Price from £1,995pp
VISITING: Finland BROCHURE CODE: 2903
All prices include: flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, guided activities and cold weather clothing; all as listed.
Our Northern Lights over Lake Inari trip is one of our most-loved 4-night holidays. With its exciting and varied winter activities, remote location and dedicated night-time Aurora hunts, it’s very easy to see why.

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 are subject to change.
  • Transfers: return airport transfers
  • Accommodation: 4 nights’ accommodation in twin/double hotel rooms. Accommodation upgrades can be arranged, subject to availability and supplement
  • Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
  • The following activities and equipment are included: snowmobile safari, Aurora snowshoeing, Aurora Camp, husky safari, reindeer farm visit, Aurora hunt by car
  • Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
  • Aurora Alert until approximately 1 am
  • 24/7 assistance from our UK-based operations team and in-destination support from our local partners

In the far northeast corner of Finland, the tiny village of Nellim's remote location ensures not only an incredibly scenic wilderness setting for your trip but also fantastic Aurora potential. The warm and welcoming Wilderness Hotel Nellim is located close to the shore of Lake Inari and the lake’s frozen surface provides an ideal Aurora viewing spot. The hotel also has incredible Aurora Bubbles and Aurora Kotas on-site and guests can upgrade to spend the night in these, gazing directly at the Arctic sky from the comfort of their bed.

On one evening, you will travel to one of Nellim's Aurora Camps. They have several at their disposal, all situated in locations chosen to maximise your chances of seeing the Aurora, with their clear night sky views. Here you can warm yourself by the fire and enjoy a hot drink while waiting for a potential Northern Lights display to light up the sky. Another of your nights will be spent on an Aurora snowshoe hike where you can really appreciate the silence and beauty of the surroundings as you walk along snowy trails and look up at the night sky. You will also hunt the lights by car one night, as the flexibility this gives you to outmanoeuvre cloud cover and reach different viewing points quickly can be a real plus.

Whilst the evening excursions are undoubtedly a highlight of this holiday, the days are also filled with some wonderful activities which showcase this remarkable region. You will drive a snowmobile along snowy trails, enjoy a morning with a reindeer herder where you will gain an insight into the importance of these animals to this region and take on a husky safari across the lake, as you guide a team of eager dogs through this spectacular landscape.

Nellim is where four of us here at The Aurora Zone, on separate occasions, got our first glimpse of the Northern Lights and so it holds a very special place in our hearts. There is something about it, with its warm hospitality, beautiful scenery and very knowledgeable guides that make it a very special place indeed. This, in combination with its almost total lack of light pollution and array of Aurora-watching locations, makes it an ideal destination for a Northern Lights holiday.

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.

 

White outline Interreg Nord

©Markku Inkila and Anthony Oberlin
 

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
Tue 05 Dec 2023
to Sat 16 Dec 2023
Enquire
Adults £ 2,165 To £ 2,425
Tue 19 Dec 2023
to Sat 06 Jan 2024
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Adults £ 2,425 To £ 2,716
Tue 09 Jan 2024
to Sat 03 Feb 2024
Enquire
Adults £ 1,995 To £ 2,234
Tue 06 Feb 2024
to Sat 02 Mar 2024
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Adults £ 2,125 To £ 2,615
Tue 05 Mar 2024
to Sat 30 Mar 2024
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Adults £ 1,995 To £ 2,436

Departure day: Tuesday

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, on some dates 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 in the northeast corner of Finland.

    You can check in and then a hearty dinner will be served in the hotel’s main restaurant.

    Before heading to bed, you may want to take a wander down to the edge of Lake Inari, as this is a prime Aurora spot! The beauty of Nellim’s remote location is that there is almost no light pollution, so you don’t need to go far at all if the skies are clear and conditions are favourable.

    On one of your nights you may choose to upgrade your accommodation to one of the spectacular Aurora Bubbles or Aurora Kotas at Nellim, or perhaps you may like to head out for an evening of searching for the Northern Lights via snowmobile – see the ‘Personalise’ section for full details.

    The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final itinerary will be provided on arrival at your accommodation.

    *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

  • On your first morning at Nellim, you will see that this is a location that is not just about the Aurora and evening activities. During the day, it is a remarkably beautiful part of the world with dazzling frozen lakes, fells and forests blanketed in snow.

    After breakfast this morning, you will head out with your guide into the wilderness as you explore on snowmobiles. Your guide will give you a full safety briefing and a driving lesson before you head out along the local trails exploring your new surroundings. You will ride two per snowmobile and you can swap drivers during the safari if both of you hold a full driving licence (you must also be over 18 to drive a snowmobile). The activity lasts around two hours in total.

    Lunch will be served back at the hotel.

    This evening, after dinner, you will make your first journey to one of Nellim's Aurora Camps, travelling there by a snowmobile-pulled sleigh. The camps are situated in carefully chosen spots, which offer magnificent views of the night sky.

    Your guide will prepare a fire and as a group, you will gather around and enjoy hot drinks as you watch the skies for a potential Aurora display. You will be out for approximately two and a half hours tonight.

    Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Today you will enjoy one of the highlights of any trip to Lapland as you take control of a team of eager huskies. The husky kennels are just a short distance from the hotel and before setting off your experienced musher guide will give you all a safety briefing and full instructions.

    You will travel two people per sled (with the chance to swap places and each drive the dog team) as your dogs pull you over frozen lakes and through snow-covered forests. There is not much that can compare with travelling in such a time-honoured fashion. You will be out on the trail for around 1.5 hours* and there will be time for you to take photos with the dogs on your return to the kennels.  Following the husky safari, you will enjoy lunch back at the hotel.

    This afternoon you will have some free time to either relax or perhaps explore independently by hiring some cross-country skis or snowshoes. Marked trails start from the hotel and the reception team can provide you with a map (see the ‘personalise section for details). Additional activities may also be available locally.

    After dinner, you will head back out into the wilderness, but this time equipped with snowshoes. Snowshoes help you walk through the deep snow so you can admire the peaceful surroundings as you make your way towards an excellent Aurora viewpoint. Here you will enjoy warm drinks as you look up at the night sky where hopefully if conditions are favourable, the Northern Lights will make an appearance. You will be out for approximately two and a half hours this evening.

    * Please note that this safari is sometimes described locally as being 3 hrs in duration, but this duration includes lunch (which we include as standard of course).

    Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Today your expert guide will accompany you to a local reindeer farm, where you will encounter the animals and discuss their importance with the guide. They will talk to you about the lives of the reindeer and you’ll get the chance to feed the animals. The activity will last for around two hours.

    Following dinner tonight, you will head out by minibus on your final hunt for the Northern Lights. The advantage of the 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 transfer for your return flights home. If you are departing on an early flight then a boxed breakfast will be provided for you to take with you.

    Included Meals:  Breakfast

Included in price

Wilderness Hotel Nellim

Nights: 1-4

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: £254pp

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: £254pp

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: £254pp

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: £176pp

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

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).  You may choose to upgrade and drive your own snowmobile - please ask our Aurora Travel Experts for a quote.

Read more about this activity

Travelling by snowmobile at night is a thrilling experience as the headlights illuminate the forests and the snow reflects the light to create a very special atmosphere. Your guide will break at prime viewpoints, and if the Aurora appears, you will stop to admire the show, so driving distances can vary.

Please note: You must be 18 years old or over and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile.

Duration: approximately 2.5 hours

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.

Read more about this activity

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

Traveller Reviews

We got very lucky with the Northern Lights 29 December 2021 by William Roohan

We got very lucky with the Northern Lights and although we didn't see any for the first 3 nights the last night gave us an amazing display. The best daytime activity by far was the Husky sledging.  I thought the help and information given for the ever-changing covid travel rules was brilliant. Very clear and helpful.

Too many amazing highlights to pick one... 20 February 2021 by Sarah Bowles

To see the Northern Lights was simply amazing. The trips were perfect, the right length & the guides so attentive & informative.

It was a wonderful holiday - everything I hoped for 08 March 2020 by Hilary Fawcett

Love the unplanned time, just wandering in the gorgeous snow. Of organised activities, loved the snowshoe aurora camp - the location of the camp was magical and the visit to the reindeer farm was delightful.

Can’t really say any more. “Excellent” speaks for itself. 08 March 2020 by Alexander Cruickshank

Honestly, I can’t differentiate. The snowmobiling and husky sled were two activities we hadn’t tried before and they were great. Meeting the dogs at the end was a bonus. The reindeer herder was also great. The camps in the evening were good fun too. Everything was superb.

We enjoyed all of the activities 01 March 2020 by Laura Barry

Husky Sledding was our favoruite, as have never done anything like that before, our guide was excellent and the dogs were lovely.

The husky was so different to anything we have done before 23 February 2020 by Miranda McLachlan

Holiday was brilliant and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Nellim.

Excellent trip and Activities. 16 February 2020 by Jonathan Bunn

We enjoyed the husky sledging and Aurora camp where we enjoyed a fantastic Northern Light show

From start to finish every aspect of our holiday was simply fabulous 16 February 2020 by Andrew Palmer & family

We had wanted to go to Lapland as a family for many years. After much research we decided to go with the Aurora Zone to Nellim in Finland. We could not have chosen a better company to go with. From start to finish every aspect of our holiday was simply fabulous. We could not fault the accommodation, food or activities. Even the Northern lights put on a fantastic display for us on two of our four…
Read more nights. We would thoroughly recommend the aurora zone and the Wilderness Hotel Nellim. Our family of two adults and two teenage children all found the husky safari the most enjoyable activity. We all love dogs and had a wonderful experience being pulled on sledges over frozen lakes and through woodland. We all had a fantastic time and do not feel that this experience could have been improved for us. Since returning to the UK we have recommended the aurora zone to family and friends as an excellent travel company to book with. Thank you for helping to make our holiday such a memorable one. The Northern Lights were fabulous and easily viewable right from the hotel. However they became truly special when taken out via snowmobile to an aurora camp in the woods far from any light pollution. We know that there can be no guarantee regarding this display, but if you are going to see it anywhere then this is a great place to try.
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All activities were enjoyable 16 February 2020 by Helen Chapman & family

There was a real sense of adventure in setting out and we were lucky enough to see the Aurora

The Husky adventure was so much fun 16 February 2020 by Alison, Simon & Alexander Galloway

We enjoyed our stay and were lucky to see the northern lights each night (with a prolonged show on the second night). Truly wonderful

Everything was amazing! 09 February 2020 by Harriet Campbell

Everything from the transfers to the hotel to the mealtimes to the activities was organised smoothly and efficiently. The local guides were fantastic, so knowledgeable and friendly!  I enjoyed either the husky sledding or snowmobiles the most. It was such an incredible experience to be riding/driving across vast expanses of open snowy areas, with nobody other than your group around, total…
Read more “pinch me” moment!
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Awesome, awesome and awesome 02 February 2020 by Graham and Shirley Alleway

I guess the main point of the trips to the arctic circle is to see the Lights but I had such a great experience with everything else, it wouldn't have mattered if they didn't show up. All of the staff were so obliging and fellow holidaymakers were great. The food was excellent, we slept well and the Arctic experience was something else. Loved the Husky Drive and the Snow mobile trips the best.…
Read more Awesome, Awesome and Awesome! Plus we saw the Northern Lights, what more could we ask?
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Loved every minute 02 February 2020 by Sally and Nigel Lewis

Fantastic holiday; we will certainly be coming back, loved every minute of it.

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 22 December 2019 by Kate and Suzanne Arkell

Husky safari was excellent.

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 22 December 2019 by The Gray Family

We would definitely go again and hopefully see the Northern Lights next time. Thanks for all your help

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 01 December 2019 by Sarah & Duncan Yates

Husky safari - amazing dogs, great guides time spent at the kennels learning how the dogs are cared for etc and meeting the puppies.

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 01 December 2019 by Darren Trippick

The guides were passionate, knowledgeable and fun.

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 17 March 2019 by Karen Lehner

Would definitely recommend, wonderful experience and we saw the lights. Many thanks!! The lights evening was just amazing. Husky driving quite an experience and dogs lovely and friendly.

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 17 March 2019 by Tony & Alison Prescott

So delighted! It was the culmination of many years of waiting and putting off but delivered spectacularly!

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 17 March 2019 by Jacqueline Wilson

Thank you I had a wonderful time.

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 03 March 2019 by Glynis & Ralph Shepherd

Everything was excellent and the guides were very knowledgeable and made everything so interesting.

The Holiday was over all to quickly but we had an amazing time and I'm sure well go back to Nellim 17 February 2019 by Peter Baxter & Penelope Whiteman

We have been to two other resorts in Finland with very similar packages (booked via you and Artisan) both of which were very good in their own respect. This package at Nellim was excellent all round. The guides all had their own destinations at different locations on Lake Inari all were friendly, helpful and interesting. The organisation was perfect - you're given an allotted time to get your…
Read more winter clothing, notice boards have the following days excursions with names in the group and the guides name, all the excursions start from or very close to the Hotel. The room was neat, tidy and warm with under floor heating (very helpful for drying damp clothing) Good hanging space for the oversuits. Washroom with shower. Beds comfortable and warm even when -26c outside. The reception always had friendly staff, infact all the staff were friendly and helpful. The rep was waiting at the airport she gave us a informative chat on the journey to the Hotel. The buffet system for meals was very good and we always had a table available. Plenty of areas in the main building to relax throughout the day with free Tea coffee and WiFi. Everywhere was always clean and tidy. When the sad day of departure loomed, the pick up times and names were on the notice board the evening before. Our departure was at 6:20am, breakfast is normally served at 8:00am to 10:am but there was a full breakfast buffet open for us at 6am. The Holiday was over all to quickly but we had an amazing time and I'm sure well go back to Nellim. Thank You Peter Baxter and Penny Whiteman
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Wow, what an amazing trip we had to celebrate Daniel's 18th birthday 17 February 2019 by Helen, Jason & Daniel Whiting

From the moment we enquired on the telephone to heading home it was the best holiday we have had. Every organised day and night was well planned and the guides were brilliant, certainly not a short adventure for each event. The log cabin I fulfilled my dream of diving in the snow after our own sauna! The under floor heating ensured clothes where dry for the next adventure also, perfect for us as…
Read more we our not hotel people. On Daniels Birthday we had the amazing husky day with a surprise birthday cake. In the evening we headed to a remote camp over the big lake to wait for the aurora. Jonny our guide made a great fire and we then saw the aurora, what an amazing day, what a memory. So pleased we had a recommendation for your holiday.
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We loved the husky safari - a lot of fun and a beautiful day for it. The scenery was spectacular. 03 February 2019 by Angus MacRae & Hannah Crowe

We had an absolutely phenomenal time - I would really struggle to find fault with any part of the trip. Accommodation was great - only gripe was our bathroom smelled a little off... but wasn't a huge problem. Food was delicious - only thought was that there was never a main vegetarian option - just salads and two big meat dishes. We aren't vegetarian so not a problem for us, but we do try to not…
Read more eat too much meat, and we did overhear some people comment on this - it would have been nice to have the option for a vegetarian main meal on a couple of evenings. We loved the husky safari - a lot of fun and a beautiful day for it. The scenery was spectacular. We got back last night. This morning at 6am I was back on the Aurora Zone website getting excited about going back. It was the most incredible four days. We had temperatures down to -36 but guides didn't even hesitate - they made us feel totally safe and they seemed to genuinely love what they were doing. That was totally contagious. Also, seeing the Northern Lights three times was a dream come true. Thank you.
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Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 03 February 2019 by Anthony & Kim Nicklin

We had the absolute time of our life. FANTASTIC credit to the local teams who were extremely enthusiastic about their work and the Aurora Borealis.

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 03 February 2019 by Hayley & David Wescott

Snowmobile days out and husky were so much fun and gives you chance to fully see the scenery which was spectacular.

All activities were equally enjoyable 03 February 2019 by Ian & Julie Watt

All staff at Nellim were first class and Hannabella was very helpfull.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience, one we will like to do again, this time bringing some friends. 27 January 2019 by Matthew Halloran & Caroline Mayer

Good accommodation, friendly staff at the hotel, knowledgeable and fun guides and everything went seamlessly. Aside from the obvious (seeing the Aurora Borealis) we enjoyed the snowmobiling the most but all the activities were enjoyable, the guides were very interactive and helpful, everybody in the groups just got along.

Thoroughly enjoyable holiday, made all the more special by the excellent rep and team of guides. 20 January 2019 by The Moore Family

Loved all the activities, especially nice to be kept with the same group of people for each activity. Especially enjoyed the huskies and the 'fire making' competitions between the guides! Feel extremely lucky not only to have seen the Aurora but the blood moon and fantastic sunrise as well. Guides were very friendly and well informed, accommodation clean and well presented and food excellent.

Excellent trip all round 06 January 2019 by The Humphrey Family

Excellent trip all round. Expensive but real value for money. Thanks you very much indeed!

Everything was perfect 06 January 2019 by Anne & Adam Rason

Literally no words to describe how fantastic our time in Finland was! Everything was perfect including the booking and info updates prior to going. Very friendly knowledgeable guides who made each activity more enjoyable and memorable. We want to specifically make a special mention to our Aurora Zone guide Hannabella, she was incredible! A bright and bubbly, highly professional young lady who was…
Read more full of passion for her job and her resort, she is an absolute credit to your company. She really cared about each guest, taking time to chat to all of us, take pictures, making sure we were all ok at all times. My husband was a bit under the weather whilst we were there and she constantly checked how he was doing. She also personally dropped in a packet of gluten free biscuits to my husband. She went above and beyond her duties, in our opinion and we would personally like to ensure she is given this feedback and any recognition from your company that is appropriate. Everything was perfect.
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Stunning, experience 06 January 2019 by Geoffrey Carter & Carol Varney

Husky driving. Stunning, experience. People were so good with their Huskies, confident to set us off and allow us to be "free" of usual constraints whilst driving animals and sledges. The day was perfect and the morning session in daylight over frozen lake Inari - unforgettable...

Exhilarating experience on a beautiful day. 27 March 2018 by Peter & Lesley Bickerstaff

Husky sledding - just such a novel, exhilarating experience on a beautiful day.

Fantastic holiday, the Nellim Wilderness Hotel is amazing. Our lodge was superb, the guides incredible. What an experience. 26 March 2018 by Andrew & Michelle Earle

A fabulous place, the whole experience was so good. From being collected at the airport, to the arrangements of the activities everything went smoothly. The guides were excellent and made the holiday. They were knowledgable, helpful, enthusiastic. They just wanted to show off the resort and their skills, a real credit to the hotel.

Everything was amazing. The guides and representatives were fantastic, the activities are outstanding, it really was a holiday of a lifetime! 26 March 2018 by David Shenton & Clare Carruthers

Fantastic. Right from booking the trip we were always kept informed, felt comfortable and prepared for the adventure we were about to undertake. The use of the website to supply documents works as a great hub to keep everything in one place. Flights and transfers were good and upon arrival, Ben showed us around, explained how things worked and answered any questions we had. The guides are a real…
Read more credit to the company, they all had their own quirks, stories and are clearly knowledgeable in all things outdoors. There is not a lot more to say really, other than thank you and rest assured we will be speaking very highly of the experience we had and recommending you to everyone (a few have already asked me about booking up for next year). We will be back to have another adventure with you guys soon! Thanks again.
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Thank you to everyone. 15 March 2018 by Ann & Michael O'Shaghnessy

Thank you to the chefs for excellent food and cheerful service. Thank you to everyone. The guides Ben, Johnny, Nils, Anthony and Pim were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and oozed enthusiasm .

A real adventure of a holiday! 15 March 2018 by Samantha & Elliot Howard

Huskies were fantastic, although one ate my phone! Snow shoeing was brilliant and we got to see the lights! All the guides were great, food was delicious, wonderful holiday.

The best holiday experience of my life - so far 04 March 2018 by Richard and Deborah Bush

Can't think of any areas where it could be improved.

We loved every second of it. 28 February 2018 by Keeleigh Neary and Richie Basquine

Hard to choose (a favourite activity) - but the husky sledding was incredible as I'm a 'dog person'. I was surprised how much i enjoyed the snowshoeing, we had perfect weather and our guide Emmi was very knowledgeable. The scenery was incredible. The reindeer day was also great, the day was jam-packed and we loved every second of it.

Loved it all! 20 February 2018 by Matthew Campion and Amelia Harmer

It was all great but if I had to pick (a favourite activity) it would be the husky safari. Johnny and Anthony were fantastic reps, really a credit to the hotel.

Quite memorable holiday 20 February 2018 by Nicholas and Maria Faulkner

Thanks to everyone for making this a quite memorable holiday

Incredible experience from an incredible company 06 February 2018 by Ahlexi Enjily and Hannah Latham

The entire experience was truly phenomenal from start to finish. The sales team were helpful, patient and incredibly knowledgeable, and that is before we had even arrived in Finland. It was genuinely one of the most special and memorable trips we have ever taken and could not recommend The Aurora Zone enough.

Excellent adventure all round! 24 January 2018 by Martin and Susan Cannings

Excellent adventure all round!

Thanks so much! 15 January 2018 by Lewis and Nancy Claman

The entire staff were so helpful and prompt in communication and providing information after we booked the trip. This was very impressive, especially because of the 5 hour difference in time zones. Jono Archer and your staff were so helpful in expediting changes with FinnAir and at Nellim Wilderness resort when FinnAir changed the direct flight times from Ivalo to London, making it impossible for…
Read more us to make our connections from London to the US. In the end, we were able to enjoy the entire time at Nellim and were not penalized because of needing to change our Finnair flights and the days spent at Nellim. Thanks so much!
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The trip was amazing and really once in a life time experience. 29 December 2017 by Allyson and Daniel Milano

Such a great experience. Guides were excellent. We had Pim Mila and Anthony and all had exceptional knowledge were fun and made the trip enjoyable. The room was lovely and definitely worth the upgrade to a lodge with a private sauna which we made great use of. We had a bubble too which was also a great experience. The trips are planned so well and it still feels relaxed and not rushed but making…
Read more good use of the time we had. All the activities were a good amount of time so we really got the best of the experiences. Food was great. I'm quite fussy and don't eat fish but didn't struggle for choices. I really liked that the group sizes were small. We never had more than 10 in our group which was perfect. This was a gift for my husband's 30th birthday and he had the best birthday ever. It was so easy to do all the admin on the own and every time I had a question you answered it. The trip was amazing and really once in a life time experience.
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Fabulous holiday 28 December 2017 by Patricia and David Fitzpatrick

All the Guides we had were great, loved snowmobiling and husky safari. Thank you for your help with this adventure.

Just go! 11 December 2017 by Stuart Wilson

What an amazing holiday. We were lucky enough to see the Aurora within hours of arriving. All the equipment/food and arranged activities were first class. Ben was a brilliant guide who really made it special. The Husky trip has to be the highlight - a truly magical experience. One item ticked off from our bucket list that should be top of everyone’s list!

A unique experience, very thrilling 29 March 2017 by Joanne & Timothy Cheek

I loved all the activities but if I had to pick one it would be the husky sleds. A unique experience, very thrilling and we were lucky to have a beautiful sunny morning.

It was an amazing trip. 22 March 2017 by James Caves

Husky safari - most fun & the activity we felt most involved/in control with. Able to see the scenery as well as enjoy the activity. Was also amazing to see & interact with the dogs (especially the puppies). 

A holiday of a lifetime and one to remember forever 19 March 2017 by Joanne and Timothy Cheek

We were lucky enough to see the Aurora on all four nights of our trip. It was not as bright nor as green as you see in long-exposure photos but still amazing. Added to this, the activities are all fabulous and well organised. I loved the thrill of travelling across frozen Lake Inari on husky sleds and snowmobiles. Our days and nights involved many campfires and hot juice drinks - all very welcome…
Read more when it's so cold. I loved all the activities but if I had to pick one it would be the husky sleds. A unique experience, very thrilling and we were lucky to have a beautiful sunny morning. The Nellim Wilderness Hotel/Lodge is very cosy and the rooms are very spacious and comfortable. The food was of an excellent standard and plentiful. A holiday of a lifetime and one to remember forever.
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We did see the wonderful Northern Lights 12 March 2017 by Linda and Katherine Lowe

On behalf of myself and my daughter, I would like to say how much we enjoyed our holiday with you. A first visit for us both to Scandinavia, we were so impressed by the warmth and friendliness of all the staff and locals that we met. Our accommodation at the Wilderness Hotel was very warm and comfortable and we were overwhelmed by the delicious, nutritious and plentiful food! All the activities…
Read more were brilliant, starting with the extremely enjoyable afternoon driving our team of huskies. My daughter was totally in her element! We had a go at cross-country skiing around the lake, I managed to only fall over once! The snowshoeing was a lovely experience, seeing all the local landscape and wildlife up close, and the snowmobiling all a lot of fun. We loved the Aurora camp outings with the log fires and hot drinks, and our day visiting the reindeer farm, local church, beautiful lunch spot by the log flume and the ice fishing, made all the more interesting by Toni's in-depth knowledge of the area and history of Lapland. To highlight it all, we did see the wonderful Northern Lights, not only on our first night but again on our last night. How lucky was that!! I would also like to say thank you to our representative, Dan, who was always there to see us off and welcome us home and able to help with any enquiries. I was lucky enough to be his passenger on the snowmobile on our last day out too!
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Loved every minute 12 March 2017 by Stephen & Veronica O'Leary

Fabulous holiday full of activities. Very knowledgeable guides. Cannot say - more loved every minute.

Outstanding place 12 March 2017 by Dawn and Paul Quigley

Outstanding place. Great hotel, people and activities. Highly recommended.

One of the best holidays ever 01 March 2017 by Hugh Suter & Vanessa Wilkins

So hard to choose a favourite activity, but of the daytime ones, I think the huskies were the best, but we had a beautiful day for it. We loved the snowshoeing and the skimobiles and reindeer day. All our guides were superb and we were very lucky to have had them. They really made the outings. And of course we had two amazing Aurora nights. Well done to everyone - Dan, the guides, the hotel staff…
Read more - all great.
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loved, loved, loved the dog sled 01 March 2017 by Adele Weiss

The guides were amazing and so were the activities. We totally appreciated the organization and the lovely people we met along the way. Aside from the Aurora we loved, loved, loved the dog sled - although we also loved...well, everything.

We would recommend Aurora Zone without hesitation 19 February 2017 by Sarah and Andrew Austin-Scott

We absolutely loved all the activities...As individual activities, my favourite was husky sledding and my husband's was using the snowmobiles. However, we both agree that as a day's excursion we both loved the variety of the reindeer day. It was utterly amazing! Our trip to Nellim was one of the most incredible experiences of our lives! We loved every moment of it and would return in a flash.…
Read more Every aspect of it was wonderful and we have been raving about it to anyone and everyone!!
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Nellim - February 2017 12 February 2017 by Anne Zuurbier and Amanda Letch

We absolutely loved the whole experience.

Amazing holiday 12 February 2017 by Grace Davitt and Shirelle Wilson

Amazing holiday, room was brand new, equipment was good quality and the food was great in quality and quantity. The activities were brilliant in their own way. The husky sledge was amazing as not something you would get to do in many places but also loved the full day at the reindeer farm; the reindeer farmer was very interesting and we just spent enough time in each place. Loved the chance…
Read more to ice fish. Loved every part of it. Going home was the least enjoyable thing!! The destination was great and hotel staff were lovely and made a great effort.
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Easily the best holiday I've ever had!!! 08 February 2017 by Samantha England and Troy Owen

Everything from start to finish was amazing - from booking advice to actually being there!! First class!!! Have been recommending to everyone I know!! Husky safari was a definite winner, closely followed by the snowshoeing - Loved it all!!!! The food was amazing, staff at the hotel were brilliant; easily the best holiday I've ever had!!!

Trip of a lifetime 29 January 2017 by Sharon and Paul Court

Fantastic 4-day break. Really is a trip of a lifetime. The hotel was great, the safaris are 1st class and the guides are very knowledgeable about the area Nothing is too much trouble - absolutely great.

Hard to pick a favourite activity 28 January 2017 by Kathryn Horne

We were so lucky to see such an amazing Northern Lights display on 3 nights. Also enjoyed all activities - hard to pick a favourite.

Wow what an experience! 18 January 2017 by Miriam and Mark Smith

Activity guides were brilliant. Knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Always worked with the group to ensure we got the most of the activity whilst taking into account mixed abilities and changes in weather. Their enthusiasm was infectious. Hotel staff were great and served really tasty rustic food. Most enjoyable activity: Seeing the magical Aurora and managing to get some good photographs of this…
Read more phenomenon. Closely followed by the husky sleigh ride. Our trip was beyond expectation. From initial enquiry, airport arrival to departure, everything was well organised, by people who understand travellers. After a long day travelling, dinner first, then short helpful briefing, unpack, then let the holiday begin and wow what an experience!
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Already planning to come back 18 January 2017 by Lesley and Anthony Tann

Hard to single out a favourite activity, the Husky ride probably just pipped the others, maybe because we are dog owners, the sound the dogs made as we were waiting to set off was fantastic. The Northern Light show on Jan 21st was breathtaking. A great trip to start the year, we are already planning to come back.

Huskies! 08 January 2017 by Elizabeth Davey and Amanda Aspinall

Huskies! Loved it and have always wanted to do it. Lovely dogs and fantastic as got time to enjoy it (not a quick 10 mins like some other holidays advertised). I think we did about 17km. Great to get time to meet and play with the dogs afterwards :-)

Enjoyed everything 08 January 2017 by Janelle McKay and Marcus Grinham

We enjoyed everything we did, but I did like the husky ride - could have done that all day!

Fantastic trip, highly recommended 11 December 2016 by David, Carmel & Therese Sheridan

The Aurora Zone tour was so well organised with everything well thought out leaving nothing for you to do but just enjoy the experience. We travelled to Nellim Wilderness Resort 11 - 15 Dec 2016. If you are considering a trip to Lapland stop thinking about it and book this resort immediately. This place is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our 4 days at the resort were absolutely magnificent and…
Read more something I will never forget. From the moment you walk in the door, the staff are there to help and guide you to ensure you have a memorable stay. The hotel manager Minka was exceptional, stopping to chat ensuring we were having a good time. I am unsure when she actually sleeps; she seems to be there all the time. Our guides, Toni, Maija, Sampo, Mitte (Dog sledges) and Lamu were fantastic and all clearly love their jobs which was reflected in their knowledge and interaction with the guests. Having said that Lamu was exceptional and made our nights out to the Aurora Camps memorable. Now for some more detail. I am from Australia where we do not experience temperatures that are minus some big number, hence I was really concerned about being too cold experiencing a Lapland winter. Yes, it was cold while we were there, temps between -5 and -25 but this just added to our experience. CLOTHING. The resort supplied overall insulated suits, mittens and boots. All in very good condition and a lifesaver. I do not have clothing in Australia that could cope with these temps. Having said that you still need warm underclothing to wear under the suits. I wore thermals and polar fleece and fleece tracksuit bottoms. That was ample for me but the women on the exceptionally cold night added another layer. Once dressed it was a rush to get outside as you suddenly started cooking. We did struggle to keep hands and feet warm on snowmobiles and dog sledging so good woollen socks sometimes two pairs and fleece gloves rather than just liners to wear in the mittens was good. We also had disposable 'HOTHANDS' hand warmers to wear in the gloves. The women loved these but you need to bring them with you as they are NOT available at the resort. The Hothands toes warmers did not work, they only warmed up when out of our shoes. FOOD. The food was lovely, a smorgasbord setup with plenty to select from. The chefs and kitchen staff do an exceptional job including preparing warm meals for when you are out on trips in the wilderness. If you have fussy eaters in your party do not worry, my daughter found plenty to eat and enjoyed the meals. TOURS. Snowmobiles are a lot of fun, taking it in turns with your partner driving. Extremely easy to drive and they instruct you on how to drive before leaving. Dog Sledging again absolutely mind blowing, you and your partner take it in turns driving, well not really driving just hanging on and standing on the brakes to slow your crazy Husky dogs down. We sledged through forests and across a frozen lake about 8 km in all. At the end, we were able to pat and hug the dogs. I am not a dog person but their dogs were so tame although when we first arrived I was concerned because they were clearly excited to see us jumping and the barking was unbelievable. On our return they were worn out and a lot quieter. Snowshoeing. I was concerned I may not be fit enough but this was a lovely walk through a snow-covered picturesque forest to the top of a hill with a lovely outlook and lunch around a camp fire. At no time during these above activities was I concerned for my safety, they were all very safe and well organised. Night. The sunset days before our arrival and was not due to rise again until sometime in January. Having said that the sun was just below the horizon which created lovely long sunrises and sunsets even though the sun never rose. Due to the light reflecting on the snow we did have very good light like an overcast day for at least six hours a day. Finally, we saw the Aurora, Northern Lights on three separate nights, they are not there all night they come and go but we were lucky enough to see them. You need a good camera SLR for time exposures and a tripod; I suggest you practice time exposures at night before you come. Once again fantastic trip, highly recommended. David, Carmel & Therese Sheridan
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Exceeded our expectations by far! 11 December 2016 by Cherry Day and David Paraskeva

The holiday was just fab and everything about it exceeded our expectations by far! I have recommended this holiday to everybody, particularly The Aurora Zone and the hotel. The activities were well organised and the tour guides were just brilliant, it was nice to know that you could ask them any question and they knew what they were talking about. Everyone was just so friendly and welcoming and…
Read more there to help if you ever needed it.
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Thank you for a great holiday 30 November 2016 by Claire Howarth and Andrew Baguley

Fantastic holiday - great mix of activities and downtime. Equipment was all high quality and the staff were really friendly. The husky safari - was exhilarating (but cold!). Enjoyed it all. Thank you for a great holiday.

Very professional and thoughtful 31 March 2016 by Amy Chak

Staff and guides at Nellim Wildness Hotel are wonderful; very professional and thoughtful. Not only are they knowledgeable and helpful but also really friendly and approachable.

Everything was fantastic 24 March 2016 by Deborah English & Keith Evans

I would love to be able to provide some constructive feedback but everything was fantastic. I have already sent web links to all my colleagues, four of them I know are seriously thinking about it. What wasn't enjoyable? We loved all of it. There isn't anything at all I would change.

Brilliant holiday! 14 March 2016 by Emma Garling

Brilliant holiday! The guides made the holiday very special. Their knowledge was very impressive and they were always willing and went out of their way to give us the best experience.

Excellent holiday 02 March 2016 by Linda & Frederick Barnes

Excellent holiday, very well organised from start to finish, with friendly and enthusiastic guides and a perfect location. The huskies were the highlight, but all the activities were great one-off experiences - and we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights!

One of the best holidays we have ever had 02 March 2016 by Marilyn & Martin Standley

Our group of 5 60+ people are well travelled but had never been on this kind of activity holiday before so we were a little unsure about it all at the start. But we absolutely loved it and thought it was great value for money. It was undoubtedly one of the best holidays we have ever had - and still would have been even if we had not also sighted the Lights - the icing on a magnificent cake!

Amazing from the first enquiry 21 February 2016 by Adam Sutherland

Amazing from the first inquiry and right the way through. Ben who was our contact at Nelim was lovely.

Had an absolutely fantastic time 21 February 2016 by James Mitchell

Had an absolutely fantastic time. Made some great friends and I would most definitely recommend you and use you again.

One of the best holidays we've had. 14 February 2016 by Samantha Webber

Everyone was extremely friendly, accommodating, relaxed and passionate about being there. One of the best holidays we've had.

Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari 14 February 2016 by Joanne Woolley

Best holiday ever; now how can I top that?

Up near the top for holiday experiences. 14 February 2016 by Sally Breeden

Excelled all expectations. Up near the top for holiday experiences. It's was an amazing holiday. I would hate to see it get over commercialised. It's perfect as it is. A really wilderness experience.

Enjoyed every moment - thank you all 31 January 2016 by Kevin Owen

We found the whole experience stress free; the guides knowledge and enthusiasm infectious. From the start when we looked at the holiday through to the coach drivers, cooks, hotel manager, reps and guides all were helpful, knowledgeable and nothing was too much trouble. Each activity was a good experience with the friendly knowledgeable guides Ben, Mia, Anthony, Matais, Matt and the Finnish guide…
Read more whose name escapes me. The husky day has to be up there due to the unique experience, the quietness, only hearing crunching snow and breathing of the huskies. Each guide we felt safe with. Enjoyed every moment - thank you all.
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Nellim 31 January 2016 by Ross & Jacqueline Campbell

Brilliant holiday thanks, and one that we will be recommending to all of our friends.

You can't improve perfect!!!! 10 January 2016 by Julie Gold

Absolutely fabulous!!! Everything was amazing!!! You can't improve perfect!!!! This was the most amazing holiday I have ever had. So well organised, the most amazing destination and I would like to send a massive thank you to our wonderful guide Ben Murgatroyd he looked after us so much he made us feel like family. Thank you Ben!!!!!! I will definitely be recommending your company to EVERYONE.

We loved every minute of the holiday 10 January 2016 by Suzan Tomlinson

Hotel warm and welcoming. Beds very comfortable. Activities well organised and guides very helpful, knowledgeable and fun! Seeing the Northern Lights was amazing. Snowmobiling and dog sledding was great fun too as we were able to explore the wilderness. We enjoyed every minute of the holiday. We were very lucky and saw the lights two nights running. The guides were excellent and very enthusiastic.

You really experience the activities like a local 13 December 2015 by Bengu Tiner

Andy and Dawn were really, really helpful pre-trip. Our trip was land-basis, so we arrived to the hotel earlier than the group . We were waiting for the group for briefing meeting, they were late and briefing postponed for an hour. Our guide Ben came to our room to inform us about the delay which was nice. None of the activities were "just touristic". You really experience them like a local. You…
Read more don't spend 15 minutes and take photos with huskies for example, you go for a ride for 1,5hours. It has cons and pros of course. But we liked it.
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Staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable 19 March 2015 by Daniel Booker

Staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable. They clearly enjoy their work, which enhances the trip for the guests.Most enjoyable : All (activities) equally enjoyable in their own way, but I particularly enjoy the isolation and wilderness of the location. The fact that we didn't really have to travel in order to find somewhere to watch the Aurora was one of the main reasons for choosing this…
Read more trip. There were no activities that I didn't enjoy.
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What a great experience 10 March 2015 by Mark Jones

What a great trip! Both the British and the local guides could not have been more friendly, genuine and patient and they were great fun as well. We shall remember the good natured banter for a long time. Tales of reindeer parliaments, exploding sausages, girls ice hockey teams and unrequited love were particular highlights. Next Valentine's Day I shall carve a wooden flower for my…
Read more beloved and see if I have more luck! The accommodation and food were excellent and the trips were exhilarating, well-organised and safe. I never expected to see an indignant husky but that's the expression we got every time we used the brake - they seemed to want to run for ever. The clouds lifted and the Northern Lights kicked off in glorious fashion on our first night and the following two as well, finishing with an impressive display right over the hotel! At the end we left with new friends and vivid memories and hope to return soon. 
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A fantastic break 06 March 2015 by Deborah Broadley

The sled and husky driving experience was fantastic because the opportunity to drive your own sled pulled by huskies happens once in a lifetime. The dogs were great and even sitting in the sled while my husband was in control was amazing because I could take pictures of everything around me. Overall my husband and I had a fantastic break and we saw the lights every night.

The trip was extremely well organised and successful for us in every way 06 March 2015 by Janice Wheatley

The trip was extremely well organised and successful for us in every way. We would comment that the group size (10) was perfect and think that 12 would be a maximum number to get the full benefit of all the activities, bearing in mind the amount of time needed to prepare for those activities.

The holiday was absolutely fantastic 15 February 2015 by Janet Brown

The holiday was absolutely fantastic, our friends have asked for details as we have recommended you to them. The accommodation was better than we expected for an activity centre, the food was excellent just what you needed for the climate. The Hotel Management and staff were very friendly, and the guides, especially Ben, were very knowledgeable and made the experience extra special, putting…
Read more themselves out at every opportunity. THANK YOU
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Perfect holiday 11 February 2015 by Beverley Davies

All the activities were enjoyable but especially the Aurora camps because we were lucky enough to see spectacular light displays. Perfect holiday.

We had a great time and enjoyed all the activities 30 January 2015 by Charmian Averty

We had a great time and enjoyed all the activities. Seeing the Northern Lights was probably the highlight but if we hadn't seen the Lights we would still have considered it a terrific holiday.

We have taken several trips, and this, by far was right at the top! 30 January 2015 by Christine White

We have taken several trips, and this, by far was right at the top! The dog sledding adventure was beyond expectations, as well as the light show. Sitting around the fires at night, talking to the other guests, drinking berry juice was great and we all talked about how nice that was. Everything was great from the moment of my first inquiry, to touchdown back at Heathrow. Loved this holiday! The…
Read more local guides, Jonah, and the big Finnish gentleman, who took us out to the Aurora huts at night were fantastic. Both were warm, friendly, had great stories, humour, and had a shy presence, which was truly a gift for us! We experienced, first hand, what growing up and living in such a beautiful place is for them.
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I loved every minute 22 January 2015 by Hazel Wood

I loved every minute, but the Northern Lights, which we saw on our last night, and the husky sledding, were my favourite. The hotel was warm and cosy, the staff friendly and helpful, and the food plentiful, varied and delicious. The setting was very pretty and the snow-covered lakes and forests were stunning. We were very well looked after by our excellent wilderness guides, who entertained us…
Read more with stories and anecdotes, and whipped up a campfire and lunch in no time at all. Loved the berry juice.
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Loved it all 02 January 2015 by Selena Ellis

Most enjoyable activities were Huskies and Snowmobiles! We loved meeting the huskies and riding with them. Especially the snuggles afterwards. Driving the snowmobiles was fun too. There was no least enjoyable activity - (we) loved it all.

We had an amazing time 02 January 2015 by Rosalind Dommett

We had an amazing time. The hotel staff and activity guides were excellent - they explained things clearly and made us extremely welcome, sharing some local traditions and knowledge with a joke or two. Once they knew about my allergy to strawberries, they made sure that there was hot chocolate for me instead of the local gloki - which is made with strawberries! The huskies were a real treat. None…
Read more of us knew what to expect and the dogs seemed very well looked after and willing to run. Also, a special mention for Jukka - who was with us for four of our activities. He was very informative and looked after us well.  Honestly, this was the best holiday we have had! The food, accommodation, the special warm suits, the hotel staff and the activity guides were all excellent! We didn't want to come home and are already talking about if we can go back.
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Exceeded all expectations! 18 March 2014 by John Cauldwell

This holiday lives up to the description on the website and in reality, it exceeded all expectations! Communication with Aurora Zone and their organisation is easy, relaxed friendly and above all, knowledgeable and efficient. The Wilderness Hotel is entirely suited for purpose, being warm, comfortable, well organised having very pleasant, helpful staff. The food was limited, but excellent choice…
Read more sufficient for all tastes, being unpretentious, of good quality, wholesome and warming - exactly what is needed. The activites are brilliant! The guides have a relaxed and efficient approach and we never once felt as though we were being herded. We were afforded the opportunity to do things which we couldn't do at home - husky dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoe walking, ice hole fishing and at all times, being well supported and feeling safe and secure. We were lucky enough to be part of a group which gelled really well together - helped in part again by the relaxed professionalism of the leaders/guides. We all really had a great time. Having seen a weather forecast before we began our holiday, we resigned ourselves to not seeing the Northern Lights. We spent the second Aurora Camp round the campfire on the lake having a good laugh in the falling snow. We gave up, thinking that there was no way we would see the lights, so we went home and to bed. We were awakened a little later by cries of 'Aurora!'. We hurriedly threw on clothing and ran down to the Lake where we were treated to a spectacular display - wonderful!!!! Our journey home was delayed due to the weather and we missed our connecting flight in Helsinki. Finnair booked us into a very nice hotel for dinner and breakfast with courtesy and no fuss. All in all a wonderful experience and worth every penny. John & Lesley Cauldwell - March 2014
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Nothing I didn't enjoy 14 February 2014 by Hollie Haeney

Enjoyed the husky sledding and snowmobiling was so different to anything I've experienced before. There was nothing I didn't enjoy. It was great that so many of the local guides were from the area we were visiting, that extra depth of knowledge from being raised there was really interesting.

AMAZZZINGGGG 10 February 2014 by Hwee Ling Jane Lim

We enjoyed every moment of it. So glad to be able to catch the Northern Lights during our last night of our trip. The guides were all very friendly and knowledgable; bringing us all the way out to where there is no light pollution to capture the best. We even managed to rent a tripod from the receptionist during one of our Aurora camps. Love how the guides set up a camp fire so quickly…
Read more to keep us warm and the amazing juice that they always heat up for us. It will be perfect if there is a official photographer who can assist with the photo taking with the Northern Lights. Every activity was well planned and enjoyable. We managed to learn how to snowmobile which is something we will never get to experience in our country. Definitely my best trip ever!
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Simply amazing 04 January 2014 by Sarah Li-Ting-Wai

Simply Amazing! We were very fortunate to see the Aurora on all but one night. The guides were brilliant, very knowledgeable and were very helpful in pointing out the best places to see the Aurora, how to use our cameras or just where to keep warm. We loved the dog sledding and snowmobiling best as it was just something so different from what we've done before. Was bitterly cold (-30) but we were…
Read more very fortunate to see some amazing displays including managing to capture a few shooting stars in some of our pictures! 
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It was even better than we thought 04 April 2013 by Denise Spencer

Liked the TV-like noticeboard that showed the activities of the day and their timings. Rep always available and happy to help. Enjoyed everything.... perhaps the dog sleighs and snowmobiles best just because they are so different to anything we have done before.... and of course, seeing the Northern Lights! We had been looking forward to this holiday for months and it was even better than we…
Read more thought. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. The activity guides were brilliant and very knowledgeable.
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Some fantastic views of the Aurora 18 March 2013 by Matthew Burgess

Great trip, some fantastic views of the Aurora , if bitterly cold. Of the four nights viewing the Aurora we saw two very good displays and two weaker ones but were visible. 

We enjoyed all of it 11 March 2013 by Wendy Lendrum

We enjoyed all of it, but especially the husky sledging. There wasn't anything we didn't enjoy. Keep it the same. We found the mix of activities and down time just right, as was the group size. Your rep was excellent, always around, and very helpful without being 'in your face', and the local guides were very knowledgeable and friendly.

We would recommend the holiday to anyone even thinking of going 23 February 2013 by Margaret Snape

We have just spent five wonderful days in Nellim. The highlight of the holiday was the husky safari so much so we did it twice! Our log cabin was warm and very comfortable, and had the added bonus of our own sauna. Food was excellent, staff extremely pleasant and very helpful, so were the guides. The icing on the cake were the Northern Lights which we experienced on the last night.…
Read more We will be going back and would recommend the holiday to anyone even thinking of going.
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Activity guides better than excellent 18 February 2013 by Clive Buddle

I would like to rate the Activity Guides as better than excellent. They really made each outing special and without making it seem that they were just dragging another group of clients around. They were also very happy to answer questions and share knowledge of the Aurora and Lapland in general. 

Thrilled 22 January 2013 by Tracy Muir

We were thrilled with the whole experience from booking through to getting home! 

Saw the Aurora on two nights 21 January 2013 by Marie Wallner

Best holiday we've ever had! Saw the Aurora on two nights! 

Worth every penny... and worth the cold! 27 December 2012 by Samantha Evans

Just got back from Nellim. The Wildnerness Hotel is lovely and the staff are amazing. They couldn't do enough for us. Each activity is planned carefully and the guides had some really useful tips on keeping warm. Snow-shoeing was a great experience and we fell in love with the husky's!! Our group size was never more than 8-16 and that meant that we always got time with the guides, learning…
Read more about their history etc. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see a magnificent Aurora... just means we'll have to go back :-) 
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Chasing Auroras :) 12 April 2012 by Arnie Isa

We had one of THE BEST experiences of our lives here on Lake Inari, Nellim. Saw spectacular lights on THREE separate nights, went to visit some cute reindeers and had the most fun riding and driving the huskies' snow sledges! Our tour guides including Bert and Matti were knowledgable and professional, always trying to help us make the most out of our Lapland adventure. We are also truly…
Read more grateful to meet new friends from different parts of the world. Thank you for the memories and please, keep up the good work! Arnie Isa, London
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Staff were extremely helpful and smiley 14 March 2012 by Kirsteen Hallett

Absolutely loved the relaxed and informal style of the hotel and the staff were extremely helpful and smiley. Really nice feel to the place. 

Felt really close to the environment 08 March 2012 by Christopher Pope

Husky safari with Yari near Ivalo (the hotel dogs were tired) felt really close to the environment working in partnership with the dogs who really enjoyed it!

Best holiday ever 21 March 2010 by Gerry Fletcher

It was all fantastic - a stunning holiday with outstanding local support. Jouko and his team were fantastic. This was our best holiday ever.

Thank you for a truly wonderful holiday and experience 18 March 2010 by Michael Edwards

The accommodation was excellent - very surprised at how comfortable the glass igloo actually was - the standard exceeded expectations. The standard (of accommodation at Nellim) was good and the staff and guides brilliant. (We) enjoyed every minute - had a fantastic time - enjoyed everything. Thank you for a truly wonderful holiday and experience.

We really enjoyed the holiday 07 March 2010 by Dorreen Gannon

(We saw) the most amazing display of the Northern Lights. They were fantastic. We really enjoyed the holiday. The owners & staff of the Hotel in Nellim were friendly & attentive without being overly so. They were flexible in the daily activities - and very knowledgeable and interesting to talk to. Please keep it as it is & don't let it become commercialised. Food could be described as…
Read more basic - but it was wholesome, tasty and there was a lot of it. It was all a marvellous experience!
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Best cared for huskies we have ever experienced 22 February 2009 by Gerald Fowler

All the dog sledding with the best looking and best cared for huskies we have ever experienced.

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