1. DAY. IZMIR – ROVANIEMI – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
We depart from Izmir to Rovaniemi on a scheduled SunExpress flight at 08:10 in the morning. We arrive in Rovaniemi at 11:55. Upon arrival, we meet our bus and head first to Santa Claus Village.
Santa Claus Village Visit
Santa Claus Village is known as the home of Santa Claus and is especially popular during the winter months. It is famous for its traditional Lapland houses and snow-covered scenery. Visitors can visit Santa Claus’s home and share their special wishes. In addition, you can send a postcard to yourself or your loved ones from Santa Claus’s post office, using the red mailboxes, so it arrives at Christmas time. The village is full of souvenir shops, local handicrafts, and Christmas-themed cafes. Santa Claus Village is a wonderful place for people of all ages to experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas, and it is where the Arctic Circle passes through; the polar line is marked by a blue light line. After our visit to Santa Claus Village, we head to our hotel in the center of Rovaniemi. Before checking in to the hotel, we stop by the safari office to receive the thermal clothing we will use for our safaris and tours.
After check-in and a short rest, dinner will be served at the hotel.
2. DAY. ROVANIEMI – HUSKY AND REINDEER SAFARIS
After breakfast, we depart for the husky and reindeer farm.
Husky Safari
Upon arriving at the husky farm, we visit the huskies, one of the world’s cutest dogs. Today we will learn how to drive our own husky team and enjoy an unforgettable sled ride experience with these adorable friends. Afterwards, we relax around the fire in a traditional Lapland 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 ride on sleds 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.
Then, we have free time for lunch in Rovaniemi and meet for the snowmobile safari.
Snowmobile Safari
In the afternoon, we will take an unforgettable snowmobile tour through frozen river valleys and snow-covered forests. During the journey, we will enjoy the frozen landscape and take a break with hot drinks. There are two people per snowmobile, and you can switch drivers halfway through the route. After the snowmobile tour, we return to the hotel and have free time.
3. DAY. ROVANIEMI – FREE TIME
Optional Icebreaker Ship Tour (500 EUR per person, including transportation and lunch)
For the optional icebreaker tour, after breakfast we head to the Swedish town of Kalix, located 170 km from Rovaniemi. During our journey, we cross the Finland-Sweden border and arrive at the port of Axelsvik. On this 3-hour journey aboard the world’s largest tourist icebreaker, you will witness how ice is broken on the frozen sea. In the middle of the frozen sea, halfway through the trip, we put on thermal suits specially designed to survive in cold waters and keep us afloat, and swim in the pool created by the ship as it breaks the ice. After the tour, which is among the “must-try experiences before you die” according to National Geographic, we go to Kukkolaforsen, a fishing town in Sweden, for lunch. After lunch, we return to Rovaniemi. In the evening, you may join the optional dinner, ice hotel visit, and Northern Lights tour.
Optional Ice Hotel Visit, Dinner, and Northern Lights (150 EUR per person)
The Ice Hotel is a popular attraction open to visitors every day between December 15 and April 1. It is one of the largest snow hotels located on the Arctic Circle. The Snow Hotel is built differently each year and decorated with ice and snow art. Visitors can tour the ice rooms, ice sculptures, the Ice Bar, and the Ice Restaurant. After the visit, we have dinner featuring oven-baked salmon as the main course in the Kota, the traditional Lapland hut belonging to the ice hotel. If we are lucky and the weather is clear, we will have the chance to see the Northern Lights. Late in the evening, we return to our hotel.
Note: The Ice Hotel visit requires at least 10 participants.
4. DAY. ROVANIEMI – IZMIR
After breakfast, free time in Rovaniemi for last-minute shopping. Then, at 10:30, we transfer to the airport. We depart for Izmir at 12:45 on a scheduled SunExpress flight.