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.

The wilderness hotel in Nellim is owned and run by the Lappalainen family, whose Sámi routes have been in this area for centuries. They have a strong sense of tradition and we encourage all of our clients to respect and embrace the lives and culture of all Nellim’s local inhabitants by learning a few important words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you etc. We have also included activities with a cultural base. 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 accommodation, transport and activity providers, enabling locally owned businesses and the economies in which they work to benefit directly. The hotel in Nellim also serves as much local produce as possible and stocks locally made souvenirs. 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 Nellim the effects of such a drift could be devastating.

The use of small family run hotels and 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 Nellim. 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 will always insist that our local providers are equally conscious of this need.

We do appreciate that some may feel that snowmobiles should not be included in such itineraries however in areas such as Nellim 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. 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.

Thursday: Flights, transfers, dinner and Aurora Camp stake out

A day which starts with the hustle and bustle of London’s Heathrow Airport will end in a remote family run hotel more than 200km north of the Arctic Circle. But that’s not all. Sometime around midnight you’ll find yourself at an Aurora Camp gazing skywards while being fortified by warm soup. Don’t worry, you can have a lie in tomorrow morning.

Friday: Snowmobile driving lesson, snow shoes, ice fishing and Aurora snowmobile safari

After a leisurely morning, you will receive full instruction and a safety briefing on snowmobiles during a driving lesson. This afternoon you will be provided with snowshoes and your guide will lead you off the beaten tracks to explore the terrain on foot. 

Snowshoes allow you to go just about anywhere and you should be able to see footprints in the snow that betray the presence of the local wildlife. You will also get the opportunity to catch your own dinner with a spot of ice fishing. Tonight you will head back into the darkness on snowmobiles and try to search out the Aurora Borealis.

Saturday: Lake Inari husky safari and Aurora Camp

Today you will harness up your dog sleds and take the reins for a safari on the thick ice of frozen Lake Inari. Your nights at the Aurora Camp will seem like a dream as the stunning white expanse of Inari unfolds before you today. Your safari will last for approximately four hours and includes lunch by an open fire. After dinner and some time to relax it’s back to Lake Inari for your secondstake out at the Aurora Camp.

Sunday: Snowmobiles, reindeer and glass igloo

You’ll commence after breakfast by jumping on the snowmobiles and speeding towards a local reindeer farm where you’ll have the opportunity to take the reins for a short circuit in a reindeer pulled sledge. After lunch you’ll head back to Nellim to collect your luggage before transferring to Kakslauttenen where your remarkable overnight accommodation awaits.

The Kakslauttenen Igloo Village enjoys a thoroughly well deserved reputation for the sheer uniqueness of its accommodation, most notably the glass igloos, which allow you to sleep under the Lapp sky hopefully admiring the Northern Lights. And, it’s all at a comfortable room temperature. The experience is equally unforgettable when there is a snowstorm. 

The glass igloos have been built from a very special thermo glass which guarantees that inside the igloo it is always a normal room temperature. It also prevents the glass from not frosting over hence keeping the view clear even when the temperature drops under -30c. To increase your comfort each igloo has a luxury bed and a discreet toilet.

Monday: Airport transfers and flight

This holiday is specifically designed to enhance your chances of experiencing the Northern Lights.  

Your base will be the homely Nellim hotel and Apartments and from there, we will head out to some of the best Aurora viewing spots anywhere in Western Europe. One of these is our very own Aurora Camp situated on an island amidst the endless frozen ice of mystical Lake Inari.

It's a remote place far from any artificial light pollution making it the perfect spot to gaze skywards in wonderment.  And don't worry about the cold, we'll provide you with thermal outfits, a blazing fire and plenty of warm soup and drinks to keep the midnight chills at bay.  The time passes swiftly in such a remarkable place!

 Suitable for anybody aged 18 years or over.