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6 days - Magical Christmas tour for families with skiing, Santa and adventures.
Would you like to spend your next Christmas in Lapland in a snow-covered forest, winter activities at your door and a private Santa visit to his cottage in the wilderness? Christmas is a time for families to make new memories together, and this is where we step in. Our escorted tours include hand-picked restaurants with all the trimmings, experienced local guides and an escort on hand 24/7.
The village of Levi is located 170 km north of the Arctic Circle, deep in Finnish Lapland surrounded by the peaceful old forests, high enough that the Northern Lights will hopefully blaze across the sky. Your family will stay in your own private log cabin, with fireplaces, living rooms and sauna. Enjoy great local food and join in some exhilarating winter activities like husky & reindeer sledding and snowmobiling.
On Christmas Eve, we will visit Elves Village, where the day is spent enjoying winter activities with elves. We’ll also attend a class at the Elves School and assist Mrs. Claus by baking gingerbread cookies. With the help of a magic map, each family will find their way to an old Lappish village, where Santa relaxes amidst the Christmas bustle in his cozy cottage near the forest. Reindeer herders kindly offer us the chance to try a reindeer ride in the beautiful snowy surroundings of the Elves Village. The highlight of the day is when each family has a private visit to Santa’s cottage, complete with private letter reading.
Highlights include
- Private Santa Visit and reindeer rides
- 50 Degrees North Escort
- Make Christmas crafts with the elves
- Stay in a log cabin nestled into the forest
- Day 1
- Arrive in Lapland and transfer to your log cabin
- Day 2
- Visit Santa in his private Santa cabin in the forest and Christmas Dinner
- Day 3
- Husky Ride at the Husky farm and lunch around an open fire
- Day 4
- Free day to ski, relax or do optional activities
- Day 5
- Snowmobile Safari through the forests then free evening
- Day 6
- Departure day
- Start Place
- Levi , Finland
- End Place
- Kittilä, Finland
- Country Visited
- Finland
- Duration
- 6 Days
- Start Date
- Scheduled
- Travel Style
- Escorted Tour
- Suitability
- Adventurous Christmas holiday, minimum age: 4 years old
- Code
- 50DN0790
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
Bus transfers, snowmobiles & sleighs
Included
- Airport transfers on day 1 & 6 (for scheduled flights to and from Kittilä)
- 5 nights' accommodation in your private log cabin. Each cabin has different furniture and styles. Final cleaning of the cabin, electricity, water, heating and all taxes included.
- 1 set of linen & towels per person for the 5 nights
- 3 x lunches during your activities
- 4 x dinners (3-course meals at top rated local restaurants) including festive Christmas meal
- Winter clothing hire: Overall, boots, balaclava, mittens
- All activities as per itinerary including: reindeer sleigh ride, husky safari (2 adults per sleigh, children in guide's sleigh), safari by snowmobiles (2 adults per snowmobile, children in guide's sled), private family visit to Santa's cabin and Christmas Eve snow activities. These activities can vary depending on the weather conditions.
- 50 Degrees North escort on hand - accompanies the group for the whole experience including dinners and activities, working alongside the local guides to make your holiday seamless
Not Included
Flight tickets, meals other than described (note dinner is not included for one of the evenings so you can dine locally), alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, travel insurance, visas, gratuities and any other items of personal nature. The majority of the cabins don't have Wi-Fi but we will endeavour to organise some hot spotting in the cabins where possible.
Note that breakfast is not included. Each family will be able to purchase breakfast supplies at the local supermarket and that way you can enjoy breakfast in the comfort of your own cabin together with your family.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Lapland and transfer to your log cabin
Arrive at airport and transfer to your log cabin accommodation. Free time for relaxing in your cabin: light the fire, make a cup of tea and watch the kids make their first snowman. Decorate the Christmas tree on your arrival in the cabin (optional add on).
In the evening dinner at a very special glass roofed igloo restaurant, you will meet your fellow travellers at a welcome dinner. Before or after this dinner, our tour escort will take you for a walk to the supermarket where you will be able to purchase breakfast supplies for your cabin (choose your own supplies and pay for these locally). You will then be able to enjoy a relaxing breakfast in the comfort of your own each morning with your family before the day's activities.
Enjoy your first evening in Lapland. With no light pollution and no noise you can truly feel the beauty of the Arctic night, admire the night sky and hopefully see the Northern Lights. Hear the silence of the wilderness and breathe in the cleanest air in Europe.
Meals
1 DinnerAccommodation
Day 2 - Visit Santa in his private Santa cabin in the forest and Christmas Dinner
Merry Christmas - today is the traditional Finnish Christmas day and so, with the help of a magic map, your group will find the way to an old Lappish village where Santa relaxes amidst Christmas bustle in his cozy cottage near the forest. Reindeer herders will kindly offer you to try a reindeer sled ride in a beautiful snowy forest. After the reindeer sled ride, you can explore the farm. The guide will share with you stories of the past and present life of reindeer herders. You can even feed some young reindeer local lichen.
Now it’s time to meet Santa in his cottage. Are you ready to step into fairy-tale? Santa is so glad to see everyone! Mrs. Santa sends greetings, she has prepared for all the children her famous homemade ginger bread cookies. You can finally ask Santa all the questions about himself and his elves and life in the Polar Circle!
This evening, enjoy a Christmas Dinner at Restaurant Ahku including traditional Finnish Christmas ham, Roasted turkey, Glow fried salmon, Carelian meat stew and Christmas vegetables casseroles and potatoes with entree and dessert as well.
Meals
1 Lunch1 Dinner
Accommodation
Day 3 - Husky Ride at the Husky farm and lunch around an open fire
After a leisurely start to the day, start your arctic experience with huskies. This is what you absolutely should try in Lapland! After the safety instructions, you will start the journey out into the forests. Enjoy the silence and beautiful winter scenery of Levi. Everyone will experience husky team driving (one is driving, one is sitting on a sledge).
After the trip you will have a soup lunch by the open fire, before returning to your cabin. This evening, enjoy a group dinner buffet style at Saamen Kammi Restaurant. This Sami restaurant is a traditional restaurant with an open fire in the centre with salmon being smoked and meat BBQ-ed in front of you.
Meals
1 Lunch1 Dinner
Accommodation
Day 4 - Free day to ski, relax or do optional activities
Take a step back and enjoy the local options this morning. You can head to the ski slopes for some downhill skiing, go cross country skiing or even, go ice go karting. There are a lot of different options depending on your family - some need to be booked early or you can go with the flow.
This evening, meet the group for your final dinner at the Steakhouse Restaurant. Fish delicacies from the ice buffet, steaks (reindeer, beef and lamb) and the chef's pannacotta for dessert.
Accommodation
Day 5 - Snowmobile Safari through the forests then free evening
Come and experience the delights of riding a snowmobile through snow-covered forests. Spend time in the nature of the Arctic Lapland. Before the safari you will change clothing for the winter safari equipment and get instruction for driving snowmobile and safety rules.
After your ride through the forest, enjoy lunch at Hotel K5 Levi Restaurant. Then it is a free afternoon - perhaps you might hit the ski slopes, go horse riding in the forest, ice go-karting or enjoy some Christmas shopping.
This evening is free so your family can enjoy their own Christmas Day evening.
Meals
1 Lunch1 Dinner
Accommodation
Day 6 - Departure day
Independent transfer to the airport and travel home.
Family quad price applies when 2 adults and 2 children (between 4-11 ) travelling together sharing a 1 bedroom cabin with a loft. Please contact us for a quote for your family.
28 Dec 2024
28 Dec 2024
Important Information
- To steer a husky team you need to be 18 years old.
- To drive a snowmobile you need to have a valid driver's license. Please, remember to bring it with you.
- Snowmobile safari organisers have insurance. In case of accident you personal liability is max EUR 850 per accident case.
- Minimum age for children is 4 to join the snowmobile and husky experience
This tour is based just outside a small village - the group dinners and daily activities are short drives from your accommodation. You can access the town by a ski shuttle or after dinner, taxis if you want to do your own thing at times.
Each cabin is different and we will try to accommodate your family in the most suitable one. An example of what the log cabin will contain is: Dishes, fireplace / firewood, cable-tv, electric stove+oven, dishwasher, microwave oven, coffee maker, kettle, toaster, fridge, small freezer, washing machine, electric clothes drying cabinet, iron and car heating point. Most will have bedrooms in lofts and on the ground floor, singles and doubles with 1+ private bathrooms and sauna.
Please note activities are subject to change due to weather.
Note about the images in the gallery - each cabin is different with its own style and configuration. The images are a guide only.
Gallery
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/7m3ddxPHlfXj0oys382As0/fd67b2b67ff616095cf4d3b07cbd4481/VillaPoro1bedroom_Outside.jpeg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3SI3QvN6NPXyXrwPqheumU/6452a9fd2d0ea2264c865f02e919a64b/VillaPoro1-bedroom_Stairs.jpeg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/15a6LrSFGOygBvFGrZSqeh/2db05ce7ddfc5c3fa1aab52d0bb4d673/VillaPoro1-bedroom_General-view.jpeg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/7mbJYzrD1ZJzt23Mephv4K/92161446925522b219bc1af98b18d27a/Screen_Shot_2021-11-29_at_3.47.20_pm.png?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3ZAO3roy7wOYdbNc5gwCTq/625dbd4b51c6756d8e0578d0491ce90f/rakkavaltti_outside.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/47Xt5YSWIubTN3Y7Rs9iZS/8174dd06c0ee366c6da7e6f80cf2b06e/20181224_115406.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
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![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/2FlbBuTL8WGFlMRHy1yMVp/a40825fc047b6010641351fc184e50c0/20181218_130731.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3vkIywTM03B0AaDxzX65Da/a6ed8628afa2e568408ca47c2679d0af/Rakkavaltti_sauna.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/ZcKUG3EGwdeZ55KEVQjb4/ca4d19e586d15a4c6c15766d4acd078c/803px__MG_1957.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
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![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/5IS8zR350SNhA03IVozH3c/ef9ac202b18bae878893b0084cb40302/KRT_outside.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/A2jMpUOiucXcjPSDYNJ4h/7d03cab10c5246cc15427869f406b4d2/bistro_k5_1_20170215_1901528426.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/28OOUHSFl1kfbVCflP3E05/fa33f254f7f703f114bcb1543f2a9e11/Levi_3.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/2suvtMqOvNrY0Gx6JDmcMY/68f1dc215d1731e3df3ad2c1b2b88b59/Levi_skiing.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/4LZu1LtwAs6gz6iMoFjP2w/44a8d29f918f78d25fabc093c3280c7c/20181218_130941.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3VtG82PeAcSEyvMnzhpk3W/1df3ca52b61561c432f575d76bb3456e/Levi.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/Hnxc74QGthKZvbryZSKTg/7c2d9f9a4eac411716144ce4c68600d8/Utsu_Restaurant_2.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3p010p0aXU8hSQvcBGbrTJ/68d50bc7110bc15ef0efe947d58e71b6/Levi_2.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/5kvDSmKFcXcUUz3y8Cd5AT/1b02f877a24d0940fd7e7ebc201f6274/Visit_Levi.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/5FVnOOe23QuOvnfglR4hR/446df13c37541b328af4035afe57f710/Rakkavaltti_sittingarea.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
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Travelling with young children
Holidaying in the Scandinavia with Younger Children
Here are some suggestions and tips from our staff who have kids themselves, for travelling in Scandinavia with younger children. We hope that you will find this advice helpful and be sure to ask us for more information before travelling as our staff have all grown up in Scandinavia.
In general, Scandinavia and Finland are very child-friendly destinations and if you have any special requests or questions while here, please contact the staff at your hotel immediately. Almost all restaurants can be considered child-friendly with baby chairs and sometimes also drawing utensils, books or toys, and when using public transport, Scandinavia offers some great support for families with younger children. Baby changing tables in public toilets, play equipment and play rooms at airport terminals and family wagons in trains with playing area for the little ones are common place.
Arriving and Jetlag
When possible, we suggest arriving to Scandinavia or Finland a day or two earlier before your holiday program begins so that your younger children can adjust to the time zone. Young children arriving from the Southern Hemisphere generally wake up at around 4 - 5am for the first few mornings before they get accustomed to the new time zone. Be sure to have breakfast provisions ready for this, as it is unusual for anything to be provided from the hotel at this early hour. We suggest bringing packages of the child's favourite breakfast cereal from home plus tea bags etc. to help in those first few days. Likewise, quiet entertainment for those early hours might be a good idea as well.
Bedding and Room Arrangements
Hotel rooms in Scandinavia more likely than not, only have twin beds pushed together to make a double if required. The spare children's beds are often foldout beds. Generally, it is easy to arrange at reception for the cots but be sure to ask for help if something doesn't seem right. We were provided a cot without a mattress once - very uncomfortable indeed if we hadn't chased that up!
Also, in Scandinavia it is not common practise to have tea or coffee provided in the room, and even if there is a kettle, there might be nothing else. We suggest travelling with a small supply of your own tea bags/coffee, and asking directly at reception for a kettle on arrival.
Meal times
Feeding your children adequately is probably the hardest thing to do on an arranged holiday - kids are out of wack with jetlag, fussy and hungry for their own comfort food. When hotels and packages provide set times for meals and buffets, it is important to come prepared.
It is handy to take a small cooler bag already from home filled with snacks, utensils and fresh food. From the breakfast buffets it is usually acceptable to take a small amount of fresh food such as boiled eggs, rolls and fruit for morning and afternoon tea for the little ones.
We would also suggest that you give your kids a taste of what’s to come before their holiday on some foods that they are likely to get in Scandinavia. Meatballs, European flavoured sausages, soups & then treats like cinnamon buns and waffles are typical children's menu items. Cinnamon is a very common flavour used in Scandinavia and Finland.
If you are part of an arranged program, be sure to ask at reception if you need anything in particular. The hotel staff will be more than happy to warm up baby food and organise more snacks or fruit.
Choosing your optional activities
We recommend seeking all available information from the reception or activity provider when considering what optional activities will suit your younger children. These activities can be cold and involve a transfer a certain distance from the hotel. If you are uncertain why the activity is being run at a particular time, please ask for clarification as there is often a reason that you might be unfamiliar with. We all know as parents that children generally perform better earlier in the day than later, however, the activity providers might have a safety, logistic or climate reason for picking a certain time.
In Scandinavia, it is often left up to the parents to make decisions about age limits and suitability (unlike other regions where everything is stipulated) so be sure to ask reception or other guests who have done the activity for further advice.
We usually don't recommend winter activities, such as longer husky safaris, snowmobile safaris and late evening Aurora Hunts to children under the age 4-5. This of course depends very much on a child as every child is different, but for younger children we recommend shorter excursions as it can get very cold sitting still in a sled. Some operators also do not take children under the age of 5 on their tours, so please ask us specifically before travelling about these limitations.
Protection against the cold
This is going to make or break your holiday in Scandinavia in the winter. Be sure to refer to our comprehensive packing list provided in your pre-departure information and be on the look out for the best protection for your children in the cold. Winter is great time for kids to play outside and snow-based activities will keep the young ones entertained for hours as long as they have appropriate clothing.
Extra (non-cotton) layers that can be added or taken away when needed, heat warmers and slip on crampons for the older children are recommended. Mittens where all fingers except the thumb are together are often warmer than gloves, and extra pair of mittens will come in handy after building a snowman or two. A balaclava type of hat that covers both the neck and ears and which can also protect part of child’s face if needed, is also great under a warm and windproof beanie.
The base-layer next to skin should be either wool or synthetic blend, never cotton. With perspiration cotton turns quickly damp and then cold, no matter what other warmer clothing items are layered on top of it.
Many of the hotels and activity providers also do offer warm outer clothing for hire, but if traveling with small kids, please do check beforehand that correct sizes are available.
Packing extras
- Heat warmer pads for inside gloves and boots. Please note that these should not be used directly against the skin, hence for hands, you will need to use the pads in between the two pairs of gloves/mittens recommended in our packing list
- Good boots and warm woolly socks for your little ones
- Bags & suitcases that can easily be carried by one parent if the other is carrying children. Many of us use Trunkies for our travels so that our kids can sit on them, or sometimes the kids can pull the cases themselves. If your child is small enough to be carried, we highly recommend a baby or toddler carrier that leaves your hands free for handling the luggage.
- Provisions for the first day or two whether it is snacks, nappies or fruit drinks.
- Books, drawing pencils or other tranquil inside activity and your child’s favourite teddy!
Practical Information for travelling and packing for Scandinavian Winter
Recommended Scandinavian Winter Tour Packing List:
- Warm wind and water proof jacket and trousers large enough to fit thick woollen jumper/clothing underneath
- Rain trousers – waterproof and breathable material
- Warm windproof cap/hat
- Warm gloves or mittens. Mittens where all fingers except the thumb are together are often warmer than gloves.
- Windproof gloves or mittens, which you can pull over the warm gloves
- Warm scarf
- 2 pairs of long woollen underwear (Merino wool in a few different thicknesses is perfect)
- 1-2 warm woollen jumper(s), or one jumper and a warm fleece
- Woollen or fleece trousers
- 2-3 pairs of warm woollen socks
- Warm & sturdy footwear with good grip
- Clothes for indoors, i.e. a shirt, T-shirts and jeans or cotton trousers
- Back pack for day trips (approx. 30 litre)
- Light footwear/trainers (mainly for indoors)
- Sun screen & Lip salve (the sun reflects off the snow and the air is dry)
- Sunglasses
- Hand warmers
- Nordic Grip anti-slip soles for walking on ice
- Personal medication
- Water bottle - thermo, or include a cover to keep warm (or you can stick it into a warm sock)
- Travel documents (including insurance)
- Photo ID
- Note book and pencil
- Camera, memory cards and charger
- Chargers for other gadgets
- Extra batteries for your cameras as they are used fast in cold conditions.
- Adapters
Travel Safe
Travel Insurance and Safety
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.