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Peregrine Travel Centre

Finnish Lapland in Winter

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Finnish Lapland in Winter

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Description

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.

Trip Name
Finnish Lapland in Winter
Last Updated
2024-08-27
Days
8
Capacity
12
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!

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Helsinki
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).
Day 2 - Helsinki / Overnight Train
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.
Day 3 - Rovaniemi / Yllastunturi
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.
Day 4 - Yllastunturi
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.
Day 5 - Yllastunturi
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.
Day 6 - Yllastunturi
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.
Day 7 - Rovaniemi
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!
Day 8 - Rovaniemi
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
30-11-202407-12-2024AUD $ 6,175-
07-12-202414-12-2024AUD $ 5,850-
14-12-202421-12-2024AUD $ 5,850-
28-12-202404-01-2025AUD $ 7,020-
04-01-202511-01-2025AUD $ 7,160-
11-01-202518-01-2025AUD $ 6,336-
18-01-202525-01-2025AUD $ 5,782-
25-01-202501-02-2025AUD $ 5,301-
01-02-202508-02-2025AUD $ 5,355-
08-02-202515-02-2025AUD $ 5,098-
22-02-202501-03-2025AUD $ 5,098-
08-03-202515-03-2025AUD $ 5,098-
15-03-202522-03-2025AUD $ 5,301-
29-11-202506-12-2025AUD $ 5,364-
06-12-202513-12-2025AUD $ 5,571-
13-12-202520-12-2025AUD $ 5,571-
03-01-202610-01-2026AUD $ 6,500-
10-01-202617-01-2026AUD $ 6,500-
17-01-202624-01-2026AUD $ 6,260-
24-01-202631-01-2026AUD $ 6,260-
31-01-202607-02-2026AUD $ 6,260-
07-02-202614-02-2026AUD $ 6,015-
21-02-202628-02-2026AUD $ 6,015-
28-02-202607-03-2026AUD $ 6,015-
07-03-202614-03-2026AUD $ 6,015-
14-03-202621-03-2026AUD $ 6,260-
28-11-202605-12-2026AUD $ 6,260-
05-12-202612-12-2026AUD $ 6,500-
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $ 6,500-
26-12-202602-01-2027AUD $ 6,500-

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights),Guesthouse (4 nights),Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Transport

Overnight train,Public bus,Private vehicle,Tram

Map

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