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Lapland: A Winter Adventure
Lapland
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Entry Level
Type:
Cultural
Transfers
Duration:
8 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Experience the Northern Lights
- Take a ride on a Husky tour
- Reindeer Farm
- Finnish Sauna
- Hiking the “Koronjää”-trail
- Cross-country skiing & optional slalom
Experience the wonders of Lapland in this small group adventure holiday
Go on a husky tour, meet reindeer and experience the breathtaking Northern Lights. This trip to Lapland also includes hiking the Koronjää”-trail.
The natural environment in Finland is unique and plays an incredibly important role in the lives of Finns. Known as the ‘land of a thousand lakes’, Finnish Lapland has one of the largest archipelagos in the world. With the forests considered as ‘green gold’, and the heavy snow in the winter reflecting the majestic luminescence of the Aurora Borealis, it is indeed a magical land.
Join this adventure to get back to nature whilst practising local cultural activities such as cross-country skiing, riding on a dogsled, ice fishing and exploring the local crafts and food. Since ancient times, people in Finland have believed that many gods, spirits and elves are living in the forests – perhaps you will meet them!
(Available as a small group tour or tailor-made holiday)
Finland was named the happiest country in the world for the fourth time in a row in 2021, and this is no accident: Lapland’s incredible natural beauty is where people go to relax and take time off from their busy schedules, calming them down. Experience the Finnish way of bathing and relaxing in a sauna - with even an icy plunge in a frozen lake! - finding happiness in your everyday life as the locals do.
Day 1: Welcome & Transfer to Jauri Resort
Transfer
Dinner
3 star hotel
You are welcomed at Finland's Rovaniemi airport before being transferred to Jauri Resort in Kemijärvi, which takes about an hour by car. This is a chance for the group to first get together, when you will be introduced to the resort and safety information over coffee.
Accommodation: Jauri Resort - Hotel Rooms
Day 2: Husky Tour and Night Sky Tour to Kaakkuri Kota
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the cosy Jauri Restaurant before heading out on an unforgettable husky safari. Departing from Jauri Resort, you'll embark on a two-person sledge ride through the serene Arctic forest, led by genuine Siberian huskies. As you glide through the snowy landscape, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery or take the reins yourself, the chance to switch roles halfway through makes the experience even more memorable. The drive covers approximately four kilometres and captures the pure magic of winter.
After returning to the resort, enjoy a well-deserved lunch back at Jauri Restaurant. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish, perhaps unwinding by the fire, enjoying the peaceful surroundings or exploring at your own pace.
As evening settles in, a delicious dinner awaits at the resort’s Arctic Lakeside Restaurant, where the warm ambience and lakeside views offer the perfect close to the day.
Later, wrap up warmly for a night sky tour to Kaakkuri Kota. Beneath the vast northern heavens, your guide will help you discover some of the Arctic’s most iconic constellations, and with a bit of luck, the northern lights might grace the sky. Around the fire enjoy hot berry juice and a late-night snack as you soak in the quiet magic of the far north. This experience lasts around two and a half hours.
Accommodation: Jauri Resort - Hotel Rooms
Day 2: Ice Fishing and Sauna, Jacuzzi, Ice-Swimming
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
Begin your day with a nourishing breakfast at the inviting Jauri Restaurant before heading out for a truly authentic Arctic experience.
Your guide for the morning is a local fisherman who will lead you onto the frozen lake for a traditional ice fishing excursion. Wrapped in the stillness of the winter landscape, you will spend around two and a half to three hours on the ice, learning local techniques and perhaps catching your own lunch, which will be enjoyed beside an open fire. It is a simple pleasure and a true taste of Lapland life.
Return to the resort for some free time to unwind or explore at your own pace.
As the afternoon unfolds, treat yourself to a deeply restorative Finnish sauna experience beside the lake. The sauna and Jacuzzi are reserved just for your private use, allowing you to relax in complete tranquillity. Step into the warm, wood-scented sauna, take a dip in the refreshing lake if you are feeling adventurous, then soothe your senses in the Jacuzzi as snowflakes drift gently around you. A cosy fireplace room awaits afterwards, where you can enjoy a refreshing drink and let the warmth settle in. Your two-hour private session includes the use of the sauna and Jacuzzi, towels, seat covers, and a bottle of mineral water per person.
As evening draws in, gather in the resort’s Arctic Lakeside Restaurant for a comforting dinner, bringing a memorable day to a peaceful and satisfying close.
Accommodation: Jauri Resort - Hotel Rooms
Day 4: Reindeer Farm
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
Begin the day with a relaxed breakfast at the welcoming Jauri Restaurant before setting off to meet one of Lapland’s most iconic animals. On the Reindeer Tour, you will have the chance to see these gentle creatures up close and even feed them by hand. Reindeer have played a vital role in this region for centuries, carrying goods, transporting people and providing food. Reindeer herding remains a living tradition in the local culture, and today these animals are as curious about visitors as we are about them.
You will learn more about the life of the reindeer and the history of herding in a traditional kota, where you will be welcomed with a warm drink and a home-made pastry. The setting is cosy and authentic, offering a special glimpse into the local way of life. The experience lasts approximately two hours and includes lunch as part of the day.
In the evening, return to the resort for dinner in the Arctic Lakeside Restaurant, where you can unwind in comfort and reflect on the connection you shared with these remarkable animals.
Accommodation: Jauri Resort - Hotel Rooms
Day 5: Transfer to the wilderness hotel in Posio
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
After breakfast we say farewell to our host family and transfer to Kirikeskus Wilderness Hotel in Posio which is only about an hour away. After being introduced to the resort and safety information over coffee and snacks you are free to explore at leisure the beautiful surrounding area.
This includes the wilderness hotel’s own Kiri slopes which are perfect for beginners or for the family, although some of the slopes also have a little challenge for those who need it. There are three slopes, two of which are illuminated. The height difference is 110 meters.
The Arctic Ceramic Center is the northernmost ceramic centre in the world. Located on the ground floor of the hotel’s main building, the large workspace with stunning views has convinced many professionals and enthusiasts. It can be hard to find a more inspiring environment for making ceramics. The day concludes with a group dinner.
Accommodation: Kirikeskus
Day 6: Hiking the Koronjää Trail
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
After breakfast we will hike along the 'Koronjää' Trail for about five kilometres in the Korouoma Canyon. It is the only trail in Finland where you can admire gorgeous frozen waterfalls in winter.
The trail runs along a former horse road, and there are information boards on the area's logging history along the trail. The trail takes hikers along the top of cliffs with magnificent views, and to the bottom of the canyon. You will get the chance to admire the three largest frozen waterfalls at Korouoma, which are called Jaska Jokunen (Charlie Brown), Ruskea virta (the Brown River) and Mammuttiputous (the Mammoth Fall).
During the hike we will stop at campfire for picnic lunch including local soup, sandwiches, hot juice and sausages before returning for our cosy dinner at restaurant Kisura
Accommodation: Kirikeskus
Day 7: Cross-country skiing
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
Today there are lessons (if you need them) for cross-country skiing. You will learn which kind of equipment you need and how to use the traditional cross-country skis. You do not need any prior experience as professional instructors will choose the appropriate equipment for you and start the skiing lesson from the basics upwards.
After the lesson you can practice on the ski tracks close by and use skis for as long as you wish and lunch will be served after skiing.
Would you like to continue skiing? That is of course possible because you can use the equipment freely - perhaps after a small nap! The day ends with dinner comparing the results of the skiing day.
Included: Thermal outfit, equipment and guiding.
Accommodation: Kirikeskus
Day 8: Free day - slalom, hiking, sauna, relaxing in nature
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take the morning at your own pace. After a week filled with adventure and discovery, today is all about relaxation and choosing what feels right for you. If you're still feeling active, you can browse the selection of additional activities available on site. Perhaps you'd like to try slalom skiing on the nearby slopes or take a peaceful hike up Kirintövaara, where stunning views of the snow-covered landscape await. Equipment hire and lift tickets are available for an additional charge, allowing you to tailor the day to your own preferences.
A delicious two-course lunch will be served at Restaurant Kisura, offering a moment to pause and enjoy the warm atmosphere and regional flavours.
In the evening, return to Kisura for a cosy dinner shared with your fellow travellers. This is a lovely time to reflect on the week’s experiences, exchange stories and enjoy the sense of connection that’s grown along the way. And if you wish to end your journey the way the locals do, you might like to enjoy the Finnish sauna once more, letting the heat and stillness bring a final sense of calm to your Arctic adventure.
Accommodation: Kirikeskus
Day 9: Departure
Transfer
Breakfast
After breakfast we transfer to Rovaniemi airport which takes just under two hours for your flights home, relaxed and infused with the spirit of Lapland!
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice, Responsible Tourism, using hotels run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available.
An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
This is adventure travel and on occasion the advertised services at a hotel , guest house or camp (eg wifi, or hot showers!) may not be functional on our arrival.
This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels.
The listed accommodation gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure. Where accommodation is fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation prior to departure on your adventure.
Unless you have booked a single room (where they are available) and paid the single room supplement for those nights, you will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender).
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at Rovaniemi airport. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible, to help you prepare.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also receive notifications direct from the FCDO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
General Information
For information on Lapland, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
Reviews
Catherine LA
Thanks so much YellowWood Adventures! We had such a brilliant time. The perfect trip with lots of adventure and lots of time to relax too!! One of our best holidays ever! Really appreciate everything and all your attention to detail to make sure we had such a brilliant itinerary! We can’t wait for our next trip.
Lapland: A Winter Adventure
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- Passport & insurance documents
- Credit / debit card for ATM use
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape)
- Washbag & usual contents
- Travel adaptor model C
Items for walking / sightseeing in Finnish Lapland
- Warm, windproof and water-resistant winter coat or parka, hip length or longer and with a looser fit so it can easily fit over bulky sweaters, and layers that are as important as the warm outerwear
- Warm, comfortable and water-resistant trousers / pants (those designed for skiing are perfect)
- Warm winter shoes / boots (waterproof), for example leather hiking boots
- 1-2 pair of warm (and waterproof) woollen gloves
- A warm, thick and windproof beanie or something that protects both your head and your ears from the wind and cold weather
- A warm scarf to keep your neck warm
- Shoes to wear around the sauna - NB flip flops aren't good in the snow
- Swimwear
- Warm pyjamas / nightwear (flannel, wool, cotton)
- Woollen socks or slippers for relaxing inside
- Warm, moisture-wicking and well-fitting socks - merino wool recommended
- Woollen pullover or sweater
- Merino wool underwear: a long-sleeved top and a set of bottoms
- A Headlamp or flashlight as daytime is very short
- Some dry bags or waterproof cases to keep your phone and any electronic gear dry
- 20-30L daypack for hiking / sightseeing, preferably with waist and ideally, chest strap
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Extra batteries for your electronic gear, as batteries die faster in cold weather
- Sunglasses and high factor suncream
Optional
- Mini crampons that fit your walking boots - available from stores such as Blacks, Decathlon etc
- A good face moisturizer
- A moisturizing lip balm
- A camera and tripods for capturing the Northern Lights and low light situations
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
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You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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