Wilderness Hotel Inari – Active Aurora Short Break
- Details
Details
Sitting on the edge of one of the largest lakes in Finland, Wilderness Hotel Inari delivers some real wow factor. When you enter the main restaurant and reception building to check-in, you can't help but get excited about spending the next three nights in such surroundings. The panoramic views of the lake are worth it alone!
This short break is ideal for those who are short on time and do not want to miss out on experience as it incorporates some favourite activities into a short space of time. You also will spend two nights making the most of the hotel's prime location in the Aurora Zone, searching for the lights in the company of expert guides.
Your stay includes an insight into local culture with a visit to a local reindeer farm as well as popular activities such as snowmobiling and dog sledding.
Whilst one of the best viewpoints for witnessing the Northern Lights is indeed the lake just by the hotel (ideal for when you aren't out on the activities), we have also included two evening trips which are designed to help maximise your chances of catching a display.
Your first activity will see you visiting one of the Aurora Camps which the guides have created in prime territory and the second of the activities will see you hunting the lights via snowshoes with an expert local guide. Our guides are hugely passionate and knowledgeable, and they will use their expertise, experience and the latest forecasts to give you the best possible chance of witnessing the Aurora dancing in the sky.
Wilderness Hotel Inari is a very special place and this holiday means that everyone can enjoy the destination and all it has to offer, even if they only have time for a short trip.
Please note that 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.
Please note: If you are travelling over Christmas or New Year, you will enjoy a festive dinner and celebrations on the 24th and the 31st of December (traditionally in Finland, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve).
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
Today you will arrive at Ivalo Airport in the depths of North East Finland. Your driver will be waiting to take you to Wilderness Hotel Inari*. Here you can check in to your comfortable accommodation before you receive your cold weather clothing and Aurora alarm.
Dinner will be served in the hotel’s wonderful restaurant this evening and then you really should head down to the lake to check the sky for any displays before heading to bed.
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final itinerary will be provided on arrival.
*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
Things get started in style today with a fabulous range of activities.
First up is a visit to a local reindeer farm. After you transfer, the herder will greet you and will provide an insight into their fascinating way of life, before you meet the animals. In total this activity lasts around 2.5 hours. There may be the opportunity to upgrade this activity in resort to include short reindeer pulled sleigh ride. This is on request only and subject to availability, please speak to a member of the reception team on arrival.
After lunch, you will get ready for your next adventure, snowmobiling along the wintery trails. Your guide will provide a full safety briefing and instructions on how to handle the machines, so you’ll be comfortable before you set off travelling two people per snowmobile. This safari lasts around 2 hours in total. To drive a snowmobile, you must over the age of 18 and hold a full driving licence.
This evening, dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant ahead of your first Northern Lights activity; a visit to an Aurora Camp.
Your guide will lead the way as you travel either in a sleigh pulled by their snowmobile or by minibus depending on the location of tonight’s camp. On arrival, you will enjoy the silence of the wilderness whilst watching the sky from an ideal Aurora viewpoint. Warm drinks will be served around a fire as you wait and watch. Hopefully, the conditions will be favourable, and your efforts will be rewarded.
There are few activities which provide the same sense of anticipation and adventure as dog sledding. Today it is your turn to feel the excitement as you take to the trails in the company of an eager team of huskies and travel across the ice of Lake Inari.
You waste no time travelling today as your musher will come and meet you at reception, before leading you down towards the lake. You will hear the dogs long before you can see them! Firstly, you will be given a full safety briefing and instruction on how to handle the teams, prior to being allocated a sled. As the dogs will be so keen to get going, the time for pictures is saved until after the safari and you’ll head straight out for your adventure.
Travelling two people per sled, one of you will ride in the sleigh and the other will take the controls. You will have the chance to swap halfway. The route will be determined by the conditions but the experience will last around 1 hour excluding transfers.
At the end of the trip, there will be time for you to ask as many questions as you like about the dogs and spend some time with your team taking photos.
There will be some free time today and you may like to take a walk into Inari Village where there is a souvenir shops and a few local cafes to enjoy. You can walk along the lake or take the footpath directly from the hotel.
Tonight, after another lovely meal, you will strap on a pair of snowshoes and be led on an Aurora hunt with an expert guide. Your route will be selected to provide the best chance of clear skies and you will follow a trail to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Arctic night. If the solar conditions are favourable then hopefully you will be able to track down a display and witness the magic of the Northern Lights.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sadly, all good things must come to an end and so today it is time for you to head home. You will leave safe in the knowledge that you have really made the most of the last few days.
You will be transferred back to Ivalo for your return flights home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Return from London to Ivalo (either direct or via Helsinki). Flight routes are subject to change.
- Return airport transfers
- 3 nights in twin/double hotel room. Upgrades can be arranged subject to availability and supplements.
- Full board
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Reindeer farm visit
- Snowmobile safari
- Aurora camp
- Husky safari
- Aurora snowshoe
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
- Aurora Alert for the duration of your stay
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 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
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Double/Twin 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).
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.
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.
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
