6 days | Independent tour | Jan-Mar | Rovaniemi to Luosto
Classic Standard – This is a new itinerary that has the same thoughtful route design, trusted local partnerships and carefully paced experiences that define our travel styles, with accommodation centred on comfortable 3-star hotels in convenient locations.
Step into a winter landscape where snow-covered forests, Arctic light and gentle adventure define everyday life. This independent journey combines time in Rovaniemi – the capital of Finnish Lapland – with a peaceful stay in Luosto, on the edge of Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Along the way, you will meet reindeer and huskies, explore the wilderness by snowmobile, and enjoy multiple chances to search for the Northern Lights with experienced local guides.
A highlight of the journey is an overnight stay in a glass igloo, where you can fall asleep beneath the Arctic sky, far from city lights. While this is not a Christmas tour, it is possible to visit the Santa Claus Village at a quieter time of year, outside the crowded December festive season, for those who would like to experience it in a more relaxed way.
If you are drawn to autumn colours, softer light and cultural experiences instead of winter snow, you may also like Rovaniemi and Glass Igloo Escape in the Autumn, which explores the same region during Lapland’s golden autumn season.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this itinerary using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
Through our Climate Action Plan, we measure our carbon emissions each year and set goals to reduce them. But our responsibility does not end when the journey does. A share of our annual profits goes to our Impact Fund, supporting conservation, restoration and the communities we work in.
Private airport transfer on arrival, local bus between destinations and back to airport
Welcome to Lapland! Upon arrival at Rovaniemi Airport, enjoy a private transfer to your centrally located hotel. After settling in, take the afternoon to explore the city at your own pace, perhaps visit a local café for a warm Finnish treat, or take a trip to the Santa Claus Village to meet Santa himself!
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Then head out on an unforgettable visit to an authentic reindeer farm, where you'll meet the animals and learn about Sámi traditions. The rest of the day is yours to explore—consider visiting the Arktikum museum for insights into Arctic life and nature. For those interested in meeting Santa, Santa Claus Village is a short ride away. If you'd prefer a more private Santa experience, just let us know!
After breakfast, take a local bus from Rovaniemi bus station to Luosto (approx. 2 hours). Arrive in time for a beginner-friendly snowmobile safari through the scenic Pyhä Fell. With professional guides leading the way, you'll drive 14–20 km through snowy forests and pause by a frozen river for warm drinks and snacks.
In the evening, dinner is served at your hotel in Luosto.
Fuel up with breakfast before heading out for a thrilling husky safari and farm visit. Learn to mush your own team and enjoy the snowy trails. In the evening, embark on a Northern Lights excursion by car, guided by experts who know the best viewing spots. Dinner is included, rounding off a day full of Arctic adventure.
After breakfast, pack up and prepare for a peaceful ice fishing experience on a frozen lake. Later, transfer to your unique glass igloo accommodation, where you’ll enjoy dinner and a chance to gaze at the stars, or even the Northern Lights, from the comfort of your bed.
Enjoy one last breakfast before catching a bus back to Rovaniemi Airport or the city centre. Take with you the memories of a truly magical Arctic journey.
All prices listed are per person, based on two adults sharing a double room. Prices for Christmas and Easter periods are on request.
Rovaniemi and Glass Igloo Escape operates all days of the week except Monday & Thursday.
Tours can change depending on the snow and weather conditions.
We have excluded dinners as you may like to visit local restaurants in Rovaniemi. 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.
Planning a northern lights holiday and wondering when to go? The most reliable window across the Nordic region runs from early September to mid-April, when the nights are dark enough for the aurora to show.
What's hot for the 2025-26 Northern Lights season: Surfing under the Northern Lights, snorkelling or perhaps proposing under the Northern Lights.
The best things to do in Helsinki include a Finnish breakfast, a public sauna, the Design District, the city's market halls and galleries, and a day on the islands of Suomenlinna and Seurasaari.
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, is one of the best-known places in the world to meet Santa Claus. Located on the Arctic Circle, the village welcomes visitors throughout the year, with festive attractions, Santa's Main Post Office and opportunities to enjoy the snowy landscapes of northern Finland in winter.
Whether you are planning a family Christmas holiday or visiting Lapland at another time of year, Santa Claus Village offers a chance to meet Santa, cross the Arctic Circle and experience the Christmas traditions associated with Finland's northernmost region.
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and the main gateway to the region. Although the village is especially popular in December, Santa is there every day of the year.
There is more to Santa Claus Village than meeting Santa. You can explore its festive attractions, visit the post office, cross the Arctic Circle and find activities and excursions that introduce you to Lapland's winter landscapes.
Meeting Santa is the highlight for many visitors. You can visit him at Santa Claus Village throughout the year, making it possible to include a Santa experience in a winter holiday, a summer trip or a visit outside the traditional Christmas season.
December is the busiest time to visit, when families from around the world travel to Rovaniemi for a Christmas experience. If you are travelling with young children, allow time for queues and plan your visit around the other activities you want to enjoy.
For opening information and current visitor arrangements, check the official Santa Claus Village website before you travel.
Santa Claus Village sits on the Arctic Circle, one of the geographical highlights of a visit to Rovaniemi. You can cross the marked line and take photographs to remember the occasion.
The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line of latitude around the Earth, marking the southern boundary of the region where the sun can remain above the horizon for 24 hours at midsummer or below it for 24 hours at midwinter. The exact daylight experience depends on the season.
Santa's Main Post Office is a popular stop for families. You can send postcards and letters from the village, including mail that carries a special Arctic Circle postmark. It is a simple way to share your visit with family and friends at home.
Santa Claus Village and the surrounding Rovaniemi area offer a range of seasonal experiences. Depending on the time of year and the operator, these may include reindeer encounters, husky excursions, snowmobile safaris and other guided activities in the surrounding forests.
Winter brings snow-covered scenery and a distinctly festive atmosphere, while summer offers long daylight hours and a different perspective on the Arctic landscape. Check seasonal availability when planning your visit, particularly if you have specific activities in mind.
The best time to visit depends on the experience you want.
If seeing Santa is the main reason for your trip, you do not have to travel in December. A visit at another time of year can make it easier to combine Santa Claus Village with a broader exploration of Finland.
Santa Claus Village is just outside Rovaniemi, approximately 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the city centre and close to Rovaniemi Airport. The short transfer makes it straightforward to include the village in a stay in Rovaniemi or as part of a longer Lapland itinerary.
Rovaniemi can be reached by air from selected destinations, as well as by train and road from elsewhere in Finland. Services and flight schedules vary by season, so check your travel dates before making arrangements.
You can visit Santa Claus Village independently or include it in a planned Lapland holiday. If you are travelling in December, arrange accommodation, transfers and any special excursions ahead of time, as demand is high around Christmas.
For another kind of Christmas experience, visit SantaPark, an underground Christmas-themed attraction built inside a cavern beneath the forests near Rovaniemi. It offers a different experience from Santa Claus Village, with indoor activities and festive encounters designed for families.
SantaPark is a good option for families looking to spend several hours immersed in a Christmas setting, particularly when the weather is cold. Depending on the season and current programme, experiences may include meeting Santa, visiting the elves and taking part in Christmas-themed activities.
SantaPark and Santa Claus Village are separate attractions, so check their opening dates, admission arrangements and activity schedules before planning your visit. If you have time in Rovaniemi, you may wish to include both in your itinerary: Santa Claus Village for the Arctic Circle, Santa's Main Post Office and its wider outdoor setting, and SantaPark for its indoor Christmas experience.
Santa Claus Village is the most recognisable place to meet Santa in Rovaniemi, but it is not the only option in Finnish Lapland.
The village is a busy visitor attraction, particularly in December. If you want to combine Santa with shops, restaurants, the Arctic Circle and a range of activities in one location, it is a convenient choice.
For families who prefer a quieter experience, other parts of Lapland offer private Santa visits in forest cabins and smaller settings. These experiences can include a sleigh ride through the forest, time with Santa away from the crowds and activities arranged especially for your family.
Read our guide to meeting Santa in Finnish Lapland, away from the crowds to explore the alternatives.
Santa Claus Village can be a day trip from Rovaniemi or one part of a longer winter holiday. Staying in the region also gives you time to discover Lapland's forests, meet reindeer, try seasonal outdoor activities and experience the distinctive atmosphere of the Arctic.
For families interested in a more personal encounter with Santa, explore our independent Christmas holidays and small group Christmas tours.
For help choosing the right itinerary, contact our Nordic destination specialists.
