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

Snowmobile safari

Prices from £1464
Travel period:  January – April, 2010
Duration 5 days, 4 nights

Join us for a Lapland safari that takes you all the way to the Arctic Ocean! In this 5-day programme, you get to drive through snow-covered forests and wilderness all the way to the Arctic Ocean and Norwegian Lapland. You will learn about the history of Sami culture, stay at the northernmost winter resort in Finland and enjoy the marvellous scenery of the north.

The snowmobile safari starts from Ivalo, located 250 kilometres north of Arctic Circle and 196 kilometres south of the Norwegian border. During the trip you can admire the beautiful landscapes, have lunches by a campfire and relax in the snowy and peaceful atmosphere. In the evening you will drive to a local reindeer farm to enjoy a Lappish dinner and sauna with an overnight stay in a cosy log cabin.

Driving distance for each day during the safari is proximately 110-170 kilometres. After the 3-day snowmobile safari, you will be guided back to your accommodation in the winter resort of Saariselkä for your final night of stay. This active break combines an arctic adventure with a two night’s comfortable stay at the Saariselkä Tunturi Hotel. You can relax by the largest wilderness area in Europe, visit the most northern spa in Europe, and try winter activities from ice-fishing to downhill skiing and even ice-karting. Located in the municipality of Inari, Saariselkä also offers you the chance to get acquainted with the fascinating culture of Inari Sami, the indigenous population of the northernmost Finland.

Example itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival to Lapland

Upon arrival to Ivalo airport, bus transfer to Saariselkä resort for your first night of stay. Check-in to the Tunturi Hotel apartment with en-suite facilities, kitchenette, and private sauna. During your first evening, you can enjoy local cuisine in the several restaurants on offer, experience Lappish evening entertainment, or search for the Northern lights with a short evening snowmobile excursion.

Day 2 - The safari begins

You will be picked up from your apartment and given full thermal clothing and driving equipment with an introduction to the safari. Ride through the snowy forests and icy landscapes towards Sevettijärvi begins at 9.00. On the way, you will stop on the Lake Inari to visit the island of Kärppäsaari, and have a light lunch by a camp fire. After the driving distance of approximately 170 kilometres, overnight will be spent in a local reindeer farm with dinner and sauna.

Day 3 – To the Arctic Ocean

Safari continues towards Norway and the village of Neiden with only 250 residents. The village is situated by the Ocean, and is known for its fascinating Sami culture and for the Neiden River, one of the best salmon fishing rivers in Norway.

You will have lunch in Neiden Fjellstue, a reindeer herders’ lodge located on an old trade route with a history dating back to 1876. Fjellstue offers an excellent setting for a lunch next to the Arctic Ocean, River Neiden and the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon, trip continues back towards Sevettijärvi reindeer farm for an evening dinner, sauna and overnight. Driving distance on this day is approximately 120 kilometres.

Day 4 - Back to Ivalo

The last day of safari will take you back to Saariselkä via Inari village. With the driving distance of 120 kilometres, there are plenty of scenic stops on the way with a coffee break by a camp fire. In the afternoon, you will be guided to your Saariselkä apartment with a free evening for your own activities.

Day 5 – Good bye Lapland

Bus transfer back to Ivalo airport for your flight back to the UK.

Prices 

Heathrow from £1464 / person, Manchester from £1494 / person

Price includes

Scheduled return flights from London Heathrow or Manchester to Ivalo, bus transfers from/to Ivalo airport, 2 nights in Saariselkä Tunturihotel apartment with breakfast (2 sharing), 2 night snowmobile safari to the Arctic Ocean with full safari equipment, cabin accommodation and full board

Included safari equipment:  snowmobile/person, fuel, full safari gear (overall, helmet, baklava, boots and mittens), guide’s services, insurance, insurance excess being 500 Euros

Booking conditions: Booking requires minimum of 4 people, participants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid driving licence in order to drive their own snowmobile during the safari

Not included: Optional excursions in Saariselkä (pdf)

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.

Hiking in the scenic Eastern Finland

Prices from £1359 per person 
Full board guided 9 day tour
Departures in May and August

Programme

Day 1 – Arrival
You will arrive at Kajaani airport where you’ll meet your local guide. Transfer to a hotel in Kajaani.

Day 2 – 11.5 miles
Breakfast and transfer (about 2 hrs) to Särkkä cottage where we start our hiking tour towards Martinselkonen Wilderness Centre. The largest part of the route follows the long smooth top of a ridge. At the halfway point we come to the frontier zone and also reach the “blue path” which we will be following for the majority of the following days. Accommodation and sauna in a former frontier guard station.

Day 3 – 10 miles
After a hearty breakfast we carry on the tour, hiking through the Martinselkonen nature reserve towards Arola farm where we will be welcomed by friendly hosts. The nature reserve has been set up to protect Finnish wilderness, especially swamp areas. This area is important for many birds and insects as the normal Finnish forest industry does not reach these nature reserve areas. Martinselkonen has watery mires and small lakes, old forests with spruce trees draped in beard lichen. A special dinner made from local ingredients will be served after a sauna bath.

Day 4 – 12 miles
Today we head northwards along the Russian border. The close proximity of the Russian border adds something rather exciting and exotic to the atmosphere of the area. The border guard towers, the border zone, and the view over the Russian side is an experience in itself. We stop for a picnic at one of the wilderness huts operated by the Finnish Forest and Park Service. An open fire will be burning, and hot coffee brewed. Accommodation is in tents on the shore of Lake Kovajärvi.

Day 5 – 15 miles
Today’s wild landscape is home to a healthy wolverine population, and although these secretive predators are seldom seen, we may come across their tracks. Swans and cranes can be spotted on the lakes and mires as we pass by. There are many swamp areas, but they are easily crossed, using wooden planks. The surrounding forest has an abundance of vegetation such as blueberries, lingonberries and mushrooms. The blueberry season is at its best in August and can provide fresh snacks for hikers. Accommodation is provided in the twin rooms of Hotel Hossan Lomakeskus.

Day 6 – 8 miles
After the longest hiking day we take it easy today and receive a wake-up call rather later than usual. The trek continues along the paths of the Hossa recreational area. Hossa is known for its crystal-clear lakes and handsome pine heath lands. It is also known locally as a “fisherman’s paradise”. We will stop for the lunch at the visitor centre and have a look at the exhibition which tells about the nature and history of the surrounding area. Accommodation for the remaining three nights is at Tolosenvirta cabin where the lakeside sauna will be heated every night.

Day 7
For a change, we make a canoeing trip on the lakes and rivers nearby our accommodation. We will use open Indian canoes and all the necessary equipment, including life vests, will be provided. The tour will be on still water on a couple of lakes linked by small rivers. Reindeer are a common sight in Hossa and occasionally elks can also be seen. For those ones who prefer to stay on land there are plenty of well-marked hiking trails to explore in the area.

Day 8
On the last day of our tour we will visit Julma-Ölkky canyon lake and take a 30 minute boat trip to look at the cliffs. From here it is a 4km hike to the “Colour Rock” with rock paintings dating back 4,000 years. After picnic lunch we take a final hike of between 4 and 14 km. A sauna and farewell dinner will be given at the Tolosenvirta cabin.

Day 9
After breakfast we transfer to Kuusamo airport (100 km).

Package prices

From Heathrow, starting from: £1359 /per person when two sharing a room
From Manchester, starting from: £1399 /per person when two sharing a room

Guaranteed departure dates during summer 2010:
27.5.2010
14.8.2010
21.8.2010

What is included in the price?

• Finnair scheduled flights from London Heathrow or Manchester to Kajaani and from Kuusamo to London Heathrow
• Accommodation: in 2-4 person rooms on days 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8. There are no private facilities – showers and toilets are located in the corridor. On days 1 and 5, the accommodation is in twin/double hotel rooms, and on day 4 in tents.
• Full-board (breakfast, lunch as a picnic, dinner)
• Transfers from Kajaani airport and to Kuusamo airport
• English speaking guide
• Canoe rental on day 7
• Mattresses and sleeping bags on day 4
• Bed linen on every day

Additional nights in Helsinki and/or Kajaani or Kuusamo available on request.

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 unforeseen insurable events.

Lapland is magical all year round

Prices from £ 1734 per person
Period: July – September (Departures on Saturdays)
All inclusive guided 8 day tour

We go hiking in the spectacular wild fells, canoeing on exiting but gentle Nellim Rapids and fishing with the opportunity to cook the catch in the evening. We have an overnight trip through northern Norway and the shores of the Arctic Ocean.

During the week we learn all about the fascinating Sámi culture and how nature and the people have adapted to the extreme conditions of the Northern environment. Our trip includes all the meals – some served in the forest by open fire!

Example itinerary

Day 1 – Into the wilderness
Departure from London Heathrow or Manchester in the morning, with flight connection from Helsinki to Ivalo. Arrival to Ivalo airport in the afternoon and transfer to Wilderness Hotel Nellim. Briefing about the program. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Coffee by the open fire

Day 3 – Lake Inari
On the third day we go to the Lake Inari for a relaxing day outdoors. We get to know the beautiful landscapes and wild islands. You can try fishing on the huge lake that is, according to a folk song, “as deep as it is long”, and go berry picking on shore.The Lake Inari is the largest fishing water in the whole of Lapland. Here you still have the opportunity to get to the fishing waters known only to the local Lapps.

The Orthodox Church in Nellim

Lunch is served by an open fire. The day continues back at the hotel with cooking the day’s delicious catch together. How often can you enjoy a dinner you caught and prepared from local, exotic ingredients?

Day 4 – Canoeing adventure on Nellim river

We go canoeing to the Nellim river, which in the old days was an important thoroughfare. The Nellim runs between magnificent sand ridges and wooded hills, with small rapids that are easy to navigate even for a beginner. Lunch is taken in the forest by an open fire. Dinner at the hotel and possibility to take a sauna.

Blue berries

In the evening, the trip continues towards Näätämö village where we have our dinner and enjoy a sauna. Accommodation in a cosy log cabin or an apartment. Next morning, after a buffet breakfast, our journey continues towards the Arctic Ocean and the town of Kirkenes. In Kirkenes, we have some time for shopping. The journey continues through beautiful coastal villages.

We return to the Nellim hotel, where we enjoy dinner and sauna.

Trekking in Lapland

Day 8 – Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Ivalo airport for the flight to Helsinki with connection to London Heathrow and Manchester airports.

Package prices

From London Heathrow:
starting from: £1734 /two people sharing a twin room, £1844 /single

From Manchester:
starting from: £1774 /two people sharing a twin room, £1884 /single

What is included in the price?

• Scheduled return flight from London Heathrow or Manchester
• 6 nights at Wilderness hotel Nellim
• 1 night at Näätämö village during a two-day trip to Arctic Ocean
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner on daily basis
• Transfers between Ivalo Airport and the hotel
• Excursions and activities as described
• Required equipment for fishing and canoeing

Travel Insurance

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