Spend a magical Christmas in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and Santa's official home. Stay 4 nights in a downtown Rovaniemi hotel, visit Santa Claus Village, take a ride on a Husky Sled, adventure through the snowy forest on a Snowmobile and search for the Northern Lights. Enjoy festive dinners on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There is time to explore on your own or add optional activities, and the services of a tour leader are included.
Itinerary
22 December Rovaniemi Arrival
Private transfer from Rovaniemi Airport to Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi or Scandic Pohjanhovi Hotel Rovaniemi or similar in downtown Rovaniemi. Time to explore the town, browse the shops or perhaps visit the fabulous Arktikum Museum. Evening welcome meeting in the hotel lobby with your Tour Leader who will provide the necessary information for your tour program. Dinner at the hotel.
23 December Santa Claus Village, Husky Safari and Northern Lights Hunt by Bus
First stop today is Santa Claus Village located on the Arctic Circle. Time at leisure to visit Santa Claus in his office, visit the Post Office and officially cross the Arctic Circle. Later enjoy the snowy nature on a Husky Safari. Sit back and relax while the guide is driving your husky sled. After the safari you can warm up by an open fire in the husky yard and spend some time meeting the dogs.
This evening offers a chance to see the Northern Lights dancing on the sky. Travel away from the city lights to the nearby wilderness. Learn about the arctic nature and hear stories of the culture and history of the local people. You will also have a break to enjoy hot drinks and snacks. Keep a lookout for the magical Aurora Borealis before returning to your hotel.
Dinner and second overnight at Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi or Scandic Pohjanhovi Hotel Rovaniemi or similar.
24 December Optional activities and Festive Christmas Eve Dinner
Day at leisure to relax and explore the city on your own or pre-book one of the optional daytime activities:
Optional Reindeer Safari. A traditional reindeer ride through snow-covered forest is unforgettable experience! Meet your reindeer herder and walk together to the reindeer farm nearby. Sit comfortably in the sleigh and relax, take photos of the surrounding nature and listen to the sounds of reindeer caravan. After the ride enjoy warm drinks in typical Finnish ‘kota’ tepee and hear about reindeer herding in Lapland. Duration 2 hours.
Optional Ice Fishing. Guided trip to a frozen wilderness lake in the middle of the forest. Learn how to lure the fish from under the ice with special ice fishing gear. Enjoy the silence and tranquility of the winter nature. Duration 2-3 hours.
Optional Snowshoe Fun. Guided walking with snowshoes is a fun way to play in the snow and explore the forest. Enjoy the peace and quiet, take photos and have fun in the snow. Not suitable for children under 12 years old. Duration 2 hours.
Optional Ranua Arctic Wildlife Park visit. Located one hour away from Rovaniemi is the northernmost wildlife park in the world. In the park, it is possible to see polar bears, brown bears, wild reindeer, wolves, wolverines, lynxes, predatory birds, otters, wild boars, and many more Arctic animals. Not suitable for children under 4 years old. Duration 4.5 hours.
In the evening there is one optional activity that can be pre-booked:
Optional Aurora Borealis Ice Floating. Dip yourself into a frozen lake, with some luck and the right conditions the Aurora Borealis might make an appearance. You will be dressed in a high-quality rescue suit that covers your whole body and keeps you dry and warm for this guided floating experience. Minimum height for floating is 120cm. Duration: 3 hours.
Tonight enjoy a festive dinner and Christmas Eve program at the hotel with decoration of a Christmas tree, visit from Santa Claus and a small gift for the children. Third overnight at Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi or Scandic Pohjanhovi Hotel Rovaniemi or similar.
25 December Snowmobile Safari and Festive Christmas Dinner
Merry Christmas! Start the day with some adrenaline and speed on a guided snowmobile safari along snowy tracks, past frozen rivers, lakes and forests. where you can master the art of driving a snowmobile. There will be a stop for hot drinks to warm you up and where you can enjoy the silence of the wilderness. There is also a chance to swap drivers along the way, before the return snowmobile trip. All drivers must hold a valid driver's license and 2 persons usually share each snowmobile.
There is time today for a pre-booked optional excursion: daytime Ice Fishing and Snowshoe Fun and evening Aurora Borealis Ice Floating.
Tonight enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner at the hotel. Fourth overnight at Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi or Scandic Pohjanhovi Hotel Rovaniemi or similar.
26 December Rovaniemi Departure
Private transfer to Rovaniemi Airport. End of arrangements.
2024 departure: 22 December
Notes:
This tour is not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
Snowmobile Safaris: To drive a snowmobile you must have a valid driving license and be 18 years of age, or over. All single travellers must drive their own snowmobile solo. Children over 140cm may sit as a passenger behind an adult driver on a snowmobile, only if the child is paying the adult price. Children under 140cm sit in a sled pulled by the guide's snowmobile.
In the event of extreme weather or poor trail conditions small children may not be allowed to participate in safaris.
