Details

During this fully-escorted tour, you will immerse yourself in the unrivalled landscapes of northern Finland during this 5-night trip, staying at two unique wilderness hotels. Located deep in dark-sky territory, this guided tour begins with three nights at Wilderness Hotel Juutua, which is located in the small village of Inari. The area has been of huge significance for the indigenous Sámi people for centuries. With its abundance of tradition and local culture, this destination provides a restorative escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

For your final two nights of the tour, you will stay in a glass-roofed Aurora Cabin at Wilderness Hotel Muotka, nestled amongst the trees and with fantastic views of the night sky. Both properties are much loved for their endearing hospitality, Nordic décor and brilliant guides.

This region of northern Finland boasts a Northern Lights track record that approaches or surpasses other popular Arctic destinations, and it is a fantastic place to enjoy evenings stargazing with minimal light pollution and beautifully dark skies.

This entirely escorted programme includes the very best winter activities available; a husky safari through snow-capped forests and a snowmobile safari across the pristine Finnish wilderness, as well as a walk to a nearby beauty spot, Jäniskoski rapids. Furthermore, two Aurora camps, an Aurora workshop and an Aurora hunt by car have been organised to give you the best possible chance of witnessing the beauty of the Northern Lights and to maximise your opportunities to enjoy the stargazing possibilities. Furthermore, you will also enjoy an Astro presentation from your expert guide to discuss all there is to know about the night sky.

Your Escorted Tour Guides  

Dan Monk 

Dan Monk is the Director of the Gillian Dickinson Astro-Imaging Academy at Kielder Observatory in Northumberland. He has always been fascinated by the night sky and constellations. One Christmas, he received a telescope and would gaze into the sky from his back garden at every opportunity. Growing up in Sunderland, Dan's visibility of the night sky was limited by light-pollution from the city, but his passion continued to develop and through his teen years, he invested in more advanced telescopes.

Visiting Kielder Observatory was a significant moment for Dan as he relished in the undisturbed dark skies of western Northumberland. After volunteering at the observatory, Dan became a full-time member of the team and began his dream role.  

Most recently, Dan has developed a keen interest in astrophotography and a hunger to capture an image of the perfect night sky. Dan was recently interviewed by Dan Walker on Channel 5 news to discuss the recent Northern Lights sightings in the UK. Dedicated to his field, he insisted he would have to do a pre-record as he didn't want to miss any further sightings that evening.  

We are delighted to have Dan's passion and expertise for what promise to be truly memorable escorted tours through Northern Finland.

Matt Robinson

Matt Robinson will be our other tour guide for our escorted tours. Matt, also worked at the Kielder Observatory with Dan as well as hailing from the hotbed of astronomy talent that is Sunderland. 

Matt's first experience in astronomy was in 1997, when his uncle showed him Comet Hale Bopp through some binoculars and since then he hasn't looked back.  

After a wonderful 18 months at Kielder Observatory, Matt was given opportunities to work in astronomy in other parts of the world. These opportunities have allowed him to live in the Arctic Circle in Finland and Norway under the spectacular Aurora Borealis. Matt has also spent time in the Maldives where he worked as an astronomer in an Instagram famous hotel, and even to Chile where he covered an unforgettable total solar eclipse. 

Matt is now based in Gothenburg, Sweden as our astronomy expert and tour guide.

About Kielder Observatory
Kielder Observatory is one of the most remarkable places to visit in the whole of the UK. A public astronomical observatory which is second to none, under some of the darkest skies in the world where you'll find "infinite inspiration" and wonders you could never have imagined!

Kielder Observatory is a public outreach astronomical facility located in Kielder Forest, in some of the darkest skies in Europe and the third largest protected Dark Sky reserve in the world.

Located in Northumberland, England. It is situated just half a mile from the Scottish border on Black Fell near James Turrell's Kielder Skyspace. The site was chosen as one of the locations in the UK which has the least amount of intrusive light pollution.

The primary function of the observatory is outreach via public events. The goal being to bring in members of the public of all ages from school children in primary school, and upward. The aim being to engage in discussions and observations of the Universe. We to do this in a way that is friendly, informative and interesting, through our amazing team of astronomers, guest speakers and volunteers.

The observatory hosts upwards of 40 of these amazing events every month, designed for members of the public. Since its opening in 2008, the observatory has played host to tens of thousands of people to observe and engage with the night sky, via talks, activities and telescope observing sessions.