Summary
Short description
Explore Finland's frozen wilds, and meet Santa in his log-cabin home
Highlights
- Husky sled through Finnish Lapland's snow-covered wilds
- Meet Santa in his log-cabin and receive a gift
- Feed reindeer and enjoy a private sled through the forest
- Stay far from any light pollution, perfect for viewing the Northern Lights
- Enjoy the services of a Wexas host throughout
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Activity adventure | Christmas | Escorted tour | Family | Lapland | Northern Lights | Santa | Short break | Winter
This escorted break in Finnish Lapland is the perfect festive trip for both children and adults, departing on the 17 and 20 December. From meeting and sledding with northern Finland's emblematic animal, the reindeer, to mushing your own team of keen huskies, it's the perfect prelude to Christmas itself. You will, of course, meet Father Christmas himself, as well as enjoy the likes of wilderness fireside dinners and optional hot tub and sauna soaks, ending days with – luck depending – displays of the Northern Lights. Experience it all between nights in your rustic wood-panelled cabin accommodation, airport transfers and all-inclusive meals. What's more, you'll be escorted throughout by a Wexas host.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK to Harriniva
After your flight from the UK to Kittila, accompanied by your Wexas host, you’ll be met by your guide and taken to Harriniva via an airport coach transfer to your hotel high above the Arctic Circle, located on the snowy shores of the frozen river Muonio, with a wood-cabin Scandi feel. Indulge in a hearty home-cooked dinner in the cosy pine-clad restaurant before a late-night tobogganing adventure. With luck, you may be joined by the dazzle of the Northern Lights – you can even sign up for an aurora wake up service to rouse you for a personal lightshow.
Stay: Hotel Harriniva, Muonio (Standard)
Meals: D
Day
2
Reindeers & Snowshoeing
Today you'll meet the emblematic animal of Lapland after transferring to Torassieppi, home to Finland's oldest reindeer farm where real-life Rudolphs and Dashers will be waiting to take you on a short ride through the snow-dusted firs. Then, feed them and even try out the herder's lasso before returning to the hotel and indulging in a Lappish lunch to fuel your thrilling afternoon. You'll showshoe through the dense frozen forests, and for more adventurous thrills there's cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice hockey and even mini-snowmobiling for children. It's culminated with hot drinks and cookies around the open fire before a festive Finnish Christmas dinner awaits this evening, when you'll enjoy hearty, traditional Lappish dishes. After, take the chance to head on an optional private riverside sauna and hot tub under the star-spangled skies – pre booking is a must.
Stay: Hotel Harriniva, Muonio (Standard)
Meals: B L D
Day
3
Husky Safari & Meeting Santa
Head back out into the frozen wilds today after breakfast, where an exciting snowmobile safari awaits while children are pulled on a sled just behind – and there's plenty of time for stops to play in the deep snow blanket. After lunch, you’ll head to a husky farm where your friendly team are ready to pull you through the silent snow canopy. Then it's time to get festive, making cookies and creating Christmas crafts before meeting the star of the show, Santa himself, reached via a twilight snowmobile sled. Enjoy pancakes over an open fire before meeting Lapland's most famous man in red and even receiving a present. Then, a final dinner is served in the cosy wooden walls and fireplace of the restaurant before a night of Christmas games – with another special appearance by Father Christmas.
Stay: Hotel Harriniva, Muonio (Standard)
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Harriniva to UK
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
Meals: B
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Prices
4-day escorted small-group tour
from £2,200 pp incl. flights
What's included
- Return flights from London Heathrow to Kittila (via Helsinki)
- 23kg hold luggage, cabin baggage and allocated seating.
- Return coach airport/hotel transfers
- Three nights in a family room at Harriniva Wilderness Lodge
- Full-board basis (starting from dinner on the first evening, ending with breakfast on the last day) plus unlimited tea/coffee for adults and soft drinks for children
- Protective outer thermal clothing for the duration of your stay
- Reindeer farm visit, lasso lesson and sled ride
- Husky farm tour and 6km husky safari
- 20km snowmobile safari
- Finnish cookie baking session, Christmas crafting and Gingerbread House decorating
- Snow Fun session including try outs for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, Mini snowmobile riding (for children) and tobogganing
- Private family visit with Santa
- Santa present and letter service
- Final fun evening with surprise Santa visit and games
- Wexas/Best Served Scandinavia host for the duration of your trip and services of qualified local guides
December 2024 departures
Adult price from Child (4-11) price from
11-14 DEC 2024 £2,200 pp £1,925 pp
14-17 DEC 2024 £2,200 pp £1,925 pp
17-20 DEC 2024 £2,495 pp £2,080 pp
20-23 DEC 2024 £2,495 pp £2,080 pp
Good to know
Please note the order of activities may vary - the final itinerary will be confirmed on arrival at the hotel.
A minimum group size of 18 persons is required for activities to be operated exclusively to Wexas/Best Served Scandinavia guests. If the group size falls below this number, Harriniva reserve the right to combine selected activities with other guests.
Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two adults and two children sharing a wilderness plus room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply. A child is 4-11 years.
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0618
You might also like
After a stay in a canal-side palace, reached by private water taxi, indulge with bar-car drinks and fine dining as you sweep over the Alps and through rural Europe to Amsterdam.
After a stay in a canal-side palace, reached by private water taxi, indulge with bar-car drinks and fine dining as you sweep across the snow-dusted Alps and through the heart of western Europe.
