Jeris and Harriniva – Winter Adventure
- Details
Details
This winter holiday in Finland has been one of our most popular trips for over a decade and a quick look at the activities we include highlights why.
Firstly, guests enjoy a cultural experience at an historic reindeer farm, where a reindeer-pulled sleigh ride is a wonderful introduction to Lapland and the small museum provides details of the local culture and times gone by.
A thrilling snowmobile safari is next on the list and gives the chance to explore further afield and gain a sense of the scale of Finland's wilderness environment. This is not a short taster session - you will cover between 60 and 80km during the day!
The true highlight for many people, however, is the overnight husky safari to a wilderness cabin which covers two days of the holiday. This is an unforgettable experience for all who take part and is a real adventure.
Staying at either Hotel Jeris or Harriniva, we also leave time for you to tailor your holiday and relax or enjoy additional activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. We can also arrange for you to spend your final night in a winter village or in a spectacular Aurora dome at nearby Torassieppi.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred directly to your hotel where you will check into your room. Upgrade options are available at both Jeris and Harriniva for a supplement, depending upon availability.
Once you have settled in, a welcome dinner will be served and you will meet with your guide to discuss the adventures ahead. Your cold weather clothing will be provided and is yours for the duration of your stay (if you arrive on a late flight, this will take place the following morning).
Included Meals: Dinner
Reindeer and Lapland are synonymous with each other and today you will gain an insight into the daily life of a reindeer herder as you visit a nearby reindeer farm. The farm is also home to a small museum that showcases the customs of reindeer husbandry and its ties to the culture and economy of the region.
You will be shown how to throw a lasso and will then enjoy a delightful 7km reindeer-pulled sleigh ride. This is a magical experience and lunch will be served around an open fire.
This afternoon you will head back to the hotel where you can relax and unwind.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Snowmobiles are a common mode of transport in Lapland and are used to travel between remote communities. They are also exceptionally good fun and offer guests the chance to travel further afield to explore the landscapes of Lapland.
You will be given a full safety briefing and instructions before you head out on the trail, travelling two people per machine, for a safari that will cover between 60 and 80km of pristine landscapes. You will travel through snow-laden forests and across frozen lakes and rivers as you delve into the heart of the wilderness.
You can swap drivers during your safari (providing you both hold a full driving licence).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There is nothing that can quite compare to the sense of adventure you feel as you drive your own team of huskies through the wilds of the Arctic (one person per sled). This holiday takes things a step further than most as you enjoy an overnight adventure with your team and stay in a wilderness cabin.
After checking out of your hotel room (your luggage will be securely stored for you at the hotel), you will meet your own team of between 4 – 6 huskies at a nearby sled dog centre and will help to harness them under the expert tuition of your musher guide. When the sleds are loaded there will be a full safety briefing provided before your guide leads you off to start your adventure.
You will be sure to notice the dogs’ enthusiasm for the trail; their excitement is infectious and their happy howls and barks highlight their desire to get going. Once you have released the brake on the sled the dogs fall silent and focus on the task at hand.
You will drive your team and cover around 25km today (depending on conditions) and lunch will be served around a campfire en route.
Your destination is a wilderness cabin in a remote corner of this stunning landscape. Upon arrival at your base, the group will all work together to collect wood and water as needed. Your guide will prepare the evening meal, light the fire and get the wood-fired sauna on (saunas are basically mandatory in Finland, even in the wilderness). Your priority will then be to feed and settle your team of dogs for the night.
The cabin you sleep in will be determined by the route and the conditions. Most do not have running water, electricity or indoor toilet facilities and accommodation will be dormitory style. This is a rustic experience but you will be cosy in your arctic grade sleeping bag and, once the fire is blazing, the sauna is warm and your dinner is served this is sure to be an unforgettable overnight.
Another bonus is that this remote location is far from any light pollution and so provides an ideal place from which to view the Northern Lights should conditions be favourable.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You will awake this morning to what sounds like a pack of wolves outside, fear not, it’s just the dogs eager to get going once again! You will enjoy a warming breakfast before setting off with the team again.
There will be time to further your mushing skills as you travel around 25km and head back towards the sled dog centre.
It’s sure to be a sad moment when you part from your team but, back at your hotel, you will enjoy a delicious meal and hot shower which will hopefully provide some consolation.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have left today free to spend your way, whether just relaxing in these peaceful surroundings, taking advantage of one of the saunas or enjoying additional activities.
There are plenty of options on offer including additional snowmobile safaris, Northern Lights hunts and ice fishing. These can be booked in advance through us or can be booked and paid for locally (subject to availability).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today has also been left free so that you can try additional activities.
Tonight you will enjoy a special farewell dinner, reliving the highlights of your stay with your fellow guests.
If you want to spend the night in true style then we can also arrange for you to upgrade to a snow room at Torassieppi Winter Village or to one of the spectacular Aurora domes (please see the Extras section for details).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will say farewell to the delights of Lapland and you will be transferred back for your return flight home.
Alternatively, we can arrange for you to explore the bright lights of Finland’s capital with a stop off in Helsinki en route back home. Details of all of the extensions can be found in the ‘Personalise’ section of the holiday page.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Return flights from London Heathrow to Kittilä (via Helsinki). Direct return flights from London Gatwick are available for a supplement on certain dates. Flight routes are subject to change
- Return airport transfers
- 6 nights hotel room and 1 night in wilderness cabin accommodation (choose between Hotel Jeris or Harriniva)
- Reindeer farm and safari
- Snowmobile safari
- Overnight husky safari
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors
Accommodation
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Ideally located in the north-west corner of Finland, high above the Arctic Circle and in the very heart of the Aurora Zone, Harriniva Wilderness Hotel serves as a perfect base for your adventure holiday. Owned and run by the Pietikäinen family, the hotel has developed a growing reputation for its warm ambience and a large range of enjoyable activities on offer. Hotel facilitiesThe hotel has a range of facilities that have been designed to make your stay here as enjoyable as possible.
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Personalise This Tour
Saunas are a popular and traditional Finnish pastime. The locals use it as a space for relaxation and meditation as well as mental and physical cleanliness – and Jeris is a luxurious spa facility for you to experience this in.
The four saunas have been carefully themed on the four elements; earth, air, fire and water, as these are found in all traditions and shamanic well-being rituals.
Duration: approximately 3 – 4 hours including transfers (when staying in Harriniva) approximately 2 – 2.5 hours (when staying in Jeris)
Available: every day from 3pm to 10pm (Jeris); Mondays at 8:20pm (Harriniva.)
| Tour Loaction: | Muonio,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Muonio,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Muonio,Finland |
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Tour Map
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
