Enjoy Christmas in the town of Kemi located on the Gulf of Bothnia before heading to Rovaniemi the home of Santa Claus. This tour also includes other great activities such as a cruise on board Sampo icebreaker and visits to Kemi SnowCastle, Santa Claus Village, Ranua Wildlife Park and much more.
Itinerary
23 December Kemi Arrival
Arrive at Kemi Airport or Railway Station and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Hotel Scandic Kemi or similar.
24 December Kukkolankoski Rapids, Christmas Eve Festive Dinner and Northern Lights Hunt
Today, board the coach for a trip to Kukkolankoski where you will see one of Europe's largest rapids, in Tornio River, which borders Finland and Sweden. Here you will have the opportunity to take some photos of this impressive rapid and then enjoy lunch on the shoreline. Tonight, travel outside of town into the forest for a wonderful, traditional Finnish Christmas buffet, where the whole family will enjoy an authentic, Northern yuletide atmosphere. Afterwards, Santa Claus will make an appearance to give each person a small present! Then head out on a hunt for the legendary Northern Lights where, with some good luck, you will be able to admire this beautiful and truly unique, natural phenomena. 2nd overnight in Kemi.
25 December Christmas Day, Icebreaker Cruise, Ice Floating and SnowCastle
After breakfast, get ready for an Arctic adventure on board Sampo Icebreaker as the ship breaks through the frozen sea. Enjoy the beauty of vast icefields and try ice-floating in the special survival suit provided. At the end of the 3 hour cruise you will be presented with a Sampo Icebreaker diploma! Entrance to the Kemi SnowCastle is also included. Lunch in the seaview restaurant LumiHiutale inside the main building before your transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and 3rd overnight in Kemi.
26 December Kemi - Rovaniemi, Husky Farm and Santa Claus Village
Depart Kemi and continue to Rovaniemi, the official home of Santa Claus. Our first stop is at a husky farm to meet the happy huskies and their owners. Here you can enjoy an easy, 1hr husky sled ride into the snowy forest. Departure from the husky farm is around noon, then we head towards the Arctic Circle and Santa Claus Village. After crossing the Arctic Circle everyone will receive a certificate to commemorate this happy event. At Santa Claus Village, meet Santa in his office, with the chance to send cards with a special Arctic Circle postmark from Santa's own Post Office. After lunch, there is time to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere and shop for souvenirs before check-in. Dinner and overnight at Scandic Pohjanhovi or similar.
27 December Snowmobiling and Visit to Reindeer Farm
After breakfast, time to jump on the snowmobiles and take a ride out to a reindeer farm. Each snowmobile takes two – one driver and one passenger. Meet the herders and learn about the role of reindeer in local culture then enjoy a short 500m reindeer-sleigh ride. After a light lunch, served in a large tepee with a warm fire inside, it is time to head back to town on the snowmobiles through the snowy forests. Dinner at the hotel and 2nd overnight in Rovaniemi.
28 December Ranua Wildlife Park
Travel to Ranua Wildlife Park, which is located in an Arctic forest, approximately 1hr drive from Rovaniemi. The park is home to around 50 species and 200 Arctic animals altogether, such as Polar and Brown Bears, Lynxes, Foxes, numerous birds and musk ox, just to mention a few. Most of the park's trail is on wooden footbridges and planks. Note: if travelling with children, you can rent a sled to use around the park (payable onsite only). Enjoy lunch in the park's cosy restaurant before heading back town. After dinner at the hotel, you can join an optional tour to one of the best sites for another opportunity to view the Northern Lights. 3rd overnight in Rovaniemi.
29 December Rovaniemi Departure
Arrangements end with your transfer to Rovaniemi Airport.
2024 departure: 23 December **SOLD OUT**
Notes:
Minimum 2 adults
Accommodation options:
Hotel Scandic Kemi is located in the town centre, only a short walk away from the harbour and SnowCastle. The hotel has a restaurant, lobby bar, swimming pool, sauna and complimentary WiFi. Up to 2 children under 15 years of age can share a room with 2 adults and will sleep on a sofa bed, at a reduced rate.
Scandic Pohjanhovi is a hotel located in Rovaniemi town centre on the banks of the Kemijoki river. The hotel has a swimming pool, restaurant, lobby bar, sauna, lift, complimentary WiFi and ironing room. Up to 2 children under 15 years of age can share a room with 2 adults and will sleep on a sofa bed, at a reduced rate.
Some excursions subject to minimum age & height requirements.
Ice Floating: the minimum height requirement to participate in ice floating is 145cm.
Snowmobile Safaris: To drive a snowmobile you must have a valid driving license and be 18years of age or over. If your group has an odd number of adults, one adult must drive solo and pay a supplement. Children over 140cm may sit as a passenger behind an adult driver who is a relative or friend. Children under 140cm in height sit in a sled pulled by the guide's snowmobile. Children under 2yrs are not permitted on snowmobile safaris. Please note - in the event of extreme weather or poor trail conditions, small children may not be allowed to participate in safaris. The guide has the discretion to decide who may sit on a snowmobile driven by adults and who must sit in the guide's sled.
Husky Safaris: Children under 18 years usually travel in one big sled driven by the guide. During the shorter safaris a maximum of 2 adults + 2 children may be permitted to share one sled driven by the adults. During the longer safaris 2 adults usually drive each sled in pairs and all children sit together in one big sled driven by the guide. The guide has the discretion to decide who may or may sit in a sled driven by adults and who must sit in the guide's sled for all safaris. Children under 2 are not permitted on husky safaris. Please note in the event of extreme weather or poor trail conditions small children may not be allowed to participate in safaris.
