5 days | Independent | Pre-Christmas | Inari
Wilderness Hotel Juutua sits on the banks of the Juutua River near Inari, with the rapids running just outside and views of the water from the restaurant. Dining is a real part of the stay: the hotel's award-winning Restaurant Aanaar builds its menus from Lapland itself, using lichen, Arctic herbs, reindeer and fish from Lake Inari, and a five-course Aanaar dinner is included during your stay.
Set well away from towns and light pollution, this is a good base for looking for the Northern Lights, by car, by snowmobile and at an Aurora Camp. You will also learn to drive your own husky sled through the forest and ride a snowmobile along the winter trails.
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.
Return shuttle transfers from Ivalo Airport to Inari
International and domestic flights
Fly to Ivalo and transfer to Wilderness Hotel Juutua (approx. 30 min). Upon arrival you will receive your program schedule before dinner. Depending on your arrival time, cold weather gear is given to you either upon arrival or the next day.
There is no way to visit Northern Finland without trying the snowmobiling even if the visit is only a short one. First you will get familiar with the snowmobile, have full safety instructions and a driving lesson with our guide. After everyone feels comfortable, we will head out for a small journey into the nearby surroundings. The driver of the snowmobile must be at least 18 years of age with a driver’s license valid in Finland.
This evening, enjoy a 5 course dinner at Aanaar Restaurant, a highly valued fine dining restaurant. The kitchen creates dishes unique to Lapland, using everything from lichen and the traditional Sami herbal plant Angelica, to reindeer and Lake Inari’s fish.
Husky Safari will take you through lakes and forests and it is a ‘must do’ experience when visiting Lapland. You will be taught how to handle the sled before you head out for the husky safari, where the huskies will pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery. Enjoy the excitement of the dogs before the start, and the serene silence once they get to do what they love – run in the snowy scenery. All husky safaris run so that one guest is mushing and the other one is sitting in the sleigh.
In Koski (Finnish word for rapids), the sauna is heated by a Finnish electric sauna stove. In addition to the sauna, there is a dressing room, bathroom and showers. From the sauna you will find an entrance to the terrace, where you can enjoy the warmth of your own jacuzzi overlooking the rapids of Juutua River. Drinks and Snacks can be ordered to the sauna in advance.
A gentle start to the day today with a walk in a beautiful snowy surrounding. You will be equipped with snowshoes and poles if preferred. You are going to head for a nice little walk in the surrounding nature. Along the way, the guide will share interesting stories and information about the Finnish nature and animals. This is a perfect way to explore the surroundings in peace.
In the evening you will go to a aurora camp. Seated comfortably in a sledge pulled by your guide's snowmobile, you can enjoy the northern sky throughout the journey to the campsite. The atmosphere by the campfire is an experience in itself, where you can enjoy a blazing fire, hot drinks, and each other's company. The Aurora Camp in Inari is one of the best places for Aurora viewing, thanks to its complete lack of light pollution.
After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight.
Price per person, double share.
Standard is 4 nights in a Wilderness Room
Superior is 4 nights in an Arctic Room (min 2 people)
Deluxe is 4 nights in a Superior Sauna Room (min 2 people)
All safaris start with full safety instructions. Your experienced guides will show you how to drive your snowmobile and provide you with a full safety briefing before you hit the trails. You will be provided with thermal overalls, mittens, balaclava, thermal socks, winter boots and helmet for the snowmobile safaris.
All snowmobile safaris have a self-liability of maximum 800€/snowmobile.
Please note that the above itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the activity providers for reasons of safety or other unforeseen circumstances. Any alternative arrangements will be made so that they are as similar to the original program as possible.
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? While the aurora is a natural phenomenon that can never be guaranteed, there are clear seasonal patterns and conditions that can significantly improve your chances.
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