Winter Northern Lights Holiday in Finnish Lapland at Kakslauttanen Resort

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The forests, fells and lakes of Northern Finland are the perfect setting for your winter holiday. At 68° North, Finnish Lapland offers a climate that sees seven months of snowfall and over 200 nights of Northern Lights activity. You’ll fall in love with the Finnish winter and the special ‘blue moment’ when twilight descends on the landscapes. Here reindeers roam across the fells and husky dogs are eager to take you on a trip into the wilderness. The itinerary will be tailored to suit you.

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CATEGORIES:

This tour is featured in the following categories:

• Northern Lights
• Mountain
• Lake
• Hill
• Forest

COUNTRIES:

This tour takes place in the following countries:

• Finland

ITINERARY:

You’ll settle in to your log cabin surrounded by deep untouched snow. The cabin includes a private sauna and fireplace. Your log cabin stays warm and cosy even in deepest Arctic winter. You’ll have half board included in the trip and a programme of winter activities according to your wishes. Our holidays to Kakslauttanen are completely flexible meaning that you can travel when you prefer and choose your own combination of excursions and activities. A full list is available on our downloadable pdf above.  

The itinerary below is an example of a four day break and can be tailored to suit you. 

Day one

Arrive in Lapland travelling to Ivalo in the North of Finland. Transfer to your luxury accommodation and settle in to your Queen Suite cabin which includes a cosy fireplace, private outdoor hot tub and sauna. 

Wait to see if the Northern Lights appear in the night sky. 

Day two 

We recommend a dog-sled excursion today in the wilderness followed by an exciting hunt for the Aurora by snow mobile. All activities are not included in the holiday price and we will provide a detailed quote and itinerary based on your wishes. Download a pdf itinerary at the link above for a full list of options and prices.

Day three 

Another day for outdoor adventures or simple relaxation time! Why not visit a reindeer farm by day and continue your search for the Northern Lights by horse sleigh in the evening. We’ll be happy to help you to tailor your stay at Kakslauttanen. 

Day four

Transfer to Ivalo Airport and return. Alternatively why not add extra nights either in the cabin or extend your stay with the final night in a glass igloo. The glass igloos provide a stunning panoramic view of the night sky. If you’re lucky you’ll watch the dance of the Aurora from your bed or simply enjoy dense star-filled skies. Inside you’ll find a small bathroom and nearby a sauna and showers (from £192pp including half board).

The price for this holiday starts at £515 per person for three nights including airport transfers, accommodation (3 nights) and half board. The price excludes flights to Ivalo and activities. Please get in touch to find out more and to tailor your holiday. You can also add an extra night in a glass igloo (from £175pp) or upgrade to a luxury Queen Suite cabin which includes a private outdoor hot tub.

Download our itinerary PDF above or email us for a detailed price quotation or further information.

BOOK NOW FOR 2014!

ENQUIRE NOW or download our pdf itinerary above. 

Activities include: dog-sledding, snow mobileing, snow shoeing, skiing, reindeer sledding and ice-fishing. 

DATES:

This trip is available between 1 November and 30 April to give you the best chance to view the Aurora Borealis.

SEASON:

Winter

NUMBER OF NIGHTS:

3

PRICE:

This is a tailor made holiday so we’ll put together an itinerary to suit your budget. Prices start at £515 per person including transfers, 3 night’s cabin accommodation, and half board. Flights are separate.

£515.00 GBP roughly converts to:

592 EUR

777 USD

808 CAD

845 AUD

4,787 CNY

982 SGD

6,031 HKD

8,194 ZAR

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Finland: Winter Trip to the Wilderness

The beautiful Saariselkä fells in Northern Lapland are the perfect location for snow sports, activities and Northern Lights hunting. On this Finland Wilderness Holiday, you will be staying at the family run Muotkan Maja Wilderness Lodge, known for its great activities and fabulous attention to detail. The Lodge, a converted schoolhouse, is set in beautifully peaceful surroundings, on the edge of the fells. At 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, this region is ideal for catching glimpses of the breathtaking Northern Lights. Indeed, the location means that, should the Aurora appear, you need only step outside the front door for a really great view.

This Finland Wilderness Holiday features several fabulous outdoor pursuits, including dog sledding, snowshoeing and reindeer sleigh rides. For each activity, an expert guide is on hand with instructions and equipment, so even complete beginners are catered for. 

The Winter Trip to the Wilderness is a great value holiday for singles, couples and families. Not only is it offered on a full board basis, making budgeting easy, it is also availabile with no single supplement, thanks to the variety of room types and sizes on offer.

Whenever you have some free time during this Finland Wilderness Holiday, you can borrow equipment such as snowshoes and cross country skis from the lodge and embark on some independent exploration. You may even opt to borrow a fishing rod and head down to the frozen lake for a spot of ice fishing. Whatever activities you choose, there will be a soothing sauna and a hearty dinner waiting for you at the Lodge on your return

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Lapland Winter Adventure - 5 days

Travel to Muonio in Finland and stay at Harriniva Holiday Centre where you can enjoy the fascinating beauty of the Lappish winter scenery. Included in the tour is a snowmobile- and dog sledding excursion. In addition you can choose from a selection of optional winter activities such as ice fishing, snowshoeing and skiing. Arrival on Sundays only

The selected tour can commence in Kittilä.

Day 01: Sunday - Arrival in Kittilä

• Arrival at Kittilä Airport according to your own itinerary.
• Transfer from Kittilä Airport to Muonio.
• Dinner at Harriniva Holiday Centre.
• Overnight at Harriniva Holiday Centre.

Day 02: Monday - Panorama Snowmobile Safari

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Morning at leisure.
• Recommended winter activities:
  • Guided snowshoe walk.
  • Skiing on your own.
• 2,5 hours snowmobile safari.
• Relaxing sauna.
• Dinner at Harriniva Holiday Centre.
• Overnight at Harriniva Holiday Centre.

Day 03: Tuesday - Dog Sledding Excursion

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• 2-hour dog sledding excursion.
• Afternoon at leisure.
• Recommended winter activities.
  • Learn cross country skiing.
• Relaxing sauna.
• Dinner at Harriniva Holiday Centre.
• Overnight at Harriniva Holiday Centre.

Day 04: Wednesday - Optional Winter Activities

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Day at leisure
• Recommended winter activities.
  • Ice Fishing
  • Local Culture & reindeer experience.
  • 6-hour snowmobile excursion.
• Relaxing sauna.
• Dinner at Harriniva Holiday Centre.
• Overnight at Harriniva Holiday Centre.

Day 05: Thursday - Departure from Kittilä

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Transfer to Kittilä Airport.
• Departure from Kittilä Airport according to your own itinerary

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Finland Northern Lights holiday, Wilderness Auroras

This self-drive holiday takes you through the sparsely populated taiga forests of north-eastern Finland up to Lapland, to the Arctic Circle. There are four national parks, one national hiking area and one nature reserve with their hiking, canoeing and fishing possibilities easily accessible from the route. 

Close to the Russian border you can participate eg. in bear or wolverine observation tours which give you a unique chance to watch and photograph these animals safely. You’ll get to know Finland’s large carnivores – bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine – in an information centre and meet more northern and arctic animals in the Ranua Wildlife Park. 

Accommodation varies from hotel rooms to apartments and cosy cabins. Each night you will get to enjoy local delicacies and the genuine Finnish sauna is also available most nights.

Departures on request. Season May 1 - Sep 30

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Kuopio – Metsäkartano. Arrival at Kuopio airport where you will collect your hire car. If you arrive on an early flight you can visit the city of Kuopio which is full of life especially in summer. The city, in the centre of the Savo region, is famous for its marketplace, harbour and cheerful people. At the market you can taste the local speciality, “kalakukko”, a Finnish fish pie. About 20 cruises depart daily from the harbour of Kuopio to lake Kallavesi. The symbol of the city is Puijo tower from where you can admire beautiful views over lake Kallavesi. For the first night you will drive to Metsäkartano mansion situated in a tranquil spot in the heart of nature. Dinner and possibility of a sauna. Approx. 130 km
Day 2:	Today you can choose between two national parks that are both within easy reach of Metsäkartano. Tiilikkajärvi National Park offers quite easy routes, beautiful lakeside scenery and beaches. By contrast, the scenery at Hiidenportti National Park is quite rugged; trails include more hills and are a bit more demanding. The heart of Hiidenportti National Park is the majestic Hiidenportti Gorge with its vertical rock walls. Both national parks have some good hiking trails for a few hours’ day tour. Remember to carry the picnic lunch with you because there are no opportunities to purchase food in the parks. Dinner and accommodation at Metsäkartano Mansion.
Day 3:	Metsäkartano – Kuhmo . It’s time to say goodbye to Metsäkartano and head via Nurmes in Karelia to Kuhmo. In Nurmes you can visit the Karelian Bomba House and the Karelian village around it. Bomba House might be a good place to enjoy lunch as well. Midway, in the middle of the wild taiga, is a company organizing wildlife watching tours. During these tours you can observe some interesting native Finnish animals, such as beavers. You can participate in a safari, at an extra cost, but this must be booked before departure. By the end of the day you’ll arrive at Kuhmo which is a small village where you can see the Finnish national epic Kalevala reflected in the architecture, events, research, museums and the food. You can learn more about Kalevala and Karelian culture at the Kalevala Information Centre Juminkeko. If you visit Kuhmo during the last two weeks of July – you won’t be alone! At that time of year Kuhmo is full of guests enjoying the annual Chamber Music Festival which is famous and appreciated throughout the world. Approx. 105 km
Day 4:	Kuhmo – Juntusranta. In the morning you will have the opportunity to visit Petola Visitor Centre which is an information center on Finland’s large carnivores – bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine. From Kuhmo the route goes toward north through some very sparsely populated areas following the Russian border. You’ll pass through the beautiful village of Lentiira and cross the road leading to Kostamus and to the international frontier crossing point of Vartius. Some 25 km south of Suomussalmi is the historical area of Raate which was the stage of some heavy battles during the Second World War. In Raate it is possible to visit the Winter War exhibition and the Raate Frontier Guard Museum. Your accommodation for the next night will be in the tiny village of Juntusranta just beside the Russian border. Arola, Helena and Eero’s former dairy farm, is well-known for its delicious local food. The farm is surrounded by remote woodland inhabited by European brown bears. In the evening you can take part in a bear safari (extra charge) and observe these majestic animals from the purpose-built log cabins. Approx. 170 km
Day 5:	Juntusranta - Kuusamo. Heading north again you will first arrive at Hossa which is a national hiking area known for its crystal-clear lakes and handsome pine heathlands. The area offers great opportunities for hiking, canoeing and fishing. One good destination for a day hiking trip might be Värikalliot, the oldest rock paintings in northern Finland dating back some 4000 years. Hossa Visitor Centre offers information on trails and there is also an exhibition on the area's history and present day. In Hossa you can also visit a reindeer park and get to know the semi-wild animals inhabiting the northern area of Finland better. You can try your skills at lassoing reindeer or just pet and feed them. Your final destination today is Kuusamo, which is one of the most important tourist destinations in Finland thanks to its magnificent nature and the vast range of activities available throughout the year. Before settling down for the night at the cosy Ollila Holiday Cottages you could, for example, pop into the Tourist and Nature Centre Karhuntassu and visit a nature photography centre there. Approx. 135 km
Day 6:	This morning you dont need to pack your luggage because you will stay another night at the same place. Today you can head to Oulanka National Park or to Ruka which is maybe the most popular skiing resort in Finland. The landscape of Oulanka National Park is made up of pine forests; river valleys with sandy banks and rapids; and, in the north, vast marshes. The area is rich in animal and plant species. Hikers can get a general picture of the park’s nature even on daytrips. There are several routes available but one very nice (though very demanding) one is the Small Bear’s Trail starting from the village of Juuma. Departing from Oulanka Visitor centre you can visit the Kiutaköngäs rapids which are some of the biggest rapids in Finland. Many safari companies organize river rafting in Oulanka National Park varying from easy family tours to speedy tours that will make your heart race! At Ruka you can climb up to some of the hills and admire the beautiful views over forests and lakes. An easier way to get to the top is the Ruka Lookout Lift that takes you up to the hill. If you are brave enough, you can descend on a speedy summer sled! The safari companies of the area also offer many other activities, such as canoe trips, quad safaris, mountain biking and Nordic walking tours.
Day 7:	Kuusamo - Rovaniemi. This will be your last and longest day of travelling, ending at Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. If you are still willing to do some hiking you can easily visit either Riisitunturi National Park or Korouoma Nature Reserve which both offer the opportunity of some nice daytrips, though there are no circular routes available. Both destinations have their characteristics and especially the 30-km-long fracture valley in Korouoma is very special. If you take the longer, southern route from Posio to Rovaniemi you will have a chance to visit a Wildlife Park situated in Ranua. There are about 50 species of arctic and northern wild animals at Ranua Zoo, including bears, the only polar bears in Finland, lynxes, wolves, wolverines, moose and many more. The city of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi, offers plenty to do. Santa Claus’ Village in the Arctic Circle takes you to the atmosphere of Christmas, even if it is summer. You can visit Santa Claus in his office, send a postcard from Santa Claus’ Post Office and visit a Christmas Exhibition presenting Christmas traditions around the world. The Arktikum, a science centre and museum, is also worth a visit. The exhibitions of the Arktikum lead you through the Arctic areas’ and Finnish Lapland’s history and modern day providing a unique insight into the way of life, culture and history of the North. For the last night of the tour you will stay at Ounasvaaran Pirtit, in a well-appointed cabin with a genuine Finnish sauna where you can refresh yourself after a week full of activities. Exceptionally the dinner is not included in the price today but there are several good restaurants to choose from in Rovaniemi. Approx. 210 km

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