CHRISTMAS IN THE ARCTIC
7 days / 6 nights
Arrive Ivalo Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Located in the far north of Finnish Lapland, the Inari–Saariselkä region is a pristine Arctic wilderness known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Vast national parks, crystal-clear lakes, winding rivers, and rolling fells create a spectacular landscape that offers unique experiences in every season.
During winter, the Arctic sky becomes a stage for one of nature’s most magical phenomena — the Northern Lights, which can be seen here on up to 200 nights each year, making the region one of the best places in the world for aurora viewing.
The charming village of Saariselkä, the northernmost tourist resort in Finland, features excellent visitor facilities, cozy accommodations, and a variety of outdoor activities. Nearby Inari and surrounding communities are also the heart of Sámi culture, where traditions, crafts, and local heritage provide an authentic insight into Lapland’s indigenous way of life.
Remainder of day at leisure allowing time to relax or begin exploring the peaceful Arctic surroundings.
Set out on an exciting snowshoeing adventure through the peaceful, snow-covered forests of Lapland. Following a combination of marked trails and untouched powdery snow, this excursion allows you to experience the beauty of the Arctic wilderness up close.
Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife tracks — you may spot signs of hares, foxes, or capercaillies in the snow. During the safari, short stops will be made for photographs and to enjoy a cup of warm berry juice while taking in the magical winter scenery.
Dinner at the hotel.
After breakfast, depart for Rovaniemi by coach.
This evening, embark on a Northern Lights hunting experience unlike any other. Relax in a comfortable heated sleigh as your guide drives a snowmobile across the silent, snow-covered landscape under the moonlit Arctic sky.
Travel far from the village lights to a scenic hilltop, offering the perfect conditions to witness the Aurora Borealis. Upon arrival, gather around a cozy campfire where warm drinks and snacks will be served as your guide shares stories and insights about the Arctic sky.
If conditions are favorable, watch in awe as the Northern Lights dance across the sky, illuminating the snow-covered trees and creating a truly magical and unforgettable Arctic moment.
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, depart by coach for Rovaniemi.
Visit a traditional Sámi reindeer farm and meet your local host, who will share fascinating stories about Sámi culture, reindeer herding, and the importance of these animals in their daily life and traditions.
Experience a peaceful reindeer sleigh ride for two people per sleigh (approximately 400 meters), gliding quietly through the snowy landscape. As you cross frozen lakes and silent forests, the only sound you will hear is the soft jingle of the reindeer bells — a truly authentic Lapland moment.
During your visit, enjoy a traditional two-course lunch prepared with local ingredients and inspired by regional flavors.
The journey continues south along picturesque paths that wind through the snow-covered forest until you reach the Arctic Circle, where you will check in to your exclusive private Glass Igloo.
Your accommodation this evening is in a comfortable Aurora Igloo. Weather permitting, be mesmerized by the stunning Northern Lights and the glow of millions of stars illuminating the Arctic night—all from the comfort of your bed.
In the evening, savor a three-course dinner, the perfect finale to an unforgettable day in Lapland.
Optional Activity: Snowmobiling. Note: Driver requires drivers licence which should be produced on the day.
Transfer from the Glass Igloo Hotel to your central Rovaniemi hotel.
Discover ice fishing, one of Finland’s most authentic and relaxing winter traditions. Accompanied by your guide, head out onto a frozen lake where a hole will be carefully drilled through the thick Arctic ice.
Advance reservation required.
Experience Rovaniemi’s only Ice Restaurant, entirely built from snow and ice!
This extraordinary dinner, set in a magical and frosty environment, promises to exceed all expectations.
Be enchanted by the delicate ice sculptures and capture every detail in photographs before enjoying an exquisite three-course gourmet dinner, served on ice tables.
The experience begins with a guided tour of the Arctic SnowHotel, where your guide will reveal the secrets behind the impressive snow structures and the magic of the Ice Restaurant’s annual reconstruction.
Advance reservation required.
Visit a traditional husky farm, home to these energetic and friendly sled dogs, and prepare for an unforgettable Arctic adventure. After a short introduction, set off on a self-driven husky safari covering approximately 5 km through beautiful snow-covered forest trails.
The route winds through gentle hills and scenic woodland landscapes, offering a thrilling yet accessible introduction to the exciting world of dog sledding.
After the ride, spend some time at the farm getting to know more of the huskies. While enjoying hot drinks, listen to fascinating stories from the handlers about the dogs’ daily lives, training routines, and the traditions of sled dog racing in Lapland.
Continue the day with a visit to the world-famous Santa Claus Village, located directly on the Arctic Circle. This magical destination offers a truly memorable experience for visitors of all ages.
Meet Santa Claus in person at his official home — a moment straight out of a fairytale that will surely remain one of the highlights of your journey. During your visit, you will also have the opportunity to send postcards from Santa’s official post office, which can be delivered to your loved ones at Christmas with a special greeting from Santa.
After the visit, return to the hotel and enjoy a free afternoon at leisure.
Early this evening, the highlight of your visit – a visit from Santa Claus at the hotel. This intimate and magical encounter allows you to meet him in a warm and festive setting, creating a truly unforgettable Christmas memory.
Christmas Dinner this evening will be a festive affair, featuring a special holiday menu in a cosy and joyful atmosphere — the perfect way to end a magical day in Lapland.
In the morning, depart for an excursion to Ranua Wildlife Park, located approximately 80 km from Rovaniemi (about a 1-hour drive). This renowned Arctic zoo offers a unique opportunity to observe animals that inhabit the northern regions in spacious enclosures designed to reflect their natural environment.
During your visit, enjoy a guided walk through the park and discover a variety of Arctic birds and wildlife. The tour begins with several species of owls, including the snowy owl, Eurasian eagle-owl, and tawny owl, as well as eagles, hawks, ducks, and swans. You will then continue to the section dedicated to smaller mammals and rodents.
The highlight of the visit awaits in one of the most impressive areas of the park, where you can observe brown bears and polar bears living in conditions that closely resemble their natural Arctic habitat.
At midday, we will enjoy a self-service lunch at the zoo’s restaurant.
After lunch, free time to explore the area at your leisure. You may wish to browse the souvenir shops, visit the Fazer confectionery shop, or stop by the local wine shop, which offers unique wines made from northern berries such as bilberries and lingonberries.
Return to Rovaniemi.
Pure Scandinavia is a family-run travel business specialising in curated journeys through Scandinavia and the Nordic region. With over 35 years of experience, the business is built on the expertise of founder Claudia Pallaspuro, who created and ran Snowbound Adventures and Lapland Magic in Finland. After relocating to Australia in 2010, Claudia brought her passion for Lapland with her and steadily developed Scandinavian travel experiences tailored for Australian travellers.
In 2025, her daughter Elaine joined the business and has extensive first-hand experience. Elaine has travelled throughout Scandinavia and personally inspected many of the hotels featured in the itineraries, ensuring each meets the standard and experience expected by Pure Scandinavia clients.
What sets Pure Scandinavia apart is its deeply rooted local knowledge. Every member of the team has lived and worked in Finland, offering genuine insight, trusted relationships, and a personal, hands-on approach to designing authentic Nordic travel experiences.
Pure Scandinavia is proud to receive consistently strong feedback from travellers who value personalised service, expert planning, and authentic Nordic experiences.
Based on verified reviews via Trustindex and other public platforms such as Google Reviews, Pure Scandinavia maintains a strong overall rating, reflecting high levels of customer satisfaction across both independent and escorted Nordic journeys.
According to Trustindex (updated 2026), Pure Scandinavia now holds an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 41 verified reviews, demonstrating consistently high satisfaction across both independent and escorted travel experiences.
Clients consistently highlight:
Seamless, well-structured itineraries across multiple Nordic countries
Personalised service and flexibility, particularly for independent travel
Deep local knowledge and authentic experiences in Lapland and Scandinavia
Stress-free planning for complex, multi-destination trips
“Claudia… put together an amazing 3 week holiday… detailed itinerary that flowed and showed her extensive knowledge and passion.”
– TT Foodie, April 2026
“Made a last minute decision… the team looked after everything… an amazing itinerary.”
– Scott Post, March 2026
“Everything was organised perfectly… amazing trip… highly recommend Claudia and Pure Scandinavia.”
– Louise Stuart, February 2026
“Amazing job… everything was thought of… felt like travelling with a bunch of friends.”
– Adelle Fernandez, February 2026
“Unforgettable Arctic holiday… seamless itinerary… incredibly easy travelling through remote areas.”
– Silke Bader, January 2026
“Took all the stress out of planning… a once in a lifetime holiday.”
– U S, January 2026
“Totally exceeded our expectations… activities were exceptional and well organised.”
– Garry Elsdon, January 2026
“Well planned and organised… balanced itinerary with first class experiences.”
– Michelle Collett, January 2026
“Unforgettable Lapland and Tallinn Experience”
– James Delaney, May 2025
“Enjoyed an amazing trip to Norway. Claudia was efficient and very friendly, including providing advice on what clothing to take for the cold weather. The local guides and activities were exceptional.”
– Clancy Michael, April 2025
“A once in a lifetime trip. Everything ran smoothly, we loved the overnight train journeys and the wilderness hotel was fantastic.”
– Andrew Roser, March 2025
“We travelled as a family of six in December on an independently tailored trip. Everything was flawless and all accommodations exceeded expectations.”
– Scott, March 2025
“The Lapland Fantasy Tour was nothing short of magical. The itinerary was very thoughtfully put together and Claudia’s passion and guidance really stood out.”
– Danielle W, January 2024
“Highly recommend for families. Our Lapland Fantasy Christmas Tour was a true bucket-list experience.”
– Sharon Burton, January 2024
“The experience was amazing and I would definitely book again.”
– Nigel Ainsworth, October 2023
“A 15-day self-guided tour through Scandinavia was much less stressful than trying to organise everything ourselves.”
