Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to the remote region of Menesjärvi. On the way, you will drive through an increasingly wild landscape before reaching Hotel Korpikartano.

After arriving at the hotel, you will have a chance to settle into your rooms before enjoying dinner in the hotel dining room. You will also be given a brief introduction to the upcoming schedule of activities and will be provided with your cold weather clothing.

Before bed, we would suggest taking a walk down to the lake. Here you can see the vast Arctic sky from a prime vantage point and this is the ideal place to stand and wait for a potential Aurora display.

It may be that you are arriving on a late-night flight – if this is the case then you will get a cold supper on arrival and be given your introduction and cold weather clothing the following morning.

Included Meals:  Dinner

Today you will get the chance to explore the endless, pristine wilderness of the surrounding area both during the day and at night.

Following breakfast this morning you will be given a safety briefing and full instruction on how to use snowmobiles before setting off on an exhilarating safari. You will travel two people per machine with the chance to take turns at driving (providing you both have full licences and are 18 years or over). If you would like to travel one person per snowmobile, see our Extras section for more information. You will also try your hand at one of the most popular local pastimes – winter fishing.

Lunch and dinner are included today. After dinner, there will be a two-part Aurora workshop. Many of the guides here are exceedingly talented and passionate Aurora photographers. 

You will see some of their spectacular images during the presentation alongside information on the science and myths behind the Aurora. If you are interested in photography and have the right equipment they will also give you tips on how to capture the Northern Lights on camera yourself. 

The second part of your workshop involves outdoor tuition and photography practice before you strap on snowshoes and head out with your guide on a leisurely hike. Our local experts know all of the best spots from which to capture the Northern Lights and they will lead you to the ideal viewpoints.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will gain a far better understanding of the essential role of the reindeer herders in this traditional community. Reindeer are of the utmost importance in the region and many elements of herding have remained unchanged for centuries.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to a nearby reindeer farm where you will gain an insight into the life of a reindeer herder in this very special part of the world. During your visit, you will depart from the farm in a snowmobile-pulled sleigh and will travel out into the forest. You will journey through the beautiful untouched wilderness, reaching a clearing. Drawn by the promise of the food they are about to receive, the reindeer will make their way towards the herder and you will then be given the chance to feed them their favourite snack of lichen and take some photographs.

A fire will be lit and you can sit and watch the reindeer with a nice, warm drink. You can chat and ask the herder any questions you may have about the reindeer herd and their way of life. This activity will last for approximately three and a half hours, including transfers.

This afternoon is free for you to do as you wish, with lunch included. You will have access to snowshoes, cross-country skis and toboggan equipment at the hotel so you can explore in the snow independently if you have some experience. You must obtain maps and trail conditions from the reception before setting off.

Many people simply like to relax and unwind with a good book or perhaps enjoy the sauna facilities.

After a hearty meal this evening you will be back on the snowmobiles for a safari into the Arctic night. The mobility provided by the snowmobiles should enable you to hopefully escape any cloud cover that may obstruct a potential Aurora. Regardless, this will be a thrilling experience as the forest takes on a very different feel once darkness has fallen. You will travel two people per snowmobile with the chance to take turns (providing you both have full licences and are 18 years or over). This activity will last around two hours in total.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Along with the Aurora Borealis, one of the main highlights for most visitors to Lapland is a husky safari. Today it is your chance to feel the thrill of driving a team of eager dogs through this stunning landscape.

You will master the basics of dog sledding and receive a full safety briefing before heading out with your husky team (two people per sled) for a safari lasting around an hour. You will be out for around two and a half hours in total spending time with the dogs and enjoying a hot drink after the safari in a Lappish hut.

After your husky adventure, you will head to the village of Inari. Here you will have lunch and then have the chance to visit the famous Sámi Siida Museum. The wonderful exhibits, displays and presentations offer an insight into Sámi culture and life in this region, both past and present.

To allow you to bid farewell to Menesjärvi in style, tonight’s dinner will be cooked on an open fire in one of the hotel’s lakeside kotas. After a meal to remember, you can head to the lake and keep a watch for the Northern Lights.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning it will be time to say goodbye to Menesjärvi and return to the airport for your flights home.

We can also help arrange a stopover in Helsinki for you should you wish to visit the city en route to home. All of the options can be found in the Extras section of the holiday page.

Included Meals:  Breakfast