Lake Inari, one of the largest in Scandinavia, offers a vast scenery throughout the year

Travel period 01.01.2011-31.03.2011
Five days (four nights)

Combine a relaxing romantic holiday in Lapland with just a bit of activities and culture in Finland’s Lapland. Stay a night in a glass igloo under the Aurora Borealis, visit the Sami museum, take a snow mobile safari, dine in Lappish restaurants, and visit a reindeer farm or go for a husky ride. The Arctic Lapland is magical in winter!

The Wilderness Hotel Nellim is located in a very peaceful corner of Finnish Lapland away from the big tourist centres. The hotel stands on the shores of Lake Inari, one of the deepest lakes in Scandinavia.

Kakslauttanen Igloo Village is located high up above the Arctic Circle. This secluded log cabin village is the ultimate location for an arctic romantic break. As a highlight of your stay, you will stay overnight in a glass igloo. Kakslauttanen has been listed as one of the 100 best destination hotels in the world.

Day 1: First taste of Lapland

Flight to Ivalo Airport and transfer to Hotel Nellim. After settling in, you’ll enjoy a dinner at the hotel restaurant serving also local delicacies like white fish and reindeer stew with Arctic berries. Later on, there is a 2.5 hour evening trip to Aurora Camp.  This pleasant three-mile sledge ride takes you to Lake Inari, where you’ll have a good chance to see Aurora Borealis in the winter sky.

Day 2: Reindeer farm and snow mobiles

After the breakfast it is time to start the snow mobile safari to a local farm. You’ll meet a herdsman who tells about the life in Sámi land and how the reindeer are looked after. You can also feed animals in their natural surroundings. There will be a picnic lunch by a camp fire. In the afternoon you will join a local fisherman and help him to check his under- ice nets on the Lake Inari. After the 20-mile safari it is time to return to the Hotel Nellim for the dinner and sauna, if you like. Afterwards, there is still an evening ride to catch the northern lights.

Day 3: Snow shoes and huskies

The proper hotel breakfast gets you going for a two-hour snow shoe trek around Nellim area. You will return to the hotel for lunch, and the afternoon is free for your own interests. You can book an optional husky safari on the thick frozen lake and take the reins of a husky team pulling the sledge.  You can spend the afternoon exploring local traditions. You can book a three-hour special programme of Lappish activities – learn about local crafts, listen to old songs and enjoy seasonal dishes prepared from Lake Inari fish, reindeer and cloudberries. The wooden Nellim Orthodox Church is also worth a visit. The Russian border is only a few miles away, and on the Paatsjoki Bridge you can see the towers guarding both sides of the border.

Day 4: Sámi museum and night under northern lights

Time to get cultural on the way to Kakslauttanen, and stop at the Sámi museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre “Siida”.  The exhibitions show how nature and people have adapted to the extreme conditions of the Northern environment. Wonderful photographs, videos, sounds and original artifacts guide you through the seasons and the past times.

Kakslauttanen is a popular destination for romantic breaks and a venue for real white weddings. After a delicious dinner with Lappish delicacies, the night in a glass igloo will be the high point of the holiday. You can admire the northern lights and millions of stars in the clear Lapland sky in a comfortable room resting on a luxury bed. It will stay warm inside even when the temperature outside drops to under -30°C! Every December, the best ice sculptors in the world come to Kakslauttanen to participate in the international ice-sculpting week, and the creations remain on view for the rest of winter.

Day 5: Welcome again!

After the breakfast there is some time for shopping original Lappish crafts or just enjoying the winter morning in Kakslauttanen. Then it is time to take a transfer to Ivalo airport for the flight to Helsinki and then back home. And then it is time to start planning the next visit to Lapland.

Package prices:

From London Heathrow: from £1494 / person
From Manchester: from £1564 / person

Package price per person when minimum of two persons share a room and an igloo.
Packages also available without flights. Ask also for special offers!
Child discounts are also available.

What is included in the price?

• Scheduled Finnair flights from the United Kingdom to Ivalo (via Helsinki)
• Accommodation in a hotel room in Nellim  for three nights
• Programme as described
• Accommodation in Kakslauttanen glass igloo for one night
• Half board (breakfast & dinner)
• Transfers by a car between Ivalo airport and Nellim, Nellim and Kakslauttanen and  Kakslauttanen and Ivalo airport

Please ask for a price for:

• The single supplement
• Child discounts (up to 15 years old)
• Extra nights
• The package without flights

Please note that this is an unescorted trip and no guide services are provided.

As the flights to Ivalo are via Helsinki, you may wish to extend your visit to Finland by staying in Helsinki. If you wish to spend some time in the Finnish capital, call our office for further details and prices.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is not included in your holiday cost. It is strongly recommended that insurance be taken out to protect you and your group against any unforeseen insurable events.

Inari offers excellent hiking possibilities with vast scenery

Lapland invites you to a unique weekend break this summer. Stay on the shore of the huge Lake Inari, tailor-make your trip according to your interests: learn about local culture, go fishing or on a quad bike safari, cruise on the lake, hire a boat or a canoe, enjoy Lappish restaurant and shop local crafts. Be active or just relax. Finland’s Lapland is magical all year round.

This unforgettable summer holiday package gives you an opportunity to visit a reindeer farm, learn about the unique Sámi culture and cruise the magnificent Lake Inari. You can tailor the long weekend according to your own tastes with extra activities, including a boat rental, a quad bike safari, troll fishing on Lake Inari or try your luck with fly fishing in the Juutuanjoki River. You can also find a guide to take you bird watching, or you can rent a bike or a canoe to explore the neighbourhood. Feel relaxed, refreshed and inspired by the beauty of Lapland!

4 day package: Friday – Monday
Period: Mid-June to September 2010

Day 1 Friday: Welcome to Northern Lapland

Arrival at the Ivalo Airport, where a guide meets and greets the guests. Transfer to Hotel Inari, about 30 miles away. Hotel Inari is situated on the shore of Lake Inari close to all activities. The restaurant specialises in Lappish delicacies, like reindeer, local white fish, salmon and cloudberries. Enjoy a dinner at the hotel restaurant and get acquainted with your surroundings.

Day 2 Saturday: Sámi museum and reindeer farm

Guide will pick you up from the hotel, and take you to SIIDA- Sámi museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre. After a short introduction you can tour the exhibition showing how nature and people have adapted to extreme conditions of the Northern environment. There are wonderful photos and videos, dioramas, soundscapes and original artefacts to take you through the seasons and history. In the afternoon you will visit a local reindeer farm, where you can feed the reindeers and learn Lappish lassoing, a traditional herder’s skill. You will also hear stories about herding and Sámi culture, and enjoy a coffee/ tea break in a cosy local hut. Before departing, the host will joik (traditional Lappish singing) you welcome to the Sámiland. In the evening you can enjoy dinner and sauna at the hotel.

Day 3 Sunday: Lake cruise and artisan trail

After breakfast it is time to hit the Inari Artisan Trail with local – both traditional and modern – handicraft studios and shops ranging from jewellery and silver to items made of reindeer bone, wood and wool. You can take this tour independently depending on your timings. In the afternoon, there is a two-hour cruise on the mighty Lake Inari on board of the M/S Inari. The huge Lake Inari is the sixth largest lake in Europe with 3,318 islands. According to a song, the lake is as deep as it is long. You will visit the ancient sacrificial site of Inari Sámis on the island of Ukko (Äijih). Refreshments are served onboard of the ship (not included in the package). Cruise starts at 14.00 daily from June until September, and also at 18.00 in July. Later on, you can take part in optional safaris, hire a rowing boat from the hotel, try fishing, biking, hiking or just relax in the beautiful lake surroundings. Enjoy a farewell dinner of Lappish delicacies in the evening at the hotel restaurant.

Day 4 Monday: Leaving Lapland

After breakfast, there is some spare time in the morning for last minute shopping and sightseeing. In the afternoon, transfer to Ivalo Airport for a flight to Helsinki. Feel free to return and enjoy the magic of Lapland any season!

Prices from London Heathrow:

from £799/person when two persons sharing a room

from £969/person in a single room

What is included in the price?

• Return Finnair flights from London Heathrow to Ivalo
• Return airport transfers in Ivalo
• 3 night hotel accommodation with half board (breakfast and dinner)
• Visit to Sámi museum Siida, visit to reindeer farm, Lake Inari cruise, village map
• All taxes and fees

Not included: Optional extras in Inari (in pdf format)

Please ask a price for:

Extended stays in Inari and overnight trips to Norway
Departures from other UK airports
Stop-over in Helsinki (from £50/person/night)
Group travel options

Fully equipped log cabins on the Iso-Syöte fell

8 day package: Saturday – Saturday
Period: 31.5.2010 – 31.10.2010 (package is also valid during colourful autumn Ruska season)

Explore the beautiful Lapland region by car and try out various outdoor activities. Stay in a Lappish log cabin, visit a reindeer or a husky farm, go hiking, canoeing and go for a quad bike safari in an ancient forest. Summer holiday in Northern Finland means midsummer nights, unspoilt nature, splendid views over the hills and forests, crystal clear lakes, and plenty of freedom and space to relax.

Finnish summer offers an opportunity to enjoy the best of the bright months. This eight-day summer package to Iso-Syöte area includes flights, car hire, log cabin accommodation and activities. Iso-Syöte resort is located on the top of the most southern fell in Lapland. Hotel and cottages overlook the forest and valley area of the surrounding Syöte National Park with its rugged hills, unique marshes and old spruce forests.

During this one week’s holiday, you can enjoy activities offered by Iso-Syöte and drive around the neighbouring villages, towns and countryside. The pure, unspoilt nature all around welcomes you to explore. Since the resort is located in a triangle of three popular tourist areas of Rovaniemi, Oulu and Kuusamo, you can plan your weekly itinerary independently.

Day 1: Settle in your log cabin

Arrival to Oulu airport late afternoon and car pick up. After two hours of drive, arrival to Iso-Syöte. Check into your fully equipped log cabin with a kitchen, a fireplace and a sauna. Evening is spent relaxing, trying out sauna, and enjoying a dinner at the local restaurant.

Day 2: Visit Arctic museum and Santa Claus

Breakfast is served at the Hotel Iso-Syöte restaurant. Sunday is free for your own activities. You can either enjoy the nature of the Syöte National Park and learn more about the area at the visitor centre, or drive to the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is located only two hours’ drive away from Iso-Syöte offering an excellent day out!  Get acquainted with the local culture and history in the Arktikum Museum, or visit the Santa Claus village, open all year round! Rovaniemi also offers excellent possibilities for a river cruise on a sunny summer day. On your way back to Iso-Syöte, you can visit the Ranua Wild Life Park, an hour’s drive from Iso-Syöte.

Day 3: Guided quad bike drive

After breakfast, you will enjoy an exciting 2.5 hour quad bike safari at 10am. On this guided tour, you will drive your own squad bike through the nature, forest and swamps of Iso-Syöte area. What an excellent way to start the day! During the afternoon, it is time to explore the area on your own. We recommend visiting the open air museum in Pudasjärvi, only half an hour’s drive away from Iso-Syöte, together with the village of Taivalkoski, displaying the old village store dating back to 1882.

Day 4: Canoe safari

Tuesday morning begins with a canoe safari to the Lake Naamanka at 10am. This is a perfect, peaceful place to paddle around and learn the basics of canoeing with the help of your local guide. Lakeside offers a great spot for a coffee break by a camp fire. In the afternoon, you can drive to Puolanka to see the highest waterfall in Finland. Enjoy a walk in beautiful surroundings, only an hour’s drive from Iso-Syöte, or go golfing in the nearby golf-course.

Day 5: Visit the Bear’s Trail

Wednesday is a day for your own activities. We recommend driving to the town of Kuusamo, located 1.5 hours from Iso-Syöte. The area of Ruka-Kuusamo invites you to another nature adventure with all it has to offer. The Oulanka National Park is worth a visit for its excellent Karhunkierros hiking trail (Bear’s Trail). This 80 kilometre route with ravines, Arctic fells and primeval forests provides an unforgettable experience. There are several short hikes to choose from with raging rapids, wonderful views and fell sides.

Day 6: Nordic Walking and Design

After breakfast, the morning is free for your own activities. You can take your hired car and visit the Finnish design centre, Pentik in Posio, located an hours’ drive from Iso-Syöte or just relax in the fell surroundings.In the afternoon, it is time for guided Nordic walking! Nordic walking tour takes you around Kellarilampi, through the natural scenery of Syöte area with a coffee and cake stop during the journey.

Day 7:  Meet huskies and reindeers

During your last full day in Iso-Syöte, you can take part in optional safaris; visit a local reindeer farm, try out fishing on the river banks or visit a husky farm. Alternatively you can have your second go on the activities introduced to you during the week, have a final challenge at the Syöte fell or make your way to Ruka area for longer Karhunkierros hiking tour.

Day 8: Returning home

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye! You will drive to Oulu airport, return your hired car and fly back to UK in the afternoon.

Prices from London Heathrow:

from £1044/person, when two persons share a cabin
from £854/person, when three persons share a cabin
from £754/person, when four persons share a cabin

What is included in the price?

• Return flights from London Heathrow to Oulu (or Kuusamo when available)
• Hired car (A class, Nissan Micra or similar), unlimited mileage, insurance and taxes
• One week’s stay in fully equipped Iso-Syöte cottages (living-room, kitchen, sauna, fireplace)
• Breakfast each morning
• Car hire for the whole week (pick up and drop off at the airport)
• Activities: Quad bike safari, canoeing safari, Nordic walking
• Equipment and guidance during safaris
• All taxes and fees

Optional extras:

• C class vehicle (extra cost £66/person/day)
• Hotel accommodation

Please note:

Driver must be at least 25 years old
Valid driving licence required when picking up the car
Credit card is obligatory to receive the car at the airport

Enjoy a night cap at the ice bar

Northern lights search by snowmobile

Prices: from £1544 per person
Period from January to April 2011
7 day (6 nights) guided holiday on full board basis

This winter holiday week in Nellim in Finland’s Lapland is ideal for adventurous couples, families, individuals or groups of friends looking for an active holiday in real Lappish surroundings. See the Northern lights, meet the cute huskies, hop on a sled pulled by a reindeer, enjoy an exciting snowmobile drive, try out snowshoe walking, tobogganing, or just relax.

Wilderness Hotel Nellim is beautifully located next to Lake Inari, one of the deepest lakes in Scandinavia and only 6 miles from the Russian border. Area offers visitors the opportunity to experience the fascinating culture and life of the local Sámi people while enjoying exciting winter activities.  Hotel is located only 45 minutes’ drive from Ivalo Airport. Nellim offers accommodation is in cosy hotel rooms and in fully equipped holiday apartments.

Example itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Lapland

On arrival at Ivalo, the northernmost airport in Finland, you will be transferred to the Wilderness Hotel Nellim. The journey takes about 45 minutes. After settling into your hotel, dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.

Day 2 – Snowmobile safari to reindeer farm on Lake Inari

We will ride through the Arctic landscape around Lake Inari to a reindeer farm, where we learn about the reindeer and the life of a herdsman. We’ll take a short reindeer sled ride through the forest. Lunch will be served by an open fire during the safari. Duration of the safari is between 5 to 6 hours. Return to Nellim late in the afternoon with evening sauna and dinner.

Day 3 – Cross-country skiing and snowshoes

Today will be dedicated to cross-country skiing and snowshoe walking. Skiing tracks start near the hotel, and you will learn the basics of cross-country skiing with your guide. Lunch at the hotel restaurant. After lunch we will go for a short snow-shoe tour close to the hotel followed by a sauna and dinner.

Day 4 – Northern lights and local culture

Day 4 is free for your own activities, whether skiing or learning about the local Sámi culture. You can spend the day exploring local traditions. You can book a three-hour special programme of traditional activities – learn about local crafts, listen to old songs and enjoy seasonal dishes prepared from Lake Inari fish, reindeer and cloudberries.

The wooden Nellim Orthodox Church is also worth a visit. The Russian border is only a few miles away, and on the Paatsjoki Bridge you can see the towers guarding both sides of the border. After dinner it’s time to seek out the Northern lights. We’ll take a snowmobile tour to Aurora Borealis camp on Lake Inari. Duration of the evening visit is about 3 hours.

Day 5 – Driving snowmobiles

This 20-mile snowmobile safari begins with an introduction to the safari and safety information, after which you will drive through snowy forests to enjoy a picnic lunch on campfire and try your luck in ice-fishing. Duration of the safari is approximately 3 hours. Afternoon is free for your own activities with dinner and sauna at the hotel later in the evening.

Day 6 – Husky safari

After breakfast it’s time to meet the huskies. First you will be taught how to handle a sled, after which you will start the half-day husky safari in teams of 2 people and a dog.  A picnic lunch is served by the campfire. Day’s driving distance is just over 10 miles (17km).  Return to hotel with farewell dinner with Lappish specialities.

Day 7 – Leaving Lapland

After breakfast, it is time to say good-bye to Nellim. You will be transferred to Ivalo airport to take your return flight home back to the UK.

Prices

From London Heathrow: £1544 /adult (two sharing), £1164 /child (4-12 years when sharing a room with two adults)
From Manchester: £1554 /adult (two sharing), £1174 /child (4-12 years when sharing a room with two adults)

What is included in the price?

• Scheduled return flights from London Heathrow or Manchester to Ivalo airport
• Transfers from/to Ivalo airport
• Accommodation in twin rooms in Wilderness Hotel Nellim
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner on daily basis
• Programme as described (when using snowmobiles, 2 persons share one snowmobile)
• Thermal clothing

Please ask for a price for

• Single supplement
• Shorter duration
• Package without flights

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is not included in your holiday cost. It is strongly recommended that insurance be taken out to protect you and your group against any unforeseen insurable events.