Lapland: A Family Winter Adventure
Itinerary
Tervetuloa! Welcome to Finland. Your family adventure kicks off in Helsinki with an evening welcome meeting at the hotel before a short orientation walk on the way to an optional dinner out. If you arrive early, you can purchase a Helsinki travel card which allows unlimited use of the excellent public transport and free access to area museums.
- Orientation Walk Helsinki: Set out on an orientation walk with your CEO. They will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, ATMs and some of the main sights.
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
All aboard! Hop on a local train this morning for a short ride to the Heureka Science Centre, where the kids will love feeling like a mad scientist with all the interactive exhibits and engaging displays. Return to Helsinki in time for lunch before setting off on a walking exploration of the city centre followed by some free time to relax. In the evening, board the famous 'Santa Claus Express', a comfortable overnight train to the home of Santa himself, Rovaniemi.
- Huereka Science Center: Embark on a captivating self-guided journey through science at Heureka, Finland's premier interactive science centre in Vantaa, where hands-on exhibits and engaging displays ignite curiosity for all ages.
- Helsinki Orientation Walk: Set off on foot for a short orientation exploration with your CEO. See the main avenue, waterfront area, and old town.
- Overnight Train (beds): Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Disembark at Rovaniemi station then drive a short distance across the Arctic Circle to Santa Claus Village. Keep an eye out for the big man himself and pen your holiday wishes on a post card; you could mail them home from Santa's own post office. Enjoy some free time in the village, then continue driving to Ranua, your home base for the coming days. Settle in and enjoy some free time before heading out in the evening for an Aurora Borealis picnic, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to eat around a fire under the dancing lights in the sky.
In the event of uncooperative weather, the Aurora Borealis picnic will be moved to the next days
- Santa Claus Village visit:
- Aurora Borealis Picnic: The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are possible to be observed in the earth's polar zone. This location on the Arctic Circle provides the best possibilities to try and see them dancing across the sky. Join a local guide on a walk to some of the most perfect viewing location, offering the best open sky vista, and enjoy a Lappish picnic around a warm campfire.
Stroll to Lupland Activity Park this morning to meet the huskies, then join them on an exhilarating sleigh ride! The experienced husky musher will make sure your ride is safe and memorable, and you'll be immersed in the snowy, unspoiled nature of Lapland. Next, meet the gentle reindeer and learn from the Indigenous herders about the Lappish culture over generations. Enjoy a reindeer safari through the wilderness before lunch then explore with a free afternoon. Later, join your CEO into the dark-sky area to try and see the Northern Lights.
- Northern Lights Walk: Head out with your CEO and try to find the famous Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights. Although not guaranteed, the Northern Lights are an incredible natural phenomenon dancing across the sky.
- Lupland Activity park + Reindeer Sleigh:
Today is yours to do as much or as little as you please on the final full day in Lapland. Optional outdoor activities abound like snowshoeing, visiting the icefalls in Korouoma, take another reindeer safari or book a sauna experience in the woods.
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore.
- Husky Sledge Ride: Enjoy the arctic nature in the best possible way - alongside huskies. Help prepare the huskies then set off and experience what they love the most, pulling and snow.
- Downhill Sledding and Ice Skating: Embrace the winter wonderland with some exhilarating sledding and ice skating.
- Riisitunturi National Park Guided Day Excursion: Join a local guide and explore Riisitunturi National Park, famous for "tykky", thick layers of snow and frost leading to a fairytale-like atmosphere. Enjoy a hot drink, local snacks (bread and sausage), and winter adventures in what can only be described as a wonderland.
- Guided Northern Lights Hunt: Join a local guide on a hunt for nature's most beautiful phenomenon, the northern nights! Enjoy a hot beverage and a snack, climb aboard, and keep your eyes peeled.
Depart Ranua in the morning after breakfast and transfer back to Rovaniemi, where the tour ends on arrival to either the train station or the airport.
Trip Inclusions
- Discover hands-on exhibits at the Finnish Science Centre and explore the iconic Helsinki Central Library.
- Wander the stalls of the lively Hakaniemi Market Hall.
- Ride an overnight train headed straight for the Arctic Circle.
- Explore Santa Claus Village where the holiday spirit never ends.
- Meet reindeer and huskies in their snowy northern home.
- Have a picnic around a campfire under the Northern Lights.
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- CEO-led orientation walk in Helsinki
- Huereka Science Centre visit
- Santa Claus Village visit
- Aurora Borealis Picnic
- Husky experience and sleigh ride
- Northern Reindeer experience and safari
- Dark sky hunt for the Northern Lights
- Free time in Ranua
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Overnight train, private transport, walking
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
- Hotels (4 Nights), Overnight Train (1 Night)
- 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
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Dates & Pricing
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. 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 G Adventures. 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.
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