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New Year at The Arctic Circle

Winter fun in Rovaniemi - Santa's Home Town
Rovaniemi, Finland © Visit Rovaniemi

Spend New Year in Rovaniemi, and enjoy some fabulous winter activites including Snowmobiling, Reindeer and Husky Safaris, Ice Fishing and more. New Year's Eve is spent Northern Lights Hunting, with midnight fireworks plus some traditional Finnish fortune telling.

Itinerary

30 December Rovaniemi Arrival

Arrive at Rovaniemi Airport and transfer to your hotel. On the way, stop at the safari office, where you will be fitted with outer thermal gear - overalls, hat, boots, socks and gloves - which is yours to use for the duration of the tour; and get the fine details and timing for your activities. The remainder of the day is free to explore or relax - perhaps take a walk around Rovaniemi and explore the stores and shops, or visit the fabulous Artikum Museum. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.

31 December Ice Fishing Snowmobile Safari, Northern Lights Hunt & New Year Celebration

After breakfast, there is a short safety and driving briefing in preparation for your snowmobile tour, before we set out, driving past incredible winter scenery, with 2 persons sharing the driving of each snowmobile. Children & those who do not want to drive may sit as passengers (with the guide's approval). Experience Ice Fishing at a nearby lake and lunch in a teepee. This evening after a festive dinner we go out into the wilderness, in search of the fabled Northern Lights, and to celebrate the New Year! As we watch the night skies, enjoy sparkling wine and midnight fireworks, as well as some traditional Finnish shamanism and fortune telling.

01 January Reindeer Farm Visit

Today, after a chance to sleep in and relax, we visit an authentic reindeer farm in a little village outside of town. Here, we meet the reindeer herders who will be wearing their colourful, traditional clothes, and watch as they demonstrate their skills in handling the reindeer. Then time for a short sleigh ride, sitting cosily in the sled wrapped in blankets, while enjoying a relaxing and peaceful ride across the snowy Lapp landscape. After the sleigh ride we listen to the herder's stories about reindeer herding and life in the Arctic wilderness. A light lunch by an open fire is served during the day, and dinner at the hotel tonight.

02 January Husky Safari; Guided Snowshoe Hike OR Visit Santa Claus Village

Today enjoy a visit to a local husky farm, and the chance to drive a team of huskies. After meeting the dogs, and a driving lesson and safety briefing, head into the snowy surroundings. Two persons share the driving of each sled on the two hour sled ride, so you can take turns being the musher!  Afternoon choice of either Snowshoeing OR Visit Santa Claus Village.

Snowshoeing: experience walking on both snow and ice, using snowshoes,one of the oldest forms of winter transport, to walk through the snowy landscapes. This is a lovely and quiet way to admire the fantastic winter wonderland that surrounds you. A light lunch is included. 

Visit Santa Claus Village: At Santa Claus Village we cross the Arctic Circle, and get a commemorative certificate of crossing. We meet Santa Claus himself at his office, and have the opportunity to send postcards from Santa's very own Post Office. This is also a great place for unique souvenirs and handicrafts, You could meet Santa's reindeer, visit the snowmobile museum or go to Snowman World (entrances and lunch is not included).

Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.

03 January Rovaniemi Departure

Transfer to the airport from your hotel and end of arrangements.


2024 departure: 30 December

Notes:

Single price on request.

Some excursions subject to minimum age and height requirements.

This tour is offered with accommodation at Hotel Aakenus, Hotel Scandic Pohjanhovi or Scandic City Hotel in Rovaniemi or Kätkävaara Aurora Apartments (about 57km outside Rovaniemi - if you are staying here your tour arrangements include daily return transfers to Rovaniemi to the safari office).

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.

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 in height 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.

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