Travel Website Development
Wilderness Hotel Inari - Christmas Aurora Hunting Adventure
Overview
Situated on the shores of Lake Inari in Finnish Lapland, Wilderness Hotel Inari offers an unforgettable base for a Christmas week packed with amazing experiences. From dog sledding and snowshoeing to dedicated Aurora hunts, you’re sure to create special memories from your Christmas break.
What's included?
ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY PRICE
- Flights: direct return flights are included from London Gatwick to Ivalo. Routes are subject to change.
- Transfers: return airport transfers
- Accommodation: 7 nights in twin/double hotel room
- Meals: full board
- The following activities are included in the holiday: snowshoeing, Aurora workshop, snowmobile try-out, Aurora camp, husky safari, cross-country skiing, visit a reindeer farm, Aurora hunt by car, Aurora snowshoeing (order subject to change)
- Clothing: cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Aurora alert until approximately 1 am
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
When it comes to locations, Wilderness Hotel Inari really is set in one of the most spectacular. On the edge of a vast frozen lake, the views can really take your breath away.
We are thrilled to offer our guests the chance to spend seven nights in this winter wonderland over Christmas; hunting the Aurora at night and enjoying Arctic experiences by day.
Renowned as an amazing Northern Lights destination, this is heaven for those who want to combine Northern Lights potential and adventures. The lights can often be seen from directly in front of the hotel and the innovative Aurora alert system in place here is designed to aid you in your search, even when you are not out on an evening activity.
The dedicated hunts will all take place in the company of expert local guides who will use their knowledge to help ensure you have the best possible opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
You will travel to a dedicated Aurora Camp in a prime viewpoint in the hope of witnessing a display. You will also walk through the wilderness on snowshoes to try and track down the lights and will lastly use the mobility of a minibus or car to hunt the Aurora and hopefully outrun any localised cloud cover.
During the day we offer a great balance of free time and activities to make sure that you can make the most of your holiday but still return feeling relaxed. We include all the highlights such as dog sledding, a visit to a reindeer farm, snowmobiling and a cross-country skiing lesson.
During your free time, you can always explore the nearby village of Inari independently, enjoy some additional activities or perhaps relax in the glass-roofed Northern Lights sauna which is available for guests to use
With festivities taking place on Christmas Eve (when the Finns celebrate Christmas) to just finish off this wonderful itinerary, we can think of few better places in which to spend the festive season.
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.
Image credits: Wilderness Hotel Inari, Matt Robinson and Inari Saariselka Tourism
View Gallery
Download Holiday Overview
Download Trip Notes
/27.0303947,68.905027,4/380x315.png?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoibXJ6ZW4iLCJhIjoieEplY044byJ9.tLmUFQLGRW3IziiK7fl9hA)
Make An Enquiry
/27.0303947,68.905027,4/380x315.png?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoibXJ6ZW4iLCJhIjoieEplY044byJ9.tLmUFQLGRW3IziiK7fl9hA)
Key facts
| Duration: | 7 nights |
| Pace: | Active |
| Suitable for: | Ages 16+. See our terms for further information. |
Dates & Prices
Thank you for your interest in this Aurora Zone experience.
We have found that this holiday is better tailored exactly to your requirements, so please email our Travel Experts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact us on 01670 785 012 to discuss the various options available to you.
Our Travel Experts have been to all the destinations we feature and love to share their experiences and insight. We want to match you with your perfect trip, so if you have any questions please get in touch; we will be happy to talk through the destinations and itineraries with you.
VIEW ALL HOLIDAYS
Please view our alternative departure dates here - Aurora Hunting Adventure and New Year Aurora Hunting Adventure
Agenda
Agenda
-
DAY 1
Welcome and Arrival
Upon arrival at Ivalo Airport, you will be met by your transfer* driver and driven to the hotel on the shores of Lake Inari, around 40 minutes away. You can then check in and enjoy your first evening meal in the stunning restaurant with panoramic windows which face the vast frozen lake.
You will also be provided with your cold weather clothing, final itinerary (the order shown here is always subject to change) and Aurora alert. Be sure to take a walk to the lake tonight, the Aurora may well appear and welcome you to Lapland.
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 -
DAY 2
Snowshoeing and Aurora Workshop
To really appreciate your new surroundings, you need to explore on foot. Now, admittedly if you tried to walk in the snow here in boots, you’d sink pretty deep, so that is where snowshoes come in. You will set off on a walk lasting around four hours (including a campfire lunch – weather permitting). You can soak up the wilderness and enjoy the peace of this special place as you travel at a leisurely pace, taking in the flora and fauna as you go.
This evening after dinner, you will gather for an Aurora Workshop at the hotel. This informative presentation will provide you with a greater understanding of the Northern Lights and the basics of how to capture the Aurora on camera.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 3
Husky Safari
Dog sledding is one of the activities which is most synonymous with the Arctic. Very few experiences can compare to the delight of being pulled across a frozen lake by a team of eager huskies.
You’ll typically meet the dogs on the lake just down from the hotel. You will certainly hear them before you can see them, as their excitement for the trails means they make a fair amount of noise.
A lesson on how to control the sled and a safety briefing will be given before you are provided with your team. Your guide will then release your ground anchor and then you’ll be off out across the lake, travelling two people per team (one sitting and one controlling the sled; there will be the chance to swap half way).
Lunch will be served in the restaurant, either before or after your adventure. The safari will last around 1.5 hours in total* and there will be some time at the end of the safari to meet the dogs and take photos.
The remainder of your day and evening are free for you to relax and unwind. Dinner will be served at the hotel and you may want to head down to the lakeshore to keep an eye out for the Aurora before bed.
* 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 -
DAY 4
Free Day and Aurora Snowshoeing
The daytime today has been left free for you to tailor your time. You may simply want to relax at the hotel or perhaps enjoy the sauna. Alternatively, additional activities may be available locally or you could take a walk into Inari. Your meals will be served in the restaurant as normal.
Tonight you will use snowshoes to help you walk on the deep snow and into the Arctic night. With just your head torch lighting the way, you’ll appreciate the silence of the wintery forest as you make your way to a prime Aurora viewpoint with your guide. Warm up by the fire with hot drinks and keep an eye on the sky for a potential Northern Lights display. You will be out for around two and a half hours this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 5
Snowmobile Tryout, Christmas Festivities and Aurora Camp
Fill up on breakfast ahead of learning how to drive a snowmobile through the Arctic wilds. Whether you have been on these adventurous machines before or this is your first time, this introductory session will teach you everything you need to know.
You will receive full safety instructions and a driving lesson before taking to the trails and heading out on the frozen lake. You must be over 18 and hold a full driving licence in order to take the controls. You will travel two people per snowmobile and the activity lasts around two hours in total.
Tonight, you will be treated to Christmas festivities as the Finns celebrate on Christmas Eve. A delicious meal featuring some local traditions will be served for guests ahead of your Northern Lights hunt this evening.
The guides at the hotel (and their sister hotels in the region) have set up a network of Aurora Camp destinations in prime Northern Lights territory. Travelling either by car or by snowmobile sleigh (depending on the location of the camp) you will head to one of these camps after dinner this evening. A fire will be lit and warm drinks served, as you gaze up at the unobstructed views of the night sky in the hope of catching an Aurora display. You will be out for around 2.5 hours this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 6
Cross-Country Skiing and Aurora Hunt
Cross-country skiing is one of those activities which Finns take up as children, so it would be rude not to give it a try. You don’t need any form of experience on skis to enjoy this activity as full tuition is provided. Once the group has got to grips with the techniques required, you will take a turn around the trails near the hotel. In total this activity will last around two hours.
If you have yet to see the Northern Lights, then tonight’s Aurora hunt should provide an excellent opportunity. Travelling by car or minibus, your expert guide will lead the hunt this evening using the latest Northern Lights and weather forecasts to select the best route. This may mean travelling to an Aurora Camp near the hotel or heading further afield. The mobility provided by the vehicle means that you should hopefully be able to outrun any localised cloud cover.
All in all, you will be out for around 2.5 hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 7
Reindeer Farm Visit and Free Evening
Reindeer herding remains an integral part of life in Lapland and an encounter with reindeer is certainly an integral part of any Christmas holiday.
You will be transferred to a local reindeer farm where a herder will explain what day to day life is like for them and their animals. The significance of reindeer herding to the local economy and culture will also be apparent. Of course, you will also get the chance to spend time in the company of reindeer at the farm. The experience will last for around 2.5 hours.
Back at the Wilderness Hotel, you will enjoy your final dinner in the restaurant. We suggest heading down to the frozen lake - with a little luck, the Aurora will appear above you to bid you farewell. Alternatively, you might like to add in additional Aurora activities or perhaps enjoy a special Sámi culture themed evening meal, please see the ‘Personalise’ section for details.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 8
Departure
Today it is time to wave farewell to the Arctic and you'll head home in time to celebrate the New Year.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Wilderness Hotel Inari
Nights: 1-7
Situated on Lake Inari’s shores, Wilderness Hotel Inari is one of the most spectacular destinations we feature. Offering excellent levels of comfort and some serious ‘wow factor’, it is the latest addition to the Wilderness Hotels owned by our good friends Jouko and Mari Lappalianen.
Importantly it is also slap, bang in the middle of the world’s best Aurora hunting territory and the hotel has implemented some innovative Northern Lights features to help maximise your viewing potential.
Wilderness Hotel Inari is ideally located around 40 minutes’ drive from Ivalo Airport and just five minutes from Inari Village, which is the centre of Sámi culture in Finland.
There is a variety of accommodation on offer here, including cabins, Aurora cabins and hotel rooms, all of which are separate to (but within very easy reach of), the central restaurant building.
The hotel provides modern accommodation with décor which combines both comfort and charm. A huge amount of thought has gone into creating this very special place to stay.
Hotel Facilities
- The focal point of the hotel is the main reception, bar, lounge and restaurant building. There will be gasps of delight from the moment you walk in and are confronted with exceptional views out towards the lake.
- All meals are served in the restaurant and the quality of the food has been excellent in our experience.
- Breakfast offers a continental selection of meats, breads, cheese, fish and pastries as well as hot options including bacon and eggs. There are fresh fruit and yoghurts to compliment
- A.t lunch and evening meals, an array of fresh salads and a soup is followed by a choice of two main dishes prepared by the chefs. Options will typically include some local flavours as well as international dishes. In the evening these are accompanied by a pudding. Tea, coffee and water are included in your stay and any additional drinks can be added to your bill.
- The restaurant is beautifully decorated, with local art and woodwork creating a great atmosphere. The fantastic north facing panoramic windows running the length of the room offer views out onto Lake Inari. We certainly expect a few evening meals to be abandoned as the Aurora becomes visible during dinner (the chefs get used to it)!
- The bar area is fully stocked so you can enjoy a drink with your meal or relax in the lounge area by the roaring fire.
- Free Wi-Fi is available in the main hotel building and rooms (it is less strong in the Aurora cabins and the log cabins but 3G reception should work on your phone).
- The crowning 'Northern Lights glory' here is the glass-roofed sauna which is housed by the lake in a modified Aurora Cabin. Guests can book the sauna at the reception in hour long slots for private use (free of charge) and so if you strike lucky, you can witness the Northern Lights from inside, which is a very special experience.
Room Type
Hotel bedrooms
The bedrooms are located in two separate buildings around 50 metres from the main building.
Each room has been decorated in a traditional Arctic style with inspiration taken from the local environment. They are around 30m² and have either a queen-sized bed or twin beds. Coffee and tea making facilities are provided in your room as well as either a comfortable sofa or two armchairs. If you can’t face being detached from the “real world”, the rooms also come with free Wi-Fi. Every bedroom is en-suite and comes complete with hairdryer and toiletries.
These rooms are designed for two people to share but a third person can be accommodated on a camp bed or pull-out sofa (supplements apply).
Image credits: Inari Wilderness Hotel, Matt Robinson
Other options
Wilderness Hotel Inari - Arctic Chalets
These semi-detached, designer chalets, are a new addition to Inari’s range of impressive accommodation options. They are designed to offer couples an air of Arctic luxury in their own holiday hideaway.
The modern interiors are sleek and beautifully designed. Each features a bedroom with an en-suite shower, private sauna room and king size bed. The separate living area is well equipped with a warming log fire, ideal following a day of adventures and the stunning landscape is framed by full-height windows, offering views towards the lake. Each also offers a sofa bed which can sleep an additional two people, but we recommend keeping these chalets for just the two of you.
Please note that this accommodation option requires an upgrade supplement. Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Image credits: Wilderness Hotel Inari
Wilderness Hotel Inari - Aurora Cabins
With the potential of seeing the Northern Lights above, you won’t want to take your eyes off the Arctic sky. Luckily, with the Wilderness Hotel Inari’s Aurora Cabins, you won’t have to. These amazing structures are all equipped with an expansive heated glass roof to give you unobstructed views of the northern skies at all times. Whether you want to lie back in your bed or on the sofa, you can go on the hunt for the Aurora right from the comfort of your accommodation.
These cosy cabins come with twin beds (which can be pushed together), a sofa or armchairs in the small living area and an ensuite shower room (toiletries and hairdryer are provided). You will also have coffee and tea making facilities. Some of the cabins will also accommodate an extra person on a sofa bed. The cabins are 34m² in size. The Wi-Fi signal isn’t as strong in the cabins so you may need to use the main restaurant, or use the time to switch off!
The cabins are between 20 and 50 metres from the main building.
Please note that this accommodation option requires an upgrade supplement. Please contact our Travel Experts for a quotation.
Credit: Wilderness Hotel Inari, Matt Robinson
Wilderness Hotel Inari - Log Cabins
These cosy cabins are built in the traditional way, with walls constructed from huge logs and plenty of space inside. The ground floor covers 70m² and the loft area offers an additional 20m².
On the ground floor, you’ll find a spacious dining/living room, comfy seating, and a wood burning stove which can be turned to face where you are sitting. There is also the main bedroom with a queen-sized bed. There is also a kitchenette and dining area, although all your meals are provided in the restaurant. The cabins also provide free Wi-Fi although the signal is not strong in all of them. It can, however, be used in the lounge area of the main building if needed.
The bathroom and toilet (hairdryer and toiletries are provided) are also on the ground floor and the cabin comes with the luxury of a private sauna.
The loft area upstairs can accommodate three more single beds and, thanks to the pull-out sofa in the living area, the capacity of these cabins ranges from two to six people (although we would recommend a maximum of 4 adults). They are ideal for couples looking for a very romantic hideaway or for small groups of friends or family.
The cabins are between 15m and 100m from the main building.
Please note that this accommodation option requires an upgrade supplement. Please contact our Travel Experts for a quotation.
Image credits: Matt Robinson
Special Nights
A night in an Aurora Kota
From: £108pp
The Aurora Kotas combine a cabin structure with glass tepee elements, providing a large glass roof above the sleeping area, allowing guests to lose themselves in the magic of possible night-time Northern Lights displays from the comfort of their bed.
Each Kota contains a double bed and it has room for a third person on a sofa bed. These cosy cabins come with twin beds (which can be pushed together), a sofa or armchairs in the small living area and an ensuite shower room (toiletries and hairdryer are provided). You will also have coffee and tea making facilities. Some of the cabins will also accommodate an extra person on a sofa bed. The cabins are 34m² in size. The Wi-Fi signal isn’t as strong in the cabins so you may need to use the main restaurant, or use the time to switch off!
The cabins are between 20 and 50 metres from the main building.
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 speak to our Travel Experts for a quotation
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
A night in an Aurora Kota
From £108pp
The Aurora Kotas combine a cabin structure with glass tepee elements, providing a large glass roof above the sleeping area, allowing guests to lose themselves in the magic of possible night-time Northern Lights displays from the comfort of their bed.
Each Kota contains a double bed and it has room for a third person on a sofa bed. These cosy cabins come with twin beds (which can be pushed together), a sofa or armchairs in the small living area and an ensuite shower room (toiletries and hairdryer are provided). You will also have coffee and tea making facilities. Some of the cabins will also accommodate an extra person on a sofa bed. The cabins are 34m² in size. The Wi-Fi signal isn’t as strong in the cabins so you may need to use the main restaurant, or use the time to switch off!
The cabins are between 20 and 50 metres from the main building.
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 speak to our Travel Experts for a quotation
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
Thank you so much for such a fantastic honeymoon! We utterly adored Finland and are desperate to go back!
22 December 2019
by Clemency and Alexander Brown
We cannot stress enough how much we loved this holiday! The location was absolutely stunning and magical, the hotel and aurora log cabin was fantastic. But we would like to particularly mention and commend the staff at Wilderness Hotel Inari, particularly the guides. They were full of knowledge and expertise but also so incredibly kind and welcoming to us. So many of the activities were made even…
Read more
more amazing thanks to their hard work. They were also fantastic in helping to accommodate me on certain activities while I was pregnant, such as organising a modified version of the husky safari without the sledding. The food was all delicious and everything ran smoothly- we had such a great time that we didn't even mind not seeing the northern lights in great brightness! The reindeer farm visit was truly magical. Riding a reindeer sleigh a few days before Christmas! The owners of the farm were again so welcoming and knowledgeable, we were fascinated to learn about the Sami culture. It was lovely to have the opportunity to support their farm further by visiting their gift shop which had super handmade crafts. A special mention also to the snowshoeing trek- we were a little worried that we were going to find this a bit too much like hard work, but the pacing was perfect, the scenery was incredible and the campfire lunch was delicious!
Read less