To get the very best from your holiday to Finnish Lapland, you'll more than likely want to add on a few excursions to your basic holiday package. From husky sledding and snowmobiling to aurora floats and Northern Lights photography courses, these are our top ten tours departing from Rovaniemi in the heart of the region. Call our specialists to tailor-make your winter holiday.
1. Meet Santa, visit his reindeer and go snowmobiling
No festive break would be complete without Father Christmas. And, this is the ultimate experience, including a snowmobile drive and reindeer sleigh ride alongside a private audience with the man himself. You’ll even enjoy a delicious lunch, send a letter from Santa’s Official Post Office and receive a certificate from the ‘Crossing of the Arctic Circle’ ceremony.
Meet Santa & visit his reindeer (image c/o Visit Rovaniemi)
2. Ride a reindeer sleigh
Does Lapland get any more evocative than a ride in a reindeer-pulled sleigh? Striking out among the snow-dappled trails, you'll have the chance to sit back and enjoy the quiet of the forest as your reindeer leads the way. It all ends around a roaring campfire, with the resident herder sharing stories, hot drinks and cinnamon buns. Now what could be better than that?!
Reindeer sleigh ride, Rovaniemi
3. Go husky sledding through the wilderness
Friendly barks will welcome you to the local farm as you meet your team of ever-sofriendly huskies. Then, setting off into the Lapland wilderness, you’ll enjoy the thrill of mushing along the snow-clad trails, swapping halfway with your partner to enjoy both the views as a passenger and the excitement of taking the reins. Don’t worry, there’s also plenty of time for cuddles with the pups.
Husky sledding (image c/o Visit Rovaniemi)
4. Explore on a Snowmobile
The snowmobile is not only essential to life in the Arctic, but a whole lot of fun as well. After some expert tuition, you’ll rev your engines and sweep out into the Lapland remotes, plunging through icy forests and along trails thick with snow. It’s a wonderful opportunity to marry the winter silence of the woodland with the adrenaline excitement that comes with driving your own snowmobile.
Snowmobiling, Rovaniemi
5. Go ice fishing on a frozen lake
Spend the day like a local, snowmobiling out to a frozen lake for a spot of ice fishing. You’ll drive along frozen rivers to a secret lake spot, where you guide will teach you how to drill a hole in the ice and cast your line. And, as you wait for a bite, they’ll also prepare a hot outdoor soup lunch on a roaring fire, hopefully accompanied by your catch of the day. Finally, another thrilling snowmobile trip sees you back to base.
Ice fishing with Safartica, Rovaniemi
6. Float on water under the Northern Lights
Pull on a high-quality flotation suit to dip into the Arctic waters of a frozen lake as, with luck, the Northern Lights put on their spectacular show overhead. It’s a truly unique experience as you float under the starry sky in sub-zero temperatures, all the while remaining toasty and warm in your suit – your own clothes dry underneath.
Aurora floating near Rovaniemi
7. Photograph the Northern Lights
With live forecasts, plenty of background research and endless local knowledge, this excursion simply offers your best chance of spotting the aurora. So dedicated are your guides, that they’re willing to go the extra 100 miles, if that’s where the Lights are. And, once you’ve found them, and set up your camera and tripod, they’ll be on hand to ensure that you get the best – the perfect souvenir of your holiday.
Northern Lights photography, Beyond Arctic
8. Visit Korouoma Canyon & frozen waterfall
This is the definitive winter wonderland. You’ll be brought out of Rovaniemi to the Korojoki River, where 100-metre-high cliffs form a giant canyon plied by dramatically frozen waterfalls. It’s simply breathtaking, and you’ll take it all in from spectacularly scenic viewpoints reached via a short hike. Round things off with a light lunch prepared by the fire of a secret cabin before heading back to your Rovaniemi hotel.
Korouoma Canyon, Beyond Arctic
9. Ride a snowmobile to the Arctic SnowHotel
Combine two Lapland icons – an ice hotel and snowmobiling. After some expert tuition, it’s time to saddling up and strike out into the Arctic wilderness, following the forest trails to the SnowHotel. Here, you’ll be treated to a tour of this artist-carved masterpiece and an included lunch of glow-fried salmon, served by the fire in a wooden kota teepee. The return snowmobile leg is just as scenic.
Arctic SnowHotel
10. Explore the wilderness on a snowshoe hike
Walk in the footsteps of explorers past by strapping on a pair of snowshoes to hike out into the Lapland wilderness. With transfers included either side, you’ll be brought right into the Arctic remotes, enjoying a guided walk among the quiet beauty of the frozen forest. The hot chocolate, and marshmallows, are more than a welcome touch.
Snowshoeing near Rovaniemi with Safartica
Inspired? Take a look at our Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland holidays, then call our specialists to start planning your trip.
