1. 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. After being greeted by our bus at the airport, we first head 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 house and share their special wishes. In addition, you can send a card to yourself or your loved ones from Santa Claus’s post office by dropping it into the red mailboxes, to arrive at the next Christmas time. The village is filled with souvenir shops, local handicrafts, and Christmas-themed cafés. Santa Claus Village, a wonderful place to experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas for people of all ages, is located on the Arctic Circle, and 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, we stop by the safari office to collect our thermal clothing, which we will use on our safaris and tours.
Ice Hotel Visit, Dinner and Northern Lights
After checking in to the hotel and taking a short break, we head to the Ice Hotel. 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 every year and decorated with ice and snow art. Visitors can tour the ice rooms, ice sculptures, Ice Bar, and Ice Restaurant. After the visit, we enjoy dinner in the Kota, the traditional Lapland hut belonging to the Ice Hotel, with salmon cooked over a wood fire as the main course. 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.
2. DAY ROVANIEMI – HUSKY AND REINDEER SAFARIS
After breakfast, we depart for the husky and reindeer farm.
Husky Safari
We arrive at the husky farm and visit the huskies, one of the world’s cutest dogs. 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 Lapland hut (kota) with hot drinks. After the husky tour, we proceed to the reindeer farm.
Reindeer Safari
After receiving information about reindeer from our local guide, we take a sleigh 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 have lunch consisting of a traditional Lapland dish, roasted reindeer. Then we return to our hotel by bus.
Free time in the evening.
3. DAY ROVANIEMI – FREE DAY (OPTIONAL ICEBREAKER TOUR)
Free day in Rovaniemi. Guests who wish may join the optional icebreaker tour.
Icebreaker Ship Tour – 500 EUR per person
After breakfast, we depart for the icebreaker activity to Kalix, a city in Sweden located 170 km from Rovaniemi. During our journey, we cross the Sweden-Finland border and arrive at Axelsvik harbor. During the 3-hour journey on the world’s largest tourist icebreaker ship, you will witness how the ice on the frozen sea is broken. Halfway through the journey, in the middle of the icy sea, we put on specially designed thermal suits that keep us afloat in cold waters and swim in the pool created by the ship breaking the ice. After the tour, which is among the activities that National Geographic says everyone should try before they die, we go to Kukololaforsen, a fishing town in Sweden, for lunch. After lunch, we return to Rovaniemi and have free time for dinner.
4. DAY ROVANIEMI – SNOWMOBILE – ISTANBUL
Snowmobile Safari
This morning, we will take an unforgettable snowmobile tour through frozen river valleys and snow-covered forests. During the journey, we will enjoy the frozen scenery and take breaks with hot drinks. Two people share one 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 Turkish Airlines scheduled flight at 15:50.