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- 2024 Available
5 days - Spend Christmas under the Northern Lights in a Wilderness Lodge in Finland
In the far north of Finnish Lapland, Hotel Muotka is a remote retreat where snow-covered forests and frozen lakes provide the backdrop to the day’s adventures. Far from major civilisation, this is a fantastic place from which to search for the northern lights; by snowmobile, above your bed during the night in the Aurora cabin and even at an Aurora Camp. You'll also learn how to drive your own husky-sled through the Lappish wilderness, snowmobile through glittering forest trails and say hello to Santa when he visits on Christmas Eve.
Highlights include
- Stay in the remote wilderness lodges surrounded by snow-covered forests and frozen lakes
- Enjoy a Christmas buffet dinner, Santa visit and small gift on the 24th December
- Be taught how to handle the sled before heading out on the husky safari, where the huskies will pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery, passing along frozen Lake Inari.
- Day 1
- Fly to Ivalo and transfer to the Wilderness Hotel
- Day 2
- Meet the local reindeers and their herders then enjoy a traditional Christmas Eve
- Day 3
- Husky Safari through the winter scenery then an evening Aurora excursion
- Day 4
- Snowmobile safari and Aurora Cabin
- Day 5
- After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight.
- Start/End Place
- Ivalo, Finland
- Country Visited
- Finland
- Duration
- 5 Days
- Start Date
- Scheduled
- Travel Style
- Independent
- Suitability
- Adventurous Christmas holiday, minimum age: 4 years old
- Code
- 50DN0480
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
Return transfers from Ivalo Airport to Inari (30 - 45 mins)
Included
- Airport transfers (for scheduled domestic flights)
- 3 nights accommodation in log cabin/superior sauna room and 1 night in an aurora cabin
- Full board for complete stay
- Snowmobile safari
- Husky Safari
- Aurora Camp
- Reindeer farm visit and ride
- Christmas buffet dinner, Santa visit and small gift
- Outdoor clothing for complete stay
- Daily itinerary will be provided upon arrival
Not Included
International and domestic flights
Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly to Ivalo and transfer to the Wilderness Hotel
Fly to Ivalo and transfer to Wilderness Hotel Inari (approx. 30 - 45 min depending on weather) or Wilderness Hotel Muotka. 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.
Meals
1 DinnerDay 2 - Meet the local reindeers and their herders then enjoy a traditional Christmas Eve
Today you will meet a local reindeer herder and his reindeer! At the reindeer farm you will learn interesting information about the reindeer and the life of a reindeer herder and Sami culture. There will be also possibility for a short reindeer sledge ride during your visit at the farm. This guided trip will be made by car.
This evening, it is Christmas Eve which is the main Christmas event in Finland. Enjoy the traditional festive buffet dinner as well as a Santa visit with a small local gift.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Day 3 - Husky Safari through the winter scenery then an evening Aurora excursion
An absolute ‘must do’ when visiting Lapland! You will be taught how to handle the sled before heading out on the husky safari, where the huskies will pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery, passing along frozen Lake Inari. The dogs’ excitement is infectious but they fall silent on the trail, this is the only way to see Lapland. All our husky safaris include full instructions and are based on two people sharing a sled unless otherwise stated.
This evening after dinner, dress warmly and head out to the Aurora Camp, an all-time favorite among our guests.
This trip takes you to one of the specifically chosen camp spots, where you will try to catch the northern lights. You will be comfortably seated in a sledge, pulled by a guide’s snowmobile. We will have open fire and warm drinks while waiting for the sky to show its magic.
The excursions on days 2, 3 & 4 may occur in a different order, depending on availability, timings and weather, but all are included in your stay.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Day 4 - Snowmobile safari and Aurora Cabin
This tour is perfect for those who have never tried snowmobiling before. First you will get familiar with the snowmobile, have full safety instructions and driving lesson. After everyone feels comfortable, you will head out for a small journey into the nearby surroundings.
This evening, transfer to an aurora cabin. The shape of the aurora cabin is inspired by the traditional Sámi hut, Kota. Stay warm and cozy in your bed while gazing at the night sky through the glass ceiling facing north. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the northern lights dancing in the sky! All Aurora Kotas have double beds and room for 1 extra bed. There’s also a private toilet and limited space for luggage.
If you are traveling on dates 19-23 Dec you will spend all 4 nights in a log cabin.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Day 5 - After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight.
After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight.
Meals
1 BreakfastPrice per person double share, minimum 2 people
Family triple is 2 adults sharing with 1 child age 4-14
Family quad is 2 adults sharing with 2 children age 4-14
NOTE for 2024:
Standard incl. 3 nights Superior Sauna Room and 1 night Aurora cabin
Superior incl. 3 nights Panorama Log Cabin and 1 night Aurora cabin
Deluxe incl. 3 nights Riverside Log Cabin and 1 night Aurora cabin
23 Dec 2024
23 Dec 2024
23 Dec 2024
23 Dec 2024
23 Dec 2024
23 Dec 2024
23 Dec 2024
27 Dec 2024
27 Dec 2024
27 Dec 2024
27 Dec 2024
27 Dec 2024
27 Dec 2024
27 Dec 2024
Important Information
Larger family log cabins and suites on request. Downgrading to wilderness room is possible, depending on availability.
Please note: Santa Program varies a bit every year, and depends on the guests' schedule and whether there are a lot of kids or not. The hotel will post the Xmas program for guests to see on arrival. Usually something a little extra will be included; Christmas tree decorating, arts & crafts, gingerbread baking, some fun activities outside - but again, this is not set in stone. Usually you will have quite busy schedule with activities and hence there is not a whole lot of time for extras.
Muotka has a riverside smoke sauna and hut including ice plunge hole for guests to use.
Gallery
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/MBLZaqXQCvN2Y5ieF4fBj/19488b5c3604f31cabcfd5f32ff48d8b/Screen_Shot_2021-05-20_at_10.52.33_am.png?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/6M3z5IVHu9OxmmSBFvlPYG/a2fa6bbbdf17a0da84b1805456cc2a44/Screen_Shot_2021-05-20_at_10.55.08_am.png?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/7DzgxvTV5Cz4rCyvCVKkb0/105641c9d440da4aea8182a048b0c2af/muotka-aurora-cabin.jpeg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/617UAD3s1hFbCRVyfMks5L/0c551c7650ae1d2ef8c77b53f5294529/Inari_Aurora_Cabin2.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/4qJbUhaNom7L3GSAgmRm8q/d0d4529fcd9b2fb4285f2ea6dacc8629/Santa_Muotka.jpeg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3QLsCeap6yiLJsudyVXUGc/754c3a47209a9dc2fb74cb7fd57f1956/49810402_1480370415427625_4909036521408954368_n.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3DepOlKrKhiu21x3zHJJpP/fb704288603f360c25133c1b95f58c38/45577862_1430075863790414_7332378630271533056_n.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3VzbJuLfBYOsICec0AW2s8/423abc43e96dd01592c434530c6eea80/Nellim_Reindeer_day34.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/RRVS93OucwgsMio0aAyck/fbafe56c0c032f805b7b8a9cfd46a644/Nellim_Husky40.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/2Lk9MMbbR6uGqy8cMssoGu/34d3d3189be828957c4b0b286c76a3b0/Screen_Shot_2018-10-09_at_3.08.21_pm.png?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/5S9CIW3pqosOgYycKIEGaY/278f0cefce7437209728ef0e7b42c7eb/restaurant.png?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/2tj54TTTKggsmYMO4GmqU/05f234e4fe97987a145eed28798b3079/Nellim_Snowshoes_Day25.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/249v1OR0qgCgOK6Umys08G/6db96adb10c68417ccdae66d9d028773/Nellim_Snowshoes_Day29.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3nQ39On2DKqW2CS2gEuaAk/190d928d488589077d60da41100ac58e/Nellim_Reindeer.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/7lnkdPnX68Wus04wwIiGcG/a3f0dc510d71007507930658c0015199/Nellim_Snowshoes_Day02.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/1OCf4pQcrKM4GGQAQ6kgwI/fc9e30146eaa150d5d0b85f519a8439f/Nellim_Restaurant_3.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/7dETZNCUDeQ8cCuCOWeaeS/284b30a4ceb0e2f6db686f76466a73ac/Nellim_Snowshoes_Day04.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/2TK9g4YGlamiucWSWMaoW2/a871211a6d3f84299bd0ae2d59519b91/Nellim_Huskies.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/1sYA6Vrr8cYcQAqaCCugMM/f2f8f63be3d3212eee9ad709ac2a2562/Nellim_Kids_Christmas_Holiday_Nellim_29.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/3sfyAxHXbaIQ4GY8AWKW4K/092f80464ddb94ae315c4d369c264370/nellim_inari.jpeg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/4wTA71uY7sfhvkxGQPyX8s/2cf083bd81131e3c0f7008ad80569fc6/Inari_restaurant4.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/6xuvngqqn06x/1JbVx22a64NmFBTryxzJMr/ad7ea167f53b87d8fd09b46083bd4950/Inari_Lobby_fireplace.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=fill&q=80)
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Our guide to travelling with younger children to Lapland.
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 winter 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!
50 Degrees North offers a large range of winter tours for families, young and old to Lapland.
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!