Northern Lights Village Saariselkä – Glass Igloo Aurora Escape
- 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
On arrival at Ivalo Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation at the Northern Lights Village and can check into your Aurora Cabin.
You will receive your cold weather clothing that you will keep for the duration of your trip and your Aurora Alert will be waiting for you to use on the tablet in your cabin. Dinner will be served in the restaurant.
Included Meals: Dinner
Following breakfast, the day is yours to spend at leisure. The Northern Lights Village is approximately 1000 metres away from the ski resort town of Saariselkä and, despite been 250 km north of the Arctic Circle, Saariselkä has much to offer. There are shops, restaurants and cafés to enjoy as well as downhill ski slopes if you fancy some alpine action.
During the evening, you will venture out into the wilderness which lies on the doorstep of the Northern Lights Village for a Northern Lights snowshoe hike. This is an invigorating and peaceful way in which to hunt the Aurora and your guide will lead the way to a perfect viewpoint in the fell. Here, you will stop and build a fire and enjoy snacks and hot drinks as you watch the skies in this most incredible location. You will be out for around two and a half hours in total.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will enjoy a wonderful taster of the most eagerly anticipated winter activities; a 5 km dog sled safari. Huskies are synonymous with the Arctic and a husky safari is the epitome of a winter adventure.
The huskies are eager to run and you will not fail to notice their excitement as they bark and howl in anticipation, straining to get going. You might expect this to continue as the safari gets underway, but this is not the case, as the dogs are soon focused only on running. Full instruction will be provided before you take to the trails, travelling two people per sled.
This activity lasts around one hour in total (including instruction). We expect you to be out on the husky sledge for around 30 minutes in total. There are longer safaris if you would like to enjoy more time out on the trail. If you would like to extend and spend more time with the dogs then please see the Extras section of the holiday page for more details.
Lunch will be enjoyed at the restaurant before a final Aurora hunt.
Following dinner this evening, you will go on a Northern Lights snowmobile safari lasting around three hours in total. After a full safety briefing and driving instruction, you will follow your guide, travelling two per snowmobile, in search of the Northern Lights. You’ll travel into the fells and once at the top, you will keep warm by an open fire and enjoy hot drinks. Please note that the driver of a snowmobile must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today it is time to bid farewell to Lapland and you will be transferred back to Ivalo after breakfast for your return flights home. If you are on the early flight, a packed breakfast will be provided.
What's included?
- Flights: Return from London to Ivalo (via Helsinki). Flight routes are subject to change.
- Transfers: Return group airport transfers
- Accommodation: 3 nights in an Aurora Cabin
- Meals: Full board
- Northern Lights snowshoeing
- 5 km husky safari
- Northern Lights snowmobiling
- 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
For those who want to explore much further afield then look no further as this 4-hour snowmobile safari will take you out into the wilderness beyond Saariselkä.
Full instruction will be provided along with a safety briefing from your expert guide and then you’ll set off in convoy, following the marked trails and travelling two per snowmobile.
Your guide will prepare a campfire lunch for you en route (weather permitting).
Duration: 4 hours
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
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
Reindeer have played an integral role in the local economy and culture for many, many centuries. An understanding of these animals and their herders is something no visitor to the region should miss.
You will meet with a reindeer herder and hear tales from the trails as you learn about reindeer husbandry. You’ll get the chance to feed the animals before enjoying a one-hour (approximately) reindeer-pulled sleigh ride.
Duration: 4 hours (sleigh ride is 1 hour)
| Tour Loaction: | Saariselka,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Saariselka,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Saariselka,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Saariselka,Finland |
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| 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
