Price from £2,775pp
VISITING: Finland BROCHURE CODE: 2904
All prices include: flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, guided activities and cold weather clothing; all as listed.
Spend a week at Nellim Wilderness Hotel in Finland and enjoy a wealth of activities. At night, you’ll go on four dedicated Aurora activities with our expert local guides. During the day, you will encounter reindeer, take a snowmobile trip into the wilds, snowshoe and go dog-sledding.

What's included?

ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY PRICE

  • Flights: return from London to Ivalo (via Helsinki). Flight routes subject to change.
  • Transfers: return airport transfers are included
  • Accommodation: 7 nights' accommodation in twin/double hotel rooms. Upgrades can be arranged, subject to availability and supplements
  • Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
  • The following activities and equipment are included: cross-country skiing, Aurora workshop, Northern Lights snowshoe, wilderness snowmobile safari, snowshoe trek, Aurora Camp, reindeer visit, Aurora camp, husky safari, minibus hunt for the Northern Lights (order subject to change)
  • 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 until approximately 1 am

As you would expect from the name, our Aurora in the Wild trip is an exciting adventure in the wilderness of North-East Finland. It provides a busy mix of activities by day in combination with Aurora hunting at night.

Wilderness Hotel Nellim is a small family-run hotel close to the shores of Lake Inari. This remote location, in combination with the almost total lack of light pollution, makes it the ideal spot for a potential Aurora viewing.

The hotel has always been ahead of the game when it comes to innovation and certainly makes the most of this when it comes to Aurora activities. Firstly, they have created several Aurora Camps in spectacular spots from which to view the Northern Lights, offering unobstructed views of the night sky. They are wonderful locations in which to sit around a campfire and wait for the sky to light up.

Just a short walk from the main hotel building you will also find a fantastic selection of Aurora Bubbles and Aurora Kotas which you can upgrade to for a night during your stay. Inside you can lie back on the bed and gaze directly through the glass roof into the Arctic sky above you. We can also offer guests the chance to enjoy a Northern Lights snowmobile safari. These are in addition to the evening activities which are scheduled during this wonderful week. Details can be found in the 'Personalise' section of the holiday page. 

There are many highlights in the array of activities offered on this trip. A wilderness snowmobile safari and the chance to try dog sledding are amongst the favourites with our guests. You will also spend time with a reindeer herder and gain an insight into the traditional techniques that are still utilised today.

We love Nellim for many reasons – it's huge Northern Lights potential, its welcoming staff, and its exciting variety of activities. One of the most wonderful things about it, however, is that it is the perfect antidote to a busy life and work schedule. Here you will re-discover what it is to experience true silence and you will be able to understand that there are some parts of our world which are truly unspoilt.

Please note that the activities outlined will all be included in your holiday, however, the order of activities listed here is for guidance only, and your final timetable will be confirmed on arrival.

If you are staying over Christmas or New Year, you will enjoy a festive dinner and celebrations on the 24th and the 31st of December (traditionally in Finland, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve).

 

White outline Interreg Nord                                                                                                                                                                                           

Feefo logo
Photo Credits © Markku Inkila - Visit Finland - Claire Howarth

Price Comparison Guarantee

Expertise and knowledge are key to witnessing the Northern Lights. We’ve been running Aurora hunting holidays longer than any company in the UK and with no lead in prices, no hidden costs and more included, we’re confident our tours will come out on top.Please note that the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply.
Price guarantee

Activities: please note that if you are travelling early in the winter season and there is not enough snowfall, then some activities may be adapted by the local team, or alternatives provided, to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. For more information on this, please see our booking terms and conditions.

Christmas and New Year:  if you are travelling over Christmas or New Year, you will enjoy a festive dinner and celebrations on the 24th or the 31st of December (traditionally in Finland, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve).

Departure dates between
Sat 02 Dec 2023
to Sat 16 Dec 2023
Enquire
Adults £ 2,925 To £ 3,276
Sat 16 Dec 2023
to Sat 13 Jan 2024
Enquire
Adults £ 3,125 To £ 3,769
Sat 13 Jan 2024
to Sat 03 Feb 2024
Enquire
Adults £ 2,775 To £ 3,209
Sat 03 Feb 2024
to Sat 09 Mar 2024
Enquire
Adults £ 3,095 To £ 3,914
Sat 09 Mar 2024
to Sat 06 Apr 2024
Enquire
Adults £ 2,865 To £ 3,500

Departure day: Saturday

Prices are based on 2 people sharing. Our holiday prices are based on the lowest available airline fares. These fares can sell out quickly and, as a result, prices may increase and supplements may be applicable. We recommend booking at the earliest opportunity to secure the best possible fares and flight times.

For our full booking terms and conditions please click here

The Specifics

Holiday group size (approximate)

This holiday requires a minimum of 2 people to run, however, we require a minimum of 8 people for our flight allocation. Maximum 24 people (approximately). Please speak to our Travel Experts for further information.

Group Size

We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.

Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.

Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate

Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.

Minimum and maximum age

If a specific minimum age applies to this holiday, it can be found in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page.

Unless otherwise stated in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page, the minimum age for participation in an Aurora Zone holiday is typically 12 years old (there may be younger children in some destinations who have booked with other companies). If an adult-only environment is important to you, then please contact our Travel Experts and they will advise on the best dates and destinations for you. If you are looking for a holiday designed specifically for families then please see our sister company www.activitiesabroad.com.

Itinerary amendments

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 are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.

Medical History and Advice

We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.

In order to give us the best possible chance to do this, we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.

In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.

Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.

Insurance

Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.

It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.

If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.

Booking Activities Locally

Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).

When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.

In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are properly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.

Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.

The UK Foreign Office Advice

Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice

We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.

The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ 

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade https://www.mfat.govt.nz/

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.

If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.

If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.

If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.

Brexit information for British Passport holders

Information for British Passport Holders

It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport and/or any required visas are up to date for your holiday.  Please take special note of rules relating to passport validity as these have changed since Brexit.  You can find more general advice from the UK government on their Passport rules for travel to Europe and then country specific advice on the Foreign Travel Advice page under the entry requirements section.

Please also check the UK Governments ‘Get Travel Smart’ campaign for up to date information on travel advice by country, information on Travel Insurance and information on how to renew your passport if required.

Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation

On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.

Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.

Booking your own flights - cancellation disclaimer

If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.

If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.

Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.

Terms and Conditions

Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.theaurorazone.com/booking-conditions

Payment and Cancellation Terms

Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.

If you are travelling between, and including, the dates of 14.12-06.01, the following cancellation terms apply:

  • Prior to 25.09 – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of the flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
  • 26.09 up until departure date – 100%

 

For all other travel dates that do not include 14.12-06.01, the following cancellation terms apply:

- More than 63 days prior to departure - Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)

- 63 to 45 days prior to departure - 40%

- 44 to 31 days prior to departure - 60%

- 30 to 16 days prior to departure - 80%

- 15 or less days - 100%

Show full agenda

  • Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed and transferred* to Wilderness Hotel Nellim, your accommodation for the next 7 nights. You will then enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

    After your meal we strongly recommend taking a walk down to the lake shore (a few minutes away) where the views of the night sky are exceptional; an ideal place for an Aurora stake-out.

    On one of your nights you may choose to upgrade your accommodation to a spectacular Aurora Bubble or Aurora Kota at Nellim – see the 'Personalise' section for full details. 

    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.

    *Transfers are based on a scheduled group shuttle that sometimes stops at a few nearby hotels. If you would prefer to upgrade to private taxi transfers please ask our Travel Experts for a quotation

    Included Meals:  Dinner

  • Following breakfast this morning you will strap on some cross-country skis and set out to explore the hotel's surroundings. Cross-country skiing is one of Scandinavia's most beloved activities and something that we find our guests keen to try out. We assume no prior experience so you will be given full instruction before heading out for an easy paced lesson. The guided activity will last around two hours in total and the skis will then be yours for the afternoon if you would like to explore independently.

    Before your first foray into the Arctic darkness tonight, you will be given an Aurora presentation by an expert local guide. They will discuss with you the science and legends behind the phenomenon and what to look for when you are gazing into the sky on your snowshoe walk. They will also detail the camera settings you will need when trying to photograph the Northern Lights.

    On tonight's Aurora snowshoe, the guide will lead you to a local vantage point from which you can keep an eye on the sky for a potential Aurora sighting. This is a lovely way to see the landscape in a completely different light and walking under a star-filled sky is a very special experience (weather conditions permitting). You will be out for around two and a half hours tonight.

    Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • By now you are sure to have realised that you are in an exceptionally beautiful corner of the world with wonderful landscapes to explore. One of the most exciting ways to do this is via snowmobile as, in addition to allowing you to cover great distances quickly; they are also exceptionally good fun. Snowmobiles have been utilised in this region since the 60s and have proved to be hugely important in helping to maintain links between remote communities.

    Today you will travel two people to a snowmobile and cover around 40 to 60km, traversing frozen lakes and forested fells. Providing you both carry a full driving licence and are over 18, you will have the chance to swap seats and each take a turn at driving the vehicle. You will also enjoy a campfire lunch prepared by your guide. Your snowmobiling tour will last for approximately four hours.

    To give you some time to relax after your snowmobile safari there is no planned activity for tonight as you may just wish to relax by the fire and reminisce with your fellow guests about your day. However, you do have the option this evening of spending the night in an Aurora Bubble or Aurora Kota. See the 'Personalise' section for further details and price information.

     

    Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Today is your opportunity to try out a very traditional way of transport again, as you put on snowshoes and head out into the forest to explore areas of deep snow around the hotel.

    Compared to snowmobiling and husky sledding, snowshoeing may not seem like the most exciting of activities, but rest assured, it is a remarkably fun and memorable way to explore the wilderness. Your guide will lead you through the forest, helping you get to know the area and search for signs of wildlife. You will be out for around four hours in total and will enjoy a campfire lunch and hot drinks during your trek (weather permitting).

    Tonight a visit to one of the Aurora Camps is included. Nellim has several at its disposal and they are excellent spots either on the edge of Lake Inari or in a forest clearing. All offer a warming campfire, hot drinks and spectacular views of the night sky. The Aurora Camp activity will last for around two and a half hours tonight.

    Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Today we have given you a free day to relax and take in all that you have seen so far.

    For those who wish to keep the activities going the hotel will have a range of options available. Alternatively, you may wish to hire some snowshoes or cross country skis and utilise your new-found skills on one of the trails close to the hotel – you must seek maps and trail conditions from the hotel prior to planning your route. 

    This evening, after your meal we find that many guests gather on the frozen lake, adjacent to the hotel. Here a fire can be lit and stories shared. It also happens to be an excellent Northern Lights viewpoint, should conditions be favourable. It is also possible to add a Northern Lights snowmobile safari tonight if you’d like to head out into the wilderness once again. Please see the 'Personalise' section for more information.

    Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Today after breakfast, you will have the chance to get up close to some reindeer. Reindeer have been herded in this corner of the world since the Stone Age and they remain of the utmost cultural, economic and social importance to the region.

    Your local guide will discuss the role of a reindeer herder and answer any questions you may have about the reindeer and their daily life. There will be the chance to feed the reindeer and take lots of pictures before you head back to the hotel for lunch. You will be out for approximately 2 hours.

    You will have free time in which to relax or enjoy additional activities this afternoon.

    Following dinner this evening, you will return to one of the excellent Aurora Camps for another evening with your guide in prime Aurora territory. You will be out for around 2.5 hours tonight and with a little luck and favourable conditions, the Northern Lights may appear above you.

    Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • For your final day in Nellim, you will be participating in an activity which is almost universally loved by guests – dog sledding. In contrast to snowmobiling, husky sledding is an almost silent activity (once the dogs have got over their initial excitement!), with the only sound being the swishing of the sled's runners and the padding of the dogs' paws.

    You will receive full instruction and tuition before enjoying a safari of around 17km. You will travel two people per sled with the chance to swap over so you can each take a turn at driving the sled. The safari will last for approximately 1.5 hours.

    Tonight you will head out by car or minibus on your final hunt for the Northern Lights. The advantage of the car or minibus is that it offers additional mobility to potentially outrun any cloud cover that may be blocking an Aurora. This, in addition to the guide's excellent local knowledge, should hopefully allow your final night to be filled with Northern Lights. You will be out for approximately 3 hours tonight.

    Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Today you will bid farewell to Nellim as you are transferred to the airport for your return flight home.

    Included Meals:  Breakfast

Included in price

Wilderness Hotel Nellim

Nights: 1-7

Wilderness Hotel Nellim is owned by our good friends Jouko and Mari Lappalainen. Nellim was their first hotel (they now also own the delights of Nangu, Muotka and Wilderness Hotel Inari) and is now renowned as an Aurora destination. It will always hold a special place in our hearts for being the first place many of us saw the Northern Lights. The hotel has been upgraded over the years and now has a wide range of accommodation options including rooms, suites, log cabins and unforgettable Aurora Cabins and Bubbles (see the ‘Personalise’ section for details) which are all within a short walk of the main reception and restaurant building.

A tiny village, Nellim is a remote spot close to the shores of Lake Inari and surrounded by incredible wilderness, providing perfectly dark skies, ideal for Aurora viewing.

Hotel facilities

  • The restaurant/reception building is the focal point at Nellim. With locally-made furnishings, the atmosphere is charming. Hearty buffets of local and international favourites are served three times a day. There is usually a soup and salad selection, two choices of main meal and a pudding for evening meals
  • Guests can relax next to the roaring fire and enjoy a drink from the bar in the restaurant
  • A sauna is available for guests to use and can be reserved at reception in hourly slots (for a small fee)
  • There is a fully-stocked gift shop which offers a range of local produce and souvenirs for you to take home
  • Tea and coffee-making facilities are available in the main building for guests outside meal times (for a small fee)
  • Cross-country skis and snowshoes are available to hire from the onsite activity centre
  • The small lake behind the hotel is an excellent spot for some independent Aurora stakeouts – you can light the fire in the small wooden kota (traditional shelter) and watch the sky with a warm drink

Room types

Hotel rooms

The 54 double or twin rooms are decorated in keeping with local surroundings and culture. All have an en-suite shower room and hairdryer. Some of these rooms are located in the main building and others are situated in separate annexe buildings, a short walk from the main building. There are also two hotel rooms with private sauna which can be booked, subject to a supplement and availability.

Other options

Wilderness Hotel Nellim - Arctic Lake Villa

Supplements from: £500pp

Just 50 metres from the main building, these lakeside villas offer the best views over Lake Inari combined with maximising your Northern Lights viewing potential. With two bedrooms – one a double and the other a twin – the villas are ideal for families or small parties travelling together.

Facilities

  • The villas have a kitchenette with tea and coffee-making facilities and a small fridge
  • There is one bathroom with a shower, hairdryer and private sauna
  • There is a spacious living area decorated in a modern style and offering views over the lake

Please speak to one of our Travel Experts for a quotation

Wilderness Hotel Nellim - Arctic Suites

Supplements from: £456pp

Many guests like to upgrade to one of the six Arctic Suites at Nellim, all of which are situated in one of the annexe buildings across from the reception and restaurant. The suites offer guests additional room and their own space in which to relax after a day or night of activities.

Each suite varies in size and facilities. Suites are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis according to the accommodation which best suits your party.

Please note that the suites require an upgrade supplement and minimum numbers may apply. Please contact our Travel Experts for a quotation.

Please note these images display a range of the different types of suite.

Suite facilities

  • The one and two-bedroom suites are all equipped with living area, bathroom (with shower and hairdryer), kitchenette and/or electric kettle and TV
  • Some of the suites offer a sauna but this cannot be guaranteed, only requested
  • We recommend taking supplies of your favourite tea and coffee so you can enjoy warm drinks in your suite
Image credits: Markku Inkila

Wilderness Hotel Nellim - Cabins

Supplements from: £456pp

Nellim offers a variety of cabins which offer varying facilities and which are mainly within easy walking distance of the hotel. Cabins are allocated on a first come, first served basis, according to the accommodation which most suits your party and availability. Specific facilities cannot be guaranteed. 

Price is based on two adults sharing a log cabin. Please contact our Travel Experts for a quotation.

Cabin facilities

  • The standard cosy cabins are studio in style and offer a double bed, pull-out sofa bed, a small kitchenette (with coffee maker and kettle – so you may wish to bring your favourite tea/coffee), a shower room (with hair dryer), an en-suite toilet, a fireplace and a private sauna

  • Three larger log cabins situated close to the hotel are available on request, however, these require a minimum of 4 people and sleep up to 8. The lakeside log cabin is located 300-400m from the hotel

Please note these images display a range of the different types of cabins.

Wilderness Hotel Nellim - Log Suites

Supplements from: £292pp

Located between 30-70 metres from the main building these log suites are designed to be the highest standard of accommodation Nellim offer. The suites are approximately 33m² and there are four suites in each of the separate log buildings.

Please contact our Travel Experts for a quotation.

Suite facilities

  • All suites have their own private sauna, electric kettle and mini-fridge to make your stay as comfortable as possible

  • The suites have a double bed downstairs as part of the open plan layout and a mezzanine level above which sleeps up to three more people

  • All meals will be served in the hotel restaurant which is just a short walk from the suites

  • These suites are perfect for those wishing to have more space to relax in during their downtime from activities

Special Nights

A night in an Aurora Kota

From: £132pp

The team at Nellim are world experts when it comes to Northern Lights viewing, and frequently devise creative new ways to appreciate this natural phenomenon. The Aurora Kotas at Nellim and Muotka are well in keeping with such a tradition: combining a cabin structure with glass tepee elements, they provide a large glass roof above the sleeping area, allowing visitors to lose themselves in the magic of night-time Northern Lights displays.

Each Kota contains a double bed and is a bit larger than an Aurora Bubble, with room for a third person on a sofa bed. The 18m² space has simple and inviting décor, as well as pleasant lighting which illuminates the area without disrupting aurora-watching experiences. Linking to their natural setting, the majority of the Kotas do not have a shower- even so, each includes a toilet and a small sink. At Nellim, there are also two Aurora Cabins that have a shower and are slightly larger at 29 m².

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 ask our Travel Experts for a quotation.

Aurora Bubble

From: £88pp

What a concept this is! These bubbles represent the absolute pinnacle of the increasingly sophisticated search for the Northern Lights.

Essentially, the Aurora Bubble brings the Arctic wilderness and the night sky into the comfort of your own bedroom. Each bubble has a heated bedroom with a large north-facing dome window, allowing you to gaze at the firmament from the comfort of your own bed!! This is Aurora hunting in style.

The bubbles are situated in an area of minimal light pollution and all have a small compact toilet.

Of course, we can neither guarantee that the Northern Lights will appear nor can we ensure cloud-free skies because Aurora hunting will always carry an element of luck. What we do know is that the Aurora Bubbles represent a genuinely unique and memorable experience.

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 ask our Travel Experts for a quotation.

©Markku Inkila

Personalise this tour

Our pick

A night in an Aurora Kota

From £132pp

The team at Nellim are world experts when it comes to Northern Lights viewing, and frequently devise creative new ways to appreciate this natural phenomenon. The Aurora Kotas at Nellim and Muotka are well in keeping with such a tradition: combining a cabin structure with glass tepee elements, they provide a large glass roof above the sleeping area, allowing visitors to lose themselves in the magic of night-time Northern Lights displays.

Each Kota contains a double bed and is a bit larger than an Aurora Bubble, with room for a third person on a sofa bed. The 18m² space has simple and inviting décor, as well as pleasant lighting which illuminates the area without disrupting aurora-watching experiences. Linking to their natural setting, the majority of the Kotas do not have a shower- even so, each includes a toilet and a small sink. At Nellim, there are also two Aurora Cabins that have a shower and are slightly larger at 29 m².

Read more

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 ask our Travel Experts for a quotation.

Other options

Activities

Aurora snowmobile safari

From: £141pp

Heading out into the wilderness on a snowmobile, with only the headlights illuminating the trails, is a real adventure. This activity will see your guide lead you to some prime Aurora viewpoints. Should the conditions be favourable, and the lights start to dance overhead, you will, of course, stop and admire the show. Warm drinks will be served en route, and the activity lasts around 2.5 hours in total (including full instruction and a safety briefing before departure). You will travel two people per snowmobile throughout.

You must be over 18 and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile.

©Anthony Oberlin

Cross country ski or snowshoe hire

From: £27pp

Should you wish to explore independently during your stay, then both cross country ski gear and snowshoes can be rented at the hotel. Please ensure that you take a map and always follow marked trails. Ensure that you also have a mobile phone and the hotel’s contact details in case either are required during your outing.

Special Nights

Aurora Bubble

From: £88pp

What a concept this is! These bubbles represent the absolute pinnacle of the increasingly sophisticated search for the Northern Lights.

Essentially, the Aurora Bubble brings the Arctic wilderness and the night sky into the comfort of your own bedroom. Each bubble has a heated bedroom with a large north-facing dome window, allowing you to gaze at the firmament from the comfort of your own bed!! This is Aurora hunting in style.

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The bubbles are situated in an area of minimal light pollution and all have a small compact toilet.

Of course, we can neither guarantee that the Northern Lights will appear nor can we ensure cloud-free skies because Aurora hunting will always carry an element of luck. What we do know is that the Aurora Bubbles represent a genuinely unique and memorable experience.

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 ask our Travel Experts for a quotation.

©Markku Inkila

Trip Extensions

Helsinki city break

With our destinations being so remote, the majority of flights to Finnish Lapland are operated by Finnair and therefore involve connecting through Helsinki Airport. Many of our guests choose to extend this stop and spend some time in the Finnish capital, either at the start or end of their holiday.

We can arrange a wide variety of city centre hotel accommodation for guests to choose from and some options closer to the airport should you prefer. We know that everyone tends to be looking for something different so please contact our travel experts for their opinion on the hotels which may best suit you and your party.

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Located on the peninsula of the Baltic Sea, Helsinki enjoys a charming coastal location and has much to offer its guests. This thriving city has a rich culture and arts scene with many museums and galleries to enjoy alongside the exciting gastronomy.

Despite its cool urbanism and reputation for cutting-edge design, Helsinki also retains its charm and visitors will enjoy this city's very friendly atmosphere.

In the city itself, Senate Square is the main feature, showcasing neoclassical architecture and offering easy access to the surrounding shops. Helsinki offers striking architecture, with wide streets and bold facades. For those looking for more of an insight into the city's past, we would suggest visiting the Ateneum Art Museum which houses over 20,000 pieces of art, or the Helsinki Design Museum which showcases the history of design in the country from traditional folklore to postmodernism.

A 15-minute ferry ride from the main city is the UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna Sea Fortress which was constructed in 1748. As well as being a unique monument, it is also a lovely day trip, as the island has numerous shops and parks to explore.

Helsinki's food scene has seen a recent evolution, with a growth in street food which showcases the city's multicultural population. Helsinki is famed also for its specialist dishes of seafood so there is much to sample!

Finland is famed for its coffee consumption so you can be sure of a thriving café culture here. Be sure to include an obligatory stop for a coffee and a cinnamon roll during your explorations!

Whether you add your city break to the start or the end of your holiday, spending a night or two in Helsinki is not something that you will regret.

Please contact our Travel Experts for a full quotation. All city breaks are subject to flight availability. 

Image credit: VisitFinland

Traveller Reviews

Everything was spot on 16 January 2022 by Kevin Tweed

I enjoyed seeing the Northern Lights and travelling in the husky sleigh. Also the first class organising of the whole experience taking into consideration of my disability. From my point of view everything was spot on. All staff and guides had been made aware of my disability, visual impairment, and they made sure that I was safe in “ their hands”. The restaurant staff were very attentive to…
Read more my requests. Again with my visual impairment they brought my food to the table as it would have been difficult for me to do self service. I was very anxious with all the extra paperwork needed caused by Covid, but after a few phone calls to the office and the help and reassurance from the staff I was able to complete all paperwork for entry into Finland. As I was a single traveler with a visual impairment all the necessary help and support at the airports,on the plane and at the hotel were in place for me to have safe trouble free trip to Finland.
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10 out of 10 for everything 23 February 2020 by Robert Payne

Hard to pick what was most enjoyable but probably dog sledging, exploring in near silence.

Guides were excellent well organised knowledgeable and friendly 16 February 2020 by Kenneth & Deborah Gray

Food selection and quality was excellent! Our favourites were huskies closely followed by snowmobiles. Hadn’t done either of these before. Guides were excellent well organised knowledgeable and friendly. Campfires and refreshments are great. Accommodation was clean and comfortable. 

As far as my wife and I are concerned the whole experience was perfect. 02 February 2020 by Anthony Lambert & Elaine Smith

(Dog sledging).. the weather was perfect and the thrill of being pulled across the frozen lake by a team of wonderful dogs and admiring the fabulous scenery was really fantastic.

Nellim - Aurora in the Wild 24 February 2019 by Katharine Gregory

Fantastic local activity guides. Really enthusiastic & helpful.

It was the snow and surroundings that made this holiday magical! 17 February 2019 by Hannah Scott & Alexandra Hockley

Snowmobiling was incredible. It was a -20, blue sky day and having snowed continually for 2 days before the tracks were covered so tracking through deep snow in the forest was incredible. We were a child free group with excellent guides, which made for a super day!

Nellim - Aurora in the Wild 13 February 2019 by Dominique Broughton & Joanna Kelsey

The only thing we missed were the lights, so I guess we'll just have to come back!!

Nellim - Aurora in the Wild 09 February 2019 by Daniel Cashman

It was a great trip and I would do it again in a heart beat!

Nellim - Aurora in the Wild 27 January 2019 by Zoe Gates & Jack Fahey

Everything was really good, room was clean, tidy and warm. All the staff in the hotel were very friendly and helpful. Plenty of food never felt hungry and lots of choice for drinks, etc. Menu was so varied we never got bored - we loved the food! Overall experience was great. We really enjoyed the husky sledging, it's something we have always wanted to do and you got a good long turn each at…
Read more driving the sleigh. We also really loved the snow shoe trek, Jonny was our guide and his facts about the wildlife and Finnish life were really interesting, plus the reindeer pitta we had for lunch was very tasty!
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Would do this kind of a trip again in a heartbeat!! 13 January 2019 by Jane Dean

Everything we did was enjoyable to me since I'd never done some of the activities before (like cross country skiing and snow shoeing and dog sledding!) Loved this trip and am looking forward to a another one just like it next winter!

Having had time to reflect, this was one of our best holidays for many years, and we are well travelled... Very little to complain about, much to commend! 09 December 2018 by Christopher & Joan Galpin

Snowmobiling was just great fun, and the husky sled ride was also great; we had simply expected to be driven around, so to be standing on the back of the sled and (almost) in control was very exhilarating... Overall a great holiday, the staff were all excellent, very helpful, setting up the camera for night photography was brilliant, Hannah Bella and Jonny in particular seemed wonderful to us!

We had a great time in Nellim 25 March 2018 by Evelyn Swan Lim & Friends

We had a great time in Nellim. Everyone was very friendly, courteous and helpful. We are very happy and please with all the activities provided and the friendliness of the staff. We were lucky we got to see some northern lights but even if we didn’t we had a great time and we’re able to try our hands on the different activities you guys put together. This will be one of our memorable trips.

They were all immensely enjoyable in different ways. 19 March 2018 by Dawn Scott & Janet Hughes

I cannot single out any one activity as they were all immensely enjoyable in different ways. All activities that neither of us had done previously.

Nellim Aurora in the Wild 25 February 2018 by Lucy & David Watson

Awesome, beautiful, peaceful yet active holiday that we just loved. Best holiday! 22 February 2018 by The McGowan Family

Awesome, beautiful, peaceful yet active holiday that we just loved. Best holiday! We enjoyed all of the activities but had a fantastic day for the reindeer farm day. We spent 5/6 hours on snowmobiles going to the reindeer farm. We crossed beautiful lakes and drove through snowy forests. It was just stunning. We had an amazing time and all of our tour guides were totally fantastic and were very…
Read more knowledgeable. They work so hard and we appreciated all that they did for us. We didn't see the northern lights ad this was such a shame however, it did not spoil our holiday and we loved very second.
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Thank you all so much. 12 February 2018 by Angela and Joseph Marrone

The husky driving. Out of the ordinary, fast and the huskies are gorgeous. I would like to thank you-you all for the personal touches during our communications for the build-up to our holiday. Everything went smoothly. A huge thank you for organising my birthday cake and the bottle of wine I received as a gift from you all. My birthday was amazingly different and enjoyable. Thank you all so much.

Overall a fantastic experience 06 February 2018 by Jane and Neil Bates

We originally booked to see the Northern Lights but that became secondary to all the great activities. We did see the lights just not in full technicolour.... Next time... All our guides were great, friendly, helpful and worked really hard to ensure everything ran as smoothly as possible. We had a couple of extremely cold days (-35 ish) and the guides ensured we kept moving to warm up and checked…
Read more on us frequently. In addition, flights with Finnair were great. Good service, on time, clean and friendly.
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We loved the husky safaris and reindeer day. 01 February 2018 by Julia and Andrew Johns

Difficult to decide which was the most enjoyable activity, we loved the husky safaris and reindeer day.

A faultless experience 30 January 2018 by Nicola and Benjamin Anderson

One of the best trips we've ever had. The guides were first-rate - friendly, knowledgable, skilled and enthusiastic.

A trip of a lifetime 19 December 2017 by Carolyn Gintz

Well, our trip was absolutely amazing and went off with no issues. It was a trip of a lifetime for my daughter and I and I would recommend The Aurora Zone to all of my friends. Delightful and we saw the lights.

The whole experience exceeded our expectations. 18 December 2017 by Kenneth and Sheila Horton

The snowmobiles and husky sleigh through the forest and over the lake was outstanding. But seeing the Aurora was the icing on the trip.

Fantastic holiday. Organisation from Aurora Zone was second to none 05 December 2017 by Dane & Christine Butler

My wife and I have just returned from the best holiday that we have ever been on. Lapland is amazing; Nellim was great. We were lucky enough to experience three nights of Northern Lights. Even without the Aurora, the activities were such a fantastic experience - the Aurora was a bonus. Thank you.

Best holiday we have been on 04 March 2017 by Amanda & Shaun Hurd

We enjoyed the husky sledding most, probably because we are dog-lovers, but also because it was something that was completely alien to us and it was great fun. We paid to do it again while we were there. We also really enjoyed the cross-country skiing. We loved our week in Nellim - it was the best holiday we have been on. The food and accommodation were great. We were glad that we had booked a…
Read more log cabin, we needed the room for all the kit! The only think lacking in the cabin was storage space. We had to use the stairs as shelves and there was no hanging space except for two hooks on the wall. We met lovely people and made lasting friendships. The guides were brilliant; funny and knowledgeable. Dan, the rep, was very helpful, he arranged our extra husky sledding trip and helped my husband fix a broken tripod. He knew who we all were and took an interest in what we were doing but he wasn't pushy or intrusive. The whole holiday ran smoothly from start to finish and after receiving the documents from you, we knew exactly what to take with us and what to expect. Nothing was a disappointment. Thank you!
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Couldn't fault it at all 04 March 2017 by Alison and Andrew Whiteley

Dan, our rep, was fantastic - he was attentive without being intrusive. Really helpful, would his best to accommodate the group's requests. Snowmobile safari - guide Lamu was very knowledgeable, and funny! The setting was fantastic - couldn't fault it at all.

Best holiday of our lives 04 March 2017 by David & Clare Hannett

Returned a week ago from the best holiday of our lives! This was a special trip for our Silver Wedding Anniversary, and we spent a long time deciding where to go. Going to Nellim for the 'Aurora in the Wild' was the best decision we could have made! From the moment we arrived at Ivalo Airport we were well looked after, never pressured, but always well organised. Dan (the Rep) was brilliant, always…
Read more around if you needed him, very welcoming, but never 'in your face'. The hotel staff and guides were all great, very polite, helpful, cheerful and with so much local knowledge and useful information to share. We stayed in a 'Nangu' cabin, definitely worth the upgrade, our friends were in the hotel and the room was a little small, especially with all the gear you need to keep warm!!! We were lucky enough to see the Aurora 6 nights out of 7 with an amazing display on one night which lasted all evening! Every activity was well organised and brilliant. We were lucky enough to be able to share this whole experience with some new friends we made whilst we were there, who we will be seeing again soon. If you are considering this holiday and are unsure, don't be, it is amazing and we would return tomorrow if we could!!!
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Another fantastic holiday 04 March 2017 by Louise Drury & Grayham Chuchouse

Myself and my partner travelled to Finland with The Aurora Zone back in 2015, and it was the excellent customer service that drew us back to the company. We knew as soon as we returned that we'd want to go again, so we booked to go to Nellim for a slightly longer duration this time around! Although the activities planned were the same as last time, we enjoyed them every bit as the first time…
Read more around. Husky dog sledding was our highlight - there's nothing quite like being pulled across a frozen lake by a team of dogs! The guides at Nellim were all very knowledgeable, and everything was very well organised. The food there is hearty, and welcome after a day of activities. The gear provided is excellent at keeping you warm. We had our own boots, but this time I took up the offer of a snow suit, and boy does that thing keep you warm! We added a private sleigh ride, and a night in a kota onto our trip. The sleigh ride was fantastic - they provided you with two small bottles of sparkling wine, and some chocolates. The cover is clear, and it is heated inside, so you can see your surroundings whilst you're being pulled across Lake Inari. Although we were not lucky enough to see the lights that night, it was an enjoyable experience. The kota was a fantastic overnight stay. Again, we were not lucky enough to have lights that night, but it was a cosy evening! One evening we had an Aurora snowshoe trip - you are taken out to a camp, a fire is built, and you enjoy hot berry juice and biscuits. Whilst we were walking to the camp, the Northern Lights started to appear in the sky. We reached the camp, and I set up the camera. Whilst we were there, the lights just kept on coming! It was an absolutely fantastic display, and at a couple of points, it started dancing and shimmering. On our arrival back from the camp, the lights were still going on, so we decided to make the short walk down to Lake Inari to get some more snaps. We stayed out for another hour and a half just to enjoy the lights, and we were rewarded! More shimmering and dancing occurred, and the sky was just full of gorgeous colours. Whilst I'm not the best photographer, I've added some photos of the lights (and of the huskies). All in all, it was another fantastic holiday from The Aurora Zone, and I would highly recommend the company to anyone. I've got no doubts that we'll be back at some point!
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Unbelievably perfect vacation 18 February 2017 by Carolyn Levin and Nancy Aldana

Unbelievably perfect vacation. The activities all turned out to be great, even if we were worried about parts beforehand - the way things were presented and the way we were kept moving made each activity special. Loved them all!! This was a dream vacation. It would still have been a dream vacation even if we had not seen the Aurora. I would recommend bringing a good camera and tripod, even if you…
Read more don't think you would want to take photos of the northern lights - by the end of the first viewing, everyone was trying to get photos, even on iPhones (there is an app for that)!
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Every activity we did we enjoyed 18 February 2017 by Jayne Raine & Ian Hodge

We had the most memorable holiday ever, the hotel was excellent all the activities well organised. It was a 60th birthday that I will never forget and hopefully we will go back again.

Excellent guides 11 February 2017 by Chien Hwei Tan

The guides were really, really excellent - Lamu, Emmi, Kristin, Samson, etc. They know their stuff and they were good fun! Most enjoyable activity: Husky sledding!! The huskies were really raring to go and it was good fun driving the sled even though I fell off! No problem, though, the guide stopped the huskies, gave me some tips and had no problems after that! After husky sledding you get to…
Read more spend a long time playing with the huskies and even some adorable puppies!
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We saw the Aurora Borealis on all but two nights 21 January 2017 by Geoff and Joan Fynes & Diane and Robert Hughes

Overall, our holiday experience was exactly what we hoped it would be, and despite the relatively low level of solar activity while we were in Nellim, we were still able to witness the magnificent spectacle of the Aurora Borealis on all but two nights when it was cloudy. The most enjoyable activities were the dog sleigh ride and the snowmobiling, particularly the extended snowmobile trip. The dog…
Read more sleigh ride was challenging at first as it took a bit of concentration to make sure that you didn't slip off the runners, and also to impose your will over the dogs who were intent on galloping away! It was minus 27 degrees Centigrade that day so it was a bracing activity but highly enjoyable, and I have some lovely photographs of my wife with icicles on her eyelashes. The snowmobiles were equally enjoyable and there was a great impression of speed when we opened them up to the maximum speed, unfortunately limited to ~45 kph. All of the local guides that we had were excellent, and Tony in particular was particularly interesting and told us lots about Finnish customs and how he spends the rest of the year when he is not working as a guide. Emmie, who took us out snowshoeing and Nordic skiing was also very entertaining, pointing out reindeer traps in the forest which were equally effective at trapping Russian soldiers during the war, from where the Finnish resistance fighters would despatch them with a POM, POM, POM from their guns! The camp fires that were lit on every trip were also very enjoyable. The food cooked over the fire was very tasty and just what we needed on a cold day, as was the ubiquitous hot berry juice that we had several times a day. Sitting around the camp fire also provided an excellent opportunity to get to know the other members of or group a little better.
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Unforgettable 21 January 2017 by Lynne Searles

A special thanks to both Toni and Anthony for their care, attention and expertise that made the activities fun and memorable. The husky safari was amazing despite temperature being minus 27C! Unique opportunity to experience something unforgettable.

I can't recommend this holiday enough 21 January 2017 by Adrienne Robinson and Brian Williams

I can't recommend our holiday enough it was amazing! Our room exceeded our expectations, we had our own sauna and the room was in a log cabin which smelt wonderful. Most enjoyable was the incredible Aurora on our arrival at Nellim. You can't buy that! Otherwise we loved the huskies (we crashed!) and the long snowmobiling trip best. Also the relaxed and cheerful attitude of the guides - nothing was…
Read more a hassle and the pace seemed to be tailored to suit everyone. The staff and guides at Nellim were all lovely. The atmosphere is very relaxed. We wanted a holiday that was different and we got it. We also had some extremely cold weather -28 quite an experience. We usually travel independently and only booked a package because of time constraints, distance and the activities available. We were worried about being shepherded around but it was fine - it exceeded our expectations in fact.
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Nellim - Aurora in the Wild 04 April 2016

Superb holiday. Thank you

We wouldn't change a thing 20 March 2016 by Russell & Diane Newman

We enjoyed it all so much that we are already planning to return. Difficult to choose one (most enjoyable activity) as all of the activities were excellent and really enjoyable. We wouldn't change a thing. All of the local guides and our rep were excellent, as were all of the hotel staff. Special thanks to Petra, Ben and Anthony.

Brilliant holiday. I would definitely consider going back 05 March 2016 by Paul and Lorraine Quinn

The clothing provided was superb - fit for purpose and clean/new. We felt that safety of clients was taken into account on all of the activities. Appropriate information was given in advance and we did not feel that inappropriate risks were taken by any of the guides. Most enjoyable activity for daytime has got to be the husky safari, but I would guess that everyone says that. For night time, we…
Read more were lucky enough to see the Aurora on the one clear night out of 7. We were on the Aurora car trip that night so had the best of everything. Even better was that our guide teaches photography (amongst many other skills) so he was able to help us out with the finer details of exposure and focus (and he even brought some hot berry juice down to us when we were too excited with our photography to come and get it for ourselves). The hotel staff are lovely and so friendly and the food is amazing. We read some negative comments on Trip Advisor about food before we arrived - they must've been barking mad - there is nothing to complain about. Brilliant holiday. I would definitely consider going back.
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We would not hesitate to recommend (and indeed already have) 05 March 2016 by Christine & Richard Murrell

Having never been on a winter holiday previously and being in our early 60's we were extremely apprehensive - however, this holiday turned out to be one of the best we have ever had. The equipment and clothing provided were all first class, the accommodation excellent, as was the food. The activity guides were all exceptional and did all they could to make our time at Nellim a safe but adventurous…
Read more trip. Searching for the Aurora is a priority in the evenings and the guides and staff do all they can to make sure that you find the best position to see them from if they appear - also helping with camera settings etc. Any slight sighting of them and the Aurora alert would come through on the phone. I must also mention the restaurant staff and reception staff who were all so friendly and, whilst it was very busy, would always be helpful and jolly. The food was also a highlight. We would not hesitate to recommend (and indeed already have) this trip and your company to anyone wishing a real winter adventure in northern Finland where the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights are very high.
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We can't wait to go back! 20 February 2016 by Llinos Thomas & Jonathon Parkins

My husband and I have talked about seeing the Northern Lights since first meeting 6 years ago, so it was the obvious choice when deciding on our honeymoon! We chose Nellim - Aurora in the Wild for the variety of activities on offer, the location within the Arctic Circle and the range of accommodation available. This package excelled on every count. The cabin - Nangu - was absolutely beautiful,…
Read more sweetly private, and the personal sauna was a major boon in the -18C weather! This also made it easier for dashing out onto the lake at night when the Aurora Alarm went off. The hotel staff were just as fantastic - everyone spoke English to a brilliant standard and found my feeble attempts at Finnish amusing rather than insulting. The guides, in particular, were wonderful. Not only were they very knowledgeable about the areas flora, fauna and history, but they also clearly love what they do. Their unfailing enthusiasm for the beauty of Lake Inari and their reassuring patience with us uncertain (and ever so cold) tourists brought life to all of the activities on offer from snowmobiling to reindeer lassoing. The food was delicious and bountiful; all of the winter clothing and gear in excellent condition, and the staff at the hotel were incredibly helpful and welcoming. Unfortunately, we didn't have the best weather for Aurora hunting for our trip - it snowed 6 days out of 7! But to be perfectly honest, we enjoyed our surroundings so much, and the activities were so delightful, this wasn't quite the deal breaker I had imagined. That said, the one clear night we had, we had a beautiful show! From booking to the last flight from Helsinki, this was a beautifully organised and managed trip. We can't wait to go back! And we certainly wouldn't book with anybody else.
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All guides were excellent, friendly, very knowledgeable about Finnish culture 20 February 2016 by Susan Lord & Paul Smith

All guides were excellent, friendly, very knowledgeable about Finnish culture, custom and wildlife and managed to impart this during the activities. We were all looked after with great care despite there being a range of people for the guides to deal with. We would particularly single out Ben who was just excellent. One day my husband was not feeling well and we thought we would have to miss our…
Read more trip, but Ben enabled us to go and we had a really memorable day. Husky sledding just pipped our snowmobile trip to the reindeer farm. The huskies were amazing, so well looked after, friendly and full of energy, really hard to hold back when we caught up the slow team in front of us. The day we went it was snowing making it really magical. We thoroughly enjoyed all the activities and would do them all again.
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Everything was perfect 20 February 2016 by Mark & Elizabeth Showell

Everything was perfect. Enjoyed everything and was even better than expected. Everyone at Nellim is fantastic and so welcoming. Trips out with the owner Joukko particularly good. Felt so relaxed and yet active at the same time. Totally different experience that more than met our expectations. Ben was a fantastic Rep/Guide too.

By far the best holiday we have had; just brilliant 20 February 2016 by Andrew Brown

By far the best holiday we have had; just brilliant. Smoothly operated from start to finish. Can recommend the service and friendliness of everyone involved in running this holiday. The guides with whom we had the most contact were brilliant, knowledgeable and highly engaging. Bring on the Berry Juice!

For us everything was perfection and far exceeded our expectations 23 January 2016 by Colin Holloway

The whole process from initial ideas shared with you to the holiday itself represented excellence so there are no individual or specific issues requiring further comment. Most enjoyable: Very difficult. Whilst we had always hoped to see the Northern Lights we enjoyed all the activities we were able to undertake bearing in mind Kay's limited mobility but being lucky to see the lights on three…
Read more occasions, it must be the Aurora safaris/camps. However the Husky safari was a wonderful experience. I had no idea that I would "drive" a dog sled team. Least enjoyable: We enjoyed all the activities we chose . Nothing could remotely be classed as not enjoyable. For us everything was perfection and far exceeded our expectations. Although we were prepared we did underestimate the extreme cold weather. Just a point. This holiday was a wonderful experience which we enjoyed immensely . The hotel, staff, food, activities, guides especially Ben, and all the ancillary items were first class. Lammu and Meeka were the most welcoming and charming hosts and left us with memories to cherish.
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Nellim - Aurora in the Wild 23 January 2016 by Susan Morris

10 out of 10. Can’t fault it. Loved it all.

Seeing the Lights from the Aurora Camp 21 December 2015 by Stuart Green

Most enjoyable activity: Seeing the Lights from the Aurora Camp - why is pretty obvious! Huskies and snowmobiles and reindeer sledding also great fun.

This holiday scores 11/10 31 March 2015 by Nicholas Losseff

Quite frankly an amazing trip - we were blessed with three nights of Aurora sightings but even without this it was a stunning holiday. Lapland was beautiful in March and not too cold. All the activities were amazing fun and the local guides excellent and friendly. The snowmobiling and husky sledding were awesome. One of the Aurora nights was cosmic in proportion and made you realise how…
Read more unimportant we are! The hotel was very comfortable and the food hearty as stated. We would highly recommend this trip and we met a lot of fun people. This holiday scores 11/10.
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Best holiday ever 24 March 2015 by Elizabeth Field

Loved every second (well maybe not the cross-country skiing but I am glad I tried it!). Can't find a fault with anything. All my dreams came true with the best Aurora for 10 years according to most sources. Third time lucky as I had booked and had to cancel this holiday in two previous years in sad circumstances. Most enjoyable was snowmobiling at night, I had been nervous about snowmobiling and…
Read more a bit horrified to be doing it the first time in the dark but when it came to it the dark added an air of excitement. I love being outside in the dark so all the night activities were my favourite.  Least enjoyable was cross-country skiing because I was rubbish at it and think the boots didn't help being soft. Starting out on a big hill didn't help! I found the 60 kilometre snowmobiling a bit long as I have weak arms and the snowmobiles are very heavy to handle.  The guides were great, especially Joonas. The kitchen did a great job of catering for our dietary needs. Best holiday ever.
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Well organised and great fun 22 March 2015 by Barbara Jones

Always wanted to try (husky sledding) and it was well organised and great fun. Knowledgeable and helpful guides who wanted us to get the most from the experience. Don't undersell the cozy but comfortable Lodge as it's small size enhances the personal experience. The Lodge staff seemed genuinely interested in maximising our chances of seeing the Lights and enhancing the experience when we saw…
Read more them.
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It was a really excellent holiday 16 March 2015 by Richard Flower

The Aurora Camps, partly because we saw the Aurora so much. The camps were, however, very enjoyable experiences in their own right, as they involved heading out at night in a variety of ways (including snowshoeing and snowmobiling) and then sitting around a campfire in the wilderness. The husky sledding was also great fun. It's hard to think of anything (improvements). It was a really…
Read more excellent holiday.  We were extremely lucky to be in Finland during a period of intense Aurora activity, so that made the holiday extra-special. Nonetheless, the hotel is excellent and all the activities are great fun in themselves, meaning that the enjoyment of the holiday isn't solely dependent on whether you see the Northern Lights. All the guides and staff were very knowledgeable and helpful, so we were very well looked after.
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It was such a special trip, thank you again 14 March 2015 by Magnus & Helen Hird

Just thought we'd drop you a quick email now we're back and have been able to fully digest the wonderful trip we had to Finland. Everything about the process was great - it was fantastic to secure a cabin and also get two extra nights arranged at the start of the trip, which gave us extra time to relax and explore the area around the hotel. The week's activities were great fun, especially the…
Read more husky sledding, which we both absolutely loved! So much so that we were keen to repeat the experience and the local team was very helpful in swopping our schedule about so we could fit another trip in out on the ice with the dogs. Add to this several spectacular bits of luck. Firstly with the delightful cabin we stayed in, virtually brand new and a picture-prefect gingerbread-house look set alongside the woodland. The private sauna inside was just right for warming up after cold days or easing tired muscles. Secondly the timing of our stay, coincidentally, with the solar eclipse and when that day dawned clear and bright we knew we'd have a great view - as it turned out whilst stood in a paddock full of reindeer milling around us. The hotel had also thoughtfully obtained some pieces of welding glass so that everyone could have a safe view of the shadow progressing over the sun. And thirdly, the beautiful Aurora we witnessed virtually every night, including three amazing displays that will live long in our memories. Add to this a friendly, comfortable hotel with lovely staff and guides, great company, and delicious food there really isn't much that could ever improve on the trip we had. Friends and family have been awed by the stories we have been telling them and pictures we have shared - so much so that we've directed several to your website. It was such a special trip, thank you again. Magnus & Helen Hird – Nellim AITW 14 March 15
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Best holiday ever! 11 March 2015 by Nichola Turner

Overall holiday rating: excellent. Most enjoyable (activity) : husky sledding, as it's something I’ve always dreamed of doing. Least enjoyable: cross-country skiing, as I'm just not good at skiing. Improvements: everything was perfect. Additional comments: best holiday ever!

It was perfect 09 March 2015 by Ann McKay

Everything about the holiday was what we hoped for and more - I would recommend it 100%. The most enjoyable part was the dog sledging without a doubt, it was a fantastic experience!!!! The least enjoyable activity for me was the cross-country skiing, only because I was hopeless at it and when I fell down I couldn’t get up again; that was due to previous riding accident injuries, however we…
Read more did have lots of fun trying!!!!! There is nothing at all I would have changed about this holiday, it was perfect.
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Brilliant holiday, thank you 06 March 2015 by John Adair

What a brilliant holiday, thank you. I have attached some pictures for your interest. The images were taken with a film camera not digital. A Nikon 28mm 2.8 lens and a 400 ISO Kodak Portal film, for those interested in these things.

An experience of a lifetime - being pulled across a frozen lake, with amazing scenery by six very excitable husky dogs 06 March 2015 by Catherine Fantom

Husky dog sledging (was) an experience-of-a-lifetime - being pulled across a frozen lake, with amazing scenery by six very excitable husky dogs. Also seeing how well looked after they are back at the kennels.

This is one of the best holidays I've been on 06 March 2015 by Joe Parris

This is one of the best holidays I've been on; we had a brilliant time, and were very lucky to see the Northern Lights four nights out of six. Everything ran very smoothly, the activities were great and the staff, guides and rep all very friendly and professional. The husky safari was a brilliant morning spent with these amazing animals taking in some beautiful Arctic scenery. What could be…
Read more better!
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Amazing holiday 11 February 2015 by Jacqueline Wadsworth

Amazing holiday in what was a wonderful hotel which was so friendly it felt like being at home. Local guides were super and their knowledge and skill was wonderful. Husky sledding (was a) unique experience which was good in length and scenery. Guide was also good at giving out information, safety briefing very informative, any questions answered without a problem. All activities were enjoyable and…
Read more we made the most of what was offered.
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Seven days at Nellim Wilderness Hotel 30 January 2015 by Cecilia Meira

My fiancé and I have spent six nights at the Nellim Wilderness Hotel on the 12th Jan-18th Jan, I have to say this is definitely the best holiday we've ever been on. We'd enquired and paid a deposit for this holiday back in summer 2014 and had chosen the 'very active' package to Nellim. Since the very first email to Aurora Zone team, they have been very responsive, helpful and informative with all…
Read more our enquires throughout this whole time. We especially thank Dawn for being so helpful and lovely during the past six months. When we first arrived at Ivalo Airport, we were greeted by a very friendly guide named Quincy and were immediately transferred to the hotel in a very comfortable car. I do highly recommend getting an upgrade to the cabin, it is just too nice to have your own fireplace and sauna, the cabin was super cosy, clean and warm. Throughout all the activities that we've done, I felt incredibly safe as all the guides were very experienced and all the activity tracks were very well planned and maintained. I have never done cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding before but there wasn't even a sense of fear during the activities. You can ask anything as the guides were so friendly and helpful. This was definitely the hardest trip to leave as we've bonded such a great relationship with everyone at the hotel, and thank you so much Aurora Zone for organising such amazing holiday packages for us. I highly recommend the Nellim package to anyone who loves a bit of a challenge and love to have lots of fun. We will definitely go back again in the future.
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One of the best holidays we have ever been on, loved every minute 30 January 2015 by Joanna Boraston

One of the best holidays we have ever been on, loved every minute. Everyone was great, we loved the place. We just loved being out on the sleds with the dogs, so quiet and such fun! The natural situation of the hotel and the unspoilt environment make the holiday.

Absolutely fantastic 02 January 2015 by Joshua Moore

Absolutely fantastic - Nellim was beautiful and the staff were brilliant.  We loved the snowmobiling but it was all fantastic. Ice fishing (and cooking the winnings) was brilliant too.

Food was excellent 30 April 2014 by Steve Wilkes

Most enjoyable activity? The husky run and sitting in the pen with the huskies afterwards. Amazing animals, and so well-trained. Least enjoyable activity? The cross-country skiing. No-one's faulty but my own and no hard feelings - I was just rubbish at it :) Comments: reading reviews before going to Nellim, the food at the hotel was down-played - things like "Don't expect a Michelin star" - but…
Read more the food was genuinely excellent. Simple, healthy, tasty, hearty meals. I've stayed at 5* Hilton Resorts before and the food at the Nellim Wilderness hotel was better :)
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The guides were fantastic 07 April 2014 by Hilary Payne

The guides were fantastic, particularly Joonas, a most charismatic young man. I loved being outside all day in the snow and fresh-air, being active and being given an insight into the life of the people who live there permanently. Spending time with Hannu-Pekker, the reindeer herder and ice-fisherman, was just great. I loved it all including sitting around the open fires for lunch and in the…
Read more evenings. Seeing the Northern Lights was a bonus.
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We had a brilliant week at Nellim last week! 06 March 2014 by Lynne Stott

Just a quick contact to say we had a brilliant week at Nellim last week! We saw the Aurora on three consecutive nights!!! Truly awesome!! The snow activities were fantastic! We had a lovely group of people. Ben and the guides were excellent! The hotel was perfect and the food was superb!! Just a wonderful week!!

Thank you for an excellent trip to Nellim 17 February 2014 by Eric Butler

We just wanted to thank you for an excellent trip to Nellim, from 15th-21st January. Everything worked like clockwork, and we had the added bonus of not one but two Aurora sightings. We would like to add our appreciation for your representative at the hotel, Ben. He was always available, helpful and friendly. When I felt a bit under the weather and not able to do the whole day snowmobile safari,…
Read more he arranged for me and my wife to go with him on snowmobiles for a couple of hours, which was very much appreciated. This sort of flexibility is not always offered, and we would ask you to pass on our sincere thanks to Ben. Once again, thank you for a memorable trip.
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Everything was excellent 03 April 2013 by Judith Badminton

Rarely on post holiday questionnaires do we rate everything as excellent, but for this holiday we did. The booking process and pre-travel information about what you would need to do and take, etc was excellent and very useful. Booking on the internet can make it very impersonal but being able to talk though any queries or discuss your chosen trip on the phone with Aurora Zone staff was very…
Read more helpful. The Wilderness Hotel was comfortable, welcoming and so fitting for its environment which is in the wilderness. The food was plentiful, very tasty and wholesome, served buffet style at appropriate times to fit in with returning from activities. Free coffee & tea available all day long. The staff were attentive and friendly at all times. Nellim itself does not have any amenities but the hotel does have a small gift shop where we were able to buy mittens and a balaclava. Having Pete, the in-house rep, ensured everything went according to plan and your needs were met. You also felt you were not lost in with the other guests but were part of 'Aurora Zone' group. His character was just right for the variety of guests he would encounter and he was always happy to join in for a chat. The equipment provided for all the activities was excellent and in good order. The guides so friendly and informative and even though our holiday was towards the end of the season they still had plenty of enthusiasm. Often stepping out of the box to do that little bit more for you. Take plenty of clothes for layering. For the trips on the snowmobile, dog sled and to the Aurora Camp extra layers are needed especially around the face. I found mittens inside mittens the best option to stave off cold fingers. For me it was intended to be my 'holiday-of-a-lifetime' and I was not disappointed. Considering how many activities we were fitting into six days the atmosphere at all times during our stay was very calm and relaxing. We were also lucky enough to see the Northen Lights on a number of occasions during our six night stay so that was the icing on the cake.
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I do not think there is anything you could do to improve the experience we had 26 March 2013 by Anne Wood

Peter was an outstanding rep, excellent sense of humour, very helpful and extremely knowledgeable. He is an asset to your company. We would strongly recommend this hotel, and hope it doesn't change too much in the future. The food was delicious, with adequate choice. Snowmobile activities were exciting and exhilarating, with excellent guides, especially Matti, who made the best reindeer toastie in…
Read more Finland. The least enjoyable was Aurora by car, but this would have been much better if the Aurora had been visible and the sky clear (you cannot control the weather!). I do not think there is anything you could do to improve the experience we had; it rates as one of our best holidays. All the staff and guides went out of their way to ensure guests had a great time.
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The holiday itself was absolutely fantastic 25 March 2013 by Caroline Cotton

The holiday itself was absolutely fantastic. The staff were so helpful, nothing was too much trouble for them and they were all so friendly and knowledgeable. Having a guide who did a session on photography so that you had advice on camera settings, etc was so beneficial and helped to make sure that we all got some great shots of the Aurora. We enjoyed all the activities and also having some free…
Read more time every day to spend as you pleased. The food was excellent always and choices meant that there was something for everyone. Also having hot drinks available from 7pm to 1am was great, especially when you got back late from a viewing. Our latest night out was until 2am!! To sum up - this made the top item on my bucket-list, one that I will never forget; it was all I imagined and so much more. We were lucky to see the Aurora three nights out of five, the middle night being totally mind-blowing, being outside in the forest watching the stars, a fantastic light show and sitting around a log fire. A night to remember forever. We have already passed on your details to several other people and hope that they will come to the Wilderness Hotel and enjoy the hospitality and Aurora as much as we did. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
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An amazing holiday 04 March 2013 by Joanne Callaway

Thank you so much we had an amazing holiday! We had a great range of activities to do during the day and then the search often by snowmobilies in the evening was fab. Everything we could possibly need was included and thank goodness for the Arctic suits! We feel exceptionally lucky to have witnessed such a display of the Northern Lights it really was spectacular and worth every penny. From our rep…
Read more Peter, to the guides (Finlands answer to Lara Croft - Noora!) who really made our experience and the other hotel staff we were made to feel so welcome and nothing was too much trouble. The food was great, proper homemade meals after a day in the cold was fantastic. We cannot praise the hotel enough, I will definitely be recommending it to friends. Thank you also for making the booking process so easy.
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The best time possible 25 February 2013 by Julian Hill

It was an excellent mix of activities, an excellent hotel and everyone from the guides to the hotel staff genuinely seemed to want to make sure that we had the best time possible. It was worth every penny. 

Good food and a relaxed atmosphere 11 February 2013 by Jill Evans

Ok to sum up if you want a holiday where you dont want to mix with people, enjoy good well-cooked food and a relaxed atmosphere and self-induced sleep deprevation [YOU CAN'T AURORA WATCH IN BED HA HA] then go somewhere else. I must also mention our on site rep, Peter who was always around when we needed him and was really interested in how our trips went - great bloke.

Beyond perfect 09 February 2013 by Aphrodite Gogakis

The entire holiday was beyond perfect, great organization, great accommodation. The food was excellent, the atmosphere in the hotel was excellent and the guides and people working there all seemed to have passion for their work, which made for a extra special holiday. Peter gave us a great welcome and has a great sense of humour and a positive attitude which definitely made an impression on…
Read more us. I wouldn't change a thing and I am planning to return! Regards Aphrodite Gogakis 
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We are still on cloud nine about the trip 05 February 2013 by Jayne Stuart

We have had the most awesome adventure and really don't think anything could have improved our holiday. We spoke to Annabel at Aurora Zone to talk about options and to book our holiday and she was fantastic. She was also very helpful and very friendly when we had a few last minute queries. On site our rep Peter was great, helpful, funny, eager to help if he could - and most importantly he was…
Read more there. On so many holidays the reps greet you and then you can never find them again. The hotel was lovely and cosy, we were expecting something much more basic, the food was great and they catered to our "no fish" requirements, even on the safaris when lunch was prepared around the camp fire - and this was without us reminding the hotel about this when we got there. The hotel staff are lovely, and the guides are AWESOME - they made our holiday and the activities were just brilliant. We are still on cloud nine about the trip; we would recommend it to anyone and we would go back and do it all again in a heartbeat. THANK YOU!!! 
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The perfect wilderness paradise 04 February 2013 by Grace Pickford

This holiday was definitely one of the best I have ever been on. There were plenty of activities to do and the local rep - Peter was friendly and very helpful. In one week, I packed in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing (both skis and snowshoes were also available to borrow at your own leisure), snowmobiling, husky sledding, ice fishing, reindeer herding, plenty of campfire-making and cooking,…
Read more learning about the local wildlife, history and customs and of course, photographing the beautiful Aurora Borealis. All of the hotel's local guides were highly-skilled, extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with - they are very proud of their jobs and country and I can see exactly why. The local forests and the many expanses of frozen water that make up Lake Inari are very picturesque and if you are lucky, you will spot some of the native wildlife such as reindeer, goldeneyes, siberian jays, arctic grouse, foxes and red squirrels. When it came to the evening, the guides led us on a variety of trips (usually by snowmobile or a sled pulled along by one of the guides on a snowmobile) and we usually stopped at one of their 'Aurora camps' - a log cabin out in the forest at the edge of the lake and more importantly, well away from the interference of the hotel lights. We made a small fire and drank hot berry juice under the stars as we waited for the Northern Lights to show themselves and when they did... they were truly spectacular. With regard to the actual photography, the guides were all very knowledgeable and provided help with the optimum camera settings. I was very sad to be leaving when the week was up, but I will certainly be returning to Nellim in the near future to spend more time in the amazing wilderness with these wonderful people.
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The best holiday I have ever had 04 February 2013 by Sara Hemming

This has been the best holiday I have ever had. Ultimately we went to Finland to see the "Northern Lights" and weren't disappointed. The staff and the facilities at the Hotel were just amazing, nothing was too much trouble, even providing us as a group with "Berry Juice" and wood for a fire on our night off, so we could sit out and watch for the lights in comfort, and kept the bar open until late…
Read more for us on our last night! We would also like to comment that Peter our rep was a "Leg-end" informative, checked daily that we were ok, and in his own inimitable way entertaining. Thank you.
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The tour rep, was enthusiastic and informative 04 February 2013 by Sophie Lam

Peter, the tour rep, was enthusiastic and informative. He was flexible in rearranging our Aurora Camp night as the conditions looked good on our night off. However we did not have much luck that night so the following night (now our night off) he arranged for us to use the hotel's shelter and fireplace by the lake. Noora, one of the excellent local guides, then chopped us wood for a fire and…
Read more arranged for a kettle and juice to be taken down ready for us.
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Amazing holiday experience 21 January 2013 by Emma Payne

An amazing holiday experience. Could not fault anything, it was perfect. The Wilderness Lodge Hotel at Nellim was idealistic. Perfect setting, lovely staff, amazing guides. We looked at so many trips before booking this one, we can't believe this trip could have been beaten.

We were continually impressed by the Nellim Wilderness Hotel and all their staff 11 December 2012 by Elizabeth Tilt

We were continually impressed by the hotel and all their staff. The guides were all so well informed and authentic. But, at the same time, everyone was so friendly and not at all patronising with us city slickers! We also felt the trainees really added to the trips with their enthusiasm. The equipment was top quality and the food was amazing and really tasty. 

Hotel fantastic 11 December 2012 by Robin St Clair Jones

Hotel fantastic, all staff exceptional and very helpful. Their knowledge and pride in their environment came over very well and all spoke very good English. The food was plentiful and hearty, just what was needed. Just understand that you are 40 minutes from the nearest village and 300km from nearest town and then marvel even more at how well orgainsed this hotel and the activities are.

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