We know...
This holiday is designed to introduce you to the most popular Nordic activities. None of the safaris are particularly long so the holiday is suitable for just about anybody regardless of age and fitness. The choice of mostly half day activities also gives you the opportunity to enjoy Luosto's ski slopes or simply muck about in the snow.
Nestling in the fells of Central Lapland is the unspoilt village of Luosto. Located 90 minutes north of the Arctic Circle this small ski resort offers an intimate encounter with the wilderness of Lapland but from a family perspective.
First class activities and accommodation are coupled with a stunning natural environment – The local ski slopes are great for beginners and will also provide good entertainment for more experienced skiers.
You know...
"We thought it might be a bit rushed being a taster week with lots of activities, but found we had plenty to time to relax, explore and not feel pressured.
The fact that everything was in the local area and didn't require daily long coach journeys was ideal. We saw many tour buses come and go with a lot of stressed looking people, whilst we wandered along to our activities without a care in the world.
I normally avoid package holidays like the plague; this has been the exception to my own rule - 5 stars!" Geoff Beresford - December 2009
Suitable for
Anybody aged 18 years or over.
Duration: 6 or 7 nights
Day 1: Flights, arrivals and introduction
You will be greeted on arrival in Finland and transferred to your accommodation in Luosto. On arrival, you will meet your representative who will brief you about your stay.
Day 2: Ice fishing
This morning you have free time to explore Luosto. In the afternoon you will be taken in a snowmobile drawn sleigh to a local ice fishing spot. The perfect introduction to Finnish Lapland.
Day 3: Snowmobile safari to the amethyst mine
Riding a snowmobile is thrilling and today you will be given full instruction before heading to the top of Lampivaara Fell, home of the Luosto amethyst mine. You will learn about the stones and have the opportunity to dig for your very own amethyst. A real ‘gem’ of a day (ha ha).
Day 4: Cross country skiing
You will be given full instruction before hitting the trails on your cross country skis. The equipment is yours for the day so you can practice your new found skills.
Day 5: Visit to a reindeer park
You have free time this morning before being transferred by car to a local reindeer park. You will learn about the animal’s importance to the region and go for a short sleigh ride.
Day 6: Huskies and Aurora snowshoe trek
Husky safaris are a must do in Lapland. You will be given full instruction on how to handle a sled before heading off onto the trail for a short husky safari.
Tonight you’ll be guided on a snowshoe search for the Northern Lights. You will head to a spot deep in the forest, ideal for viewing the Aurora should they appear but magical regardless.
Day 7: Free day or departure (6 nights duration)
For those people travelling on dates which are 6 nights in duration, it is time to say goodbye to Finland. For those staying 7 nights you can fill your free day with a range of additional activities (payable locally) or perhaps hit Luosto’s ski slopes.
Day 8: Departure, transfers and flights (7 nights duration)
Available
Limited places
On request
Getting there
Flight Information
Flights vary depending on departure date and are based on direct charter flights from Gatwick to Kittila except:
* 7 nights duration with scheduled flights from Heathrow to Rovaniemi (via Helsinki)
** 6 nights duration with scheduled flights from Heathrow to Rovaniemi (via Helsinki)
Please note: Christmas, New Year and February half term dates are 6 nights due to unavailability of direct flights. We have to use more expensive scheduled flights via Helsinki which are unavailable for 7 night options.
Tourism in Finnish Lapland has become the main source of employment and income, replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Working within this growth industry in rural and remote areas means that we must take a great deal of responsibility; socially, environmentally and economically.
We fully appreciate the impact of tourist visits on local communities and their residents and strive to ensure that we are having a positive effect. We always encourage all of our clients to respect and embrace the lives and culture of local inhabitants by learning a few important words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you etc.
We have also included activities with a cultural base in our holiday. In addition, we always encourage our clients to get involved in local events and activities which help to sustain traditional values and customs.
In all of our destinations we ensure that we use local suppliers, enabling locally owned businesses and the economies in which they work to benefit directly.
Our suppliers in Luosto provide a vital source of employment throughout the whole region. The restaurant serves as much local produce as possible. Many of our safaris in Luosto also utilise other local enterprises such as the amethyst mine and the remote smoke sauna and restaurant we use in one of our activities is the primary income for a local couple.
Through the tourism multiplier effect, this all helps to generate incomes and employment where the drift might otherwise be towards larger employment areas such as towns and cities. In a small and remote village such as Luosto the effects of such a drift could be devastating.
The use of small businesses means that the tourism income, generated by our presence, stays where it should, in the local economy. We firmly believe in paying a fair price for all the services provided by our suppliers regardless of where they are in the world.
Our holidays rely on visiting beautiful and un-spoilt areas, and they don't come more un- spoilt than Luosto. Naturally we wish to maintain the natural settings in which we work, not just for the future of our company, but also for future generations. We always insist that our local providers are equally conscious of this.
The wooden chalets that we use as accommodation are built using sustainable timbers and are all extremely well insulated to ensure maximum efficiency.
We do appreciate that some may feel that snowmobiles should not be included in such itineraries however in areas such as Luosto they are a way of life. They are the only means of keeping in contact with remote reindeer herders and communities as the road infrastructure is not extensive.
All trails are well managed. The alternatives to snowmobiles would in most cases be large, gas-guzzling off road vehicles. All snowmobiles are regularly serviced and kept as fuel efficient as possible. Our suppliers also utilise new 4-stroke engines that are less polluting.
The snowmobile service industry is also another vital source of employment in these remote areas. We always ensure that all litter is removed from any of our activity sites, we strongly encourage group transfers to reduce traffic volumes and we make our clients aware of their obligation to the environment.
We always offset our air travel emissions and would encourage you to do the same.