Experience Overview
Visit Lapland – a magical place of Arctic landscapes and snow-dusted woodlands – on this eight-day adventure through northern Finland. Strap on your hiking boots and crunch a path through Finland’s taigas, experience the rush of a real dogsled, then get cosy with the locals over a glass of salmari. From the docks of Helsinki to remote Yllastunturi and Santa’s workshop in Rovaniemi, witness a part of the world where Christmas always feels close.
Highlights
- Be pulled across the snowy landscape at high speed on the back of a dogsled. The incredible huskies are doing what they love most – making a lot of noise before darting along the trails.
- Visit a traditional Sami family and let them guide you through their daily life and show you around a lavvu (a traditional tent).
- Snowshoe to a secluded spot to see the Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights is the best lightshow on Earth and this trip is your ticket to watch it (subject to weather conditions).
- Travel on the famous 'Santa Claus Express' overnight train all the way from Helsinki through the frozen Northern wilderness to Rovaniemi.
- Enjoy lots of free time to explore northern Finland as you wish – this might include skiing, ice fishing or visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site Suomenlinna Sea Fortress – it's up to you!
Trip Details
Product Code: 1657
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Overnight train,Public bus,Private vehicle,Tram
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: BMXF
Starts: Helsinki, Finland
Finishes: Rovaniemi, Finland
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (6),Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights),Guesthouse (4 nights),Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 5059 (CAD 632 /day)
Itinerary
Hei! Welcome to Finland. Your adventure begins in Helsinki with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening, where you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe head out and pick up some local souvenirs at the lively Market Square or explore the Design District. Finnish architecture is revered around the world for its simplicity and deep connection with nature – just walk around Senate Square and see for yourself! After your welcome meeting, maybe get your group together to sample some traditional dishes, like karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pies) or Ruisleipa (rye bread).
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, join your leader on an orientation walk around Finland’s capital city. Once you get your bearings, the rest of the day is free to explore Helsinki as you wish. Maybe check out the UNESCO World Heritage site Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, located on a group of islands off the coast of Helsinki. Just a ferry ride away, the fortress was originally built to by the Swedish to protect against Russian expansion. You could also acquaint yourself with the Finnish sauna culture by visiting a public sauna and unwinding. This evening, board the famous 'Santa Claus Express', a comfortable overnight train to Rovaniemi, known to many as the hometown of Santa Claus.
Included Activities:
- Helsinki to Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Express Overnight Train
- Helsinki – Helsinki Leader led orientation walk
Optional Activities:
- Helsinki - Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum (22 EUR)
- Helsinki - Design Museum (20 EUR)
- Helsinki - Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (7 EUR)
- Helsinki - Mannerheim Museum (14 EUR)
- Helsinki - City Museum - Free
- Helsinki - Ateneum Art Museum (22 EUR)
- Helsinki - Cathedral - Free
- Helsinki - Rock Church (8 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Overnight Train (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, wake up in Rovaniemi – the capital of Finnish Lapland – and depart your train. Continue by private vehicle to a family-run guesthouse deep in the Finnish forest. This location will be your base for the next four nights, situated near Yllastunturi, a popular cross-country and downhill skiing destination. If the skies are clear tonight, take a stroll through the snow and look skywards for the dancing green lights of the Aurora. Far away from the city light pollution, the guesthouse is an ideal base to spot the Northern Lights. The natural display of coloured lights in the night sky is often visible in the high northern hemisphere – there's even an open-top shelter nearby from which to observe them. Grab a hot drink, wrap up and head out into the winter wonderland.
Optional Activities:
- Yllästunturi - Northern Light Viewing Opportunity (subject to weather conditions) - Free
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Make sure you wrap up for today’s adventures – you'll be racing across the landscape on the back of a dog sled! These incredible huskies are in their element, barking excitedly before darting along sprawling trails. With the wind in your hair, ride through the snow as your new four-legged friends pull you forward. After the ride, warm up by an open fire and enjoy sausages and pulla (a Finnish sweet roll). If you’re lucky, you might even get to give the dogs a pet and a cuddle.
Included Activities:
- Yllästunturi - Dog Sledding
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Although Lapland is often associated with winter tourism, it’s much more than just a destination for tourists. See how locals live by visiting a traditional Sami family, who’ll guide you through their daily life. These indigenous people have a deep connection to the Arctic environment, and reindeer herding is a central to their culture. Take a look at one of their traditional tents – also known as a lavvu – and then get ready for a snowshoeing expedition. Far away from the city lights, you’ll have a good chance of spotting the aurora borealis this evening.
Included Activities:
- Yllästunturi - Reindeer Farm Visit
- Yllästunturi - Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Yllastunturi is home to Finland’s largest skiing resort, featuring some of the longest downhill skiing runs in the country. Today you’ll have a free day to explore this winter wonderland at your leisure. You might want to hit the slopes yourself, either through cross-country skiing or downhill. If that sounds like too much physical activity, ice fishing is also an option – plus, you might reel in your own dinner! If it’s very cold, try tossing boiling water into the air and see if it freezes before it hits the ground. This phenomenon is called the ‘Mpemba Effect’ and is free to try.
Optional Activities:
- Yllästunturi - Snowshoe Hire (19 EUR)
- Yllästunturi - Mpemba Effect - Free
- Yllästunturi - Meän Elämää (Our Life) Exhibition - Free
- Yllästunturi - Cross Country Ski Rental (30 EUR)
- Yllästunturi - Winter Fatbike Guided Tour from (40 EUR)
- Yllästunturi - Guided Snowshoe Hike and Ice Fishing (153 EUR)
- Yllästunturi - Arctic Secrets Escape Room (140 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, return to Rovaniemi by private vehicle. With a free afternoon to explore the city, you can stop off at Santa Claus Village or go hiking along the Ounasvaara Winter Trail. If you’re interested in the history and culture of Lapland, check out Arktikum, the Museum of Finland. Or get familiar with modern art from a northern perspective in Korundi House of Culture. Perhaps round your group up for a farewell dinner and toast to your Finnish adventure!
Included Activities:
- Rovaniemi – Rovaniemi Leader led orientation walk
Optional Activities:
- Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village - Free
- Rovaniemi - Arktikum (18 EUR)
- Rovaniemi - Ounasvaara Winter Walking Trail and Observation Tower - Free
- Rovaniemi - Fatbike rentals (50 EUR)
- Rovaniemi - Korundi House of Culture (11 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Zoe - Traveled, March 2024
What an amazing adventure! Every corner of Finland will leave you breathless and this trip captures this well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/09/2024
Lauren - Traveled, March 2024
While I chose this trip to see the Northern Lights, we didn’t see them - but the rest of the trip was so incredible, I was not disappointed. The scenery and food far surpassed my expectations and beyond. Particularly for an Australian, this was breathtaking landscape, and the Husky tour was one of the best things I’ve ever done!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/09/2024
Courtney - Traveled, February 2024
A really magical trip that exceeded my expectations. The included and optional activities were amazing, especially the dog sledding. Our guide Casper was exceptional and made the trip super enjoyable!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/10/2024
Monika - Traveled, February 2024
Such a great trip, being outdoors in the Finnish Lapland is an experience everyone should go for! Enjoyed every minute of it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/10/2024
Lorrie - Traveled, January 2024
Excellent trip and excellent tour leader. Casper was informative, helpful, organized and enthusiastic! The itinerary was excellent!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/27/2024
Anthony - Traveled, January 2024
First Intrepid trip ever and had so much fun! Combination of itinerary, activities, core group of travellers and led by our Guide, Casper resulted in amazing experiences that will be cherished for the rest of my life!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/05/2024
Lauren - Traveled, January 2024
This group tour far exceeded my expectations. My husband and I travel a lot, but THIS experience is our favorite so far. I'll be recommending Intrepid and this particular experience to everyone I know.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/20/2024
Matthew - Traveled, January 2024
The trip was great but the best part was the guide Gigi and the people.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/20/2024
Lucy - Traveled, January 2024
Such an amazing trip, everything specified in the itinerary was done. A great company and a great bunch of people on my trip. Would highly recommend this trip who wants to experience the Finnish culture and enjoy some snow! Would come back and do it all again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/11/2024
Larry - Traveled, December 2024
This was a fantastic tour and the itinerary was well planned and organized. I was excited to enjoy the beauty of Finland in a more rural, calm, peaceful setting with an abundant of activities including a little night life.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/07/2024
Glenn - Traveled, December 2023
Finnish Lapland in Winter is a great program in a unique location of the world, led by a wonderful director and assisted by capable guides.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/25/2023
Yoey - Traveled, February 2023
This is my first Intrepid experience and my tour leader Gundega made it such a wonderful experience! I loved traveling “solo” but having a group, my group was very well mixed coming from various backgrounds and ages which added to the great experience of meeting wonderful people. Our tour leader was also very enthusiastic each morning and responsive whenever we had a question. She even came up with last minute fun things to do (such as climbing up the fell outside of the hotel to see the northern lights and sledding down) which was the highlight of my trip and so much fun. Such a memorable trip!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/01/2023
Deirdre and Malcol - Traveled, January 2023
Breathtaking scenery, excellent guide - but not a cheap holiday!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/07/2023
Jodie - Traveled, January 2023
Fantastic trip with a small friendly group of mixed ages and a good balance of activities and down time. Casper our tour leader was brilliant keeping everything organized and interesting ! I highly recommend this amazing trip !!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/01/2023
Samir - Traveled, January 2023
Great trip itinerary was impeccable in being able to see and experience Lapland, as well as Helsinki. Casper our guide especially kept things flowing tight and smoothly. 10/10 for an off the beaten path for a beautiful winter Scandinavian tour with day by day nonstop activities.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/02/2023
N Ann - Traveled, January 2023
I had a wonderful and exciting trip to Lapland thanks to Intrepid Tours! From a thrilling ice swimming and sauna experience to relaxing by a fireplace in a Kota hut during a snowshoe trek our tour was incredible! We fed reindeer, visited Santa Claus village, went dog sledding, and stayed in a beautiful location in the Finnish forest.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/31/2023
Shauna - Traveled, January 2023
This was my first intrepid tour and it did not disappoint. Kati was the most incredible leader and made the whole experience amazing. Lapland is a literal winter wonderland.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/13/2023
Erica - Traveled, January 2023
This trip is a game changer! I had no idea this magical part of the world existed. Such a unique opportunity to go NORTH of Rovaniemi and spend quality time in the Finnish LapLands. I recommend spending at least 1 extra night in Helsinki as it is a lovely city to explore, especially as a solo traveler. Our guide, Kati, was absolutely fantastic and in addition to the planned activities was also able to help each and every person find an individualized and incredible activity to do on their free day. This trip was the perfect balance of planned activities, optional activities and free time. I cannot say enough about this trip. I am truly grateful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/13/2023
Christian - Traveled, December 2022
Great itinerary led by a great leader Casper. Fantastic dog-sledding and other activities were only topped by a marvellous northern lights show on our last day in remote Lapland. A highly recommendable trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/22/2022
Andrew - Traveled, December 2022
Best trip we've ever done. If you want a trip which allows you to immerse yourself in Finnish culture and ice cold water, this is the trip for you.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/22/2022
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