Finnish Lapland in Winter

Hei! Welcome to Finland. Your adventure begins in Helsinki with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe head out and pick up some local souvenirs at the lively Market Square or explore the Design District. Finnish architecture is revered around the world for its simplicity and deep connection with nature – just walk around Senate Square and see for yourself! After your welcome meeting, maybe get your group together to sample some traditional dishes, like karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pies) or ruisleipa (rye bread).

After breakfast, join your leader on an orientation walk around Finland’s capital city. Once you get your bearings, the rest of the day is free to explore Helsinki as you wish. Maybe check out the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, located just a ferry ride away on a group of islands off the coast of Helsinki. The fortress was originally built by the Swedish to protect against Russian expansion. You could also acquaint yourself with Finnish sauna culture by visiting a public sauna to unwind. This evening, board the famous 'Santa Claus Express', a comfortable overnight train to Rovaniemi, known to many as the hometown of Santa Claus.

This morning, wake up in Rovaniemi – the capital of Finnish Lapland – and disembark from your train. Continue by private vehicle to a family-run guesthouse deep in the Finnish forest. This location will be your base for the next three nights, situated near Yllastunturi, a popular cross-country and downhill skiing destination. If the skies are clear tonight, take a stroll through the snow and look skywards for the dancing green lights of the aurora borealis. Far away from the city light pollution, the guesthouse is an ideal base to spot the Northern Lights. This natural display of coloured lights in the night sky is often visible in the high northern hemisphere – there's even an open-top shelter nearby from which to observe them. Grab a hot drink, wrap up and head out into the winter wonderland.

Make sure you wrap up for today’s adventures – you'll be racing across the landscape on the back of a dog sled! These incredible huskies are in their element, barking excitedly before darting along sprawling trails. With the wind in your hair, ride through the snow as your new four-legged friends pull you forward. After the ride, warm up by an open fire and try some pulla (sweet Finnish cardamom bread). If you’re lucky, you might even get to give the dogs a pet and a cuddle.

Your next adventure in Yllastunturi takes you on a visit to a local family, who will guide you through their traditional lifestyle. Their reindeer farm has been operating since 1861, and you may have the opportunity to feed and watch these incredible animals go about their daily routine. You'll also get a look at their skills in reindeer herding with the option to get up close and personal with some of the animals on the farm. Then, why not experience a traditional Finnish bath on the farm? Finnish sauna culture has a millennia-old history and is integral to the Finnish national identity. Locals swear by the cleansing, healing and meditative properties of having a steam and a wash in the sauna. There is also an opportunity to try ice swimming afterwards!

After a leisurely breakfast, take a private transfer back to Rovaniemi, where your trip comes to an end. From here, you could either take a train to Helsinki or extend your stay to experience more of all that Rovaniemi has to offer – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.