Wilderness Hotel Juutua – Northern Lights Short Break to Inari
- Details
Details
This short break in Finnish Lapland is the perfect short break to experience life in Lapland. Your ideally situated hotel in the centre of Inari village allows you to explore at your own pace outside of the exciting activities included as part of your programme.
During this 3-night holiday, you will get to drive your own team of dogs as part of a husky safari, head out on an Aurora hunt by car to give you the maximum potential to outrun any cloud cover in the area and enjoy an Aurora Camp with a roaring fire and listening to the guides information about the science behind the Northern Lights.
As a final, unique activity to this hotel, the guide will also lead you on a winter walk to the Jäniskoski rapid which has significance to the Sámi people.
Itinerary
You will be met by a local guide at the airport for your transfer to Wilderness Hotel Juutua.
A welcome dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant before you settle into your rooms this evening ready for an exciting few days ahead.
Included Meals: Dinner
This morning after breakfast in the hotel, you will be issued with all your cold weather clothing which is yours for the duration of your stay. Your first activity is a short walk from the hotel which allows you a real insight into the cultural significance of this village and surrounding area to the Sámi people. This short walk is very accessible (around 1km in total) as your guide leads the way along the Juutua river and its 10 rapids to the beautiful Jänisköski rapid, the biggest of them all.
Here your guide will set up a small campfire with some warm drinks and everyone will cook some sausages on the open fire. You will enjoy the peace and quiet listening to the running water while your guide will share some interesting facts about Inari and how it is to live there both today and historically.
This afternoon is left free to relax, we recommend visiting the Sámi Siida Museum during your time in Inari. There is a small entrance fee (payable locally) but the well-presented exhibits really allow you to learn a huge amount about the local area and the Sámi culture. There is also a short film presentation about the Northern Lights with some spectacular images taken in the local area.
After dinner in the hotel restaurant, you will get wrapped up warm and set off by a sleigh pulled behind a snowmobile driven by your local guide. You will head to one of the local designated Aurora Camps (local insider spots where the lights are most frequently seen from) and keep warm around a campfire while keeping an eye skyward to hopefully see your own Auroral display. The guide will introduce some of the science and local myths and legends surrounding the Aurora too.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we have included one of Lapland’s most popular activities – a husky safari! A real “must do” activity when visiting Lapland, led by your team of dogs you will explore through forests and across frozen lakes. Enjoy the dogs’ anticipation before the race begins and the peaceful silence that follows as they enjoy their favourite activity, running through the snowy landscape. Before embarking on the husky safari, you will receive a full safety briefing on how to operate the sled. You will share a sleigh and adults will be given the chance to swap driver and passenger during the tour.
This afternoon is left free to relax or explore the village. Additional activities, such as a snowmobile safari, can be booked in advance. Please ask your travel expert at the time of booking if you are interested.
This evening you will head on your second Aurora Hunt included in this short break. Aurora hunt by car/minibus to look for the Northern Lights! One of our most tried and tested Aurora-gazing excursions is the Aurora hunt by car. Using this added mobility to cover more distance and seek out cloud-free skies to hopefully view the Aurora beyond. The tour guide will provide warm drinks and snacks throughout the journey.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you will transfer back to the airport to catch your return flight home. We are certain you will have enjoyed your time in Lapland and if you want to plan a return journey either to the same region or to the Arctic Fjords surrounding Tromsø or the unique accommodations such as the ICEHOTEL® or Treehotel in Swedish Lapland our Travel Experts are here to help.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Return from London to Ivalo (via Helsinki).? Flight routes are subject to change
- Return scheduled group shuttle airport transfers
- 3 nights in a twin/double hotel room
- Meals: full board
- Jäniskoski rapid
- Aurora Camp
- Husky safari and Aurora hunt by car
- 24/7 assistance from our UK-based operations team and in-destination support from our local partners
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
Accommodation
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The newly refurbished Wilderness Hotel Juutua is situated right in the heart of Inari village. This village has huge cultural significance to the Finnish Sámi population both historically and today, which is reflected in the ownership of this hotel. The hotel became part of the Wilderness Hotel family in October 2022 and whilst they have put their own signature Scandi-chic design style on the hotel they have designed the interior to be sympathetic to its Sámi heritage. The main building houses the reception, lounge and bar area and the locally renowned Restaurant Aanaar on the ground floor with the standard double/twin wilderness rooms upstairs. A short walk from the hotel, you will find the Riverside Suites located on the shore of the frozen Juutua River. Restaurant Aanaar is a highly regarded fine dining restaurant which is popular with visitors and locals alike in the Inari region. The menu here reflects local dishes unique to Lapland and uses as many fresh, local ingredients as possible which are all sourced through a network of small, independent local suppliers. Please note: the images used are an artist’s impression which have been developed with the hotel owners to reflect the intended room style once renovations are complete. Interiors may differ slightly and we will update once the renovations are complete. |
Tour Map
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists