulled by our guide's snowmobile, taking you through the stunning Arctic landscapes to our favorite spot for viewing the Northern Lights. Once we arrive at the campsite, you'll get to enjoy hot drinks and great company while you gaze at the northern sky. Because there won’t be any light pollution, our camp spots are one of the best places to catch the Auroras!

Aurora Snowmobiling (2,5hrs)

Night-time snowmobiling is an exhilarating experience, and if we're lucky, we'll see the Northern Lights dancing in the sky. We'll head to open spots where the chances of seeing the Aurora are the highest. The driving distance depends on the weather conditions; if the sky looks promising, we'll stop and admire this beautiful show. We'll have a break at a campfire and enjoy warm drinks and each other’s company.

Day 8. Departure Day

After breakfast you're transferred to Ivalo airport. It's time to say goodbye to Wilderness Hotel Saariselkä and head towards new adventures.

General Information

Detailed daily itinerary will be provided upon arrival.

All the activities are guided group trips with English-speaking guide, and start with full safety instructions.

Snowmobile safaris are based on 2 persons sharing one snowmobile.
If there is a party with an uneven number of travelers, everyone will still be on shared snowmobiles, unless single drive supplement is paid. (100€/person for max. 3h tours, 200€/person for 4–6 h tours)

Minimum age of 18 years and a valid driving license is required to drive a snowmobile during activities. Self-liability fee (own risk) is 1000 €/snowmobile in case of an accident.
During snowmobile tours children under 15 years are sitting in a sleigh.

During Husky Safari, the guests are driving the husky sleds by themselves and normally two persons are sharing one husky team (with switching driver on half way).

Please note that the above itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the activity providers for reasons of safety or other unforeseen circumstances. Any alternative arrangements will be made so that they are as similar to the original program as possible.