Your transfers will be ready and waiting to take you to the Wilderness Hotel Inari, just 40 minutes away from the airport.

True to its name, this hotel is the epitome of a winter wilderness escape. You’ll be high above the Arctic Circle, in prime Northern Lights viewing territory and overlooking the impressive frozen Lake Inari – your playground for the first four nights.

Upon arrival, you’ll receive cold weather clothing to use for the duration of your stay at the hotel.

You’ll spend your first evening having dinner in the restaurant which features glorious views, roaring log fires and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake giving you a clear view of the pitch-black night sky, so you’ll never miss an Aurora display.

Following breakfast, it’s time to head out into the winter wilderness and explore your surroundings.

Snowmobiling is a thrilling and common form of transport here and allows you to glide over the glistening snow to reach some incredible vantage points. During this two-hour activity, you’ll receive a full safety briefing and lesson before heading out over the frozen lake. You must be over 18 years old and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile.

This afternoon will be left free to relax or book additional activities (or pop into the glass roofed hotel sauna overlooking the lake!) at reception. Late afternoon you will meet your guide for an introduction to the Northern Lights workshop to find out more about some of the fascinating science behind an Auroral display. Following dinner, you can practise what you’ve learned. A guide will lead you to one of the dedicated Aurora camps set up here to get you to the best local lookout points. They’ll provide you with warm drinks and expert knowledge to allow you to learn more about the science behind Mother Nature’s light show as well as gathering tips on the best ways to capture the Northern Lights on camera. All you need to do is keep your eye on that dark night sky.

The village of Inari is the capital of the Sámi culture in Finnish Lapland, so this morning, you will visit the Sámi Siida Museum and learn more about the indigenous culture of the region. The museum was completely renovated in 2020-21 and is now home to several permanent exhibits about the Aurora Borealis and historic life in this region of Finland for the Sámi people. Along with some other temporary exhibits which we have always found to be extremely interesting.

Tonight, your guide will lead you on a snowshoe hike that will take you through the untouched landscape to campfire site while you scan the dark skies above. Your new footwear will help you walk on top of thick coverings of snow with ease, so you can take in the wintery scenes around you and if conditions are favourable, the Northern Lights above you

We have left today free after an action packed first few days. Additional activities can either be booked in advance with our travel experts or locally at reception (subject to availability). Equipment hire, including snowshoes and cross country skis are also possible to arrange if you would like to explore the vast frozen Lake Inari at your own pace.  The guided activities are always great fun but there is a lot to be said in experiencing the total peace and tranquillity just a few moments’ walk from the hotel. All your meals are included today in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, the second part of your holiday begins. Following a very scenic one-hour drive, you’ll arrive at the famous Northern Lights Village for a truly stylish way to end your time in the Arctic.

You’ll spend your remaining three nights in a glass-roofed Aurora Cabin so that every night, you’ll have unobstructed views of the sky from the comfort of your bed. Upon arrival, you’ll receive your cold weather clothing. 

This afternoon, you will take part in a one hour Aurora Photography Workshop with an expert instructor who is extremely experienced in capturing the ultimate souvenir from your Northern Lights Holiday – a picture of the Aurora dancing overhead. The guide will assist you in utilising all the little-understood settings and features of your camera which are necessary in getting a great Northern Lights Photo. Please note that you will need to bring your own equipment (camera, ideally SLR, and a tripod).
You’ll then return to your cabin for the night and with any luck, you’ll see the Northern Lights whilst tucked up in your duvet.

Though the Auroras won’t shine during the daytime, the wonders of the Arctic most certainly will.

After breakfast, you’ll tick off another must-do winter activity and see even more of your wilderness surroundings during a 10 kilometre husky safari (approximately one hour). Working with your team of dogs, you’ll get an insight into life as a musher during this much-loved Arctic activity. You will travel two people per sled and the activity lasts for approximately two and a half hours in total including briefing.

Following dinner, you’ll settle into a heated sleigh pulled behind the guide’s snowmobile through the snowy landscape to the top of a nearby fell. Far away from residential areas and artificial light pollution to give yourself peak Aurora viewing opportunity. Your guide will light a fire and serve hot juice and the group will relax around the fire whilst keeping an eye skywards to hopefully enjoy a majestic display of the Northern Lights. You will be out for around three hours in total this evening.

There are few experiences as intrinsically linked as reindeer and Lapland. This morning you will go to the reindeer paddock in Northern Lights village for a short sleigh ride. You will get the chance to experience how Laplanders used to get around before snowmobiles came along. An invigorating ride through the snowy forest which normally takes around 25 minutes before you get the chance to ask the herders any questions you may have about these iconic animals and the vital role they played to the previous generations who settled in Northern Lapland.

After you have met the reindeer, the day is yours to spend how you please. You can relax in the village, or we have a range of optional activities you can book to include even more in your adventure.

After breakfast, it is, unfortunately, time for your Arctic Aurora adventure to come to an end.

If your flight time is early, we’ll box up breakfast for you before heading out on the 30-minute group transfer back to Ivalo Airport.