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finland | kittila - lapland in a nutshell

family activity holidays / winter adventure / kittila - lapland in a nutshell

Kittila - Lapland in a Nutshell        set your own pulse rating         nights: 3
adults from £1,195
children from £845

what's included:

  • Flights from London Heathrow to Kittila (via Helsinki)
  • Return airport transfers
  • 3 nights hotel
  • Full board
  • Reindeer farm and safari . snowmobile safari . husky safari . entrance and tour of Lainio Snow Village
  • Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
  • Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors
  • NB.  A full driving license is required to drive a snowmobile in Finland.
 

overview

Kittila is situated 200km north of the Arctic Circle and surrounded by a seemingly limitless winter wilderness.  We defy even the most seasoned traveller not to feel a twinge of excitement and anticipation as the plane descends into Kittila Airport.

On arrival at Kittila airport you will have the joyous feeling of turning in the opposite direction to the crowds heading off to the more commercial areas of Lapland and boarding our minibus for you very short transfers to Kittila town.

The town is a traditional, functional Lappish community.  It retains its identity and therefore its authentic charm.  Here you will get to experience the real Lapland, the real people and a true arctic wilderness.

Here in the heart of North West Lapland you will find yourself immersed in a vast winter landscape.  There is no better way to explore than in the company if ab experienced guide and during our holidays you will be led by the best guides and experience some incredible activities.

suitable for

Anybody aged 10 years or over

our opinion

Welcome to Fell Lapland - the real Fell Lapland.  Parts of this region have been given over to skiing and, pleasant as they are, the larger centres such as Levi and Yllas are beginning to feel like ski resorts anywhere else in Europe.  The skiing and snow is great but to experience everyday Lapland life then Kittila is the place to be.  It is a working town surrounded by an untamed wilderness which is just waiting to be explored.

agenda

Friday

Flights, arrivals and introductions

Your action packed adventure starts right now!  You will be greeted at Kittila Airport and take the short transfer to Hotel Kittila.  You check in to your cosy rooms and head to the restaurant for a welcome dinner.  Afterwards you are kitted out in all your thermal clothing and get to test it straight away with a walk in the Arctic night.

Saturday

Snowmobiles and Reindeer

After a hearty breakfast you will meet with your wilderness guide, it is time to hit the trails on snowmobiles.  You will be given full driving tuition and safety instruction before heading out from the hotel to a local reindeer farm.  You will drive through snowy forests over magnificent frozen lakes and will visit one of the highest peaks in the area, Levi Fell.

At the reindeer farm you will learn about the life of the Lappish reindeer herders and be taken on a 12 km safari, a delightful experience.  An open fire and traditional 'Lappish burgers' are waiting for you on your return!

You then head back onto the trail for the exhilerating snowmobile trip back to Kittila having driven around 55kms. On arrival at the hotel the sauna is waiting for you and dinner will be served in the restaurant.  An ideal first day in Lapland!

Sunday

Huskies and the Snowcastle

After breakfast you will be given  a driving lesson that you will never forget - dog sleds don't work in quite the same way as cars!  You will be given full instruction of how to handle a team of dogs before you get to take the reins and head out onto the snow covered trails.  Your huskies may sound like manic creatures prior to departure but as soon as you set off they fall silent and all that can be heard is the noise of the sled being pulled through the snow.  There really is no better way to travel and no better destination for a dog sled safari than Lainio Snow Village!

On arrival at Lainio (the biggest Snow Castle in the Nordic regions) you will be given a tour of the Castle, giving you plenty of time to marvel at the buildings which are entirely constructed of snow.  You will have a hearty lunch before driving your dog team back to the husky farm having driven approximately 10km.

In the afternoon you have time to relax in the sauna, explore the village or try another activity such as cross country skiing, the choice is entirely yours.  A farewell dinner will be served in the evening giving you the chance to try some Lappish delicacies.

Monday

Departure, transfers and flights

Your weekend has sadly come to an end and it is time to head back to the airport for your return flights.  This will be the first opportunity you have had to reflect on all that you have seen and done in the last three days.

accommodation

The Hotel - Kittila

Life is about choice and here in Lapland you have a decision to make. On arrival at Kittila Airport you can jump on one of the large tour operator buses and head for the ski resorts of Yllas and Levi which dubs itself 'The official supplier of Santa Claus'. Yup, even the big guy in red has an 'official supplier' these days.  Alternatively, you can get in our minivan for the 5km transfer to the small Lappish town of Kittila.

The beauty of Kittila is that it retains its identity, it is a typical Lappish town.  It has not been built to attract mass tourism and hordes of skiers. Nor has it sold its soul to Santa.

Here in the heart of North West Lapland you will find yourself immersed in a vast winter landscape. And what better way to explore than in the company of a qualified wilderness guide?

Your week will be spent driving huskies and reindeer, snowmobiling to Lainio's remarkable Snow Village and indulging in the most popular of Nordic winter sports, cross-country skiing.

Our hotel is just five minutes from Kittila Airport so there are no lengthy transfers when you arrive. This is a small family-run establishment with just 37 rooms and offers a warm welcome and a convivial atmosphere.

All the bedrooms are comfortably furnished and have an en-suite shower and toilet room. For relaxation you can take advantage of the small indoor swimming pool and the sauna (particularly popular after a day in sub-zero temperatures) as well as visiting Pilots Bar for pre- (and post) dinner drinks.

The restaurant offers a good range of Lappish and international dishes with a varied salad buffet on offer prior to your main course. On Thursdays it is traditional to have pea and ham soup in Lapland and, whatever you do, make sure you try it here. Delicious, flavoursome and perfect for insulating yourself against the Arctic cold.

Possibly the best thing about this hotel however is the staff. Nothing is too much trouble and they aim to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

prices & availability

To discuss your options with someone who’s been to the destination, or to check availability before you book your flights please contact us on 01670 789 991.

Available     Limited places     Unavailable

tour price (per person)

depart fromdepart toadult under 1 availability
08/01/201011/01/2010£1,195 £845
15/01/201018/01/2010£1,195 £845
22/01/201025/01/2010£1,195 £845
29/01/201001/02/2010£1,195 £845
05/02/201008/02/2010£1,195 £845
12/02/201015/02/2010£1,295 £895
19/02/201022/02/2010£1,295 £895
26/02/201001/03/2010£1,195 £845
05/03/201008/03/2010£1,195 £845
12/03/201015/03/2010£1,195 £845
19/03/201022/03/2010£1,195 £845
26/03/201029/03/2010£1,195 £845
02/04/201005/04/2010£1,295 £895
09/04/201012/04/2010£1,295 £895

Adult (over 14) price per person based on 2 adults sharing.

Child (10 to 14 ) prices based on sharing with 2 adults.

Supplements:

Manchester departures (per person)
£40
Single occupancy
£120
Single snowmobile
£40
Departure Date Children (10-14)
Sharing with 1 adult
08, 15, 22 & 29 Jan 10 £945
05 Feb 10 £945
12 & 19 Feb 10 £995
26 Feb 10 £945
05, 12, 19 & 26 Mar 10 £945
02 & 09 Apr 10 £995

responsible travel

Tourism in Finnish Lapland has become the main income source of employment and income replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Development from a period of extractive industry to an industrial society has come about quickly. In 1950 the largest part of Lapland's inhabitants lived in rural areas and more than half the workforce worked in forestry and agriculture. Today 65 % of the workforce are in the service industry, 22 % in processing and 10 % in primary production.

This huge growth in tourism and service provision has been developed in conjunction with a long-term sustainable tourism plan with one of the primary objectives being to maintain nature in its natural state while guaranteeing the traditional way of life. Much of this has been achieved along with membership of EU development programmes, aimed at diversifying sources of livelihood, effective usage of resources and to increase export.

Approximately a quarter of Lapland's 100 000 strong workforce was unemployed in 1997. Promoting entrepreneurship, ongoing re-education of the workforce and development of the educational system to suit the needs of enterprises is continuing. The target is to diversify the sources of livelihood, increase the value of refinement production and develop new enterprises particularly in the area of tourism. National measures as well as EU-programme measures support this objective.

We embrace this philosophy, employing local activity providers and using only locally owned hotels. In this manner we help to maintain jobs in an area where unemployment was, until recently, very high. Additionally, the use of local suppliers ensures that the tourism spend filters through to local economies via the tourism multiplier effect.