With a very low population density and 70% of land covered by forests, Finland is a country of great natural beauty. It is also known as the "land of a thousand lakes", as it has over 188,000 of them! In winter, the country enchants its visitors with pristine expanses of snow and the magnificent northern lights, which come alive on clear, icy nights! It is at this time of year that the benefits of the sauna are most appreciated and the local specialities are most tempting...
Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is located 10 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle – an imaginary line that you cross as soon as you arrive, as it intersects the airport runway. Surrounded by mountains and two rivers, the city is one of striking urban contrast between unspoilt nature and age-old Lappish traditions. Rovaniemi is also where Father Christmas has chosen to set up his headquarters. Every year, he processes thousands of letters from children all over the world. Rovaniemi is home to the popular Artikum House, an Arctic museum, and beautiful buildings designed by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. But it’s the wilderness that will impress you the most – endless forests and lakes dominate the landscape that gradually gives way to tundra as you go further north... An unmissable Arctic experience!
Our hotels in the heart of Rovaniemi are ideal for those who want to enjoy shopping, dining and cultural activities without having to use public transport. Its highlights include the Arktikum, a museum dedicated to the Arctic region and the history of Finnish Lapland, and the Pilke Centre, where you can enjoy interactive exhibitions about the region.
For those who have always dreamed of meeting Father Christmas, staying in the heart of Santa Claus' village will allow you to rekindle your childlike spirit. In a magical setting where the joy of Christmas is always present, you can choose to stay in an igloo, a small chalet or a cosy cottage and enjoy a range of unusual activities in the village itself or in the heart of the surrounding nature.
The Ounasvaaran Lakituvat Chalets hotel is located just outside Rovaniemi, in the Ounasvaara Mountains. This area has many hiking trails and is a great place for nature lovers and winter sports enthusiasts to experience the untouched nature of the Arctic. It is also a prime spot for seeing the northern lights.
The Vaattunki Wilderness Resort, surrounded by the magnificent rapids of the Raudanjoki River and lush forest, is the perfect escape in the breathtaking wilderness of Lapland. The centre of Rovaniemi is around a 20-minute drive away.
Experience untouched nature, age-old traditions and incredible adventures!
Lapland is not only the land of Father Christmas, but also of reindeer, snow and the Northern Lights. This remote corner north of the Arctic Circle is steeped in legends and traditions that the Sami – a nomadic tribe that has occupied the territory since the dawn of time – have kept alive! In order to help you discover the different facets of this region, your LuxairTours package offers a range of activities, as well as a selection of optional activities that are sure to excite you!
After landing, you will be welcomed by your guide.
To get you into the Christmas spirit straight away, you'll stop off at Santa Claus Village and have some free time to soak up the magical atmosphere that reigns there all year round... and maybe even meet Father Christmas!
We will provide you with thermal clothing to protect you from the cold and allow you to fully enjoy your activities.
If you’re staying at the Vaattunki Wilderness Resort or the Ounasvaaran Lakituvat Chalets, you will also stop at a supermarket to stock up on supplies for your stay*.
At the end of the day, you will be taken by bus to your accommodation.
>> Visit to a husky and reindeer farm (services and group activities included in your package / duration: approximately 4 to 5 hours)
At the reindeer and husky farm in Vaattunki, you will learn more about two of Lapland’s most iconic animals. The programme includes a 3-kilometre (approximately 15-minute) dog sled ride through a snow-covered forest, where you can experience their impressive agility. This activity is also an opportunity to meet Santa’s favourite animal, the reindeer. You'll be able to get close enough to feed them and take a seat onboard a sleigh pulled by a reindeer over a distance of around 500 metres. Of course, a guide will explain everything to you and you'll even leave with your reindeer driving licence! You will also be served a traditional two-course lunch.
>> Visit to the Arctic Snow Hotel and dinner by the fire (group activity not included in your package // duration: 3 to 4 hours // booking code: RVNASHEXC // only bookable during a 3-night stay)
An activity that combines a visit to the marvellous ice hotel with a three-course dinner by the fire in a kota.
(services and group activities not included in your package)
The exact itinerary of your stay, including the dates and times of activities, will be provided upon arrival.
To make sure your Lapland experience is truly unforgettable, LuxairTours has selected the following activities for you (booking in advance is strongly recommended, as last-minute reservations are rarely accepted):
>> Arctic traditions and snow hotel (duration: 3 to 4 hours // booking code: RVNICEEXC // only bookable during a 4-night stay)
Immerse yourself in the absolutely unique ice setting of the Arctic Snow Hotel and experience ice sculpting or ice fishing.
>> Snowmobile ride (duration: 3 hours // booking code: RVNSMSEXC)
Thrills are guaranteed as you ride your snowmobile through beautiful snow-covered landscapes. There will also be a break to warm up with a hot drink.
>> Husky ride (duration: 1 hour // booking code: RVNHUSEXC)
You will take the reins of a horse-drawn carriage that will gently transport you through approximately 10 kilometres of unspoilt and breathtaking natural surroundings.
>> A Lappish evening around the campfire (duration: 3 hours // booking code: RVNAUREXC)
Enjoy some quality time around the campfire in a magical candlelit setting. Snuggle up by the fire in warm clothes and sample Lappish specialities cooked on the barbecue. There will also be a magnificent fire show and Lappish games.
After returning your thermal clothing and accommodation in the early morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.
* ABOUT THERMAL CLOTHING: This consists of a hooded suit, a pair of thermal boots, special leather gloves, a scarf and a pair of woollen socks that you can wear over your clothes (we recommend that you wear thermal underwear, a woollen or fleece jumper and simple trousers or jeans).
Optional activities and/or meals must be booked well in advance before departure (last-minute bookings on site will rarely be honoured). The exact schedule of your stay, including the dates and times of the activities, will be given to you on arrival. Timetables and locations are subject to change at any time to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Duration of the activity: 3 hours // minimum 10 participants and maximum 40 participants // 2 people per snowmobile (the driver must be over 18 years old and have a valid driving licence. Passengers must be over 14 years old or taller than 140 cm). Option to drive without a passenger (upon request and at an additional cost) // minimum age: 4 years old
Experience the thrill of driving your snowmobile through beautiful snow-covered landscapes, after familiarising yourself with the vehicle and driving techniques.
For around two and a half hours, you'll take to the trails and paths and cross frozen rivers in an enchanting setting.
You'll also have a break for a hot drink along the way.
Children aged 2 to 14 sit in a sled behind the guide's snowmobile. We strongly recommend that one of the parents sits in the sled with the young children, for their comfort and safety. If a child taller than 140 cm wishes to be a passenger on the snowmobile, the adult price will apply (subject to availability).
Duration of the activity: 3 hours // minimum 50 participants (no maximum) // group activity including bus transfers to and from your hotel, a barbecue menu, hot drinks, a glass of wine per adult, roasted marshmallows for children, a fire show and Lappish games // two kotas (traditional tents) and a main restaurant equipped with toilets will be at your disposal // minimum age: 4 years old
This excursion takes you away from the lights of the city, into the heart of Finnish nature, on a frozen lake in the middle of the forest, and promises an evening of fun by candlelight and campfire.
Sat on reindeer skins by the fire, you can enjoy a delicious barbecue of grilled salmon, sausages, various salads, dessert, a glass of wine and, of course, toasted marshmallows for the children. Cosy wooden cabins are available nearby if you need to warm up.
Wrapped up in your thermal clothing, you can keep an eye on the sky for the northern lights! You can also enjoy a breathtaking fire show, which creates a magical atmosphere with the contrast between fire and ice, and also Lappish games. These include lasso throwing, an ancient method used to catch reindeer in the forest, as well as an introduction to mölkky and snowshoeing, allowing you to explore the surroundings under a starry sky!
Total duration of the activity including transfers: 2 hours (the activity itself lasts 45 to 60 minutes for a distance of approximately 10 km) // minimum 10 participants and maximum 24 people per group // only adults (aged 18 and over) are allowed to drive the sleigh // minimum age: 4 years old
This is our favourite activity in Rovaniemi! This adventure will allow you to appreciate the agility and speed of these exceptional animals and give you a great insight into the immensity of this glacial territory. You'll take the reins of a sled and ride through breathtakingly beautiful landscapes for a distance of around 10 kilometres.
Crews are always made up of two adults, with the option of taking turns along the way. The activity is open to children (aged 4 and over), as long as the sled they ride in is driven by a parent.
The route will cover around 10 kilometres and will depend on the weather conditions and the skills of the participants.
Duration of the activity, including transfers to and from the shores of Lake Lehtojärvi: 4.5 to 5 hours // minimum 10 participants (no maximum) // group activity including introductory workshops (approximately 45 minutes of ice fishing and approximately 45 minutes of snow sculpting), a tour of the snow hotel (approximately 45 minutes) and a two-course lunch // minimum age: 2 // bookable only during a 4-night stay
This excursion will immerse you in the absolutely unique ice décor of the Arctic Snow Hotel, an ephemeral building rebuilt every winter. It has an ice bar, igloo rooms, a snow chapel and astonishing sculptures... all made of ice!
On site, you can get in on the action by taking part in workshops for snow sculptuting and ice fishing – two activities commonly practised by the Nordic peoples.
Children can also enjoy the snow slide, and to round off the activity, a two-course lunch will be served in the warm atmosphere of a chalet restaurant.
Duration of the activity: 3 to 4 hours // minimum 10 participants (no maximum) // group activity including bus transfers to and from your hotel, admission and tour of the Arctic Snow Hotel, three-course dinner in a kota by the fire // minimum age: 2 years // can only be booked during a 3-night stay
This evening visit to the Arctic Snow Hotel allows you to discover the snow kingdom from a whole new dimension. The play of light through the ice sculptures makes this ephemeral place even more beautiful! In this extraordinary place where everything is made of snow and ice, you will see igloo rooms, a snow chapel, an ice bar and unusual works of art.
Dinner will be served in the cosy Kota restaurant next to the snow building. You will be treated to a three-course meal by the fire and sample the chef's speciality, wood-fired salmon! It is located in the centre of the Kota, so you can enjoy a truly delightful sensory experience.