Finnish Lapland Winter Family Holiday

EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW

Take the family to a true winter wonderland on this five-day adventure through Finnish Lapland. The magic starts early as you begin in the official hometown of Santa Claus, where the kids will get the chance to meet the jolly man himself. Spend three nights in the heart of the Finnish wilderness, exploring the snow-dusted woodlands with the help of incredible huskies and learn the traditional ways of life from a local. Whether you’re building igloos or trying snowshoeing on for size, there’s unforgettable fun to be had for travellers of all ages.

highlights

Enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the joy and magic of meeting Santa at his Finnish home on the artic circle.
Unplug and fully immerse in the natural beauty of your unique eco-lodge stay in the heart of Hossa National Park, more than 60 miles (+100kms) away from the nearest village
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 Reindeer Farm where you will get to meet these beautiful animals up close and learn the art of reindeer herding and life 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)

Trip details

Trip Type: Small Group

Comfort: Moderate

Travel Styles: Family

Starts: Rovaniemi, Finland

Finishes: Rovaniemi, Finland

Duration: 5 days

ITINERARY

1Day 1: Rovaniemi

Tervetuloa! Welcome to Rovaniemi, Finland – the capital of Lapland and the official hometown of Santa Claus. Your family adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 2 pm. Rovaniemi is full of culture and stunning scenic hikes, so if you arrive early, you might like to take the family to the nearby rapids and aapa mires or stay in town and visit the Arktikum, the Museum of Finland. After your welcome meeting, it’s time for the kids to write their list and check it twice as you head off to meet Santa Claus himself at Santa Village. Cross into the Arctic Circle along the way, showing just how far north you’ve come. Later, enjoy an optional group dinner at a local restaurant and toast to the magical adventure that lies ahead.

Included Activities:

Rovaniemi - Santa Village

Accommodation:

Hotel Aakenus or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

2Day 2: Hossa

After breakfast, bid farewell to Rovaniemi and head to Hossa National Park, located in the Kainuu region of Finland. Hossa translates to 'a distant place' in the Sami language (Huossa), and with its many lakes, rivers and canyons, this truly is a place like no other. Check into your eco-lodge accommodation in the heart of the national park, then enjoy a free afternoon with the family. Hossa will be your home for the next few days, so take your time to really soak in the scenery. The kids might be keen to try out snowshoeing or test their balance with some Nordic skiing.

Optional Activities:

Hossa National Park - Snowshoeing (85 EUR)
Hossa National Park - Nordic skiing (85 EUR)

Accommodation:

Camp Norwide (Number of Nights: 1)

3Day 3: Hossa

Make sure you rug up for today’s adventure, as you head into the wild taiga on dog sleds! In the morning, meet your guides and dogs for an introduction to basic mushing techniques. Then, two per sled, you’ll head off across beautiful white lakes and into the forest. These incredible huskies are doing what they love most – making a lot of noise before rushing along sprawling trails. After, the young ones might get to give the dogs a pet and a cuddle – just be sure to ask the sledmaster first! Return to your accommodation in time for lunch, then the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you like.

Included Activities:

Hossa National Park - Half day husky dog sledding

Accommodation:

Camp Norwide (Number of Nights: 1)

4Day 4: Hossa

Get a taste of the Lapland lifestyle today as the family spends time with a local trapper. You’ll learn the art of the trapper lifestyle and the essential skills the local people need to know in order to survive and move around this pristine and remote region. The kids will feel like true adventurers as they follow tracks in the snow, identify flora and fauna and even build an igloo! Return to your accommodation in the evening, making sure to keep an eye out for any hint of the Northern Lights.

Included Activities:

Hossa National Park - Trapper Day

Accommodation:

Camp Norwide (Number of Nights: 1)

5Day 5: Rovaniemi

This morning, it’s time to say goodbye to your home in the Finnish wilderness and make the journey back to Rovaniemi. On the way back, stop at a local reindeer farm and get up close to these amazing animals. Arrive back in Rovaniemi in the early afternoon, where your adventure will come to an end.

Included Activities:

Rovaniemi - Reindeer farm

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Meals: Breakfasts (4), Lunch (3), Dinner (3)
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night),Eco-lodge (3 nights)

Partner Details

Intrepid Travel

In Business Since 1989

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.