Wilderness Hotel Nellim – Tailor Made
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Details
Nellim has been one of our most popular destinations for over a decade, and for so many reasons. The location of the hotel is wild and wonderful, the Aurora record and viewing opportunities are exceptional and the accommodation range is fantastic. The activities on offer also showcase the absolute best of Arctic Finland.
Designing your own holiday at Nellim means that you can set the duration and pace of your trip and focus in on the key activities and experiences you would most like to enjoy.
Tailoring a holiday gives you great flexibility. Perhaps you are travelling in a group where people have different priorities, or maybe you have been to the region before and know what you want to focus on. It is also a great way to arrange your holiday if you are working to a budget - big or small. Regardless, our Aurora Travel Experts will be on hand to help you plan the ideal holiday from beginning to end, using their first-hand knowledge of this wonderful location.
You can choose the exact duration and departure date of your stay at Nellim (a minimum of three nights is required and definitely recommended) and then you simply add in the activities from the individually priced range which is detailed in the 'Personalise Tour' section of the holiday page. There are wonderful experiences to be had here, during both day and night.
When it comes to Northern Lights hunting, Nellim really excels itself with a range of innovative Aurora hunting options. Guests can spend the night in an Aurora Cabin, hunt the lights on foot, by car/minibus or by snowmobile, or visit one of Nellim's Aurora Camps which are all situated in prime Northern Lights viewpoints. Even if you aren't out on an Aurora activity, you have excellent Northern Lights viewing potential right next to the hotel. Just a few minutes' walk from the main hotel building, you can be standing on the vast expanse of frozen Lake Inari, gazing at the dark sky.
During the day, of course, all the key Arctic activities are available. You can choose to go dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. You could try your hand at ice fishing or perhaps visit a local reindeer farm. The options are wonderfully varied. In between activities, you can enjoy a walk to the nearby log church, go sledging, relax in one of the saunas (a real Finnish tradition) or perhaps hire cross-country skis or snowshoes to enjoy the local trails independently. Your Aurora Travel Expert will be happy to advise you on the best activities and accommodation options for your holiday. If you wish to combine your stay with any of our other Wilderness Hotel destinations including Inari, Nangu, Juutua or Muotka, then please simply ask one of the team to provide a tailored quote for you.
Important Information
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only. Your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which will be emailed to you around a week prior to departure), or upon arrival.
If you are travelling in the winter 2024/25 season Wilderness Hotels requires a minimum of 2 activities to be pre-booked at the time of reservation for 3 night stays, or a minimum of 3 activities to be pre-booked at the time of reservation for 4-7 night stays. For winter season 2025/26 this will increase to a minimum of 3 activities to be pre-booked for a 3-night stay and 4 activities for a stay of 4+ nights.
Itinerary
What's included?
- Return flights from London to Ivalo (either direct or via Helsinki) are included. Flight routes are subject to change.
- Return scheduled group shuttle airport transfers
- A minimum of three nights in a twin or double room at Nellim Wilderness Hotel (the hotel can usually accommodate your bed set-up preference, but this can’t be guaranteed). Upgrades available on request
- Full board meals
- 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 for the duration of your stay
Our Expert Opinion
Nellim has been one of our most popular destinations for years and we have a range of wonderful itineraries available for guests to enjoy. We do, however, know that sometimes people are more restricted on time, budget or departure date than a set itinerary allows for and so the tailor made option gives people the flexibility to design their own holiday. This trip is also ideal if you are travelling with a group of people who all wish to take part in different experiences, as everyone can choose how active they would like to be.
Accommodation
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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, Juutua 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 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
- 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
- Cross-country skis and snowshoes are available to hire from the onsite activity centre
- The small lake behind the hotel is a great spot for some independent Aurora stakeouts
Double Wilderness Room
Twin Wilderness Room
Arctic Suite
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.
Cabin
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.
Log Suite
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.
Personalise This Tour
Nellim is famed for its Aurora Camps which have been built by the experienced guides in prime Northern Lights viewpoints. Your guide will take you to the most appropriate camp for the conditions and you will travel in a sleigh pulled by a snowmobile.
Warm drinks will be served and stories told, as you await a potential sighting of the Northern Lights.
Duration: approximately 2.5 hours
This Aurora hunt is designed to help you outrun any localised cloud cover as your guide chooses the most suitable destination for an evening Aurora stake-out.
One of the most frequent destinations is Paatsjoki Bridge, as it has an excellent Northern Lights viewing record. The river here is fast flowing, and so there is always open water, which is ideal for photographers wanting to catch the Aurora reflecting on the water. This area affords exceptional views of the night sky. Warm drinks will be served, and stories told as you await a potential sighting with your guide.
Duration: approximately 3 hours
Snowmobiles offer a level of mobility that means that, should there be any localised cloud cover, your guide may be able to lead you to clearer skies.
After full instruction and a safety briefing, you will travel in pairs on the snowmobiles, with one travelling as a passenger and the other in control of the machine (you will get the chance to swap providing you both carry a full driving licence and are over 18). You will be out for around two and a half hours in total and enjoy a hot drink along the way. Please note that the driving distance depends on the weather conditions.
You may choose to upgrade and drive your own snowmobile – please ask our Aurora Travel Experts for a quote.
Duration: approximately 2.5 Hours
Snowshoeing at night is a wonderful experience, regardless of whether the Northern Lights appear overhead.
The silence of the forests at night is just breathtaking and the landscape takes on a totally different feel at night. Your guide will lead you along the trails to one of the campsites, where you can enjoy hot drinks. If conditions are favourable your efforts will hopefully be rewarded with a spectacular display.
Duration: approximately 2.5 hours
Cross-country skiing is one of the most popular Scandinavian activities and this is your chance to learn the basic skills. You will be taught the basics before exploring the trails which surround the hotel. This peaceful activity lets you appreciate the silence and beauty of this area, beware, however, it can be very addictive!
Duration: approximately 2 hours
For those who want to enjoy a gentle and peaceful walk in stunning snow-covered surroundings, look no further than snowshoeing.
Snowshoes and poles will be provided, and your guide will then lead you on a two-hour walk through the forests which surround the hotel. It takes mere minutes for you to be deep in the heart of untouched wilderness, enjoying the silence of this remote location.
Throughout, your guide will provide information regarding local flora and fauna as you use the snowshoes to explore.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
A husky safari is effectively a ‘must-do’ activity during your stay in the Arctic.
You will meet your guide at the hotel and will be given full instruction on how to handle the sled and a safety briefing. You will then travel a short distance in a snowmobile-pulled sleigh, to the nearby husky kennels.
You will hear the dogs a long way before you will see them as they will be so excited for the trail. You will be allocated a team between two, with one person driving and the other in the sled (you will have the chance to swap during the activity).
The anchor will be released and then you will set off on your safari. Travelling along trails and then out onto the expanse of Lake Inari on a dog sled is an experience like no other!
Depending on the conditions, you will be out for around 1.5 hours with the dogs. Back at the kennels, you will have the chance to spend some time with your teams and take pictures.
Duration: approximately 2-3 hours in total
For those who are more confident with the idea of snowmobiling and want to spend longer out on the trails, this is an exceptional activity.
After a full safety briefing and instructions on how to drive and handle the snowmobile, you will head out on your adventure, travelling two people per machine (you may want to upgrade and drive your own snowmobile – please contact our Aurora Travel Experts for a quote). You will have the chance to swap drivers during the activity should you wish.
The route typically takes you along stunning forest trails, before you head towards the vast expanse of Lake Inari, which is ideal for enjoying some thrilling snowmobiling.
Your guide will make a stop for lunch, where they will cook a warming and hearty meal over an open fire. You will then head back to the hotel.
Please note: you must be 18 years old or over and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile.
Duration: approximately 4 hours
This activity is ideal for those who want a day in the wild, trying one of the most favoured local pastimes.
Travelling in a sleigh pulled by your guide’s snowmobile, you will head to a prime fishing spot on one of the lakes around Nellim. You will be provided with the tools you will need, drill your holes and then wait patiently for a fish to nibble on the line.
Lunch will be cooked on an open fire out in the wilderness, and if you’re lucky enough to land a catch, fresh fish may even be on the menu.
Duration: approximately 4 hours
This activity lets you experience the thrill of snowmobiling in this wild and remote landscape and also provides an insight into the traditions of Sámi culture, during a visit to a reindeer farm.
After full instruction and a safety briefing, you will travel two people per snowmobile along the local trails, to reach the reindeer herder and their animals. You may also stop along the way to visit the delightful log-built church at Nellim.
At the farm, you will have the chance to feed the animals and learn about their importance to the Sámi people of Lapland and the region as a whole.
Lunch will be cooked over an open fire and warm drinks will be provided before you head back to the hotel.
Please note that you must be 18 years old or over and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile.
Duration: approximately 4 hours
After a full safety briefing and instructions on how to drive and handle the snowmobile, you will head out on an exciting safari, travelling two people per machine (you may choose to upgrade and drive your own snowmobile – please ask our Aurora Travel Experts for a quote).
Travelling along the well-marked trails, you will explore the stunning wilderness which surrounds the hotel, driving over frozen lakes and through beautiful forests.
Please note: You must be 18 years old or over and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile.
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Spend around four hours out in the wild with your guide, using snowshoes to help you explore the stunning forests around Nellim and walk over the deep snow with ease.
Your guide will lead the way and will point out local flora and fauna as you go, providing information about the local environment and stopping at the most scenic spots.
You will break for lunch around an open fire and you’ll have the chance to really soak in the silence of this wild place.
Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Today you will gain an insight into the traditions of Sámi culture, the lives of a herder and the importance of the reindeer to a rural economy such as Nellim. During your visit, you can ask your local guide questions you have about the way of life of a herder this far north of the Arctic Circle. You will also have the chance to feed the reindeer.
Duration: approximately 2 hours
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.
| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Nellim,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Inari,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Nellim,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Nellim,Finland |
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Tour Map
Additional Info
If you are staying on the 24th or 31st of December a Festive Dinner supplement will apply (mandatory):
Christmas Eve: £77 per person
New Year’s Eve: £55 per person
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.
Tour terms, click here
Booking conditions click here
Trip specific Payment and Cancellation Terms:
Snow coverage in early December
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 section 11 of our booking terms and conditions.
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
