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Muotka – Christmas Northern Lights Adventure
Overview
Spend a memorable Christmas in beautifully-remote Muotka, Finland. Snow-covered landscapes await as do a plethora of winter activities and Northern Lights hunts as you spend four nights of the festive season in an unforgettable way.
What's included?
All of the activities and services detailed below are included in the holiday price
- Flights: indirect return flights from London Heathrow to Ivalo (via Helsinki). Flight routes subject to change.
- Transfers: return scheduled group shuttle airport transfers
- Accommodation: 4 nights' accommodation in twin/double hotel rooms
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
- The following activities and equipment are included: Aurora workshop, cross-country skiing, Aurora Camp, snowmobile safari to a reindeer farm, Aurora snowshoe hike, husky safari and Aurora hunt by car (order subject to change)
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Aurora alert until approximately 1 am
- Services of our expert guides
- Support from our dedicated regional Aurora Zone representative
Muotka’s wilderness looks like it has come straight from the front of a Christmas card, so it really is a fitting place to spend Christmas.
During your active 4-night holiday, you’ll experience the best this location has to offer, both day and night.
The snow here doesn’t just provide a picturesque landscape, it also provides a playground for some incredible winter activities; snowmobiling, dog sledding and cross-country skiing are all included in the itinerary.
As you’re in prime Northern Lights territory, your night-time activities are all about searching for nature’s ethereal light show. You’ll travel by car, using snowshoes and in a snowmobile-pulled sleigh to reach different lookout points. During all activities, you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide who will use their local knowledge to give you the best possible chance of seeing the Aurora.
Your base is Wilderness Hotel Muotka which offers excellent hospitality and very comfortable rooms.
You also have the option to upgrade to an Aurora Cabin for a night or the duration of your stay. In the cabins, you can lie in bed and gaze up at the Arctic sky – you may even see the Northern Lights as you’re wrapped up in your duvet. See our Accommodation and ‘Personalise’ section for more details.
With excellent winter activities, a superb location and a fabulous Northern Lights track record, Muotka has everything you need for an unforgettable Christmas.
The activities outlined will all be included in your holiday, however, the order listed is for guidance only, and your agenda will be confirmed on arrival.
©Wilderness Hotel Muotka, Matt Robinson, Markku Inkila & Anthony Oberlin
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Key facts
| Duration: | 4 nights |
| Pace: | Active |
Dates & Prices
Thank you for your interest in this Aurora Zone experience.
We have found that this holiday is better tailored exactly to your requirements, so please email our Travel Experts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact us on 01670 785 012 to discuss the various options available to you.
Our Travel Experts have been to all the destinations we feature and love to share their experiences and insight. We want to match you with your perfect trip, so if you have any questions please get in touch; we will be happy to talk through the destinations and itineraries with you.
VIEW ALL HOLIDAYS
Please view our alternative departure dates here - Nothern Lights Adventure and Northern Lights Adventure at New Year
Agenda
Agenda
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DAY 1
Flights and Transfers
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred* to Wilderness Hotel Muotka, approximately 40km away.
Enjoy your evening meal and settle into your surroundings. It might be a good idea to get an early night before tomorrow’s adventures, however, we always recommend keeping an eye on the sky as you never know when the Northern Lights might make an appearance.
The Aurora Cabins here at Muotka are an exceptional upgrade option and provide very comfortable Aurora accommodation either for one night or your whole stay. Details of these options can be found in the 'Accommodation' and 'Personalise' sections of the holiday page.
The order of the activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your activity timetable will be provided on arrival.
* Transfers are based on a scheduled group shuttle to a few nearby hotels. If you would prefer to upgrade to private taxi transfers please ask our Aurora Travel Experts for a quotation.
Included Meals: Dinner -
DAY 2
Snowmobile Safari to Reindeer Farm, Christmas Eve and Northern Lights Snowshoe Trek
After breakfast, it’s time for a thrilling snowmobile adventure. You’ll receive full instruction and a safety briefing, before setting off travelling two per snowmobile. There is the opportunity to swap drivers halfway, provided you both have a full driving licence and are over 18.
You will cover approximately 20km to reach a reindeer farm where you will meet a local herder and their animals. You’ll get to appreciate the importance of reindeer herding to the region, as well as enjoying a short sleigh ride, before heading back to Muotka on your snowmobiles. You will be out for around four to five hours in total and a soup lunch is included.
Traditionally in Finland, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve so you will have a special festive dinner tonight before your night-time excursion.
Snowshoeing is an excellent way to traverse across the deep snow and see more of the wilderness. You’ll follow your guide on the hike along snowy trails illuminated by your head torches until you reach camp. If conditions are favourable, the Aurora may also provide some extra special light. The activity lasts for around two and a half hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 3
Aurora Workshop, Cross-Country Skiing and Aurora Camp
Following breakfast, you will learn all about the Northern Lights during an Aurora workshop. Your expert guide will talk about the science behind the phenomenon, as well as the myths and legends surrounding the Lights. You’ll also learn the optimal camera settings to help you capture any displays on camera (you will need your own equipment).
Lunch will be served at the hotel and then it’s time to explore the beautiful surroundings on cross-country skis. The Finns love this form of transport and you’ll soon see why as you’re able to glide across the snow with ease. Admittedly, it does take a little bit of getting used to, but once you get a feel for it you might want to head out for more exploration independently and you can hire equipment locally. You will be out for around two hours.
After dinner, you’ll embark on your first Northern Lights hunt. You’ll travel in a snowmobile-pulled sled as your guide leads you to an Aurora camp, selected for its prime view of the sky. Here, you will sit around a campfire as your guide tells you stories and you watch the night sky. Should conditions be favourable, you will be in the best possible location for viewing a display. The activity will last for around two and a half hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 4
Husky Safari and Aurora hunt by car
Following breakfast, it’s time for your unforgettable dog sledding adventure.
You will receive full instruction on how to drive the sled before setting off on the trails. You will travel two per sled, with a team of four to six dogs and you’ll quickly see how the dogs calm their excitable barks once they get running.
The distance travelled will be determined by the conditions on the trail, but you will be driving for around 1.5 to 2 hours with the dogs. Lunch will be enjoyed back at the hotel.
After dinner, it's time for your final Northern Lights hunt.
Tonight you will travel by car and use its mobility to your advantage as your guide will use their expert knowledge of the area, along with the latest weather and solar activity forecasts to decide on a location. If luck is on your side, your Christmas Northern Lights wishes may come true! You will be out for around two and a half hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 5
Departure
Today it is time for your Christmas adventure at Muotka to come to an end as you are transferred to the airport for your flights home. If you are departing on an early flight, you will be provided with a breakfast box.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Wilderness Hotel Muotka
Nights: 1-4
Muotkan Maja Wilderness Hotel resides around 40km from the main town of Ivalo, tucked away in the corner of North-East Finland. Recently renovated and restored it is owned and run by the same couple as the popular Nellim Wilderness Hotel, Mari and Jouko Lappalainen. They run the hotel with the same hard-working ethos and it exudes the same warmth and charm for its much-welcomed guests.
The hotel boasts some wonderful scenery, tucked away in the forested fells with roaming reindeer frequently seen amongst the trees.
Hotel facilities
- The focal point of the main building is the restaurant which is where you will have the majority of your meals. Food will be served buffet style with a variety of continental and cooked food for breakfast and the choice of two or three options for each course at dinner. The menu has been designed with a focus on both traditional and international cuisine using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients
- There is a bar which is usually open until 1 am and serves a variety of spirits, wines and beers and a lounge area with comfortable armchairs to relax in during your free time
- There is a sauna in the main building which is heated daily for guest use
- Free Wi-Fi is available in the main building (at the bar and in the restaurant)
- In the main building, you will also find two fireplaces, games and books, which makes it a perfect place to relax
- The standard rooms do not have tea and coffee making facilities but tea and coffee are available free of charge and available in the restaurant area
- Hairdryers are available, if they are not in the room then they can be requested at the main hotel reception
Room types
All rooms are en-suite with a shower room, wardrobe, hairdryer and nightstand and can be made up as either a double or twin and offer lovely Scandinavian décor and charm.
©Jouko Lappalainen, Markku Inkila
Other options
Wilderness Hotel Muotka - Superior Sauna Rooms
Supplements from: £340pp
The Superior Sauna rooms are located a short distance from the main hotel building. These rooms are designed to offer rustic luxury and are ideal for small families and groups or those that simply wish for more space to relax in during their stay at Muotka. The rooms are approximately 33m² and each separate building has four superior sauna rooms inside. Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Facilities
- All rooms will contain their own private sauna, sofa and an electric kettle to make your stay as comfortable as possible
- Each has a queen-size bed within and space for 1-2 extra beds
- All meals will be served in the hotel restaurant which is just a short walk away
Wilderness Hotel Muotka - Riverside Log Cabins
Supplements from: £660pp
The most spectacular accommodation available at Muotka, these modern log cabins are well situated with views over a river. Well appointed, with a fireplace in the spacious living room, together with a private sauna and kitchenette (and fridge), the cabins have sleeping space for 5 people. There is a double bedroom downstairs and three single beds in the loft. The cabins also contain hair dryers and tea and coffee making facilities. Please note that these cabins require a minimum of 4 people to be booked
Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.Special Nights
A night in an Aurora Cabin
From: £110pp
As ever, Muotka leads the way in Aurora viewing innovation and we are therefore proud to offer our guests the chance to spend the night in one of only 20 magnificent Aurora Cabins. These stunning, part-cabin, part-glass tepee buildings, offer guests an exceptional overnight Aurora hunting experience.
Guests get the space and feel of a cabin during the day and the Aurora viewing benefits of a glass igloo at night, as you sleep under a glass tepee. This means that you are provided with the most wonderful views of the night sky from the comfort of your bed.
These part-cabin and part-glass tepee buildings, are self-contained and situated a short distance from the hotel, next to the annexe. They combine the space and atmosphere of a cosy cabin with a glass roof above the bed. Each cabin faces north so ideal for guests to gaze upon the night sky every night of their holiday, from the comfort of their duvet. The cabins are all 25m² with a double bed and en-suite bathroom, making them an excellent base (most of them have a private sauna).
Please note: prices are based on you spending the first or last night of your holiday in this unique accommodation and not keeping your original accommodation. If you would like to do this on any other night during your holiday you will need to keep your accommodation and supplements will apply.
Please contact our Travel Experts for a quote.
©Anthony Oberlin and Minttu Mantynen
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
A night in an Aurora Cabin
From £110pp
As ever, Muotka leads the way in Aurora viewing innovation and we are therefore proud to offer our guests the chance to spend the night in one of only 20 magnificent Aurora Cabins. These stunning, part-cabin, part-glass tepee buildings, offer guests an exceptional overnight Aurora hunting experience.
Guests get the space and feel of a cabin during the day and the Aurora viewing benefits of a glass igloo at night, as you sleep under a glass tepee. This means that you are provided with the most wonderful views of the night sky from the comfort of your bed.
These part-cabin and part-glass tepee buildings, are self-contained and situated a short distance from the hotel, next to the annexe. They combine the space and atmosphere of a cosy cabin with a glass roof above the bed. Each cabin faces north so ideal for guests to gaze upon the night sky every night of their holiday, from the comfort of their duvet. The cabins are all 25m² with a double bed and en-suite bathroom, making them an excellent base (most of them have a private sauna).
Read morePlease note: prices are based on you spending the first or last night of your holiday in this unique accommodation and not keeping your original accommodation. If you would like to do this on any other night during your holiday you will need to keep your accommodation and supplements will apply.
Please contact our Travel Experts for a quote.
©Anthony Oberlin and Minttu Mantynen
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
Overall a really excellent holiday
23 December 2018
by Sarah Skinner & Steven Eddicott
Excellent log cabin accommodation and wonderful activities. Our guide Axelse was wonderful. Overall a really excellent holiday, worth the price tag. Excellent guides and equipment and beautiful location
A lovely holiday
23 December 2018
by The Murray Family
A lovely holiday. Great family activity for families with older children (we had teenagers).
We loved our trip
02 January 2018
by The Elsbury Family
Loved seeing the Aurora and having Matt happily take photos for us so that we could just be in the moment was fantastic! We loved the trip as it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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