Northern Lights Village Saariselkä – A Window to the Northern Lights
- Details
Details
Important Information
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only. Your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which will be emailed to you around a week prior to departure), or upon arrival.
Itinerary
Following your arrival at Ivalo Airport, you will make the short transfer to the Northern Lights Village and your Aurora accommodation.
You will have a meal this evening and we would suggest casting your eyes up to the night sky and who knows, the Northern Lights might welcome you to Lapland in spectacular fashion.
Included Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, you will meet a local reindeer herder before enjoying a tour which will explore this age-old way of life. Reindeer are synonymous with the Arctic and it is fascinating to learn how they manage to survive in these harsh winter conditions. In addition, you will gain insight into Sámi culture which has thrived north of the Arctic Circle for generations. Reindeer have played a key role in the Sámi’s ability to adapt and asking a Sámi how many reindeer he has, is like asking how much money somebody earns.
You will explore the paddock at the Northern Lights Village before meeting the reindeer and having the opportunity to feed them. Your guide will introduce you to the various aspects of reindeer herding. Following this, you will enjoy a one-hour (approximately) ride on a reindeer-pulled sleigh. This was once a traditional method of transport, before the introduction of snowmobiles, and it can feel quite ‘Narnia-esque’ as you venture into the snow-covered forest. Lunch will be served in a teepee and the activity will last for around three hours in total.
Viewing the Northern Lights is a spectacular experience, but capturing them on camera is no easy task. This evening’s Aurora photography workshop will help prepare you as you join a local guide who has many years of knowledge and experience. The workshop will reveal all the secrets necessary to capture the Aurora through a lens. Should the lights appear in the coming days, you can then proudly show off your photos. Please note that you will need to bring your own equipment (camera, ideally SLR, and a tripod).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast, you will join your local guide and enjoy a combination of two popular winter activities. The four-hour tour will begin with a snowmobile safari as you enter the forest and breeze past breathtaking scenery towards a nearby frozen lake. Once at the lake, your guide will assist as you drill a hole into the ice, bait the hook and attempt to catch perch or whitefish. Ice fishing is very popular with the locals and, whilst it may seem a sedate activity, that all changes if you land a catch! Your guide will build a fire and you will enjoy lunch, which hopefully will include some fresh fish. Full driving instructions will be provided and you will travel two people per snowmobile (you must have a full driving licence and be over the age of 18 to drive the snowmobile).
During the evening, you will enjoy dinner in the restaurant before venturing out for a dedicated Aurora hunt. This three-hour tour will take place in the comfort of a bus and includes a visit to Lake Inari. The Aurora Camp is located on the lakeshore and has a stunning outlook across the frozen ice. You will enjoy drinks and snacks around a cosy campfire and should the lights appear, you can grab a reindeer hide, lie down in the snow and enjoy a captivating display.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated daytime activity will be your husky safari. Obviously, the dogs themselves are a major attraction and you will immediately notice their excitement. They simply love pulling the sled and once attached they will no doubt be jumping up and down in anticipation. The moment the safari begins, however, they become focused and the only sound is that of pattering paws on the snow.
You will meet the dogs and explore the wilderness during this 10 km safari (approximately one hour). The terrain is diverse and you will navigate the rugged fells and through the forest. Full tuition on how to handle the sleigh will be given by your expert guide beforehand and you will travel two people per sled. The activity lasts for approximately two hours in total including briefing.
Following the tour, you can enjoy lunch in the restaurant before having the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
Tonight it is time for your final activity. You will strap on your snowshoes and venture out into the wilderness to a great Northern Lights vantage point. Whilst you enjoy a hot drink the Northern Lights will, hopefully, make an appearance. The activity will last for around two hours.
Following breakfast, it will be time to leave the Northern Lights Village behind. If you are departing on an early flight then a boxed breakfast will be provided for you to take with you. You will be transferred back to Ivalo Airport for your return flights home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Flights: Return from London to Ivalo (either direct or via Helsinki). Flight routes are subject to change.
- Transfers: Return group airport transfers
- Accommodation: 4 nights in an Aurora Cabin
- Meals: Full board
- Reindeer day
- Aurora workshop
- Snowmobile and ice fishing tour
- Aurora camp by the lake
- 10km husky safari
- Northern Lights snowshoeing
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Aurora alert service which you can set to alert you throughout the night or end at a specific time
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
Accommodation
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Located in North East Finland, the Northern Lights Village sits on the outskirts of the ski resort of Saariselka. Tucked away from the town and separated from it by dense forest, the location is ideal for viewing the Northern Lights but is still within walking distance (around 1000m) of the town’s amenities. The ski slopes can be accessed via a shuttle (small charge applies) or a pleasant walk of around 40-50 minutes.
The Northern Lights Village offers accommodation in Aurora Cabins which are half-roofed with glass. The twin or double beds are situated beneath the panoramic roof and provide the chance to view the Northern Lights from your bed! It’s not often that folk prefer a sleepless night but here it’s not considered to be a huge inconvenience as it provides the chance to potentially witness Mother Nature’s greatest light show!
There are 80 cabins in total, all of which are within a 5-10 minutes walk of the Village’s central facilities which include the restaurant where you’ll enjoy breakfast and dinner.
Facilities
- The Village restaurant is an atmospheric place, inspired by traditional wooden kotas (Finnish teepees). Breakfast is a buffet of continental options and some hot dishes. Evening meals are a buffet with starters of soups and salad, a choice of local meat or fish will follow (the reindeer and white fish in this region are delicious!). Typically a cake will be served for pudding, keeping you well-fuelled for your nocturnal Aurora hunting adventures. Dietary requirements are all well-catered for as long as we are informed at the time of booking (you will also need to make staff aware of your requirements locally because of the buffet service. The local staff are very happy to assist with guiding you to the suitable meals on offer). There’s also a large bar and lounge area with additional comfy seating nearby in reception for you to relax in after your meal.
- The Northern Lights Village has an onsite reindeer paddock and all activities start in the village so there is no need for time-wasting transfers. Basically, because we want to make your holiday as uncomplicated as possible, life is made very easy here.
- Saariselka is around a 20-25 minute walk from the Northern Lights Village (40-50 minutes to the ski slopes) which means that all of the amenities, shops, cafes and local restaurants are within easy reach.
- During most activities, an expert guide will take pictures which can be purchased in the days following your activity (this is an additional charge payable locally) on your return to the village.
- For all of your provided winter clothing, simply go to the onsite Safari House where overalls, gloves, boots, skis and snowshoes are stored for easy access.
- Guests can pay extra to use the hot tub, sauna and ice pool.
Double Aurora Cabin
The Aurora Cabins have a half-glass roof and all face north. The design is based on the traditional wooden kotas (teepees) of Finland.
Each cabin has a double bed (with separate duvets as typical in the Nordics) and some have a sofa bed, suitable for an additional adult. There is a shower room (with underfloor heating) and a toilet, as well as a luggage storage area (please note that hot water is limited). Tea and coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer and a minibar (payable locally) are also included.
Importantly for duvet-based Aurora hunting, a timer switch can be used to heat the glass roof should your view be obscured by snowfall. It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to heat and melt the snow so theres no need to go and sweep the roof in your pyjamas!
Unless requested, cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure. Towels can be exchanged at reception or via the in-room app if required. The cabins all have free Wi-Fi.
Twin Aurora Cabin
The Aurora Cabins have a half-glass roof and all face north. The design is based on the traditional wooden kotas (teepees) of Finland.
Each cabin has twin beds and a sofa bed, suitable for an additional adult. There is a shower room (with underfloor heating) and a toilet, as well as a luggage storage area (please note that hot water is limited). Tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer and a minibar are also included.
Importantly for duvet-based Aurora hunting, a timer switch can be used to heat the glass roof should your view be obscured by snowfall. It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to heat and melt the snow so theres no need to go and sweep the roof in your pyjamas!
Cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required.
Free Wi-Fi.
Personalise This Tour
The beauty of snowshoeing is that it provides the chance for wildlife encounters, as the local flora and fauna will not be scared off by the noise of engines or the sound of sleds. So, for nature lovers, this is an ideal choice as your local guide will provide information on the wildlife and its natural environment. You may have the chance to witness Siberian Jay, willow grouse or a herd of roaming reindeer. You will stop for a hot drink along the way.
Group size: 1-16 (approximately)
Duration: 2 hours (approximately); a warm drink is included
We know that for some people the thought of snowmobiling may be a little daunting so this short 2-hour (approximate) safari provides the ideal introduction.
Full instruction will be provided along with a safety briefing from your expert guide and then you’ll set off in convoy, following the well-marked trails and travelling two people per machine.
Snowmobiles offer the chance to explore further afield and offer the passenger (you can swap drivers) the chance to fully enjoy the sights of Lapland.
Duration: 2 hours
| Tour Loaction: | Saariselka,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Saariselka,Finland |
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Tour Map
Additional Info
– Up to balance due date (this is normally 16 weeks prior to departure however some holidays differ. If this applies to your holiday you will be advised at the time of booking) – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– Between balance due date and 43 days prior to departure – 60%
– 42 to 16 days prior to departure – 85%
– 15 or less days – 100%
If you are travelling early in the winter season and there is not enough snowfall, then some activities may be adapted by the local team, or alternatives provided, to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. For more information on this, please see section 11 of our booking terms and conditions.
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
