Inari and Saariselkä – An Exclusive Bucket List Northern Lights Holiday
- Details
Details
Marvel at the magic of the Northern Lights on this seven-night spectacular winter holiday in Finnish Lapland. You'll have plenty of opportunities to see this incredible natural phenomenon, with dedicated Aurora hunts and the chance to sleep in your very own glass-roofed Aurora Cabin.
Combine two of the most desirable destinations in Finnish Lapland on this incredible seven-night tour. You'll visit the stylish Wilderness Hotel Inari set on the vast Frozen Lake Inari and also the popular resort village of Saariselka, gateway to the Urho Kekkonen National Park.
Experience the best of Finnish Lapland with activities such as dog sledding over unspoiled frozen landscapes, visiting a reindeer farm, and snowmobiling through the Arctic wilderness.
Immerse yourself in the magic of the Arctic wonderland with a blanket of crisp, white snow stretching far beyond the horizon and the mystical Northern Lights dancing above.
Aurora Zone are THE Northern Lights holiday experts, so you can be sure that you're in good hands. We have designed this tour specifically to maximise your Aurora viewing opportunities, so you can make the most of this unforgettable experience.
Itinerary
Your transfers will be ready and waiting to take you to the Wilderness Hotel Inari, just 40 minutes away from the airport.
True to its name, this hotel is the epitome of a winter wilderness escape. You’ll be high above the Arctic Circle, in prime Northern Lights viewing territory and overlooking the impressive frozen Lake Inari – your playground for the first four nights.
Upon arrival, you’ll receive cold weather clothing to use for the duration of your stay at the hotel.
You’ll spend your first evening having dinner in the restaurant which features glorious views, roaring log fires and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake giving you a clear view of the pitch-black night sky, so you’ll never miss an Aurora display.
Following breakfast, it’s time to head out into the winter wilderness and explore your surroundings.
Snowmobiling is a thrilling and common form of transport here and allows you to glide over the glistening snow to reach some incredible vantage points. During this two-hour activity, you’ll receive a full safety briefing and lesson before heading out over the frozen lake. You must be over 18 years old and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile.
The village of Inari is the capital of the Sámi culture in Finnish Lapland, so this morning, you will visit the Sámi Siida Museum and learn more about the indigenous culture of the region. The museum was completely renovated in 2020-21 and is now home to several permanent exhibits about the Aurora Borealis and historic life in this region of Finland for the Sámi people. Along with some other temporary exhibits which we have always found to be extremely interesting.
We have left today free after an action packed first few days. Additional activities can either be booked in advance with our travel experts or locally at reception (subject to availability). Equipment hire, including snowshoes and cross country skis are also possible to arrange if you would like to explore the vast frozen Lake Inari at your own pace. The guided activities are always great fun but there is a lot to be said in experiencing the total peace and tranquillity just a few moments’ walk from the hotel. All your meals are included today in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, the second part of your holiday begins. Following a very scenic one-hour drive, you’ll arrive at the famous Northern Lights Village for a truly stylish way to end your time in the Arctic.
You’ll spend your remaining three nights in a glass-roofed Aurora Cabin so that every night, you’ll have unobstructed views of the sky from the comfort of your bed. Upon arrival, you’ll receive your cold weather clothing.
You’ll then return to your cabin for the night and with any luck, you’ll see the Northern Lights whilst tucked up in your duvet.
Though the Auroras won’t shine during the daytime, the wonders of the Arctic most certainly will.
After breakfast, you’ll tick off another must-do winter activity and see even more of your wilderness surroundings during a 10 kilometre husky safari (approximately one hour). Working with your team of dogs, you’ll get an insight into life as a musher during this much-loved Arctic activity. You will travel two people per sled, with a chance to swap drivers along the way; the activity lasts for approximately two and a half hours in total including briefing.
Following dinner, you’ll settle into a heated sleigh pulled behind the guide’s snowmobile through the snowy landscape to the top of a nearby fell, far away from residential areas and artificial light pollution to give yourself peak Aurora viewing opportunity. Your guide will light a fire and serve hot juice and the group will relax around the fire whilst keeping an eye skywards to hopefully enjoy a majestic display of the Northern Lights. You will be out for around three hours in total this evening.
There are few experiences as intrinsically linked as reindeer and Lapland. This morning you will go to the reindeer paddock in Northern Lights village for a short sleigh ride. You will get the chance to experience how Laplanders used to get around before snowmobiles came along. An invigorating ride through the snowy forest which normally takes around 25 minutes before you get the chance to ask the herders any questions you may have about these iconic animals and the vital role they played to the previous generations who settled in Northern Lapland.
After you have met the reindeer, the day is yours to spend how you please. You can relax in the village, or we have a range of optional activities you can book to include even more in your adventure.
After breakfast, it is, unfortunately, time for your arctic aurora adventure to come to an end.
If your flight time is early, we’ll box up breakfast for you before heading out on the 30-minute group transfer back to Ivalo Airport.
What's included?
- Flights: Direct return flights from London to Ivalo (flight routes are subject to change)
- Transfers: Return group shuttle airport transfers and transfer from Inari to Saariselkä
- Accommodation: as listed with 4 nights at the Wilderness Hotel Inari in a standard room and 3 nights at the Northern Lights Village Saariselkä in an Aurora Cabin
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Snowmobile safari
- Aurora workshop
- Aurora camp
- Visit to Sámi Siida Museum
- Aurora snowshoeing
- Aurora photography workshop
- Husky sledding
- Aurora hunt by heated sleigh
- Short reindeer sleigh ride
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- 24/7 assistance from the UK based operations team and in destination support from local partners
Accommodation
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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 part of the spectacular Wilderness Hotels group, owned by our good friends Jouko and Mari Lappalianen.
Most importantly, the hotel is bang in the middle of some 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’ drive from Inari Village (or around a 50 minute walk), which is the centre of Sámi culture in Finland.
There is a stunning array of accommodation on offer here, including log cabins, Arctic chalets, Aurora cabins and wilderness 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 over 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. Fresh fruit and yoghurts are also available.
- Lunch and evening meals consist of 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 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).
Wilderness Room
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).
Aurora Cabin
With the potential of seeing the Northern Lights above, you won’t want to take your eyes off the Arctic sky. Luckily, with 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.
These cosy cabins come with twin beds (which are typically 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.
Log Cabin
These cosy cabins are built in the traditional way, with walls constructed from huge logs. 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 a kitchenette and dining area, although all your meals are provided in the restaurant. The main bedroom with a queen-sized bed can also be found on the ground floor. 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.
Arctic Chalet
These semi-detached, designer Arctic Chalets, are a fantastic addition to Inari’s range of accommodation options. They are designed to offer couples or families 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 cosy sofa, an electric fire and small kitchenette – they are very cosy and perfect to relax in following a day of adventures.
The lounge sofa can also convert into a (very comfy!) bed which can sleep an additional two people, the chalets are a much more spacious option than the standard hotel rooms and just a short walk from the main restaurant building.
Please note that this accommodation option requires an upgrade supplement. Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
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Located in far Northeast Finland, the Northern Lights Village sits on the outskirts of the ski resort of Saariselka. Tucked away from the town, 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!
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.
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). There’s also a large bar and lounge area.
- The Northern Lights Village has an onsite reindeer paddock and all activities start in the village so there is no need for transfers.
- 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.
- Guests can pay extra to use the hot tub, sauna and ice pool.
Aurora Cabin
The Aurora Cabins have a half-glass roof which is laser heated to keep it clear of ice, and they all face the Northern sky.
Each cabin has a double (separate duvets) or twin beds and some have an additional sofa bed, suitable for an additional adult or two small children. There is a shower room (with underfloor heating) and a toilet, as well as a luggage storage area, Tea and coffee-making facilities, free WiFi, 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 there’s no need to go and sweep the roof in your pyjamas!
A few housekeeping notes we always like guests to be aware of – cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required. The hot water is plentiful, but not unlimited (10-15 minutes per half hour), so please bear this in mind.
Polar Sky Suites
There are 16 Polar Sky Suites situated at the top of Kaunispää Hill with expansive views of frozen lakes and forests stretching to the horizon.
Each suite has a half-glass roof, allowing you to look up into the sky in search of the Northern Lights and out across the snow-covered fells. The suites are located on the southern slopes of the Kaunispää Hill, close to Saariselkä’s ski slopes and above the tree line. The suites have an open-plan design, consisting of twin beds (made into a double), a kitchenette area, dining table, TV, and a sofa that converts into a sleeping space for up to two extra people. There is a separate bathroom with a toilet, shower and sauna.
When staying in the Polar Sky Suites, complimentary shuttles between the suites and Northern Lights Village Saariselkä are included. The regular shuttle service will take you to the Northern Lights Village for all of your meals, as well as your activity starting points; the journey time is approximately 7-10 minutes one-way.
Please note that 8 of the suites will be newly built for Winter 2025-26 and therefore their inclusions and layout may differ from the description above and the images displayed.
Tour Map
Additional Info
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
