Autumn Lights Over Lake Inari
- Details
Details
Wilderness Hotel Inari in Northern Finland enjoys a stunning location on the shores of Lake Inari. It is high above the Arctic Circle and has an exceptional Northern Lights record. Autumn is a particularly special time to visit as the lake is as yet unfrozen and therefore offers the potential for you to witness the lights reflecting on the water, providing two displays in one. With scientific suggestions that there is increased solar activity around the autumnal equinox, the Northern Lights displays at this time can be equally as spectacular as those of winter.
During this 4-night autumn holiday, we include three dedicated Northern Lights activities with expert, local guides. Things kick off though with an introduction to the science of the Northern Lights and the local myths and legends associated with this natural phenomenon during an Aurora workshop. Following this, you will enjoy two visits to local Aurora camps which are in specially selected areas away from light pollution. Here you can enjoy the warmth of the fire whilst keeping an eye on the northern skies for any sign of Aurora activity. Your final hunt for the Northern Lights will be via car or minibus. This allows you to hopefully outrun any localised cloud cover using the knowledge of your local guide who will assess the weather conditions and the Aurora forecast.
Autumn in Finnish Lapland can be colourful and vibrant as the leaves turn to yellows and golds, and the locals call the peak of the autumn colours, 'Ruska' It is also a special time to visit as it is a time of constant change, and you may witness the first snowfalls of winter.
During the days, a guided nature hike will allow you to explore the landscapes surrounding Lake Inari. A local guide will give you an insight into the local flora and fauna, including any edible berries and if you are lucky you may spot some wildlife. If there is snow on the ground, you can swap your hiking boots for snowshoes.
The indigenous people of Lapland have adapted to the long winters north of the Arctic Circle and a visit to the Sami Siida Museum in nearby Inari village will give you an insight into their way of life.
In short, autumn is a colourful and peaceful time to travel to Lapland as you are travelling ahead of the winter crowds. The Northern Lights potential can be exceptional and there are few better locations for Aurora hunting than Wilderness Hotel Inari.
Important Information
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only. Your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which will be emailed to you around a week prior to departure), or upon arrival.
Itinerary
Leaving everyday life behind, you will head to Finland’s most northerly airport – Ivalo. On arrival, you will be transferred to Wilderness Hotel Inari where you will check in to your accommodation and shall be provided with your Aurora alert
Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant this evening and you can enjoy your first evening in this prime Aurora territory. A short walk from the hotel restaurant will bring you to the water’s edge and a wonderful place from which to watch the skies.
Included Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, you will have the morning to settle into your new surroundings and enjoy some leisure time.
The hotel is set on the shores of Lake Inari and the views of the surrounding wilderness are breath-taking, particularly during the colourful autumn season. Inari village is the centre of Sami culture and it is a fascinating village with a range of small Sami handicraft shops. You can walk to the village in approximately 30-40 minutes and it is well worth a visit during your free time. Alternatively, settle in with a good book by the fire in the hotel lounge area, enjoy a stroll or visit the glass-roofed sauna. Lunch will be served in the hotel restaurant for you.
After dinner this evening, you will be introduced to the science behind the Northern Lights as well as some of the local legends associated with the Aurora Borealis. You will then head to one of the specially created Aurora Camps with your expert guide.
The camps’ locations have been carefully selected to provide unobstructed views of the night sky with very little light pollution. Here you can keep your eyes on the sky for any potential sightings and enjoy the warmth of the campfire. The lights in autumn are particularly captivating when reflected off the water of Lake Inari. So, if you are lucky, you might get two Aurora displays for the price of one. You will be out for around 2 hours and 30 minutes in total.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will be transferred into the village of Inari itself, around five minutes from the hotel. The village is the capital of Sámi culture in Finnish Lapland and so today you will gain a greater understanding of the local culture.
One of Inari’s most famous locations is the excellent Siida Museum which explores Sámi life through the ever-changing seasons here in the Arctic and looks at the history of this incredible culture. The museum shows a wonderful short film of some spectacular Northern Lights images. There is also a small gift shop which sells a range of traditional handicrafts made by local people. These make fantastic souvenirs of your time in Lapland. Lunch will be served at the hotel either before or after your visit to Inari.
On arrival back at the hotel, you will have dinner before heading out to another Aurora Camp in search of the Northern Lights. Again, your expert guide will accompany you and will select the most appropriate camp for the conditions.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast, today you’ll be exploring the vibrant, autumn wilderness during a guided nature hike. The colours are fabulous at this time of year and hopefully you will encounter some of the local wildlife which will be preparing for the onset of winter. Your guide will highlight any of the edible berries that are in season as they always make a nice accompaniment to your evening meal.
If you are traveling in October or November, you may arrive in time to witness the first snowfall of an Arctic winter. In this case you will swap your hiking boots for snowshoes and enjoy the fresh, pristine snow before the winter crowds descend. You will be out for around 3 hours in total.
After dinner at the hotel, you will again go out in search of the Northern Lights, this time travelling by car or minibus, using the vehicle’s mobility to hopefully outrun any localised cloud cover. Your guide will assess the weather forecasts and local Aurora activity to ensure that the best possible route is selected. You will be out hunting for around 3 hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to Wilderness Hotel Inari. You can choose to extend your stay however, and we can also arrange for you to enjoy the bright lights of Helsinki on the way home. See the Extras section for further details or contact one of our travel experts.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Transfers: return airport transfers
- Accommodation: 4 nights’ accommodation in twin/double hotel rooms. Log cabin and Aurora cabin upgrades available (supplements apply)
- 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay (if required)
- Northern Lights presentation
- 2 visits to Aurora Camps
- Visit to Inari and Sámi Siida Museum
- Guided nature walk
- Aurora hunt by minibus/car
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
Accommodation
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Situated on Lake Inari’s shores, Wilderness Hotel Inari is one of the most spectacular destinations we feature. Offering excellent levels of comfort and some serious ‘wow factor’, it is the latest addition to the Wilderness Hotels owned by our good friends Jouko and Mari Lappalianen. Importantly it is also slap, bang in the middle of the world’s best Aurora hunting territory and the hotel has implemented some innovative Northern Lights features to help maximise your viewing potential. Wilderness Hotel Inari is ideally located around 40 minutes’ drive from Ivalo Airport and just five minutes from Inari Village, which is the centre of Sámi culture in Finland. There is a variety of accommodation on offer here, including cabins, Aurora cabins and hotel rooms, all of which are separate to (but within very easy reach of), the central restaurant building. The hotel provides modern accommodation with décor which combines both comfort and charm. A huge amount of thought has gone into creating this very special place to stay. Hotel Facilities
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Tour Map
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
