Our staff will respond to your query promptly and provide detailed information to your questions.
6 days - Independent tour, visiting Tromsø and new boutique Cahkal hotel in Finland
This refined Arctic journey combines the cultural energy of Tromsø with time spent deep in the Finnish wilderness at Cahkal Hotel – one of Lapland’s most celebrated boutique stays. Recently reviewed by award-winning British travel writer Matt Brace in the Luxury Travel Mag (after his travels with 50 Degrees North), Cahkal is praised as a “faultless” hideaway defined by Nordic design, exceptional local dining and a rare sense of calm that is increasingly hard to find.
The experience, however, extends well beyond the hotel itself. You will explore Tromsø with a guided city walk, cruise Arctic waters in search of the northern lights, and immerse yourself in traditional Lapland activities including snowmobiling, reindeer encounters and wilderness experiences. At Cahkal, days are balanced with restorative sauna rituals, foraged-ingredient dining at Aika Restaurant and nights beneath wide, dark skies where the aurora often appears just beyond the terrace.
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.
Private transfers Tromsø - Kilpisjärvi - Tromsø
Portage is not included - you will be responsible for carrying all your luggage.
Arrive in Tromsø and transfer across the border into Finnish Lapland, travelling through increasingly remote landscapes to Kilpisjärvi. On arrival, check in to Cahkal Hotel, perched above the surrounding tundra at Finland’s north-western edge.
With just 23 rooms and no televisions, the hotel is designed to draw your attention outward – towards wide Arctic skies, birch forests and distant fells. Settle into your Nordic-cool room before enjoying a three-course dinner at Aika Restaurant, where local ingredients and seasonal flavours define the menu.
Across Day 2 and Day 3, you’ll experience three exciting Arctic and wilderness activities. The exact timing and order will depend on weather conditions and group arrangements and will be confirmed on arrival. The activities include a half-day snowmobile adventure, exploring the fishing nets, and either a visit to a local reindeer farm or a night adventure by snowshoes.
Snowmobile adventure
Experience Lapland’s most spectacular mountain scenery while driving a snowmobile through the tundra wilderness. Before the tour begins, your guide will provide instructions on how to operate the snowmobile safely. You’ll explore the sights around Kilpisjärvi village and the surrounding wilderness, enjoying the thrill of this winter adventure.
Exploring the fishing nets
Fishing by nets has been a traditional way to feed families in Kilpisjärvi village. On this adventure, you’ll join a local guide to check the fishing nets. First, enjoy a sightseeing tour through the surrounding wilderness on a sleigh pulled by a snowmobile. At the fishing spot, help check the nets and enjoy a tasty lunch. If you’re lucky and catch a fish, it can be taken back to the hotel and prepared for dinner.
Visit a local reindeer farm or Night adventure by snowshoes
Reindeer farm
Located next to Cahkal Hotel, the reindeer farm lets you meet a local herder who shares insights into the traditional livelihood of reindeer herding. You can feed the reindeer, take photos, and enjoy a short reindeer ride with the herder.
Night adventure by snowshoes
Kilpisjärvi is one of the best places to see the northern lights when the sky is clear. This snowshoe adventure takes you through snowy forests, with hot beverages and snacks along the way, creating a magical winter experience.
After a day in the outdoors, unwind with the Sauna Experience, relaxing in the steam while admiring the majestic Saana mountain through the large window. Cool off on the terrace while listening to the soothing sounds of the Cahkal River.
A 3-course dinner will be served at the accommodation’s restaurant, Aika, completing a perfect Arctic day.
Across Day 2 and Day 3, you’ll experience three exciting Arctic and wilderness activities. The exact timing and order will depend on weather conditions and group arrangements and will be confirmed on arrival. The activities include a half-day snowmobile adventure, exploring the fishing nets, and either a visit to a local reindeer farm or a night adventure by snowshoes.
Snowmobile adventure
Experience Lapland’s most spectacular mountain scenery while driving a snowmobile through the tundra wilderness. Before the tour begins, your guide will provide instructions on how to operate the snowmobile safely. You’ll explore the sights around Kilpisjärvi village and the surrounding wilderness, enjoying the thrill of this winter adventure.
Exploring the fishing nets
Fishing by nets has been a traditional way to feed families in Kilpisjärvi village. On this adventure, you’ll join a local guide to check the fishing nets. First, enjoy a sightseeing tour through the surrounding wilderness on a sleigh pulled by a snowmobile. At the fishing spot, help check the nets and enjoy a tasty lunch. If you’re lucky and catch a fish, it can be taken back to the hotel and prepared for dinner.
Visit a local reindeer farm or Night adventure by snowshoes
Reindeer farm
Located next to Cahkal Hotel, the reindeer farm lets you meet a local herder who shares insights into the traditional livelihood of reindeer herding. You can feed the reindeer, take photos, and enjoy a short reindeer ride with the herder.
Night adventure by snowshoes
Kilpisjärvi is one of the best places to see the northern lights when the sky is clear. This snowshoe adventure takes you through snowy forests, with hot beverages and snacks along the way, creating a magical winter experience.
After a day in the outdoors, unwind with the Sauna Experience, relaxing in the steam while admiring the majestic Saana mountain through the large window. Cool off on the terrace while listening to the soothing sounds of the Cahkal River.
A 3-course dinner will be served at the accommodation’s restaurant, Aika, completing a perfect Arctic day.
After breakfast, enjoy a slow final morning at Cahkal. Sip coffee while watching daylight move across the tundra, or take a short walk along the river before transferring back to Tromsø, where the rhythm of Arctic city life provides a gentle contrast to the stillness of Lapland.
After breakfast, you are met by our private guide at your hotel and brought outdoors on a historical and cultural city walk through Tromsø city. During this walk you visit the Polar Museum with your guide. This museum contains the history of the Arctic explorers Amundsen, Nansen and Scott. The walk ends at the Polaria aquarium and environmental centre.
The rest of the day is free to wander around in this Arctic capital - if it is a bit fresh outside, explore the lovely cafes & galleries.
In the evening, Step aboard Stella Oceana, a custom built 32-meter luxury yacht, designed to host small groups of up to 12 guests. Settle into an evening of indulgence with a private hot tub experience and a traditional local dinner. You can enjoy the scenery outside while relaxing under cozy blankets with a warm drink. Cruise out to the best place to see the lights depending on the weather. Your guides will share local stories and answer any questions you have about the aurora borealis or Northern Norway.
After breakfast, transfer either into town or to the Tromsø Airport.
Please note all prices are per person in double/twin share. Prices are indicative.
For Christmas period 23-27 Dec 2025 please see Christmas in the Arctic
Activities are subject to change due to updated schedules and weather.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL:
Light pollution affects the ecosystem and among other things, it disrupts the ability of birds to navigate by moonlight and starlight, and the ability of nocturnal animals to hide from predators. As such they utilize as much natural light as possible, and only keep the lights on when they are needed. Customers are encouraged to do the same – this way marvelling the northern sky becomes easier.
Cahkal Hotel uses geothermal heating and solar panels (make sense in summer when the sun does not set). It is totally built of wood, a sustainable material in Lapland. Cahkal Hotel’s AIKA restaurant uses local ingredients as much as possible, including white fish from the nearby lakes (fished by the local fisherman), reindeer meat from the local herder (the one you meet) and wild berries from the surrounding wilderness.
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.
Finland is well known as a 'Northern Lights' travel destination. Above the Arctic Circle, small villages and resorts in the wilderness over unique chances to see the lights between mid-September to early April.
Shared experiences make lifelong memories and our multi-generational family holidays offer it all.
Learn what to pack for your Lapland winter adventure. Stay warm, travel smart, and enjoy the Arctic snow.
