Adult price from £2,015pp
All prices include: flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, guided activities, cold weather clothing and guides; all as listed.
VISITING: Finland
BROCHURE CODE: 1488

Key facts

  • Duration:3 nights
  • Suitable for: Anybody aged 4 years or over (younger children may join the holiday, but may not be able to participate in all the activities). Please see terms for details
Download Holiday Overview Download Trip Notes

What's included?

  • Flights: Return flights from London to Ivalo (via Helsinki). Flight routes subject to change.
  • Transfers: return group airport transfers
  • Accommodation: 3 nights in a glass-roofed Aurora Cabin
  • Meals: half board
  • Activities: Searching for Father Christmas
  • Aurora alert service which you can set to alert you throughout the night or end at a specific time
  • Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
  • Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
  • 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners

'Winter Wonderland' is a term used frequently but you won’t find a more fitting phrase for the Northern Lights Village in Finland. Sitting north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll feel like you’ve walked through the wardrobe and into Narnia.

What’s even better is the location. You’re within walking distance of the resort of Saariselkä and all of its facilities, but you’ll still get the full experience of a winter escape.

This short break is ideal for the festive period and what better way to get in the spirit than a meeting with Father Christmas himself. Rather than standing in a long queue to see the man in red, a friendly elf will take you, one family, at a time on a magical sleigh ride. Here, you’ll search for the lights of Father Christmas’s cabin and once you find it, your family will have a private meeting with him and will even receive a small gift to take with you!     

What makes this break extra special is the place you’ll call home. Your glass-roofed accommodation is an Aurora cabin in the snow-covered wilderness, giving you incredible views of the night sky. As you’ll be in Northern Lights territory, you could see the amazing light show right from your bed. Kids will love the excuse to stay up late and you won’t be able to resist looking up at the sky and searching for the lights.

Saariselka itself is just 1000m away and offers lots for families as well as some excellent downhill skiing. We also offer plenty of fun-filled activities to add to your time away. This short festive break in the Northern Lights Village is a convenient, yet perfect location for you and your family to create many once-in-a-lifetime memories together.

interreg Nord 2016 ENG RGB 002

Image credits: Eerikki Rundgren, Markku Inkila, Matt Robinson
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Included in price

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Our pick

  • Aurora Camp by the Lake

    Venturing out into a dark wilderness in search of the Aurora is an enticing prospect. You will travel via bus with a sense of anticipation and excitement. The hunt in itself is an experience, but the captivating landscapes are ethereal and enchanting during the night hours. Your guide will build a fire by the shore of the frozen lake, where you can enjoy some hot drinks and snacks whilst gazing up at the night sky. Keep an eye out for flickers of colour, for if the ‘Green Lady’ appears then you are likely to be treated to a spectacular dance. 

    Read more

    Duration: approximately 3 hours

    Availability: Monday - Sunday at 8pm (please note that the time may vary throughout the season)

    Minimum age: 4 years and over

    Group size: 1 - 24 approximately


    Photography by Markku Inkila
    From £114 per adult
    From £57 per child

Other options

  • Aurora Hunting by Heated Sleigh

    A Narnia-esque winter wonderland awaits as you journey by snowmobile-pulled sleigh up into the snow-covered fells surrounding Saariselkä.

    Your guide will make an open fire where you can enjoy a hot drink and snacks and listen to tales about the Aurora, before hopefully experiencing a captivating show. The lack of light pollution and the location of The Northern Lights Village at the heart of the Aurora Zone are ideal for Auroral activity.

    Read more about this activity

    Duration: approximately 3 Hours

    Availability: Monday - Sunday at 8:30 pm. Please note that the time may vary throughout the season.

    Minimum age: 4 years and over

    Group size: 1 - 24 approximately


    Photography by Markku Inkila
    From: £114 per adult
    From: £57 per child
  • Husky safari

    A husky safari is a favourite here with everyone at Activities Abroad. The excited yelping of the dogs as the sled is been prepared is infectious and you’ll doubtless find that your family are just as eager to get going. Once the dogs get down to business and you glide over the snow-covered landscapes the yelping is replaced by the gentle pattering of paws as they focus on the road ahead. It is quite surreal when you take a moment to process what you are actually doing in comparison to your daily life. Driving a team of dogs (2 people per sled) in a Lappish wilderness is such a contrast, that is unless you happen to be a professional musher.

    Read more about this activity

    Duration: varies

    5 km: £105 per adult, £53 per child.

    Available from Monday - Sunday at 11.30 am and 3.30 pm.

    Please note that the times may vary throughout the season. The total duration incl. briefing is approximately 1 hr. We expect you to be out on the husky sledge for around 30 minutes.

    10 km: £140 per adult, £70 per child.

    Available Monday - Sunday at 9 am and 1 pm.

    Please note that the times may vary throughout the season. The total duration incl. briefing is approximately 2 hrs. We expect you to be out on the husky sledge for around 1 hour.

    Minimum age: 4 years and over

    Group size: 1 -16 approximately


    ©Inari-Saariselkä Tourism
    From: £105 per adult
    From: £53 per child
  • Reindeer Sledge Ride

    Reindeer are synonymous with Lapland and winter. A sleigh ride is something that will capture the imaginations of both children and adults alike. It is an experience that can be hard to comprehend until you actually do it. You generally only see such things on TV, but the reality is much more enchanting. The landscape is draped in a perfectly white blanket and the only sounds are of crunching snow. So Idyllic is the landscape and so fresh is the air, that you could be forgiven for thinking you had entered some fairy-tale realm.

    Read more about this activity

    Duration: varies

    25 minutes: £70 per adult, £35 per child.

    Available Monday – Sunday at 9.15am and 12.15pm (please note that the times may vary throughout the season).

    1.5 hours in total (1-hour sleigh ride - approximately): £123 per adult, £62 per child.

    Available Monday – Sunday at 1:15pm (please note that the times may vary throughout the season).

    The activity will last for around 1.5 hours in total

    Minimum age: 4 years and over

    Group size: 1 - 24 approximately


    ©Inari-Saariselkä Tourism Ltd
    From: £70 per adult
    From: £35 per child
  • Snowmobile Safari - 2 Hours

    This activity has been designed for those who would like to try snowmobiling but for a shorter duration.

    During this two-hour excursion, you will be given expert tuition on how to handle your snowmobile and you can test your skills as you drive across the snow. Travelling two adults per snowmobile, you will stop for hot drinks along the way.

    Children will enjoy the winter wonderland from the comfort of a sled.

    Read more about this activity

    Please note: the driver of a snowmobile must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. As a general rule, children (13 years and under) will travel in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Children 4 years and under must be accompanied in the sleigh by one parent. Older children (14 years and over) may be able to travel as pillion on the snowmobile but this is at the discretion of the guide and the child must be at least 140 cm tall. Children will pay the adult price if riding on the snowmobile.


    Duration: approximately 2 hours in total

    Availability: Monday – Sunday at 10am 1pm and 3pm. Please note that the times may vary throughout the season

    Minimum age: 4 years and over

    Group size: 1 - 24 approximately


    Photography by Markku Inkila
    From: £105 per adult
    From: £53 per child
  • Kids' Snowmobiling

    Why should it just be the grown-ups having all the fun on snowmobiles?! Let your children take the wheel (or more accurately, handlebars) during this mini snowmobiling adventure.

    Riding along a 200-metre track, this is a safe environment for the little ones to try this thrilling activity and make the most of the snowy conditions. 

    These mini snowmobiles have been specially built for children so they’ll be able to drive them with ease. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see some of the younger children with better skills than most adults!

    Guides will give the children instructions before they set off and then parents will supervise on the track. This is a great opportunity for children to experience this adventurous activity in a controlled way, and have a brilliant story to take back home with them!

    The price includes a safety introduction from a guide and instructions on how to drive and safety equipment (including a helmet).

    Read more about this activity

    Please note that parents must supervise this activity and are responsible to ensure their child is following the guide’s instructions safely.

    Choose from a 30-minute or 60-minute session. There is no age restriction but children must be 100cm tall or above.

    Prices:

    30 minutes from £27 per child

    60 minutes from £53 per child


    From: £27 per child

We include more, no hidden costs

On each of our holidays you will see a clear outline of exactly what's included in the price of your holiday. We never use 'headline' or 'lead-in' prices like so many tour operators, as we prefer to include as much as we can, rather than see our clients incur considerable additional costs in our destinations.
Price guarantee

Price based on two adults sharing a Northern Lights Cabin with one or two children (aged 4-14) on a sofa bed.

Please note: if you are travelling over Christmas, you will enjoy a festive dinner and celebrations on the 24th (traditionally in Finland, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve).

Next season’s dates and prices

You can make a pre-reservation to secure your holiday at this stage by paying an initial deposit of only £50pp. The provisional departure dates, prices and itineraries remain subject to change. We will contact you when the final dates, prices and itineraries are confirmed, and you will have 14 days to decide if you would like to go ahead. You will then need to pay the remainder of your deposit to confirm your booking in full. If you decide not to travel, we will refund your initial £50pp payment. Our Travel Experts will happily provide you with full terms and a complete quotation.  Please note: where listed in the What’s Included section, pre-sales prices include return UK flights.Please note: the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply. Please note: our payment and cancellation terms will be unique to each booking – they will be confirmed with you at the time of quotation.

Dates
Mon 02 Dec 2024 Adult price (per person): £2015.00
to £2265.00
Child (age 4 - 14): £1265.00
to £1425.00
Enquire
Sun 15 Dec 2024 Adult price (per person): £2385.00
to £2765.00
Child (age 4 - 14): £1675.00
to £1965.00
Enquire

Please note: our holiday prices are based on the lowest available airline fares. These fares can sell out quickly and, as a result, prices may increase and supplements may be applicable. We recommend booking at the earliest opportunity in order to secure the best possible fares and flight times. This only applies to holidays that include flights.

For our full booking terms and conditions please click here

The Specifics

Holiday group size (approximate)

This holiday requires a minimum of 2 people to run, however, on some dates we require a minimum of 10 people for our flight allocation. Maximum 30 people (approximately). Please speak to our Family Travel Experts for further information.

Group Size

We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.

Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.

Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate

Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.

Minimum and maximum age

The minimum age for this holiday can be found in the ‘Key Facts’ section of the holiday overview.

Younger family members may be able to participate but may not be able to take part in all activities. Please contact one of our Travel Experts if you have any questions.

Itinerary amendments

The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.

Medical History and Advice

We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.

In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.

In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.

Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.

It is vitally important that you advise us prior to departure of any medical or dietary condition relating to any member of your party so that we may notify our local staff before you arrive. We recommend only drinking bottled water from bottles with unbroken seals and be vigilant about the use of ice in drinks and ice cream.

Insurance

Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.

It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.

If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.

The UK Foreign Office Advice

Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice

We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.

The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/                                                   

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/                                                 

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/                                                                                                     

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html

If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.

If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.

If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.

If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.

Booking activities locally

Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).

When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.

In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are correctly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc.) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.

Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.

Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation

On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.

Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.

Booking your own flights cancellation disclaimer

If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.

If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.

Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.

Specific Payment and Cancellation Terms - Northern Lights Villages

Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in Section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.

- Up to balance due date (This is normally 12 weeks prior to departure however some holidays differ. If this applies to your holiday you will be advised at the time of booking) - Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)

- between balance due date and 43 days prior to departure - 50%

- 42 to 15 days prior to departure - 80%

- 14 or less days - 100%

Terms and Conditions

Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.activitiesabroad.com/booking-conditions

 

Please note: our payment and cancellation terms will be unique to each booking – they will be confirmed with you at the time of quotation. The terms listed above are noted as a guide only

Traveller Reviews

  • Saariselka - Aurora Cabins and Finding Father Christmas 12 December 2019 by The Carvell Family

    Fantastic easy transfers from airport to holiday village, fabulous staff and great accomodation with lots of activities to do.


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