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The Essence of Winter
A week of winter activities
Independent holiday with guided group experiences
Dates
On request between
January to early April
Duration
8 days/7 nights
Suitable
Price
For travellers wanting to experience a smorgasbord of winter activities
From AUD 3425 per person
The most authentic Lapland experience will introduce you to Lapland today and in the past.
Essence of Lapland has the best activities Lapland can offer combined with Hotel Jeris, an arctic gem nestled between Pallastunturi fells and magical Lake Jeris.
Daily adventures will take you through the unspoilt nature of Fell-Lapland and national park of Pallas-Ylläs while breathing the cleanest air in the world. During your holiday you will venture around the snowy forests in many different ways.
For the inquisitive minded we’ll tell you everything about our local culture, science and myths behind auroras and of course teach you new skills such as winter net fishing.
Lapland is full of different adventures and experiences, we’re pretty confident that this is the holiday answers the question how to get a perfect Lapland experience
Tour Highlights
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Multiple winter activities including snowmobiling, husky sleigh rides & meeting the reindeer
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Take part in outings looking for the Northern Lights
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Cosy accommodation in a lakeside location
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Enjoy delicious local food
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Learn about indigenous Sámi culture
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Saturday or Sunday
Arrival transfer. Check in you accommodation. Dinner at the resort restaurant.
Days 2-7 Activities & free time to chill
Your stay includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.
During your stay you will take part in the guided group activities as listed below. The final information regarding your program will be given to you on your arrival. If you are feeling very energetic you can book additional activities on location or hire equipment like snowshoes, cross country skis and fat bikes (subject to availability).
Please note that there might be changes in timetables and programs due to weather, safety or other unforeseen circumstances.
Snowmobile Tour with Net Fishing
Head off through the forests onto a frozen lake next to a National Park. Snowmobiling through snow covered forests is an unforgettable experience. On the lake ice try your hand at the traditional winter net fishing. Pull the nets out of the frozen lake with your guide and see what ́s the catch. Lunch will be prepared on the fire before heading back to the resort. Snowmobile safaris are based on two persons sharing a snowmobile.
Duration 5 hours.
The driver of the snowmobile must be at least 18 years of age with a valid driving licence. Self-liability is 800€ /driver/snowmobile/ accident case. By paying 20€ per person per safari, you can reduce your maximum self-liability to 400€, which is valid for one accident.
Husky Tour 15km
The greatest way to see Lapland is on a silent dog sledding tour! Meet the happy huskies and enjoy an approx. 15 km safari, two people sharing a sled - one mushing and the one sitting in the sled. Enjoy the scenery as your husky team pulls you along the trail in snow-covered swamps and forests. You can swap drivers halfway on the tour.
Duration 2-3hrs
Snowshoeing in National Park
Experience the joy of snowshoeing in Pallas - Ylläs National Park. Explore the open fell area and snow packed
winter forest. Head higher to catch the most beautiful views and breathe the cleanest air in the world (according to WHO studies). After the tour enjoy lunch at the resort.
Duration 4 hours including transfers
Arctic Sauna World Visit
Relax in the Finnish saunas by the lake, and try out winter swimming. Four different saunas and a large winter
swimming area provide an in-depth introduction to the Finnish sauna culture and the health benefits of sauna and cold water swimming.
Duration 2-2.5 hours
Secrets of the Northern Lights
Join our information session about the fascinating phenomenon of the Northern Lights, and the science
behind it.
Duration 1 hour
Life at the Reindeer Farm and Visit to Winter Village
Visit a 100-year-old unique Lappish farmhouse and a reindeer museum in the small village nearby. Test your reindeer herder skills by throwing 'suopunki', a Lappish lasso, and driving a 3km round in the forest with a reindeer sled. You also visit the Winter Village with ice restaurant, bar and impressive wall carvings. Lunch is enjoyed in the Winter Village.
Duration 4-4.5 hours including transfers
Aurora Snow Shuttle
Let us take you to an evening campfire into the quiet, snowy forest, far away from the light pollution. We enjoy a hot drink by the fire while gazing at the starry northern skies waiting for the Dancing Lights to appear.
Duration 2 hours
Sámi Joik evening & Traditional Dinner by Open Fire
Enjoy a traditional dinner served in the lakeside restaurant or a traditional Kota hut with an open fire. After dinner you will listen to live Joik music and learn about the stories that lie behind the rhythms and melodies of the traditional Sámi songs.
Day 8 Farewell, Lapland
Transfer to airport.
Prices
Tour price in a hotel room
7.1.-16.3.2024
From AUD 3615 per person in a shared room
From AUD 4885 per person in a single room
17.3.-14.4.2024
From AUD 3425 per person in a shared room
From AUD 4040 per person in a single room
Children
Child discount 4-11 years 40% when in the same room with 2 adults, 25% when in the same room with 1 adult.
We recommend this programme for children 4 years or older.
Upgrade to a cabin
Cabin A 2 adults 255€
3 adults free
Cabin B Min. 3 adults 185€
4-5 adults free
Cabin C Min. 4 adults 150€
5-7 adults free
Arctic Sauna World Weekly Pass
Adult 100€
Child 4-11 years 60€
Wilderness Plus Dinner Upgrade 20€
Rate is per person per dinner. Children 4-11 years -50%.
Special Accommodations
Book a night in one of our resorts’ special
lodgings – perfect for star gazing or an arctic
overnight experience.
When you exchange your first or last night in a
hotel room or a cabin into one of our special
accommodations, you receive a 20% discount
from the list price of the special accommodation!
See separate Special Accommodations price
sheet.
Rates are subject to change without notice. Rates include
vat.
What's included
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Return transfers
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Warm winter clothing
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Accommodation for 7 nights with fullboard (from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day), Farewell dinner, complimentary coffee and tea in the hotel main restaurant
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Activities as per itinerary
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A donation on your behalf to a conservation project in Finland - read more >
Your Health & Activities
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Activities like snowmobile and husky safaris can be physically demanding and the participants may be exposed to different kinds of physical strain. If you suffer from any illnesses or disabilities (for instance heart disease, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, back or hip problems) they can affect your ability to take part in these activities.
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The speed of the dog team might be a surprise and mushing (driving) the team requires concentration. Taking part in a husky safari requires good physical condition (a person should be able to run short distances with ease). Driving a dog team is not suitable for persons with missing limbs, suffering back, hip, knee, or any leg problems. You have to be 18 years old to mush a dog team.
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A person suffering any illnesses or disabilities, above mentioned or heart disease, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, recent surgical operation, should be aware that she/he is participating at her/his own risk. Please consult your doctor prior to booking or participating in these activities.
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Activities, especially snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobile, husky and reindeer excursions can be physically demanding and participants may be exposed to different kinds of physical strain, vibration or carbon monoxide (in case of snowmobiling). Therefore, in order to avoid any complications and to guarantee the safety of all participants, we do not recommend husky, reindeer and snowmobile programmes to pregnant women.
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Make sure your comprehensive travel insurance covers winter activities including husky sled and snowmobile tours and any other activities you want to participate in.
Weather
During the winter, temperature can vary between -10˚C and -25˚C and on the coldest days the temperature may drop all the way to -40 ˚C.
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.foreca.fi, http://www.yr.no/ or http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi.
Daylight
Check daylight hours for this region via this link.
Polar Night - or Kaamos in Finnish - takes place in this region between December 2 and January 11. This is the time in the polar regions when the sun does not rise above the horizon but it doesn’t mean that it will be pitch black during the day. Although the sun does not rise, there's a few hours of light around noon. Snow makes a big difference and it makes it feel a lot less dark outside.
Polar Night is actually a mix of beautiful colours generated by the sun shining light to the upper layers of the atmosphere causing colours of a sunset. Polar Nights also create the midday blue tones, truly incredible and photogenic.
Ask us about
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Creating a tailor-made pre and/or post tours
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Adding extra activities to your travel package
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Arrangements for special celebrations or milestones during this tour
What's not included
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Meals other than described
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Alcoholic beverages during meals unless mentioned
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Tips or any other items of personal nature
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Flights
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Travel Insurance
Please note
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Snowmobile safaris have a self-liability of max. 800€ per snowmobile. The driver of the snowmobile must be at least 18 years of age with a valid driving license (for vehicles with at least 125 cc).
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Small children will be sitting in the guides sleighs during husky- and snowmobile safaris.
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Upgrade your dinner to Wilderness Plus Menu and enjoy special meals made of local ingredients every night.
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You can also make your stay with us even more memorable by booking one of our special
accommodations for a night during your holiday
Booking Conditions
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SAFETY & TRAVEL INSURANCE
All outdoor activities carry an element of risk and a comprehensive travel insurance covering winter activities is required for this holiday. 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 this holiday without the need for special assistance.
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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.
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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.
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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).
Payment & cancellations
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20% deposit is required within 7 days after your participation is confirmed
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Balance is due 65 days prior to travel
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Cancellations:
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More than 66 days prior to departure - loss of deposit
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From 65 to 32 days prior to departure – loss of 30% of total cost
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From 31-17 days prior to departure - loss of 50% of total cost
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16 days or less or no-show - 100% loss of total cost
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Please arrange a comprehensive travel insurance which covers winter activities and any cancellation costs, should you not be able to travel
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Our full terms & conditions can be found here (link)
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are an unpredictable natural phenomenon. Evening tours are operated to give you a chance to observe the Aurora, but we cannot guarantee that they will appear. The night time activity experience is the main purpose and should the Aurora appear, it will make the experience even more special.
Researchers have found that auroral activity is cyclical, peaking about every 11 years. The next peak - the Solar Maximum - is predicted to be in 2025/26 and Auroras are increasing in frequency leading to the peak period making 2023-24 an excellent year for Aurora 'hunting'. There have been some amazing displays this year also both up North and here in South (Aurora Australis).