Nature holiday in Northern Finland – Get native in Lapland
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
After breakfast we get to know Nellim’s history. There will be an interesting slide show about the different seasons of Northern Lapland. The briefing is followed by a visit to the local beautiful wooden church in Nellim. We will also have the opportunity to stop at the Virtaniemi patrol station on the Russian border. After that our journey takes us to Paatsriver, home for many fascinating wild birds. Lunch is enjoyed by an open fire. Dinner is served in the evening at the hotel, where we also have a chance to take a traditional Finnish sauna.
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
We take a coach trip to Northern Norway and stop on the way to Sami museum Siida and the Northern Lapland Nature Centre in Inari. We will learn how nature and people have adapted to the extreme conditions of the Northern environment. Wonderful photographs, videos, sounds and original artefacts guide you through the seasons and the past.
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
Terrain Excursion to Tsarmi fell, a trekking journey of approximately 4 hours with a guide. Tsarmi is a real wilderness area without any hiking trails. It offers amazing scenery and we have a chance to see wild birds, and perhaps even bears, in their natural environment. We take our lunch by a campfire and return back to the Wilderness Hotel Nellim. In the afternoon we have plenty of time for our own activities before dinner and sauna.
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.
