
Overview
What's included?
ALL OF THE EXPERIENCES AND SERVICES LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY PRICE
- Transfers: return airport transfers
- Accommodation: 3 nights in an Apukka Aurora Cabin
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners
- Activities: a walk in the great woods, Aurora hunt by car, husky experience and a Northern Lights Finn horse carriage ride (the order of activities is subject to change)
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay if required
It’s not widely known that autumn is a brilliant time to go Aurora hunting but luckily for you, the Apukka resort is well clued-up. This autumn adventure has been specifically designed to show you the best of this season, from exploring its fascinating changing landscapes by daylight to searching for the Northern Lights as darkness falls.
Though Apukka sits just 15 minutes from the airport and close to the city of Rovaniemi, its wilderness surroundings make it an ideal Arctic escape.
This itinerary features many opportunities to get close to nature here. During guided walks into the forest, you can become immediately engulfed as you stroll among the tall trees. When you enter the forest in the daylight, you’ll see how the season of change has started to touch the plant life here, preparing them for the freeze that’s on its way. At night, the silence of the forest provides an almost ethereal experience as you search the skies for the Northern Lights and hear stories about ancient Finnish myths and legends.
You’ll also gain an authentic insight into Lappish culture during visits to a husky yard, and a Finn horse carriage ride. The animals are some of the most-loved in the Arctic and you’ll be able to learn all about the life of the dog sledding teams, as well as getting to meet the animals.
We’ve included an extra Northern Lights hunt by car to maximise your chances of witnessing a display and if you want to keep the search going long into the night, you could upgrade from your cosy apartment to one of the specialist Aurora accommodations on offer.
With exceptional Northern Lights opportunities, a landscape washed with colour and the chance to get ahead of the winter crowds, this autumn trip to Apukka provides everything you need to create lifelong memories.
Please note, most activities start just a short walk away from your accommodation. You will need to cross a road, but a guide will be with you at all times to help you cross. Vehicles do pass along this main road, however, it is not a busy route.
Image credits: Apukka Resort, Markus Kiili, Pentti Sormunen, Vastavalo, Julia Kivelä, Arto Kuorikoski, Harri Tarvainen & Visiti Finland
Key facts
Duration: | 3 nights |
Pace: | Active |
Suitable for: | Ages 16+. See our terms for further information. |
Dates & Prices
Price Comparison Guarantee

Prices
Departure dates between | ||
---|---|---|
Fri 01 Sep 2023
to Fri 10 Nov 2023 |
Adults £ 1,015 To £ 1,250 |
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
The Specifics
Holiday group size (approximate)
This holiday requires a minimum of 2 people to run, however, we require a minimum of 8 people for our flight allocation. Maximum 35 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.
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.
The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.
The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.
The government have released the following guidance on passport validity for travel to Europe should the UK leave the EU without a deal. Please read the guidance on the link below carefully if you are travelling over or after the 29th March 2019.
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
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION TERMS
- 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 43 days prior to departure - 60%
- 42 to 31 days prior to departure - 80%
- 30 or less days - 100%
Agenda
Agenda
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DAY 1
Arrival
Upon arrival at Rovaniemi Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Apukka Resort, just 15 minutes away.
Once you reach the hotel, you will have time to check in and get settled before your evening meal in the restaurant. Keep an eye on the weather and Aurora forecast for tonight, as Apukka’s brilliant location means you only have to walk to the lake to catch a display.
Included Meals: Dinner -
DAY 2
Walk in the Great Woods and Aurora Hunt by Car
This morning, following breakfast, it’s time to get acquainted with your surroundings during a peaceful walk through the forest. Autumn is a wonderful season of change which you can see as you stroll among the impressive trees. As you travel further into the forest, the silence will only be broken as your guide points out traditional ingredients found in nature’s kitchen.
As well as enjoying the peace of the forest, you will also spend some time learning essential wilderness skills before enjoying warm drinks and snacks around a campfire. Here, your guide will tell you stories about Finland and the ancient myths and fascinating history of the country. You can ask your guide any questions you may have about life in the North. The walk normally lasts around 1 hour in total (around 30 minutes each way) at a gentle, steady pace and the whole activity should last approximately 3 hours, depending on the interests and ability of the group.
After you have enjoyed dinner in the restaurant, it’s time to head out on your first Northern Lights hunt.
You will meet with your guide who will take you in a car to a prime lookout location, determining the best route by using their knowledge of the Auroras and the weather forecast. Along the way, your guide will explain some of the myths, legends and science behind the magic of the Northern Lights. The car’s mobility allows you to cover greater distances so even if there is localised cloud cover, you have more chance of being able to outrun it. You are normally out for around 3 hours during this activity, depending on local conditions.
Along the way, the guide will tell you more about Finland and the way of life here.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
DAY 3
Husky Experience and Northern Lights Finnhorse Carriage Ride
Today, after breakfast you will meet one of the Arctic’s most-loved animals, the dog sledding huskies.
The husky yard is just a short walk away and upon arrival, you’ll meet with the local musher who will introduce you to the pack. Though these working dogs love being on the trails, they’re also extremely affectionate with visitors which you’ll soon find out.
You can spend some time with the dogs, petting them and taking them for a walk as the musher tells you all about dog sledding. If you are lucky, you might even have the chance to see the dogs in action! Weather dependent, you will go on a short ride on a cart (approximately 2 km with up to 5 people per cart). You can expect to visit the dogs for around 2 hours in total.
After dinner, you will head out into the wilderness for another chance to see the Northern Lights.
This evening, you will discover how Finn horses have been vital to life in Lapland and you will get to travel just as the ancestors of the area used to - by horse carriage under the night sky (for approximately 45 minutes and up to 5 people per carriage). These beautiful animals will guide you through the wilderness before you stop for a bonfire and a hot drink and search the sky for the Aurora. Whilst around the campfire, the guide will tell you stories of the cultural and economic significance of Finn horses and you will have the opportunity to feed the animals. This two-hour activity will give you a brilliant insight into the importance of the wonderful Finn horses in Finnish culture and with a bit of luck and the right weather conditions, the Northern Lights will make an appearance for your final evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
DAY 4
Departure
Following breakfast, it is sadly time for your autumnal adventure to come to an end. We will transfer you to the airport and if you have an early flight time, we’ll box up breakfast for you to take with you.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Apukka Aurora Borealis Resort - Autumn
Nights: 1-3
Close to Lapland’s capital Rovaniemi but in its own wilderness setting, the Apukka Aurora Borealis Resort is your comfortable haven in the Arctic.
With Scandi-style décor, the resort offers modern and stylish glass-roofed Aurora Cabins as well as the chance to have a special night in an Ice Cabin.
Hotel facilities
- The staff at the resort’s reception area will welcome you in and provide you with all the information you need for your Arctic escape
- Fuel up on breakfast in the main restaurant and café area, just a short walk from your accommodation before your day of adventure begins. Once you’re ready to come back inside, you can dine in Lappish style to really make your stay here complete
- Make sure you take some of your trip home with you and visit the Apukka souvenir shop which is full of authentic Finnish and Lappish treasures
Room types
Aurora Cabin
Staying in an Aurora Cabin, this cosy retreat with a heated glass roof gives you the opportunity to see the Arctic sky at all times and hopefully, the Northern Lights from the comfort of your own bed.
After a day in Finland’s incredible landscape, you’ll be able to relax in your own private cabin while still keeping an eye on the night sky.
Double room with convertible sofa
The Aurora Cabins are equipped with a double bed, convertible sofa and cosy bedding to ensure you stay toasty all night. Everything is in one place with your own private ensuite bathroom with shower and toilet, mini-fridge, hairdryer and complimentary Wi-Fi. Make sure you download the Aurora app so you’ll know if you can expect the amazing light show to be dancing above (a charge applies).
Image Credit: Apukka Resort
Other options
Apukka Komsio Glass Igloo
Immerse yourself in the natural surroundings when you stay in a Komsio Suite. The design is based on a traditional Sámi cradle, 'Komsio' and this boutique hut certainly makes you feel comfortable and cosy.
The accommodation covers two levels, with the top tier being of particular interest for Northern Lights enthusiasts. Here, you can lay in bed with a 360o view of the Arctic sky, and if conditions are favourable, you’ll see the Aurora Borealis above as you stay tucked up.
Room types
This self-contained accommodation comes equipped with a small sitting area, a private bathroom with a shower and toilet, a mini-fridge, a hairdryer and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Credit Apukka Resort
Aurora Cabin King
Brand new to 2023, Apukka Resort have introduced a premium upgrade of their standard Aurora Cabins. The new Aurora Cabin King offers a stylish place to relax after a day of snow activities to sit back and enjoy atmospheric scandi décor. Each King Cabin has a private bathroom, small living space with a sofa and electric fireplace, and a comfortable king sized bed.