DAY 1 Finnish Lapland
Depart London Heathrow for Ivalo (via Helsinki). On arrival you will meet your local guide for the 40 minute transfer to Muotka Wilderness Lodge which is set in the beautiful Taiga forest, next to Urho Kekkonen National Park. On arrival you will be shown to your accommodation and briefed about collecting your thermal clothing. Enjoy a welcoming buffet supper before heading out into the snow-covered playground surrounding the lodge.
DAY 2: Santa Surprise and Snowmobiling
This morning starts with a snowmobiling adventure. Follow your guide through beautiful scenery, exploring the fjells where there is plenty of white snow. Adults are paired together, taking it in turns to drive, whereas the children enjoy their own ride, wrapped up under warm reindeer skins in a specially built sleigh and driven by your Lapp guide. Return to the lodge for a hearty lunch and spend the afternoon enjoying some winter fun such as tobogganing, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
Later, each family embarks on a private visit by snowmobile sleigh deep into the Taiga Forest to a secret destination. Once you’ve arrived at this enchanted place, a friendly elf will reveal that Santa is waiting in his own special log cabin. He will listen to everyone’s wishes, and both he and the Sami Spirits of Inari will try to make them come true. Return to Muotka for a buffet supper.
DAY 3: Husky Safari & Reindeer Farm
After breakfast it is time to embark on a husky safari. After meeting the excited dogs, you will be taught how to handle the sled before heading out into the surrounding Taiga forest. The huskies will pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery, adults take charge of their own sled and mush in pairs while children travel in sleds. At the end of your adventure you will have the opportunity to find out some interesting husky facts from your guide, meet some of the dogs and if you are lucky, see any newborn pups! Lunch will be served back at Muotka.
Later, you will travel to the local reindeer farm to meet some of Santa’s special helpers. After a warm welcome you will have the opportunity to have a short sleigh ride in the forest before learning how to lasso a reindeer from the experts! Your Sami host will elel you all about their reindeer and depending on your skills earlier - receive your reindeer driving licence!
Once back at Muotka there will be the chance to bake and decorate gingerbread cookies and join in some Christmas crafting. Help decorate a Christmas tree while the cookies are baked before enjoying some individual snow fun before your evening meal.
DAY 4: Snowfun & Christmas Crafting (4 night departure)
Today, you have some free time for fun in the snow as a family. After lunch there will be the chance to bake and decorate gingerbread cookies and to join in some Christmas crafting. You can help decorate a Christmas tree while the cookies are baked before enjoying some individual snow fun followed by your evening meal.
DAY 4 or 5: Return to the UK
After breakfast, time at leisure for last minute tobogganing and snowshoeing before transferring to Ivalo for your return flight to London Heathrow.
Temperatures can vary at this time between 0°c and -30°c. Local conditions can mean that the itinerary, location, duration and order of excursions may change. Any decision to do this is to ensure your comfort, enjoyment and safety at the resort.
