Harriniva and Jeris – Northern Lights Hunter Short Break
- Details
Details
This trip has been designed by our team of experts to be the ideal action-packed short break to experience the best of this winter wilderness and has real bragging rights over how you spent your weekend when you return to the office on Monday. The holiday includes some unforgettable experiences, idyllic snow-covered scenery, and two dedicated hunts to seek out a prospective Aurora.
You will be based at either Harriniva or Jeris Hotel depending on your preference. They are both owned by the Pietikäinen family and we have had hundreds of happy guests stay at both hotels over recent years. Both locations enjoy well-deserved reputations for their exciting and varied activities and professional, enthusiastic guides. In addition to their hearty meals and cosy rooms, all this makes either option an ideal base for an Aurora escape.
This holiday includes some real activity highlights. During one of the days, you will visit a reindeer farm. You'll get an understanding of the history of herding in this region as well as enjoy a reindeer-pulled sleigh ride through the forest. You'll also experience an Arctic favourite when you try your hand as musher and go dog sledding.
As you would expect from the name of the trip, evenings will be dedicated to seeking out the Aurora. Your excursions will take you on snowmobile safari and snowshoe into the areas surrounding the hotel to remote regions free from light pollution. Here you can sit under the vast arctic sky and wait for a potential Northern Lights display. Hopefully, your patience will be rewarded.
This is a wonderful short trip that aims to allow you to sample the very best of Lapland and give yourself the best possible chance of enjoying a magical Northern Lights display.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Lapland, you will be welcomed by your driver before being transferred to your accommodation at Harriniva or Jeris. Located in the far northwest corner of Finland, the backdrop here is a stunning array of forest-covered fells and frozen lakes.
When you arrive at the hotel, you can settle into your room before heading to the restaurant for dinner. You’ll need a good night’s sleep tonight ahead of the adventures beginning tomorrow.
Please note that the order of activities within your itinerary is subject to change and the agenda below should be used as a guide only. The exact order of your agenda will be confirmed upon arrival at the hotel.
Included Meals: Dinner
On your first full day in Lapland, you will have the chance to meet the animals that the region is most famous for as you head to a nearby reindeer farm and then enjoy a dog sledding adventure.
Reindeer are of great traditional and economic importance to the region and herding is intrinsic to the way of life here. A herder will take you through the skills and customs of herding and answer any questions you may have about the animals. You will also be shown how to throw a Lappish lasso and enjoy a short ride on a reindeer-pulled sleigh through the forest.
This afternoon you will attend an Aurora workshop which will introduce you to the myths, legends and science behind this natural phenomenon. After dinner, you will head out on an exciting Northern Lights hunt. Tonight’s adventure is via Snowmobile – after a full safety briefing you will set out based on two sharing a snowmobile following your guide as you cruise into the wilderness and leave the hotel behind you. You’ll also stop in a prime location to enjoy hot drinks and continue your search. Your route will be chosen based on the local weather and Aurora forecast for the evening, giving you the best possible chance of ticking the Northern Lights off your bucket list.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will head to the nearby husky farm. Here, the dogs will be eagerly awaiting your arrival and the chorus of excitable barks will demonstrate this. You will meet the musher who will give you a safety briefing and advise you on how to handle the sled, before setting off on your short but exciting safari. The sudden silence which surrounds you once the dogs begin to run offers a remarkably tranquil ride, as you glide along the trails in peace. You will cover around 15km in total and two people will share a sled.
After dinner, you will head out on your final Northern Lights excursion – a snowshoe hunt for the Aurora led by your guide. The snowshoes will give you access to a remote area where the views of the night sky are unobstructed and, with some luck, you will have the chance to witness the Northern Lights in all their glory. You’ll keep warm by the campfire as you gaze up at the sky.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will bid farewell to Lapland as you return to the airport for your flights home.
Included Meals: None
What's included?
- Return flights between London and Kittilä (via Helsinki). Routings are subject to change
- Return airport transfers
- 3 nights in a double/twin room at either Harriniva or Jeris
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Visit to a reindeer farm
- Northern Lights Workshop
- Northern Lights snowmobile safari
- Husky safari
- Snowshoe hunt for the Northern Lights
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- 24/7 assistance from our UK-based operations team and in-destination support from our local partners
- Aurora alert mobile app until approximately 1am
- *Please note: 3rd January departure is 4 nights, with 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Accommodation
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Ideally located in the north-west corner of Finland, high above the Arctic Circle and in the very heart of the Aurora Zone, Harriniva Wilderness Hotel serves as a perfect base for your adventure holiday. Owned and run by the Pietikäinen family, the hotel has developed a growing reputation for its warm ambience and a large range of enjoyable activities on offer. Hotel facilitiesThe hotel has a range of facilities that have been designed to make your stay here as enjoyable as possible.
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Tour Map
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
