Welcome to Rovaniemi - Santa's Official Home Town in Lapland! Experience Christmas above the Arctic Circle with some great winter activities, and meet Santa himself, all on this family adventure. This tour offers hotel accommodation in Rovaniemi.
"We booked the Christmas adventure in 2017. It was an amazing experience. Each activity was exciting and fun. Front office staff was very helpful. I would highly recommend this package. It made the holidays magical." - R. Giddings, 2018
Itinerary
23 December Rovaniemi Arrival
Arrive at Rovaniemi and transfer to your hotel. On the way, stop at the safari office, where you will be fitted with outer thermal gear - overalls, hat, boots, socks and gloves - which is yours to use for the duration of the tour. Take a walk around Rovaniemi and explore the stores and shops for some last minute Christmas shopping. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.
24 December Reindeer Farm Visit & Sleigh Ride, Tree Decoration and Christmas Eve Festive Dinner
This morning enjoy a fantastic trip to a local reindeer farm. First we meet the reindeer herders, who will be showing off their finest traditional Lapp clothing. After learning about the role of reindeer in local culture, enjoy a short reindeer sleigh ride, travelling through the snowy forests. After a light lunch, served in a large tepee with a warm fire inside, it's time to help decorate a real Christmas tree at the farm. In the evening, there is a wonderful traditional Finnish Christmas buffet. The whole family will enjoy an authentic, northern yuletide atmosphere and after dinner, Santa Claus comes to visit, giving each person a small present.
25 December City Tour, Santa Claus Village Visit and Northern Lights Hunt
It is Christmas morning! Perhaps start with a leisurely morning walk to admire the snowy landscapes, then enjoy a guided tour of the sights in charming Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland and Santa's Official Home Town. This is a real Christmas city and along the way, you will see the Christmas lights, decorations and other sights including the ski jumps and rivers. The tour ends at Santa Claus Village where, after Crossing the Arctic Circle, everyone receives a certificate to commemorate this happy event. Next up, we meet Santa in his office and have the chance to send cards with a special Arctic Circle postmark from Santa's own Post Office. There are some great souvenirs and local handicrafts for sale here, plus plenty of time to enjoy the village's many charms and fun activities on your own. You could meet Santa's reindeer, visit the Snowmobile Museum or go to Snowman World (entrances not included). After dinner tonight, we head out on a hunt for the legendary Northern Lights. With some good luck and a helping hand from Mother Nature, you can admire this beautiful and truly unique natural phenomena. A fire inside a tepee nearby will keep you warm, as you experience some unique Finnish shamanism, courtesy of your host. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.
26 December Boxing Day Fun in the Snow: Husky Safari and Snowmobiling
Boxing Day in Lapland is traditionally a day for having outdoor fun. First, we transfer to a local husky farm, to meet the happy huskies and their owners. Here you can enjoy an easy, 1hr husky sled ride into the snowy forest. A light lunch will be served during the day. Afterwards, it's time for a briefing and driving lesson, in preparation for snowmobile driving. On this safari through the snowy wilderness forest, you can drive or sit as a passenger (2 persons share each snowmobile). Small children sit safely in sleighs pulled by the guide's snowmobile. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.
27 December Rovaniemi Departure
Arrangements end with your transfer to the airport.
2024 departure: 23 December **SOLD OUT**
Notes:
Some excursions subject to minimum age and height requirements.
Accommodation options:
Hotel Aakenus a family hotel located in a peaceful area adjacent to Rovaniemi town centre. The hotel has a restaurant, lobby bar, sauna and complimentary WiFi. 1 child up to 15 years of age can share a room with 2 adults and will sleep on a sofa bed, at a reduced rate.
Scandic Pohjanhovi is a hotel located in Rovaniemi town centre on the banks of the Kemijoki river. The hotel has a swimming pool, restaurant, lobby bar, sauna, lift, complimentary WiFi and ironing room. Up to 2 children under 15 years of age can share a room with 2 adults and will sleep on a sofa bed, at a reduced rate.
Snowmobile Safaris: To drive a snowmobile you must have a valid driving license and be 18years of age or over. If your group has an odd number of adults, one adult must drive solo and pay a supplement. Children over 140cm in height may sit as a passenger behind an adult driver who is a relative or friend. Children under 140cm in height sit in a sled pulled by the guide's snowmobile. Children under 2yrs are not permitted on snowmobile safaris. Please note in the event of extreme weather or poor trail conditions, small children may not be allowed to participate in safaris. The guide has the discretion to decide who may sit on a snowmobile driven by adults and who must sit in the guide's sled.
Husky Safaris: Children under 18 years usually travel in one big sled driven by the guide. During the shorter safaris a maximum of 2 adults + 2 children may be permitted to share one sled driven by the adults. During the longer safaris 2 adults usually drive each sled in pairs and all children sit together in one big sled driven by the guide. The guide has the discretion to decide who may or may sit in a sled driven by adults and who must sit in the guide's sled for all safaris. Children under 2 are not permitted on husky safaris. Please note in the event of extreme weather or poor trail conditions small children may not be allowed to participate in safaris.
