About this trip
Why go?
Visiting Finnish Lapland in December offers a magical winter experience. The region becomes a snow-covered wonderland, perfect for unique activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, and Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). December’s long nights provide excellent chances to witness the stunning Northern Lights.
The celestial dance of lights, known as Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a phenomena as old as Earth’s atmosphere. The first record of Aurora Borealis is believed to be in a 30,000-year-old cave painting in France. Since then, cultures around the world have marveled at its magic, giving rise to many fascinating legends and folklore.
On this trip, you can also immerse yourself in Sami culture, with reindeer farms and traditional crafts. Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, adds festive charm with Christmas markets and the Santa Claus Village. Whether for adventure, culture, or the beauty of winter, Lapland in December is an unforgettable destination.
How to get there?
– Kittila can easily be reached via a direct flight from Helsinki and there are also plenty of flights leaving every day to ovarious other European cities.
– If you want an adventure, there is also the option of catching the train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and then catching a bus from Rovaniemi to Levi
Available Packages and Booking
Please click on the button below to see the details of the available packages for this trip:What’s Included:
- Community Leader & Guide: Community leader and guide for the entire duration of the trip.
- Shared Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment (3-star hotel) that accommodates up to 5 adults (single beds).
- Private Sauna: Private sauna for every apartment.
- Buffet Breakfast: Buffet breakfast provided every day.
- Complete Transportation: Transportation driven by your guide(s) throughout the trip, from pickup point to drop-off location.
- Northern Lights Hunting: Northern lights hunting on all 4 nights.
- Multiple Road Trips: Road trips to explore and discover Lapland.
- Santa Village: Visit to Santa Village in Rovaniemi.
- Snowman World: Tickets to Snowman World in Rovaniemi.
- Sami Parliament: Guided tour of the Sami Parliament.
- Reindeer Feeding: Feed the reindeer yourself.
- Gold Panning: Indoor gold panning in a separate gold panning room.
- Snow Shoeing: Short 30-45 minute walk on a well-laid-out snowshoeing trail.
What’s Not Included:
- Flights: Flights to and from Kittilä International Airport (can be added separately).
- Lunch & Dinner: We will organize lunch and dinner locations; participants will pay for themselves.
- Winter Gear: Winter gear can be hired if required.
HOW DO I CONTACT YOU FOR ANY QUERIES / CONCERNS?
- WHATSAPP: Reach out to us directly by clicking here: Ask Questions
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TRANSACTION FEES?
Transaction fees apply only when you use the ticketing system available on this page. If you prefer to avoid these fees, we offer the option of paying via bank transfer. To arrange a bank transfer or if you have any questions, please reach out to us directly by clicking here: Ask Questions
WHAT ARE YOUR REVIEW'S LIKE FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS?
To go through our amazing reviews by participants, please click on the links below:
WHAT IS NEXT?
- WhatsApp Group: In the ticket confirmation page, you will find a link to a whatsapp group dedicated to this event. This group is where you can connect with trip mates, coordinate arrival options & stay in touch.
- Trip Briefing: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to a detailed trip briefing document providing details on what to expect, how to prepare etc.
- Google Photos Album: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to the shared google photos album where you can upload & view all shared photos & videos from the trip.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
- Free cancellation up to 7 full days before the start of the trip. After that, cancel up to 5 days before the trip to get a 50% refund.
- If the event is cancelled by Urbanature Travel (UNT), you will get a full refund (excluding any airfares), unless you have purchased a flight inclusive package directly with Urbanature Travel (UNT) in which case you will get a refund including the flights.
- Please note that the program, as well as the venue is subject to change due to extreme weather conditions, as well as to the characteristics and size of the group.
- Urbanature Travel (UNT) needs a minimum of 5 participants for this trip to take place, else we may cancel this trip.
- UNT reserves the right to cancel the trip, modify the route, change the accommodation or re-schedule hikes and without prior notice.
- UNT is not responsible for any loss, theft, damage or personal injury that occurs during the trip.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER
Organized by Urbanature Travel
Welcome my fellow travellers! We are looking to provide you with options to travel to amazing places with our like-minded community guides. Our trips would involve a mash-up of urban exploring and comfortable nature trails & hikes planned & designed by us to ensure that you have a great time & have a more holistic experience.
Looking forward to seeing you on our trips!!!
Itinerary
Travel to Levi from your respective homes and meet the guide either at Kittila Airport or directly at the accommodation (approx. 20 mins drive from the airport). Once the last of the participants have arrived, we are off on our first night of Northern lights hunting and post that we head back to our accommodation (either the General Accommodation or Igloo Hotel).
Note: Igloo hotel is offered separately as an Add-on for one night.
Today we are on a Roadtrip from Levi to Inari, Ivalo, and Northern Lapland in general to explore the highlights of Finnish Lapland. This journey will cover around 500km (about 6 - 7 hours of driving), but you’ll be rewarded with stunning winter scenery, Sami culture, and opportunities to witness the Northern Lights.
Here are some of the highlight on this roadtrip:
- Drive through Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park that is full of snow-covered forests, fells, and frozen lakes where we will pull over to a scenic viewpoint for a quick walk or some photos of the pristine landscapes.
- Guided tour of the Sami Parliament: The Sami are the indigenous people of Northern Europe, and they have their own parliament to handle issues related to their language, culture, and rights. Visiting the Sami Parliament gives you a deeper understanding of the Sami people and their efforts to preserve their language, traditions, and autonomy. It's not just a place for politics but also a cultural center where you can engage with the Sami way of life, making it an important stop for anyone interested in learning about indigenous cultures while in Inari.
- Lake Inari: Lake Inari is Finland’s third-largest lake, and in December, it’s completely frozen, creating a stunning white landscape. This is a great spot for photos and short walks on the ice (under safe conditions). If time allows, take a moment to enjoy the silence and the beauty of the frozen lake.
- Ivalo: Ivalo is a small village and a gateway to northern Lapland. Here, you can explore local shops or embark on winter activities like reindeer sledding, snowshoeing, or simply enjoying the quiet charm of a remote Arctic village.
- Explore Northern Lapland Wilderness : Drive to the Tolosjoki River for serene views of the frozen river and snowy forests. It’s a peaceful spot to take a break, soak in the Arctic wilderness, and enjoy the stillness. Also drive on Paatsjoki Bridge, A scenic bridge over the Paatsjoki River, offering views of the river flowing beneath the frozen landscape. This is another great spot for photography, especially if you’re hoping to catch the Northern Lights later.
- Northern Lights Hunting in Lake Inari : The area around Lake Inari is remote and has little light pollution, offering perfect conditions for viewing the Northern Lights. The sun sets early in December, so you’ll have a good chance of spotting the Aurora by mid-afternoon, if conditions are right.
A road trip from Levi to Rovaniemi to visit Santa Claus Village and hunt for the Northern Lights is a great way to experience the magic of Finnish Lapland. The drive between Levi and Rovaniemi takes about 2 hours (170 km) and can be done comfortably in a day, with plenty of time for sightseeing and adventure.
Some of the highlights from today listed below:
- Santa Claus Village: Santa is available to meet year-round, but December is the most magical time to visit. The Arctic Circle line runs through the village, and you can walk across it and receive a certificate. You can also send a Postcard from Santa’s Main Post Office and also experience a short reindeer sleigh ride through the snow, which is one of the most authentic Arctic activities.
- Visit Snowman World: Snowman World is the most exhilarating snowy playground of the Santa Claus Village, located on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, where you can enjoy a day of thrilling winter activities.
We finish our day with Northern lights hunting with a visit to Ounasvaara Fell, located a short distance from the city, Ounasvaara Hill offers panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness and skies, perfect for catching the Aurora Borealis.
Sodankylä, located in the heart of Finnish Lapland, is a hidden gem offering a range of activities that allow visitors to experience the beauty, culture, and nature of northern Finland.
Also did you know that Levi where we are based for this trip is one of the most popular winter destinations in Finland, especially in December when the region transforms into a winter wonderland. Whether you’re into skiing, Northern Lights hunting, or cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a list of exciting activities to enjoy in Sodankylä & Levi from December onwards:
- Tankavaara Gold Village: Tankavaara Gold Village offers a fascinating insight into Finland's gold mining history. You can learn about the gold rush of Lapland, visit the Gold Museum, and try your hand at panning for gold.
- Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing allows you to explore the quieter, untouched parts of the Arctic wilderness at your own pace.
- Reindeer Safaris: Reindeer herding is an integral part of Sami culture, and in Sodankylä, you can experience traditional reindeer sleigh rides. It’s a unique way to explore the Arctic wilderness while learning about the importance of reindeer in Sami life.
- Skiing and Snowboarding: Levi Ski Resort is the largest ski resort in Finland, offering a range of slopes for all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers.
- Snowmobiling: Zip through the snowy wilderness on a snowmobile, exploring frozen lakes, snow-covered forests, and the surrounding fells.
- Husky Sledding: Drive your own team of huskies through the snowy Lapland wilderness, an exhilarating and unforgettable adventure.
- Visit Luvattumaa Ice Hotel (only opens on Xmas day) and Snow Village: Explore intricately carved snow and ice sculptures, walk through rooms made entirely of ice, and enjoy a meal or drink at the Ice Bar.
Weather permitting, we will offer some these add-on's closer to the trip date.
Checkout of the accommodation and head to the airport and say our goodbyes before heading back to our respective homes. Note: If you have an earlier flight, we can drop you off before to the airport as well.
