Arctic Circle Adventure
Explore & Capture Life in the Arctic
Independent tour with guided small group experiences
Photo: Beyond Arctic
Dates
Duration
On request during the months of August & September
6 days/5 nights
Suitable
Price
For travellers who love being outdoors & are interested in photography
From AUD 2460 per person
This tour takes you to the Capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. This vibrant city, located right at the Arctic Circle, offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and outdoor adventures. You stay in a beautiful boutique hotel and enjoy outdoor activities with a professional photography guide. Some of these tours take you out of the city centre to the surrounding wilderness where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the Arctic landscape.
This holiday can be tailored with additional or alternative activities. For example, we can swap the photo tour in Rovaniemi for a visit to an Arctic Wildlife Park, or add an after-dark tour with a chance to spot the Northern Lights. Feel free to ask for more details!
Tour Highlights
-
Explore Rovaniemi on a private photography tour
-
Meet the cutest Arctic animals, the reindeer
-
Learn about Arctic nature
-
Take amazing photos with a help of a professional photographer guide
-
Receive professionally taken photos of your adventures
-
Enjoy autumn colours (in September usually)
-
If lucky, admire Aurora Borealis dancing in the Arctic sky
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Lapland
Upon arrival at Rovaniemi airport (RVN) or railway station, a transfer will take you to your hotel located in the centre of Rovaniemi.
The Arctic Light Hotel is a multi-award-winning boutique hotel in the heart of Rovaniemi, just steps from the city's main attractions, shopping, and cultural spots. Housed in a converted 1950s building, once Rovaniemi’s City Hall, this family-owned hotel blends Lappish heritage with contemporary design, creating a stylish urban Arctic hideaway.
The Arctic Restaurant at the hotel offers a refined dining experience that celebrates the rich flavours of northern nature. The menu is crafted using high-quality local ingredients, all prepared with ultimate care. The focus is on sustainability, with ingredients sourced from trusted local providers to ensure freshness and authenticity.
As a proud WWF (World Wildlife Fund) partner, Arctic Light Hotel also raises awareness about climate change and its impact on polar bears - magnificent animals whose survival is threatened by global warming. You'll find polar bear imagery throughout the hotel, reflecting its commitment to this cause. Arctic Light Hotel has also been granted the Sustainable Travel Finland certificate.
Enjoy a delightful dinner at the hotel’s elegant restaurant before retreating to the comfort of your cosy room for a restful night.
Day 2: Rovaniemi Photography Tour
After a leisurely breakfast it's time to explore Rovaniemi.
As the capital of Lapland and the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi boasts a unique history and charming cityscape. Nearly obliterated during World War II, the city was meticulously redesigned by the renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. He envisioned the city in the shape of a reindeer's head, with roads forming the antlers and the local sports stadium as the reindeer's eye.
This photography tour will guide you to the city's most iconic landmarks and natural wonders, giving you the perfect opportunity to capture stunning shots. Led by our professional photographer, you’ll not only learn new photography techniques but also gain insights into Rovaniemi and its surroundings. During the tour, your guide will conduct a professional photo shoot, and you’ll receive beautifully edited, high-quality images of your visit. We’ll travel comfortably by car to maximise time for photography at each location
Free time to visit Santa Claus Village or the Arktikum Science Centre & Museum.
Day 3: Wilderness Hike
After breakfast you will join a small group led by a professional wilderness photography guide on a hike through authentic Arctic nature. We’ll travel by car to a location about 25kms from Rovaniemi and continue on foot to reach hidden natural gems, away from the crowds. Along the way, you'll have incredible opportunities to photograph Lapland’s unique landscapes.
We’ll cross a bridge over a wild river, hike through serene Nordic forests, and reach an observation tower atop an Arctic fell. Each location is carefully chosen for its beauty and tranquility, offering a deep connection with nature, just like early explorers once experienced.
Day 4: Close encounter with reindeer
Today, after breakfast, you'll visit a traditional reindeer farm outside Rovaniemi and get up close with these iconic Arctic animals. Guided by a professional photographer, you’ll receive memorable photos from your visit, sent to your email afterward.
This 3-hour tour takes you to a family-run farm, where reindeer herding has been practiced for at least five generations. You’ll learn about daily life on the farm, feed the reindeer, and hear stories about reindeer herding in Lapland. You can even try your hand at “suopunki” throwing, a key skill for herders.
The tour includes a 35-minute minibus ride from Rovaniemi, and once at the farm, you'll enjoy coffee, tea, or hot chocolate along with freshly made crepes in a traditional Lappish Kota.
Free time to explore Rovaniemi further. Maybe pay a visit to the Rovaniemi Art Museum at Korundi.
Day 5: Korouoma canyon & the waterfall of Auttiköngäs
After breakfast, you’ll set off on an extended day tour to discover some of the region’s most breathtaking wilderness spots.
This tour offers stunning opportunities for nature and landscape photography, featuring two unique canyons formed millions of years ago. Led by a professional photographer-guide, you'll receive expert tips on capturing these breathtaking scenes.
We begin with a 1.5-hour drive to Korouoma Canyon, where a 3-kilometre hike through serene Nordic forests brings us to a viewpoint overlooking the majestic canyon, with cliffs over 100 meters high. It’s a perfect spot for both landscape and portrait photography.
Next, we head to Auttiköngäs, a 20-minute drive away, where we'll hike to a viewing tower offering panoramic views of old-growth forests and untouched wilderness. You'll also explore the area's natural waterfall, once used for log transportation, now a preserved historical site.
As you enjoy the views, your guide will prepare a light lunch over an open fire. Keep an eye out for wildlife like the Golden Eagle, Eagle Owl, Capercaillie, or even a Lynx or Otter - so bringing a longer lens might be worthwhile! Return to Rovaniemi in late afternoon.
Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Day 6: Farewell Lapland
After breakfast, transfer to Rovaniemi airport (RVN) or railway station.
Prices
Tour price
From AUD 2460 per person when 2 people are sharing a hotel room
Please ask for a quote if you are travelling with a larger party or with your family.
What's included
-
5 nights' accommodation in Magic Room at Hotel Arctic Light in Rovaniemi
-
Daily buffet breakfast
-
2 x Half board dinner
-
Arrival & departure transfer from/to airport/railway station
-
Private Rovaniemi Tour guided by a professional photographer (2 hrs)
-
The following small group tours with max 8 participants guided by a professional photographer guide
-
-
Wilderness Hike (3 hrs)
-
Reindeer Farm Visit (3 hrs)
-
Canyon & Waterfall Tour (7 hrs)
-
-
10-15 photos from the tour sent to you afterwards
-
A donation on your behalf for protection of the endangered Arctic Fox - read more >
Booking Conditions
SAFETY & TRAVEL INSURANCE
All outdoor activities carry an element of risk and we strongly advice you to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance to cover all activities in this package. You warrant that the information you provide regarding your health & fitness is accurate and there are no other medical issues (both physical/mental) that may impact your ability to participate in these activities.
WEATHER
If the organisers do not deem one of the activities safe, they reserve the right to change the order of the activities or the content of the program if necessary due to the weather. In extreme conditions they might have to reschedule or cancel.
ALTERATIONS BY ORGANISER
Sometimes the organiser has to make changes, usually because of circumstances out of their control. If this happens, they reserve the right at any time to substitute accommodation or activities. If this means extra cost to you, we’ll let you know.
ACCEPTANCE OF RISK
You acknowledge that travel involves personal risks which may be greater than those present in your everyday life. This could be as a result of the adventurous nature of your trip or the visiting of destinations which present geographical risks and dangers.
Our full terms & conditions (link).
Sustainable Travel Finland
Sustainable Travel Finland is a sustainable tourism program developed by Visit Finland. Companies that have completed the program and meet the demanding criteria are recognised with the Sustainable Travel Finland label. The label takes into account the economic, ecological, social and cultural sustainability of tourism companies and destinations.
What's not included
-
Meals other than described
-
Alcoholic beverages during meals unless mentioned
-
Tips or any other items of personal nature
-
Flights
-
Travel Insurance - strongly recommended
Please note
-
Order of the activities can change and will be confirmed prior to your arrival.
-
All tours need a minimum of 2 participants
-
Northern Lights is a natural phenomenon and witnessing them is always dependent on luck.
-
Autumn colours are also weather dependant and predicting the exact time of them appearing is very hard.
-
A holiday in Rovaniemi with different activities is available other times of the year- get in touch for a quote.
Weather
Please note that weather conditions vary from year to year and it is advisable to check the weather conditions before your arrival. You can check the weather on weather service sites such as http://www.yr.no/ or http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi.
Daylight
Check daylight hours for this region via this link.
Ask us about
-
Creating a tailor-made pre and/or post tours
-
Travelling by train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and back
-
Adding extra activities/services to your travel package
-
Arrangements for special celebrations or milestones during this tour
Payment & cancellations
-
20% deposit is required within 7 days after your participation is confirmed
-
Balance due 65 days prior to travel
-
Cancellations:
-
More than 66 days prior to departure - loss of deposit
-
From 65 to 31 days prior to departure – loss of 50% of total cost
-
Less than 30 days prior to departure - loss of 100% of total cost
-
-
Please arrange a comprehensive travel insurance which covers activities and any cancellation costs, should you not be able to travel
-
Our full terms & conditions can be found here (link)