Overview
Äkäslompolo - Village of seven fells is 200 kms above the Arctic Circle and offers wide range of outdoor experiences in unique environment. This beautiful small village is your home for the week; shop with the locals, and then have hot chocolates in the cafe on your way back to your cabin.
You read more will stay in cabins or cabin apartments, each with their own fireplace and sauna. Enjoy great local food and join in some exhilarating winter activities like husky & reindeer sledding, ice fishing and snowmobiling.
The highlight of this tour is undoubtedly Santa Day. We'll spend it in a secret location, at the elves' home, nestled in the heart of a magical forest. The day will be filled with fun winter activities, and each family will enjoy a private visit with Santa in his cozy cabin.
Itinerary
Transfer from Kittilä airport to Äkäslompolo village. In the late afternoon go for a walk to the supermarket where you will be able to purchase breakfast supplies for your cabin. Be sure to bring the sled with you to the supermarket. You will then be able to enjoy breakfast in your cabin each day before you have to put on your winter clothing. In the evening dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Today you will visit Santa in Elämänluukku in a secret forest. When we arrive to a small Lapp Village, you are greeted by an old shaman who will give you the 'crossing the Arctic circle' ceremony. Outside there is plenty of different snow fun activities - tandem skiing, snowshoe walking, kick sledging, tobogganing and children's snowmobiling. Make gingerbread cookies and Christmas decorations in Elämänluukku, where the lunch is also served.
Your family will receive an invite from Santa with your scheduled time for a visit. Visit to Santa starts with a short snowmobile sleigh ride, followed by a short reindeer ride. Santa's cabin is in the forest and secluded and each family is guaranteed private audience. Each child receives soft toy as a gift from Santa. (L/D)
Today we will have a go at ice fishing and snowmobiling. After a snowmobile drive to a frozen lake you get to experience the traditional way of winter fishing – through a hole in the ice. We will enjoy wilderness lunch, and hopefully you'll be lucky enough to catch your own fish.
Rest of the afternoon free: curl up by the fire with your favourite book and enjoy the view of the winter paradise outside, or take a toboggan or snowshoes and head outside. Please note: Minimum age to participate snowmobile safari is 4 years. All the children 4-14 years old will travel in the sleigh. All drivers have to show valid driving licence before the safari. (L/D)
Get to know this semi-domestic animal and learn about reindeer breeding – the most traditional of the livelihoods in the northern regions of Finland and Sweden! Reindeer herder Sami and his family present history and today's everyday life as a reindeer farmers and will tell us about reindeer hearding.
On your visit you will get close to the animals and also have the possibility to feed them. The reindeers eat the lichens and birch leaves out of your hand. You may even pet the tamer animals. You can warm up and enjoy coffee, cookies & bun and grilled reindeer sausages in a teepee hut. We will also try to discover the secret of throwing a lasso and have a chance to experience a 1 km reindeer sled ride. In the evening dinner at a local restaurant. (L/D)
Today we will meet our doggy friends, the huskies. Bus transfer to a nearby husky farm where we are greeted by a bunch of friendly barking and yapping dogs, eager to get going! After a very important safety briefing, children will be placed in the guides' sleighs and the parents will share a dog team. And off we go mushing through the snowy forest! Drive through snow-covered forests and over open plains. In this safari, snowmobiles are not used, the guides will also ride the Husky sledges. Driver can be changed in the half way of the safari. It is our last night in Lapland. Enjoy a farewell dinner, share stories and say goodbye to our new friends. (D)
After breakfast, transfer to Kittilä airport. Ask us about downhill skiing in nearby resort, Levi.
Trip Inclusions
Winner of the '2023 Luxury Travel Gold List Award' in the Family Luxury Experience category, independently judged with public voting. We are proud of this award as we believe the authentic nature of this tour and family memories created are worth their weight in gold.
- Private Santa visit by sleigh to his cabin in the woods
- 50 Degrees North Escort
- Stay in cosy cabins or cabin apartments, each with their own fireplace and sauna
- Dine in great local restaurants and join some exhilarating winter activities like husky & reindeer sledding, ice fishing and snowmobiling
- The landscape of Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park is dominated by fells and the unscathed forests and wetlands surrounding them. The fell range in the national park is almost one hundred kilometres long in total. The picturesque, beautiful Pallas fells have been chosen as one of Finland’s national landscapes. As visitors to this national park, you will be amazed by the peace and quiet of this region.
- Shared airport transfers on day 1 & 6 (for scheduled flights to and from Kittilä)
- 5 nights' accommodation in your private cabin or cabin apartment, final cleaning of the cabin, electricity, water, heating, firewood and all taxes
- 1 set of linen & towels per person for the 5 nights
- 3 x lunches during your activities (husky safari does not include lunch)
- 5 x dinners
- Winter clothing hire: Overall and boots
- All activities as per itinerary including: visit to a reindeer farm incl. reindeer sleigh ride, husky safari (2 adults per sleigh, children in guide's sleigh), icefishing safari by snowmobiles (2 adults per snowmobile, children 14 years and under in guide's sled), private family visit to Santa's cabin by sleigh with snow activities (snowshoe walking, kick sledding, tobogganing and children's snowmobiling), making Christmas decorations and decorating gingerbread. These activities can vary depending on the weather conditions.
- 50 Degrees North escort on hand - accompanies the group for the whole experience including dinners and activities, working alongside the local guides to make your holiday seamless
- Flight tickets, meals other than described, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, travel insurance, visas, gratuities and any other items of personal nature. The majority of the cabins don't have Wi-Fi.
- Note that breakfast is not included. Each family will be able to purchase breakfast supplies at the local supermarket and that way you can enjoy breakfast in the comfort of your own cabin together with your family. The cabins have toasters, ovens, microwaves and dishwashers.
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Prices are for land/cruise and internal flights as specified only. Flights not specified are not included.
- To steer a husky team you need to be 18 years old. Age limit for activities is 4.
- To drive a snowmobile you need to have a valid driver's license. Please, remember to bring it with you.
- This tour is based in a small village - the group dinners and daily activities are short walks from your accommodation (up to 20 mins walk). You will be provided local sleds & toboggans to commute between these places.
- Prices shown based on Family Triple (2 bedroom cabin) for 2 adults and 1 child (age 4-12). Family Quad (2 bedroom cabin) for 2 adults and 2 children (age 4-12) pricing also available.
Dates & Pricing
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Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by 50 Degrees North. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
