Wilderness Hotel Muotka – Fellside Auroras
- Details
Details
This 3-night trip allows you to experience the real highlights of the remote and spectacular Muotka, Finland. The quest for the Northern Lights leads your evenings and your days offer exceptional activities, as well as time to enjoy peaceful Lapland.
Muotka is simply delightful. This small and remote hotel is surrounded by the forests of North East Lapland. The region is a veritable feast for anyone looking to enjoy a comprehensive experience of Lapland whilst looking for a retreat from the everyday and a more relaxed pace of life.
You will enjoy true 'bucket list' activities such as an unforgettable dog sled safari in the wilds of the Arctic and an exciting snowmobile safari to a reindeer farm.
Your evenings are dedicated to the hunt for the Aurora Borealis and these excursions typically use engines to do all of the hard work, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. During one evening you will hunt for the Northern Lights using the mobility of a minibus. Your expert local guides will use their incredible local knowledge and the latest weather forecasts to aid your search. Another Aurora evening uses a snowmobile-pulled sleigh as your method of transport as you will be heading out to one of the Aurora camps.
We can also arrange for you to upgrade to the epitome of Aurora accommodation for either part or all of your holiday and book you into one of Muotka's wonderful Aurora Cabins. Details of all of these special upgrades can be found in the 'Accommodation' section of the holiday page.
Please note: If you are travelling over Christmas or New Year, you will enjoy a festive dinner and celebrations on the 24th or the 31st of December (traditionally in Finland, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve).
Photo credits: Wilderness Hotels, Matt Robinson, Markku Inkila
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
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed and then transferred* to Muotkan Maja Wilderness Hotel. The hotel has a beautifully remote feel and provides the ideal base for a Lappish adventure.
On your first evening, you will be provided with your cold weather clothing.
* 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.
Today, you will be trying out one of the most memorable activities in Lapland, as you participate in an exciting husky safari.
Guiding a team of huskies is almost always one of our guests’ favourite activities and is a truly unique experience. Travelling in this traditional fashion gives people a wonderful connection with the Arctic environment. Once the dogs have calmed their initial excitement, it is a remarkably peaceful activity as the dogs pull you through this winter wonderland (approximately for one hour).
Before setting off, you will be given full instruction and will travel two people per sled with the opportunity to swap drivers during the activity so you can both experience the thrill of being the musher, and the joy of taking in the scenery as a passenger. This activity will last around two hours.
Today your guide will also introduce you to the Northern Lights and some of the myths and legends that this phenomenon has inspired over the centuries. Your guide’s knowledge of the area and the Northern Lights is exceptional.
After dinner, you will head out on a hunt for the Northern Lights. You will travel via sled pulled by your guide’s snowmobile to one of the Aurora Camps, which offer excellent views of the vast night sky. If the solar conditions are favourable, and there is no cloud cover, then you will hopefully see the Northern Lights dancing overhead. You will be out for around two and a half hours in total.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, you will travel two people per snowmobile and journey on an exciting tour of the wilderness and to a local reindeer farm. After a full safety briefing and instructions on how to drive and handle the snowmobile, you will head out for a snowmobile safari to the farm where you will meet the reindeer herders and learn all about the importance of reindeer in Lapland. The whole tour will last approximately four to five hours and a soup lunch is included. You will have the chance to swap seats and each take a turn at driving (the driver must be 18 years old and hold a full driving licence).
This afternoon will be free to relax before dinner. You may wish to take advantage of one of the hotel’s saunas. There may also be additional activities which can be arranged locally and snowshoes can be hired should you wish to explore independently.
After dinner, it’s time for your last activity, a Northern Lights hunt by minibus. The guides will drive you to a potential vantage point, utilising their local knowledge, weather and solar forecasts. You will be out for around three hours in total.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is departure day and you will be transferred back to the airport to catch your return flights. If you are on an early flight, a packed breakfast will be provided. If you depart on a later flight, you will have breakfast in the restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Return flights from London to Ivalo (either direct or via Helsinki). Flight routes are subject to change
- Return scheduled group shuttle airport transfers
- 3 nights’ accommodation in twin/double hotel rooms
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Aurora workshop
- Aurora hunt in a minibus
- Husky safari
- Aurora camp
- Reindeer day via snowmobile
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
Accommodation
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| Wilderness Hotel Muotka resides around 40km from the main town of Ivalo, tucked away in the corner of North-East Finland. Recently renovated and restored it is owned and run by the same couple as the popular Nellim Wilderness Hotel, Mari and Jouko Lappalainen. They run the hotel with the same hard-working ethos and it exudes the same warmth and charm for its much-welcomed guests. The hotel boasts some wonderful scenery, tucked away in the forested-fells with roaming reindeer frequently seen amongst the trees. It consists of two main accommodation buildings, one with the majority of the bedrooms and another with hosts additional bedrooms, the main restaurant and the reception area. Hotel facilities
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Double Room
There are 12 double and twin rooms in the main building and 11 in the additional building just across the courtyard. All rooms are en-suite with shower room, wardrobe, hairdryer and nightstand and can be made up as either a double or twin. They have also been recently renovated and offer lovely Scandinavian décor and charm.
Superior Sauna Room
Muotka Wilderness Hotel has 16 Superior Sauna rooms, located a short distance from the main hotel building. These rooms are designed to offer rustic luxury and are ideal for small families and groups or those that simply wish for more space to relax in during their stay at Muotka. The rooms are approximately 33m² and each separate building has four superior sauna rooms inside. Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Facilities
- All rooms will contain their own private sauna, sofa and an electric kettle to make your stay as comfortable as possible
- Each has a queen-size bed within and space for 1-2 extra beds
- All meals will be served in the hotel restaurant which is just a short walk away
- Hairdryers are available from the main hotel reception
Twin Room
All rooms are en-suite with a shower room, wardrobe, hairdryer and nightstand and can be made up as either a double or twin and offer lovely Scandinavian décor and charm.
Wilderness Premium Room
Renovated in 2022, these are the newest rooms at Muotka and are larger than the standard Wilderness rooms at 269 ft2. Perfect for couples, the rooms feature a double bed, tea and coffee making equipment and are fully ensuite, with the bathroom having a shower and a hair dryer. Premium rooms are situated in a separate building (with its own sauna) adjacent to the reception and restaurant.
Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Panorama Log Cabin
Situated not far from the main hotel, the log cabins at Muotka are a wonderful upgrade option for those looking for a little more space during their stay or if you are travelling for a special occasion – these are particularly popular with honeymoon guests!
Each log cabin is approximately 50m² and is fully equipped to make your stay cosy and comfortable. The attention to detail with these cabins are remarkable and ensure a memorable holiday.
All cabins have their own log burner and private sauna – ideal for warming up after a day in the snow!
Each cabin has a small kitchenette and large windows looking out onto the snowy landscape beyond. All meals will be served in the hotel restaurant which is just a short walk away.
Riverside Log Cabin
The most spectacular accommodation available at Muotka, these modern log cabins are well situated with views over a river. Well appointed, with a fireplace in the spacious living room, together with a private sauna and kitchenette (and fridge), the cabins have sleeping space for 5 people. There is a double bedroom downstairs and three single beds in the loft. The cabins also contain hair dryers and tea and coffee making facilities. Please note that these cabins require a minimum of 4 people to be booked
Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Riverside Suite
In keeping with your surroundings, the Riverside suite is beautifully constructed from local ‘kelo’ wood and combines traditional aesthetics with modern comforts. The suite contains a bathroom with shower and private sauna, a fireplace and tea and coffee making facilities. With a double bed and sofa bed, the suite can accommodate 4 people in comfort. The suite overlooks a small stream running through the grounds of the hotel.
Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Log Cabin
Situated not far from the main hotel, the log cabins at Muotka are a wonderful upgrade option for those looking for a little more space during their stay or if you are travelling as a small group or family.
Each log cabin is approximately 50m² and is fully equipped to make your stay cosy and comfortable. Please contact our Travel Experts for a quotation.
Facilities
- All cabins have their own log burner and private sauna – ideal for warming up after a day in the snow!
- Each has a double bed and space for 1-2 extra beds
- All cabins have a small kitchenette and a kettle
- The log cabins are equipped with large north-facing windows so you can easily keep watch for a potential Aurora display
- All meals will be served in the hotel restaurant which is just a short walk away
- Hairdryers are available from the main hotel reception
Aurora Cabin
As ever, Muotka leads the way in Aurora viewing innovation and we are therefore proud to offer our guests the chance to spend the night in one of only 20 magnificent Aurora Cabins. These stunning, part-cabin, part-glass tepee buildings, offer guests an exceptional overnight Aurora hunting experience.
Guests get the space and feel of a cabin during the day and the Aurora viewing benefits of a glass igloo at night, as you sleep under a glass tepee. This means that you are provided with the most wonderful views of the night sky from the comfort of your bed.
These part-cabin and part-glass tepee buildings, are self-contained and situated a short distance from the hotel, next to the annexe. They combine the space and atmosphere of a cosy cabin with a glass roof above the bed. Each cabin faces north so ideal for guests to gaze upon the night sky every night of their holiday, from the comfort of their duvet. The cabins are all 25m² with double bed and en-suite bathroom, making them an excellent base (most of them have a private sauna).
Tour Map
Additional Info
Price is based on 2 persons travelling
Tour terms, click here
Booking conditions click here
Payment and Cancellation Terms:
Snow coverage in early December
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
