Finnish Lapland in Winter

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

4.3

20 Reviews

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Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Visit Lapland – a magical place of Arctic landscapes and snow-dusted woodlands – on this eight-day adventure through northern Finland.

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 local Finnish family, who will guide you through their world and lifestyle. You will be shown their skills in reindeer herding with the option to get close and personal with some of the animals on the farm
The aurora borealis is the best lightshow on Earth, and this trip is your ticket. Stay up late to see the northern sky dance with green light (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!

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Overnight train,Public bus,Private vehicle,Tram

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Helsinki, Finland

Finishes

Rovaniemi, Finland

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

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).

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

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.

Included Activities:

Helsinki to Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Express Overnight Train
Helsinki – Helsinki Leader led orientation walk

Optional Activities:

Helsinki - Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum (22 EUR)
Helsinki - Design Museum (20 EUR)
Helsinki - Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (7 EUR)
Helsinki - City Museum - Free
Helsinki - Ateneum Art Museum (22 EUR)
Helsinki - Cathedral (10 EUR)
Helsinki - Rock Church (8 EUR)

Accommodation:

Overnight Train (Number of Nights: 1)

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.

Optional Activities:

Yllästunturi - Northern Light Viewing Opportunity (subject to weather conditions) - Free

Accommodation:

Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)

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 pulla (a Finnish sweet roll). If you’re lucky, you might even get to give the dogs a pet and a cuddle.

Included Activities:

Yllästunturi - Dog Sledding

Accommodation:

Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Yllastunturi

Your next adventure in Yllästunturi takes you on a visit to a traditional local family, who will guide you through their world and lifestyle. Their reindeer farm has been operating since 1861 and you may have the opportunity to feed and watch these cute animals go about their daily routine. You will be shown their skills in reindeer herding with the option to get close and personal with some of the animals on the farm. Then why not experience a traditional Finnish bath on the farm? Finnish sauna has a millennia old history, and is integral to the Finnish national identity. Locals swear by the cleansing, healing and meditative properties of having a steam and a wash in the sauna. There is also an opportunity to try ice swimming afterwards!

Included Activities:

Yllästunturi - Reindeer Farm Visit
Yllästunturi - Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna

Accommodation:

Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)

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.

Optional Activities:

Yllästunturi - Snowshoe Hire (22 EUR)
Yllästunturi - Mpemba Effect - Free
Yllästunturi - Meän Elämää (Our Life) Exhibition - Free
Yllästunturi - Cross Country Ski Rental (30 EUR)
Yllästunturi - Winter Fatbike Guided Tour from (105 EUR)
Yllästunturi - Guided Snowshoe Hike and Ice Fishing (159 EUR)
Yllästunturi - Arctic Secrets Escape Room (140 EUR)

Accommodation:

Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)

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 Northern 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!

Included Activities:

Rovaniemi – Rovaniemi Leader led orientation walk

Optional Activities:

Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village - Free
Rovaniemi - Arktikum (20 EUR)
Rovaniemi - Ounasvaara Winter Walking Trail and Observation Tower - Free
Rovaniemi - Fatbike rentals (50 EUR)
Rovaniemi - Korundi House of Culture (11 EUR)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

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.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $5,600

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Visit Lapland – a magical place of Arctic landscapes and snow-dusted woodlands – on this eight-day adventure through northern Finland.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 07 Feb 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

Zoe

Traveled, March 2024

03/09/2024

What an amazing adventure! Every corner of Finland will leave you breathless and this trip captures this well.

4.0

Lauren

Traveled, March 2024

03/09/2024

While I chose this trip to see the Northern Lights, we didn’t see them - but the rest of the trip was so incredible, I was not disappointed. The scenery and food far surpassed my expectations and beyond. Particularly for an Australian, this was breathtaking landscape, and the Husky tour was one of the best things I’ve ever done!

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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