1st DAY. ISTANBUL – ROVANIEMI – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE – NORTHERN LIGHTS
We depart from Istanbul to Rovaniemi on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight at 09:45 in the morning. We arrive in Rovaniemi at 13:25. Upon meeting our coach at the airport, we first head to Santa Claus Village.
VISIT TO SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
Santa Claus Village is known as Santa Claus’s home and is especially popular during the winter months. It is famous for its traditional Lapland houses and snow-covered landscapes. Visitors can visit Santa Claus’s house and make special wishes. They can also send postcards to themselves or their loved ones from Santa Claus’s post office, dropping them into the red mailboxes so they arrive at the next Christmas time. The village is full of souvenir shops, local handicrafts, and Christmas-themed cafés. Santa Claus Village is a wonderful place to experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas for people of all ages, and it is located on the Arctic Circle, where the polar line is marked by a blue light line. After our visit to Santa Claus Village, we head to our hotel in the city center of Rovaniemi. Before checking into the hotel, we stop by the safari office to receive the thermal clothing we will use on the safaris and tours.
After hotel check-in and some rest, we have dinner at the hotel.
BY BUS TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
This evening, we set out in search of the mesmerizing Northern Lights, perhaps for the very first time in your life! With our private vehicle, we travel to a dark, open area away from the city lights or to the edge of a frozen lake. During this unforgettable 3-hour night journey, you may have the chance to observe the Northern Lights. While your guide shares interesting facts about the Northern Lights, they will also point out the best spots for viewing the sky. At the end of the tour, we return to your hotel. Don’t forget to dress warmly, because this experience takes place mostly outdoors.
2nd DAY. ROVANIEMI – HUSKY AND REINDEER SAFARIS
After breakfast, we head to the husky and reindeer farm.
Husky Safari
We arrive at the husky farm and visit one of the world’s cutest dogs, huskies. Today we will learn how to guide our own husky team and enjoy an unforgettable sled ride with these adorable friends. Then we relax around the fire in a traditional Lapp hut (kota) with hot drinks. After the husky tour, we move on to the reindeer farm.
Reindeer Safari
After receiving information about reindeer from our local guide, we take a sled ride pulled by reindeer through the snow-covered forest. After this unforgettable experience, we spend pleasant moments around the fire and receive a “Reindeer Driving Certificate” at the end of the tour. Afterwards, we enjoy lunch consisting of a traditional Lapland dish, roasted reindeer.
ICE HOTEL VISIT
After the reindeer farm, we head to the Ice Hotel. The Ice Hotel is a popular attraction that is open to visitors every day from December 15 to April 1. It is one of the largest snow hotels located on the Arctic Circle. The Snow Hotel is built differently every year and decorated with ice and snow art. Visitors can tour the ice-carved rooms, ice sculptures, the Ice Bar, and the Ice Restaurant. After the visit, we return to our hotel and have dinner at the hotel.
3rd DAY. ROVANIEMI – ICEBREAKER TOUR
ICEBREAKER SHIP TOUR
After breakfast, we travel to Kalix, Sweden, located 170 km from Rovaniemi, for the icebreaker activity. During our journey, we cross the Sweden–Finland border and arrive at the port of Axelsvik. On this 3-hour trip aboard the world’s largest tourist icebreaker, you will witness how the ice on the frozen sea is broken. In the middle of the trip, out on the icy sea, we put on specially designed thermal suits made to keep us afloat in cold waters and swim in the pool created by the ship as it breaks the ice. After this tour, which National Geographic lists among the activities you must try before you die, we go to Kukololaforsen, a fishing town in Sweden, for lunch. After lunch, we return to Rovaniemi and have free time for dinner.
4th DAY. ROVANIEMI – SNOWMOBILE SAFARI – ISTANBUL
Snowmobile Safari
This morning we will take an unforgettable tour on a snowmobile through frozen river valleys and snow-covered forests. Along the way, we will enjoy the frozen scenery and take breaks with hot drinks. There are two people per snowmobile, and you may switch drivers halfway through the route. After the snowmobile tour, we return our thermal clothing. Then we transfer to the airport. We depart for Istanbul on the Turkish Airlines scheduled flight at 15:50.