Dogsleds, Sámi Culture, Snowshoeing, and Northern Lights
Winter Adventures in Lapland
Overview
Lapland is a wonderland in winter—and just the place for frosty fun, WT style! In Finland’s north, we’ll bring you unique outdoor experiences as we take an icebreaker into the pack ice (and you can even make an optional polar plunge, dry suit provided!), snowshoe through the forests and fells of Pyhä-Luosto National Park, ride a reindeer-powered sleigh, and race across snowscapes in a dogsled pulled by huskies. We also get an insider’s look into Lappish culture with Sámi reindeer herders, taste Finnish specialties, spend a night in glass-ceiling “igloo” cabins, and if we’re lucky, see the surreal northern lights dance across the night sky. Our hotels keep us warm and comfortable, and we can unwind in toasty Finnish saunas.
Arrive: Rovaniemi, Finland
Depart: Rovaniemi, Finland
Highlights
- Look for the elusive northern lights right from our beds in glass “igloos”
- Meet Sámi people on their remote farms, learn to mush a dogsled, ride a reindeer sleigh
- Experience Finnish and Lappish culture, enjoy relaxing saunas
- Try Nordic skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling
- Learn to cook over the fire in a Lappish kota hut
Itinerary
Getting right into the spirit of Lapland in winter, we take an icebreaker through the pack ice that separates Finland and Sweden. We can walk right out on the ice, or for the adventurous, take a dip (with dry suits) in the bracing waters.
By snowshoe (or hiking, depending on conditions), we explore the rugged hills of Pyhä-Luosto National Park, then enjoy this Arctic landscape an age-old way—on sleighs pulled by reindeer, the iconic animal that holds such a special place in Lappish life.
The days ahead are for enjoying some classic Lapland traditions: ice fishing, a cooking demonstration (and tasting!) of Finnish specialties cooked by a chef over a wood fire, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing up Iisakkipää Mountain for great views, and relaxing in the Finnish way, soaking in a wood-fired sauna.
The indigenous Sámi of Finland embrace their traditional way of life and we'll be welcomed at a Sámi village. We'll learn to mush a dogsled, take a ride by reindeer-drawn sled, and in hopes of seeing the northern lights, spend an overnight in “glass igloos” that give us a planetarium feeling right from our cozy beds. Depart on Day 12 via Rovaniemi.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. It is scheduled for February and March, when there should still be plenty of snow on the ground for our activities (it usually lasts until late May!), and yet the days are getting longer and brighter. This trip involves a wide range of activities, including snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and hiking in a variety of conditions. Other activities include ice fishing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and a traditional Finnish sauna.
To get the most out of this trip, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises.
Daytime temperatures in Rovaniemi in March average 25°F, with nighttime temperatures averaging 13°F. In Saariselka and Inari, the temperatures are much cooler—around 12°F in the day and -6°F at night. Snowfall is always a possibility in Lapland at this time of year! We suggest you bring thermal undergarments, hiking boots that can accommodate cold conditions, gloves, and socks. A full packing list will be sent to you with your confirmation packet. It may be necessary to alter the schedule based on weather conditions, but we will do our best to do all activities as described in this itinerary. Water activities such as our boating excursion are also dependent on sea forecasts.
Client Testimonials
"We had perfect weather throughout, pristine snow, untracked forests, a compatible group that hung together, and a great trip leader who took very good care of us. How can you improve on the perfect alignment of the stars?"
Abby N W.
Woodbury, CT
"We chose this trip for the variety of activities, with not every day being all about a hike. The trip met our expectations in this regard with all of the great venues and adventures."
Debbi P.
Rescue, CA
"Ingrid was AMAZING! She put together an incredible itinerary that showcased the Lapland culture, cuisine, and landscape beautifully. So very fortunate to have been on this trip with her!"
Dianne B.
Evanston, IL
"This was a trip filled with great variety of new and different experiences for most of us. Really a wonderful time."
Gail L.
Boulder, CO
"The trip was outstanding. I know other travelers will love this trip."
Jeanna F.
Paradise Valley, AZ
"A wonderful trip, beautifully structured and magical."
Jerry M.
Snohomish, WA
"Doe-eyed reindeer, dog sleds, snow-draped trees in hidden forests, tipis, glass-topped igloos, snowshoes, saunas, laughter, and homemade doughnuts are my treasured Lapland Memories...and light, always the light."
Kathryn S.
Mountain Village, CO
"A really fun trip with lots of interesting and challenging active adventures."
Nancy F.
New York, NY
"It was a fun trip, full of wonder and amazement in a new place."
Pat K.
Walnut Creek, CA
"So much fun with so many diverse activities in a beautiful country."
Renee V.
Los Altos, CA
"The northern lights delivered a spectacular show. We were kept busy the whole time and it went by way too fast."
Sandy M.
Prescott, AZ
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.