Arctic New Year Arctic New Year in Lapland - Northern Lights Tour 7 days/6 nights December - January

EXPERIENCE THIS UNIQUE JOURNEY TO LAPLAND AND BE AMAZED BY A BLEND OF FIRST-CLASS TRAVEL AND THE MOST FASCINATING AND INVIGORATING WINTER ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION. YOU WILL STAY IN SAARISELKA, WITH ITS DAZZLING WITH LANDSCAPE AS WELL AS IN ROVANIEMI. YOU WILL BE TREATED TO A NIGHT IN A GLASS IGLOO, AND WEATHER PERMITTING, YOU WILL SEE THE MAGNIFICENT NORTHERN LIGHTS FROM YOUR BED. SANTA CLAUS WILL BE EXPECTING YOU AT SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE. YOU WILL ALSO EXPERIENCE A VISIT TO THE SAMI REINDEER FARM AND SLEIGH RIDE, AS WELL AS A HUSKY SAFARI. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS WINTER ADVENTURE IS THE 'SAMPO' ICEBREAKER SAFARI, WHERE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE A SWIM IN THE FRESH ARCTIC WATERS OF KEMI.

• Winter activities
• One Night in a Glass Igloo
• Reindeer farm visit with a sleigh ride
• Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village
• Husky Farm & Safari
• A visit from Santa Claus at Santa Claus Hotel
• New Year gala dinner
• Sampo Icebreaker cruise & ice swimming

Day 1: Arrival Saariselka

Arrival at Ivalo Airport and regular transfer to the hotel for check-in. In Saariselkä, in the far north of Finnish Lapland, lies the popular resort of Inari-Saariselkä. The unique northern countryside, national parks, lake areas, rivers and highland fells offer a wealth of opportunities for year-round travel. In winter, the Northern Lights dance across the sky up to 200 days a year. The legendary Saariselkä is the northernmost travel destination in Finland and boasts a variety of services. In Inari and other villages in the area, the Sami culture is still very much in evidence of everyday life. Here is where you find the genuine Lapland.

OPTIONAL: AURORA BOREALIS SLEIGH RIDE (no driving)

(pulled by Snowmobile)

PRICE/PERSON: on request

Children 7-14 years: on request

Min 2 Persons

DURATION: 3 hours (20:00 – 23:00)

MEETING TIME: 19:30 at the hotel reception, a 300-meter walk to the activity

INCLUDED: Thermal outfit, English guide, snowmobile ride & juice break

During this brisk safari, you can sit back, enjoy the view, and ride! Your guide will take you to the fell district to see the beautiful hilltop scenery with endless views of the northern sky. Your journey will head towards a beautiful fell cabin where you can enjoy warm berry juice while admiring nature. If you are lucky, the sky will be clear to see the moon, the stars and even the Northern lights may appear! REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

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Day 2: Saariselka

In the morning, get ready for some fresh air activity, literally following the footsteps of the Sami. Put on your snowshoes and feel the crunch of snow under your feet. Capture the true feeling of winter in the northern woods as you explore the nearby white wilderness of forest and hills and Urho Kekkonen National Park surrounding Saariselkä. The afternoon is for leisure, and we recommend trying a Finnish sauna at the hotel.

SNOWSHOES SAFARI INCLUDED

DURATION: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

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Day 3: Saariselka-Sinetta

Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner INCLUDED

After breakfast, the adventure continues in the morning as we make our way to Sinetta, located 25 km from Rovaniemi. Along the way, we will visit one of the tour's highlights.

SAMI REINDEER FARM VISIT & SLEIGH RIDE INCLUDED

DURATION: approximately 2 – 2,5 hours (12:00 -14:30)

INCLUDED: a traditional 3-course lunch, reindeer sledge ride, Arctic Circle Crossing Certificate

Meet the traditional Sami farmers who will tell you about the reindeer and its importance to the Sami culture. Sitting in a two-person sleigh, pulled by your reindeer, you will experience a short ride in this traditional and peaceful way of moving through the white landscape, where the only sound you will hear is the melody of reindeer bells. A typical local three-course lunch is included at the farm.

OVERNIGHT IN A GLASS IGLOO, INCLUDED

The journey continues south to Sinetta, following the winding roads through the snowy forest and arriving at the unique Arctic Snow Hotel, where you will check into your private Glass Igloo. Enjoy the warmth of your Glass Igloo, and weather permitting; you will have the opportunity to marvel at the fantastic Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and the millions of stars from the comforts of your bed. In the evening, you are invited for a traditional Lappish three-course dinner in a magnificent wooden "Kota", where fresh salmon is slowly grilled over the fire on a giant pit in the centre.

OPTIONAL: SNOW SAUNA & OUTDOOR JACUZZI

PRICE: on request

22:00 – 23:30

EXCLUSIVE FOR VIA HANSA & BOREALIS GUESTS

Even the most enthusiastic sauna bathers are deeply impressed by the snow sauna with its walls made of snow and ice. Only the sauna benches are made of wood! The sauna bathing experience is an astonishing combination of thick steam within intimate snow walls. Afterwards, jump into the outdoor Jacuzzi and admire the Northern Lights or Lapland's spectacular starry night skies. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

OPTIONAL: OVERNIGHT IN A SNOW SUITE with EVENING SAUNA & OUTDOOR JACUZZI EXPERIENCE

PRICE: on request

OVERNIGHT INCL. SNOW SAUNA & OUTDOOR JACUZZI 22:00 – 23:00

SAUNA & JACUZZI ARE SHARED WITH OTHER OUR TOUR GUESTS

Each year the snow hotel is built with local artists designing and creating the ice and wall sculptures that decorate the hotel and Snow suites. Each Snow Suite is different each year and offers a unique arctic experience to spend the night as the Sami once did in a snow igloo. A mattress on an ice bed with special frozen sleeping bags keeps you warm in the ambient temperature of 0 and-5 C. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. ONCE THE SNOW SUITE IS BOOKED, THE GLASS IGLOO IS NO LONGER AN OPTION.

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Day 4: SINETTA – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE - ROVANIEMI

Breakfast & Outdoor picnic INCLUDED.

In the morning, after breakfast, you will travel by bus to Rovaniemi, where you will check in at Santa's Hotel Santa Claus, and your New Year adventure can begin with a visit to the Husky Farm & Safari. You may round off the night with the unique experience of a Finnish sauna.

HUSKY FARM & SAFARI INCLUDED

DURATION: approximately 2 hours

INCLUDED: winter clothing, outdoor picnic

Two persons per sledge (self-driving)

The barking of enthusiastic dogs will welcome you to the most genuine Husky farm in Rovaniemi. The head musher will talk about the life and training of these Arctic animals, and you will also have the chance to take some great photos. After brief instructions, you embark, riding in pairs, on the run through the forest behind your pack of huskies (3 km).

The day continues with a visit to the world-famous Santa Claus Village, built right on the Arctic Circle and home to Santa Claus. Stop by his busy post office, where you can ask Santa to send a letter to your loved ones just before Christmas. Step into the magical world of Santa's home and meet Santa himself. No words can describe the emotions of this fairy-tale-like moment. It is something you will never forget—an absolute must for any visit to Lapland. Santa Claus Village is a short ride to the hotel for check-in—the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

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Day 5: Rovaniemi

Breakfast & Dinner INCLUDED

Enjoy a Scandinavian breakfast buffet and prepare to welcome a new year. Take the opportunity to explore the small and picturesque town at your leisure. Around 18:00, Santa Claus will pay a visit to the hotel, where he will deliver Christmas presents to our youngest guests. There will be a small gift per child from the hotel and the possibility for families to arrange that Santa Claus special delivers a present to their children on their behalf.

NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA DINNER INCLUDED

New Year's Eve Gala Dinner buffet will be served at the Hotel Santa Claus. An aperitif and one glass of house wine, beer or soft drink per person included.

OPTIONAL: MYSTICAL NEW YEAR'S PARTY

PRICE /PERSON: on request

Children 7-14 years: on request

22:00 – 01:00

At 22:00, take a transfer from the hotel to a Special New Year Venue just 20 minutes from town. At Lapland's magical border of the Arctic Circle, the festivities will be held to welcome in the New Year. The combined elements of fire, ice, darkness, snow, lights, music, and dance create a magical event for the whole family. The mysterious shamans fuel the atmosphere, and as the New Year approaches, Santa Claus will also visit us! A giant snow disco, snow bars, a massive fireworks display, and the spectacular New Year Dance Show make for a memorable experience. New Year's in casting is an old Finnish tradition to see what the future holds. Shamans - the fortunetellers - help you interpret the marks for the future in your tin. The event will take place on snowy banks in an idyllic winter setting. At 00:30/1:00, transfer back to the hotel. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

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Day 6: Rovaniemi-Kemi (Ice-breaker Cruise)-Rovaniemi

Time for a swim as we head to the town of Kemi for a full day of activities. First, visit the Snow Castle* with its unique snow slide. Enjoy the snow sculptures and complex. Later you will experience one of the highlights of your winter adventure as we board the Sampo Icebreaker and spend 3 hours on this unforgettable vessel breaking through the ice of the northern Gulf of Bothnia. Before the cruise, you will enjoy lunch onshore in the Seaview Restaurant.

*Please note that the construction of the Snow Castle is dependent on the weather conditions and, therefore, not guaranteed to be open before the 19th of January

SAMPO ICE BREAKER & ICE SWIMMING INCLUDED

DURATION: 14:00-17:00 HOURS

This extraordinary experience begins with lunch served onshore in the Seaview Restaurant. It includes a guided ship tour with its massive engine room, communications room, bridge, and ice swimming. In the middle of the largest ice field in Europe, you can jump in the sea and float! You will, of course, be fitted with a warm survival suit, and those of you who dare will receive a certificate from the ship authorities to attest your courage—an unforgettable experience. Return to Rovaniemi with early evening arrival at your hotel.

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Day 7 (Wednesday): Rovaniemi

Regular transfer to Rovaniemi airport.