Day 1: Helsinki
- Private transfer from airport to hotel
- 4* hotel in the city center
You will make your own travel arrangements to Helsinki, where your Finnish Lapland Northern Lights Tours will begin. Our driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. You will check into a relaxing, centrally located 4* hotel.
After checking into your hotel, you can spend the rest of the day and evening relaxing and preparing for the long days ahead.
Day 2: Helsinki – Rovaniemi
- Breakfast, Helsinki
- 2 hour private panoramic guided tour of Helsinki (optional)
- Overnight train Helsinki – Rovaniemi
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on an exciting tour of Helsinki (optional). This optional city tour lasts slightly less than two hours, during which your guide will point out and describe the remarkable sights of Finland’s capital city of Helsinki.
The Parliament Building, Senate Square, Uspensky Cathedral, Finlandia Hall, Temppelixaukio (Rock) Church, and the Sibelius Monument are all included.
You will leave Helsinki this evening and travel through the night by comfortable double-decker train to Rovaniemi.
Day 3: Rovaniemi
- Morning arrival to Rovaniemi
- Private transfer
- 4* hotel in the Rovaniemi city center
- Aurora Borealis Safari by snowmobile
- Campfire with snack and beverage
Rovaniemi is a captivating city in the heart of Lapland. This true winter wonderland is located on the banks of the Kemijoki River between the Ounasvaara and Korkalovaara Hills. The Arctic Circle is not far away. Lapland has a lot to offer, and Rovaniemi is a great starting point.
When your train arrives in Rovaniemi in the morning, you will be met by a private transfer to your hotel. Accommodations will be provided at one of the convenient, centrally located hotels. We will make every effort to accommodate your early check-in. In addition, the hotel is conveniently located near downtown shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.
An Aurora Borealis Safari and a Santa Claus Sleigh Ride After you’ve settled into your hotel, you’ll go to check-in for some exciting adventures.
Snowmobile Aurora Borealis Safari Your next exciting adventure of the day will be a thrilling snowmobile ride through the magnificent Arctic night. You will travel through snowy white forests and over the ice of a frozen river, where you will be able to see thousands of bright stars in the moonlit sky. If you’re lucky, the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, will appear! You will finish your once-in-a-lifetime snowmobile adventure with warm drinks and snacks around yet another campfire. Your tour guide will provide detailed information about the Aurora Borealis and Lapland.
You should be back at the hotel in time for a warm dinner and, if desired, a few drinks at the bar. Before going to bed, you can have a true Nordic experience by relaxing in the sauna or swimming in the heated pool.
DAY 4: Rovaniemi – Kemi
- Breakfast, Rovaniemi
- Reindeer Sleigh Ride
- Private transfer to the bus station
- Bus or train Rovaniemi – Kemi
- Arrival in Kemi
- Private transfer to hotel
- Check in at Scandic hotel, Kemi
The morning of day four is one in which you get to choose what you want to do after breakfast. A list of available Lapland winter safari options can be found on our “Outdoor Activities” page. Snowshoeing, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and other activities are included.
You will visit a real reindeer farm and have the unique experience of traveling in Lapland’s long-established winter mode of transportation. A reindeer-drawn sled will transport you through an unspoiled winter wonderland of snow-white forests. Following your magical sleigh ride, you will sit around a campfire and enjoy hot coffee and delicious buns. While you sit back and relax, one of your guides will explain how reindeer herders spend their days.
You will drive to the bus station in the afternoon. A comfortable bus or train will take you to Kemi, which is located on the Gulf of Bothnia. In Kemi, you’ll stay at the Scandic Hotel or something similar. Check in and relax for the evening.
Day 5: Sampo Icebreaker
- Breakfast, Kemi
- Sampo Icebreaker Cruise, Kemi
- Plunge in the Gulf of Bothnia, Kemi
- Transfer to the train station, Kemi
- Overnight train Kemi- Helsinki
You will travel to the mighty Icebreaker Sampo shortly after your breakfast. This magnificent ship will transport you to Kemi’s most popular tourist attractions as well as adventures through the thick ice of the Gulf of Bothnia. The booming sound of the ship’s more than 3500 tons of steel crushing through the ice will be audible. You can take a tour of the ship. If you’re feeling brave, you can even jump into the icy cold sea.
You will have the afternoon after your cruise to explore the beautiful, pristine town of Kemi. The Snow Castle (open from 17 January) is a must-see!
You will travel to the train station at the end of this long day. You’ll take an overnight train back to Helsinki.
Day 6: Helsinki
- Morning arrival in Helsinki
You will return to Helsinki in the morning, where the tour will conclude. Before departing from your fantastic Lapland vacation, you may want to do some last-minute souvenir shopping or leisure sightseeing. You can leave from the same train station for the airport. The trip will take about 15 minutes.