Finnish Lapland Winter Family Holiday

Finnish Lapland Winter Family Holiday

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5 Days From

$3176

$2858

Finnish Lapland Winter Family Holiday

5 Days Starting and ending in Rovaniemi

Visiting: Rovaniemi, Hossa

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

BMFF

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 16

Physical rating:

Medium, Medium

Age range:

5-99 years

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

From: $3176 $2858 Operator discount: -$318

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Take the family to a true winter wonderland on this five-day adventure through Finnish Lapland. The magic starts early as you begin in the official hometown of Santa Claus, where the kids will get the chance to meet the jolly man himself. Spend three nights in the heart of the Finnish wilderness, exploring the snow-dusted woodlands with the help of incredible huskies and learn the traditional ways of life from a local. Whether you’re building igloos or trying snowshoeing on for size, there’s unforgettable fun to be had for travellers of all ages.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the joy and magic of meeting Santa at his Finnish home on the artic circle.

  • Unplug and fully immerse in the natural beauty of your unique eco-lodge stay in the heart of Hossa National Park, more than 60 miles (+100kms) away from the nearest village

  • Be pulled across the landscape at high speed on the back of a dog sled. These incredible huskies are doing what they love most – making a lot of noise before rushing along sprawling trails.

  • Visit a local Reindeer Farm where you will get to meet these beautiful animals up close and learn the art of reindeer herding and life on the farm.

  • The aurora borealis is the best lightshow on Earth, and this trip is your ticket. Stay up late to see the northern sky dance with green light (subject to weather conditions)

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

  • Hop onboard the Santa Claus Express and enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of meeting Santa at his Finnish home in the artic circle.

  • Spend time with huskies and learn interesting facts about sled dogs before enjoying the thrill of being whisked through the woodlands by these beautiful animals.

  • Find a moment of calm as you are guided through a tree-hugging forest and wrapped in a hammock for a truly unique Finnish experience of arctic cocooning.

  • The aurora borealis is the best lightshow on Earth, and this trip is your ticket. Stay up late to see the northern sky dance with green light (subject to weather conditions).

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Rovaniemi

Location: Rovaniemi

Accommodation: Hotel Aakenus or similar

Tervetuloa! Welcome to Rovaniemi, Finland – the capital of Lapland and the official hometown of Santa Claus. Your family adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 2 pm. Rovaniemi is full of culture and stunning scenic hikes, so if you arrive early, you might like to take the family to the nearby rapids and aapa mires or stay in town and visit the Arktikum, the Museum of Finland. After your welcome meeting, it’s time for the kids to write their list and check it twice as you head off to meet Santa Claus himself at Santa Village. Cross into the Arctic Circle along the way, showing just how far north you’ve come. Later, enjoy an optional group dinner at a local restaurant and toast to the magical adventure that lies ahead.

Included Activities:
-Rovaniemi - Santa Village

Day 2: Hossa

Location: Hossa

Accommodation: Camp Norwide

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, bid farewell to Rovaniemi and head to Hossa National Park, located in the Kainuu region of Finland. Hossa translates to 'a distant place' in the Sami language (Huossa), and with its many lakes, rivers and canyons, this truly is a place like no other. Check into your eco-lodge accommodation in the heart of the national park, then enjoy a free afternoon with the family. Hossa will be your home for the next few days, so take your time to really soak in the scenery. The kids might be keen to try out snowshoeing or test their balance with some Nordic skiing.

Optional Activities:
-Hossa National Park - Snowshoeing
-Hossa National Park - Nordic skiing

Day 3: Hossa

Location: Hossa

Accommodation: Camp Norwide

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Make sure you rug up for today’s adventure, as you head into the wild taiga on dog sleds! In the morning, meet your guides and dogs for an introduction to basic mushing techniques. Then, two per sled, you’ll head off across beautiful white lakes and into the forest. These incredible huskies are doing what they love most – making a lot of noise before rushing along sprawling trails. After, the young ones might get to give the dogs a pet and a cuddle – just be sure to ask the sledmaster first! Return to your accommodation in time for lunch, then the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you like.

Included Activities:
-Hossa National Park - Half day husky dog sledding

Day 4: Hossa

Location: Hossa

Accommodation: Camp Norwide

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Get a taste of the Lapland lifestyle today as the family spends time with a local trapper. You’ll learn the art of the trapper lifestyle and the essential skills the local people need to know in order to survive and move around this pristine and remote region. The kids will feel like true adventurers as they follow tracks in the snow, identify flora and fauna and even build an igloo! Return to your accommodation in the evening, making sure to keep an eye out for any hint of the Northern Lights.

Included Activities:
-Hossa National Park - Trapper Day

Day 5: Rovaniemi

Location: Rovaniemi

Meals Included: breaksfast

This morning, it’s time to say goodbye to your home in the Finnish wilderness and make the journey back to Rovaniemi. On the way back, stop at a local reindeer farm and get up close to these amazing animals. Arrive back in Rovaniemi in the early afternoon, where your adventure will come to an end.

Included Activities:
-Rovaniemi - Reindeer farm

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    No

  • Fully Guided

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Rovaniemi - Santa Village

  • Hossa National Park - Half day husky dog sledding

  • Hossa National Park - Trapper Day

  • Rovaniemi - Reindeer farm

  • Helsinki to Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Express Overnight Train

  • Helsinki - City walking tour

show more

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • International Travel

Transport

  • Private vehicle

Accommodation

  • We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Europe may be different to the standards you are used to. Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges and in particular destinations, rooms may be rather small.
  • CHECK-IN TIME
  • Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
  • PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
  • If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

Important Information

  • FAMILY TRIPS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
  • MINIMUM AGE: Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.
  • DISCOUNT: A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.
  • SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement is available to be booked for the first night in Rovaniemi only (Day 1) if you would prefer your own room. The single supplement is subject to availability and is not available to book on Days 2 -5 in Hossa. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    Lapland can be extremely cold at this time of year. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions. Please see the Packing section in the Essential Trip Information document for more details. There may be the rare occasion where your leader has to alter the itinerary and activities due to the weather. In this case an alternative will be offered. Please also note that even though it will be cold, not always will there be snow cover, especially on the departures earlier in the winter season. In these cases snow dependent activities will be replaced with suitable alternatives

    The Northern Lights (also known as the Aurora Borealis) are a natural display of coloured lights in the night sky of the northern hemisphere. While Northern Light displays can never be guaranteed, as they are a natural phenomenon, you have a higher chance of seeing them in locations at high latitudes, such as Northern Finland. Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies during your visit.

    Due to the remote northern location of this trip, most meals are included. Generous buffet style breakfasts and dinners are provided at your accommodation and we will have some lunch meals cooked outside on the fire for us. You will have the chance to try some traditional Finnish meals like smoked fish, salmon soup, reindeer stew and traditional cakes, however please be aware that fresh fruit and vegetables are rare in our isolated northern location.

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    LOW - Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes, 18 years old or above

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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1 Select your preferred date

Friday - Tuesday

Dec 13, 2024 - Dec 17, 2024
$3175 $3016

Operator discount: -$159

Thursday - Monday

Dec 19, 2024 - Dec 23, 2024
$3176 $2858

Operator discount: -$318

Friday - Tuesday

Dec 27, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024
$3025

Sunday - Thursday

Dec 21, 2025 - Dec 25, 2025
$3215

Sunday - Thursday

Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 01, 2026
$3215

Sunday - Thursday

Jan 04, 2026 - Jan 08, 2026
$3070

Sunday - Thursday

Feb 15, 2026 - Feb 19, 2026
$3070

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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