Experiences not to be missed on your Northern Lights holiday
What's hot for the 2025-26 Northern Lights season: Surfing under the Northern Lights, snorkelling or perhaps proposing under the Northern Lights.
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- NEW ITINERARY FOR 2026
6 days - Visit Rovaniemi and Luosto with authentic and wild autumn experiences
Autumn in Lapland is a season of colour, calm and quiet magic. Golden forests, crisp air and darkening nights create ideal conditions for cultural encounters, nature walks and early Northern Lights sightings. This independent journey takes you from Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, to the tranquil village of Luosto, blending soft adventure with meaningful local experiences and time to slow down and connect with the landscape.
You will explore hidden trails, learn about Eastern Lapland traditions, meet reindeer with a local photographer, and spend a night in a panoramic glass igloo, watching the stars from the warmth of your bed. Far removed from the Christmas rush, it is possible to also visit the Santa Claus Village outside the busy December season, offering a quieter, more personal experience of Santa’s home village.
For travellers who prefer snow-covered scenery, winter activities and classic Arctic adventures, you may wish to compare this journey with Rovaniemi and Glass Igloo Escape, the winter version of this itinerary.
Highlights include
- Explore Santa’s hometown combined with a retreat in a peaceful forest village location.
- Reindeer & Photography: Meet reindeer and capture the moment with a local photographer.
- Discover hidden trails and Lappish nature on a guided walk to the Sacred Waterfall.
- Learn Eastern Lapland traditions through crafts and storytelling.
- Chase the Aurora with expert guides under crisp autumn skies.
- Sleep beneath the stars in a panoramic Arctic igloo.
- Day 1
- Arrival in Rovaniemi
- Day 2
- Reindeer Farm Visit with Photographer
- Day 3
- Travel to Luosto and Sacred Waterfall Hike
- Day 4
- Local Culture, History and Northern Lights
- Day 5
- Autumn Nature Experience and Glass Igloo Stay
- Day 6
- Departure Day
- Start/End Place
- Rovaniemi, Finland
- Country Visited
- Finland
- Duration
- 6 Days
- Start Date
- Flexible
- Travel Style
- Independent
- Suitability
- Independent holiday with moderately active activities and no luggage handling included
- Code
- 50DN1315
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Details
Transportation
Private airport transfer on arrival, local bus between destinations and back to airport
Included
- Standard double/twin room for 2 nights at the Santa Claus Hotel including breakfast
- Standard double/twin room with fireplace for 2 nights in Luosto, including breakfast
- One night in double/twin Glass Igloo accommodation in Luosto
- Daily breakfast and three dinners (drinks not included) included
- Local Reindeer Farm visit with a Photographer
- Guided Hike to the Sacred Waterfall
- Culture of Eastern Lapland
- Northern Lights Hunting by Car
- Husky-Experience - Wagon Ride and Farm Visit
- Private transfer from Rovaniemi Airport to hotel
- Local bus from Rovaniemi to Luosto and from Luosto to Rovaniemi Airport
Not Included
Flights, meals other than specified, items of personal nature, beverages and any additional activities.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Rovaniemi
Arrive at Rovaniemi Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your centrally located hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the city independently: visit local shops, walk along the river, or relax in a cosy café.
Day 2 - Reindeer Farm Visit with Photographer
After breakfast, head out for a unique visit to a local reindeer farm, accompanied by a professional photographer who helps you capture the experience. The rest of the day is free, consider visiting the Arktikum museum or Santa Claus Village. For a more private Santa experience, let us know! In Rovaniemi, it is possible to meet Santa every day of the year.
Meals
1 BreakfastDay 3 - Travel to Luosto and Sacred Waterfall Hike
Take a morning bus from Rovaniemi to Luosto (approx. 2 hours). Upon arrival, join a guided hike to a sacred waterfall, learning about the flora, fauna, and folklore of the region. Dinner is served at your hotel.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Dinner
Day 4 - Local Culture, History and Northern Lights
Enjoy breakfast before diving into the traditions of Eastern Lapland through a cultural workshop. In the evening, embark on a Northern Lights excursion by car, guided by experts who know the best viewing locations. Dinner is included at your hotel tonight.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Dinner
Day 5 - Autumn Nature Experience and Glass Igloo Stay
After breakfast, pack up and enjoy a guided nature experience that showcases the beauty of Lapland’s autumn landscapes. Later, transfer to your glass igloo accommodation for dinner and a peaceful night under the stars.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Dinner
Day 6 - Departure Day
After breakfast, take a bus back to Rovaniemi Airport or the city centre. Depart with memories of Lapland’s golden forests and Arctic charm.
Meals
1 BreakfastDates & Prices
All prices listed are per person, based on two adults sharing a double room.
Dates
Valid From
Valid To
From Price
Status
Accommodation
1 Sep 2026
31 Oct 2026
31 Oct 2026
1 Sep 2026
31 Oct 2026
AUD 2,623
On request
Standard
1 Sep 2026
31 Oct 2026
31 Oct 2026
1 Sep 2026
31 Oct 2026
AUD 961
On request
Extra for Single
1 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
1 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
AUD 3,187
On request
Standard
1 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
1 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
AUD 1,130
On request
Extra for Single
Important Information
Tours can change depending on the weather conditions.
We have excluded dinners in Rovaniemi as you may like to visit local restaurants. Please let us know if you would like to include the first dinner on arrival or anything else. Lunches often clash with activities so we leave it up to you to fit in with your day.
ANIMAL WELFARE POLICY:
At 50 Degrees North, animal welfare is a top priority during all our tours and packages. We carefully select suppliers who adhere to strict animal welfare standards, ensuring that wildlife interactions are respectful and comply with local, national, and international regulations. We avoid offering excursions that involve captive wildlife, except where they are properly regulated, and all activities are designed to minimise disturbance to natural ecosystems. Our travellers are educated on responsible, including responsible animal interactions, through our 'Responsible Travel Tips' for travellers, and our guides are trained to lead by example, promoting ethical conduct towards both wild and domesticated animals. By prioritising animal welfare in every aspect of our tours, we ensure that your travel experience is both enjoyable and ethically sound. Read our article on Animal Welfare to learn more.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Weather conditions may occasionally affect certain activities, and as a result, the schedule may be adjusted to ensure the best possible experience for all guests. For multi-activity stays, often the order of the activities will be confirmed locally on arrival. Activities might vary slightly in their duration or location due to the weather and local conditions. Any activities that are unable to be re-scheduled due to weather conditions, will be refunded as a general practice, as determined by the activity provider.
Gallery
Interactive Tour Map
Inspiration
Lapland Holidays in the Autumn Months
Experience the quiet magic of ruska season in Lapland - glowing autumn forests, crisp Arctic air, and the chance to see the Northern Lights — through a curated selection of immersive wilderness, culture and aurora-focused journeys across Finland and Norway.
Can I see the Northern Lights in Autumn?
If you don’t fancy the sub-zero temperatures associated with Northern Scandinavia in winter, consider an autumn tour.