Finnish Lapland Winter Adventure

Finland - Trip code WFL Discovery
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96Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
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Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Journey to Inari, a remote village in the heart of Finnish Lapland. Here pristine snow-covered landscapes, mesmeric aurora borealis and rich Sami culture come together to create an experience like no other.

Why we love this trip
  • Northern Lights - Dark skies and lack of light pollution provide optimal conditions for viewing this celestial spectacle when conditions allow
  • Winter Activities - Enjoy a variety of winter activities, including cross-country skiing and husky sledding
  • Sami Culture - Immerse yourself in the rich Sami culture on a visit to a local reindeer herder

  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 5

    Dinner: 5

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Activity Guide(s)

  • Transport

    Minibus

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    Accommodation

    5 nights comfortable hotel

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    Trip pace:

    Relaxed

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    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 16
    Explore average 11

Itinerary

Day 1 - Join trip at our hotel in Inari

Our escape into the arctic wilderness begins in Inari, a village nestled in the heart of Finnish Lapland. Situated approximately 120 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, this area has been inhabited for centuries by the indigenous Sami people. On the shores of Inari Lake, the third largest lake in Finland, the landscape of dense forests, rolling hills and frozen waterways is one of the most sparsely populated places in Europe. During winter months it is blanketed by snow and illuminated by the dancing aurora overhead.

We'll be staying at Hotel Inari, owned by the Lappalainen family for over 40 years offering modern cosy rooms, authentic local food and of course the obligatory Finnish sauna to provide the perfect introduction to life in the north.

If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Ivalo airport (IVL). The transfer shuttle, run by Ilmaris Slant Ky will be waiting in the dedicated bus parking area. The journey will take around 50 mins.

Your leader will arrange a welcome briefing in reception for your first evening, this will be at approximately 7pm.

Accommodation:

Hotel Inari (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Dinner

Day 2 - Snowshoe through the boreal forest

During our stay we'll mix activities lasting a few hours with free time to enjoy these unique surroundings. There will be a specific activity leader for each excursion, as well as your Explore leader. The surroundings here are simply beautiful, far removed from what we're used to. Spending time in nature is key to Finnish society, giving the opportunity to relax and enjoy the tranquility. The hotel's snowshoes and cross-country skis are available throughout our stay for anyone wishing to make use of them to explore the area, though a walk near the hotel can be just as enjoyable. The hotel's indoor sauna is also avaible for a few hours each afternoon, another key pillar of Finnish society.

We head over to the activity centre and collect our winter gear which we keep for the duration of our stay. Our first activity is snow shoeing. This essential piece of kit was created to help locals traverse deep snow by spreading weight across a wider surface, long before snowmobiles were invented.

Originally made from wood and animal hide, these days snowshoes are a light composite material, and easy to attach over your winter boots. No previous experience is necessary, so we soon head out for a two hour walk into the Narnia-like landscape that surrounds us. Our local guide will share their passion for this unique habitat, and we'll make a stop for a hot drink along the way. As we make our way through the snowscape we can begin to understand why the Finnish culture is so closely tied to nature.

Accommodation:

Hotel Inari (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3 - Free morning; visit to reindeer herder with Sami handicraft introduction

Our morning is free to spend as we like because this afternoon we visit the home of Tuula, a local reindeer herder, on the shores of nearby Muddus Lake. First you'll be introduced to the reindeer and learn how they have been central to the Sami way of life, and indeed their survival, for centuries. Roaming free in the summer months, the herd is then brought in for winter.

Tuula will then take us into her home to show more of the traditions associated with the Sami way of life. This will include examples of traditional Sami winter clothing, along with other implements made from the reindeer, such as fur boots.

We'll be back in time to enjoy dinner in Restaurant Aurora at the hotel. Finnish food is a reflection of the natural surroundings and Inari is no different. Fish and reindeer feature on the menu as do a mix of local berries like blueberries and lingonberries.

Accommodation:

Hotel Inari (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - Husky experience; evening snowshoe aurora trek

Often the headline act, husky sledding is simply unmissable for any trip to this part of the world. Born, as most winter activities are, out of necessity, today is our chance to travel to a local husky farm. These hugely energetic dogs will be almost literally pawing at the ground in anticipation of the chance to venture out. Armed with some basic commands, it's time to play musher as the dogs eagerly take us on a safari like no other.

Once back at the farm, we sit around the fire with a hot drink to learn the details no one sees and begin to understand how the packs are formed, trained and cared for. We're proud to be visiting a farm that was one of the first to receive the internationally recognised Green Key eco certification.

We return to our hotel in the early afternoon, though the day is far from over. At around 20:30 we'll tog up again and head out. Light pollution is minimal up here, so all we need is clear skies and fair solar winds for a display of mythical beauty. Whilst this cannot be guaranteed, the aurora is a regular sight in Lapland and gave rise to a myriad of myths and stories over the centuries. These days most smartphones will have cameras capable of capturing the lights but for those looking for a more comprehensive approach, take a camera with a long exposure.

Accommodation:

Hotel Inari (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 - Hike the Juutua trail then an introduction to cross-country skiing

Today, you have the opportunity to join your Tour Leader on a guided walk along the scenic Juutua Trail. This picturesque loop walk begins right from the hotel, following well-defined paths that wind alongside the river. The trail offers a peaceful and immersive experience in nature, with stunning views of the surrounding winter landscape. As we make our way through the forest and across the river, we'll pause for a well-earned break and a traditional outdoor BBQ. This is the perfect chance to warm up and soak in the tranquil atmosphere. You're welcome to bring your own lunch supplies, but don't worry-your Tour Leader will provide marshmallows for toasting over the fire. The trail is 9 kilomtres and will take us aournd 3 hours.

Our last activity of the trip is cross counrty sking. For many of us, the winter Olympics is the only time we see practitioners of this ancient mode of transport. With long, thin skis and accompanying poles, this was the most effective way to cover longer distances for years in the winter landscapes of northern Europe. Our instructor will give an introduction to the basics of cross-country skiing, aiming to 'push and glide' before setting off on a sortie across the snow. A quick lesson in how to get up after a fall is also crucial as soft snow and long skis can prove a challenge at times. We'll stick to flat terrain and in no time the group will be sliding through the forest. Of course there will be a hot drink along the way, though participants are often surprised how warm they already are with the full-bodied effort required.

Accommodation:

Hotel Inari (or similar)

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 - Trip ends in Inari

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel, you are then free to catch the shuttle back to Ivalo airport (IVL). The shuttle service departs approximately 2hours before the flight departure time.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

Finland

Climate

Finland's summer is generally warm and bright, with temperatures often reaching mid-20s. The days are long during the summer months of June and July as Finland is home to the Midnight Sun. The winter is often snowy and very cold with short days. Temperatures can drop well below freezing sometimes getting as low as -20.

Time difference to GMT

+2

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Evangelical Lutheran

Language

Finnish

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


On this tour you will have a few hours free each day to spend as you like. The snowshoes and cross-country skis are available should you wish and you will keep your outdoor clothing for the week. The hotel has an indoor sauna available free of charge to guests, available in the afternoon, as well as an outdoor sauna on the shore of the lake. As this needs to be fired up, it requires booking and is payable locally.
There are additional outdoor activities available locally, though timings may clash with our included activities:
Ice Fishing
169 €/person, sleigh ride
198 €/person, shared snowmobile
247 €/person, own snowmobile
N.B the location is reached by snowmobile or sleigh. Appropriate travel insurance and a driving licence are required for snowmobiling
Aurora Hunting by Car
169 €/person
Driving licence required
Northern Lights search with reindeer 181 €/person
Reindeer sleigh ride 168 €/person
Taste of Reindeer herder's day 228 €/person


There is also a Sami museum located about 900m from the hotel offering an interesting insight into the history of the Sami culture in the area. Entrance is €15

Clothing

Temperatures can drop to -20 in winter, so high quality winter gear is required. At hotel Inari you'll be issued with everything you need to stay comfortable.Each group member receives an oversuit, gloves, socks and special arctic boots. The hotel has a large stock catering for the majority of sizes and body shapes.
You will need to bring your own thermal underclothing and layers such as a fleece and we recommend a hat, sunglasses/eyewear and buff. Clothing that wicks sweat away from the body is best. Cotton typically stays wet and therefore cold.
Lip balm is also handy.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and a daypack for personal items. Remember that you'll have to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.

Equipment

All specialist equipment is provided for the snowshoeing and cross-country skiing activities.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. You may however, want to recognise a leader that has done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It is a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we would recommend €20 per person per week as a guideline.

Finland

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£20
Dinner price
£30-40
Beer price
£7
Water price
£2
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Euro.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
Finland is a highly cashless society, and most places accept credit and debit cards, including contactless payments. However, having a small amount of cash on hand can be helpful for small purchases.
Where To Exchange
The tour leader will advise.
ATM Availability
ATM machines are available in Helsinki and Ivalo airports as well as in Inari.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Minibus

Accommodation notes

On the frozen shores of Lake Inari, Hotel Inari offers a truly authentic Lapland experience. Run by the Lappalainen family for over four decades, this cozy hotel is renowned for its warm hospitality, comfortable accommodation with authentic local cuisine and free Wifi.
The indoor sauna is free to hotel guests each afternoon, as is use of the snowshoes and cross-country skis. For those looking for something special, there is an outside sauna on the shores of the lake, bookable locally.

Food and drink

Finnish cuisine is deeply intertwined with the natural environment, and this is especially true in Lapland. At Restaurant Aurora, the menu showcases the rich culinary traditions of the region. Fresh fish from the pristine lakes and rivers, and reindeer, a staple in Lappish cuisine, are prominently featured. Additionally, the restaurant offers a delightful array of local berries, such as blueberries and lingonberries, which add a burst of flavor and colour to the dishes.

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information

Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. You should confirm all visa related questions with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. Visa regulations in the Baltics are often subject to frequent change so ensure you check before you travel.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Finland

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory though we recommend protection against tetanus and polio. Tick-borne encephalitis is recommended by some medical sources if travelling in certain areas of Europe, at specific times of the year. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Discovery information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
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Price Guarantee Promise
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Airport Transfers
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Print Trip Notes

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