Lapland Winter Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1 (Tuesday): Arrival in Kittilä

Arrival in Kittilä airport, before your individual transfer to Levi. Welcome to Levi, an all year activity resort and the biggest ski resort in Finland. Levi is located in the Fell Lapland, 170km above the Arctic Circle, in the middle of pure nature and large wilderness areas. Levi Fell village is actually a small holiday town, which offers a wide range of first-rate services to its guests. Overnight accomodation at Lapland Hotel Sirantathi.

Day 2 (Wednesday): Downhill skiing in Levi

After breakfast it is time to hit the slopes. In Levi you can find slopes available for downhill skiers and snowboarders, beginners and advanced skiers, as well as children. Levi offers all from wide family runs with lots of space in which to carve your tracks, to challenging steep slopes which whet the appetite of more accomplished and even expert skiers. There are altogether 45 slopes, and for those who need coaching Levi has an international Ski School (6 different teaching languages). Skiing equipment and lift pass not included. See optional extras. Overnight accomodation at Lapland Hotel Sirantathi.

Day 3 (Thursday): Levi - Harriniva Holiday Centre

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you can continue testing the slopes of Levi, or why not changeyour skis and roam the Finnish forests on cross country skis. Levi has 230km of prepared cross country tracks on which you can enjoy the silence and freedom of the winter wonderland around you. Just breathe and let the fresh air flood your lungs. In the late afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Harriniva Holiday Centre, where you will spend the following nights. Dinner and overnight accomodation at Harriniva Holiday Centre.

Day 4 (Friday): Husky overnight adventure

After a delicious breakfast your adventure starts at around 10h00. Go on a 2 day tour by Husky Sleigh. You will visit the Harriniva Arctic Sled Dog Centre with nearly 400 huskies, and hear of the life of these arctic dogs. The husky guide will teach you how to handle the sled, and you will meet your team of 4-5 dogs that accompany you for the 2 day safari (1 person / sled). Lunch by an open fire en route. Driving distance is about 25 km to a wilderness hut where you will have sauna, dinner and stay overnight in shared facilities.

Day 5 (Saturday): Husky Safari

You will start in the morning from the cabin and continue the husky safari for around 25 to 30 km. Lunch by open fire en route. Return to Harriniva in the afternoon. Enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure in this winter wonderland. Relax in your cosy room or try out the sauna and wellness facilities of the holiday centre. Dinner and overnight accomodation at Harriniva Holiday Centre.

Day 6 (Sunday): Snowmobile Safari

Breakfast at the hotel. Today it's time to gain some speed. After your guide gives you quick instructions on how to handle a snowmobile, you will go on a sightseeing tour to the Lappish winter landscape. During this approximately 30km tour you will ride through snow covered forests and frozen lakes. This tour is also suitable for beginners. In the evening say good-bye to this winter wonderland with a delicious dinner. Dinner and overnight accomodationat  Harriniva Holiday Centre.

Day 7 (Monday): Departure from Kittilä

Breakfast and transfer to Kittilä airport.

*** Please be advised that the above excursion as mentioned in the above itinerary is subject to change – weather depending!!

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The lines shown give you an indication of our destinations and are not the exact route used.

You'll see...

• Lapland, Finland, activities & information »
• Finnish Sauna »
• Northern Lights »
• Photographing the Northern Lights »
• Skiing Down Hill & Cross Country »
• Tromso snowmobile safari attraction »
• Why you should visit Finland »
• Typical Lapland weather, seasonal climate info »
• Dog sledding in Finland »
• Ice Fishing »
• Reindeer Sledding in Finland »
• Facts on the Sami people: Culture, history & locality »

Will I see the Northern Lights?

Please scroll down to see the specifics for the country you wish to visit:

Iceland:
The Northern Lights are in the Northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone. But it’s worth it to be patient. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly amazing event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod. Much of Iceland offers a very a good chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right. Remember – the Northern Lights are natural phenomena, not guaranteed, but appreciated all the more for their elusive qualities.

Norway:
Northern Norway is one of the world's best places to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In Northern Norway, Northern Lights occur in up to 90% of every clear night in the period from late September to late March. Most Northern Lights occur in the time span from 6pm to slightly after midnight, with an absolute peak at around 10-11pm. 

In Norway, the area north of the Arctic Circle is prime aurora territory. The various destinations in the High North have a distinct personality, and are well worth exploring. Major places in Northern Norway are Tromsø, Kirkenes, Alta, Bodø, Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Svalbard.

Finland:
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the Northern Lapland region, which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months here, when the sun rarely peaks its head over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October. The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.

The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowy fell landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.

As mentioned, Lapland is the best place to see the Finland Aurora Borealis, with the Kilpisjarvi area offering the most abundant opportunities. The best time of the day to see the Finland Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 11:30 pm, though they are certainly not restricted to this time frame.

Sweden:
In Northern Sweden, the Northern Lights usually occur during the winter months through late March or early April, but they can be spotted as early as September in the Northernmost parts. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights, which dilute the effects of these natural phenomena, so head out into the countryside. On clear nights, the Northern Lights can be visible from most locations in Swedish Lapland, occurring between 6 pm to and 2 am, with the strongest shows happening between 10 pm and 11 pm. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations in Swedish Lapland for viewing these phenomena:

Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park, a couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, is a prime location for viewing the Northen Lights. The scientifically proven “blue hole” — a patch of sky over the Torneträsk lake that usually remains clear despite overcast weather in surrounding areas — gives Abisko its own micro-climate, which is suitable for catching the lights.

Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley
Not only does the village of Jukkasjärvi (population roughly 541) boast the world’s first ice hotel (rebuilt ever year from Torne River ice), it’s also one of the best regions to view the Northern Lights. ICEHOTEL organizes guided tours for guests which takes the to the Esrange Space Center located 30 minutes from Kiruna. You can dine at a wilderness camp and get the chance to scan the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis.

Other regions in Swedish Lapland
As mentioned earlier, if weather conditions are just right (clear, dark, cold, and cloudless), you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from any location within subarctic and arctic Sweden — even close to larger towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur, and Gällivare.

Greenland:
The northern lights - or Aurora Borealis as it is officially known - actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April. If you are travelling during this period, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country, whilst in South Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August.

Car Rental

You can rent a car, as long as you have a valid EU or international driver's license. Most cars will have manual transmission.