* TOURS INCLUDED * MESMERIZING NORTHERN LIGHTS & LAPLAND - WITH ACCOMMODATION IN KEMI - 2027
DAY 01 ISTANBUL – ROVANIEMI – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE – KEMI
We depart from Istanbul to Rovaniemi on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight (TK1749) at 09:45 in the morning. We arrive in Rovaniemi at 13:25. Our bus awaits us at the airport, and we first depart for 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 Lappish houses and snow-covered landscapes. Visitors can visit Santa Claus's home and share their special wishes. You can also send a card from Santa Claus's post office to yourself or your loved ones by placing it in the red mailboxes, so that it arrives at the next Christmas. The village is full of souvenir shops, local handicrafts and Christmas-themed cafés. Santa Claus Village, a wonderful place for people of all ages to experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas, is located at the point where the Arctic Circle passes, and the Arctic Circle is marked by a blue line of light. Our journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. Before checking into the hotel, we stop by the safari office to collect the thermal clothing we will use throughout the tour.
Arrival in Kemi and Free Time
After settling into our hotel in Kemi city centre, we have free time in the evening. If weather conditions are suitable, guests who wish may join the optional Northern Lights tour by bus. Since the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The tour fee is 75 EUR per person and the tour operates with a minimum of 10 people.
DAY 02 KEMI – HUSKY AND REINDEER SAFARIS – ICE HOTEL
After breakfast, we depart by bus for the husky and reindeer farms.
Husky Safari
We arrive at the husky farm and visit huskies, some of the most adorable dogs in the world. Today, we will learn how to guide our own husky team and enjoy an unforgettable sled ride with these lovely friends. Afterwards, we relax around the fire in a traditional Lappish hut (kota), accompanied by hot drinks. After the husky tour, we continue to the reindeer farm.
Reindeer Safari
After learning about reindeer from our local guide, we take a tour through the snow-covered forest on sleds pulled by reindeer. Following this unforgettable experience, we spend pleasant moments around the burning fire and receive a “Reindeer Driving Certificate” at the end of the tour. Afterwards, we enjoy our lunch consisting of reindeer sauté, a traditional dish of Lapland. We then depart by bus for the Arctic Snow Hotel, the largest snow and ice hotel in the region.
Ice Hotel Visit
The Ice Hotel is a popular attraction open to visitors every day between 15 December and 1 April. It is one of the largest snow hotels located on the Arctic Circle. The Snow Hotel is built differently each year and decorated with ice and snow art. Visitors can explore the rooms made of ice, ice sculptures, the Ice Bar and the Ice Restaurant. After the visit, we depart for our hotel in Kemi. Arrival at the hotel in the late afternoon and free time for dinner.
DAY 03 KEMI – FREE DAY (OPTIONAL ICEBREAKER CRUISE)
Free day in Kemi. Guests who wish may join the optional Icebreaker Cruise.
Icebreaker Cruise – 450 EUR per person
After breakfast, we depart for the icebreaker activity to the Swedish city of Kalix, located 170 km from Rovaniemi. During our journey, we cross the Sweden–Finland border and arrive at Axelsvik Port. During our 3-hour journey aboard the world's largest tourist icebreaker, you will witness how the ice on the frozen sea is broken. Halfway through our journey, in the middle of the ice-covered sea, we put on specially designed thermal suits that will keep us afloat and allow us to survive in cold waters, and we swim in the pool created by the ship as it breaks through the ice. After our tour, which is listed among the activities that National Geographic recommends trying before you die, we go to Kukkolaforsen, a fishing village in Sweden, for lunch. After lunch, we return to Kemi and have free time. (Note: the dining venue may vary depending on the number of people or lunch may be served on the ship)
DAY 04 KEMI – ROVANIEMI – SNOWMOBILE – ISTANBUL
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures at the hotel and depart by bus for a snowmobile adventure in Rovaniemi before our flight
Snowmobile Safari
Before our flight, we will take an unforgettable tour through frozen river valleys and snow-covered forests. During the journey, we will enjoy the frozen landscape and take breaks with hot drinks. There are two people per snowmobile, and you can change drivers halfway through the route. After the snowmobile tour, we return our thermal clothing. We then transfer to the airport. We depart for Istanbul at 15:25 on a Turkish Airlines scheduled flight (TK1750). Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 21:10 local time and the end of our tour.
What's Included
✓ 3 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the 3* Merihovi Hotel or similar (in central Kemi).
✓ Comfortable bus transfers from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport
✓ Transportation by comfortable bus for the activities and tours specified in the program
✓ 1 x Santa Claus Village visit
✓ 1 x Ice Hotel visit
✓ 1 x 30-minute Husky safari
✓ 1 x Reindeer farm visit, including an approximately 30-minute reindeer ride
✓ 1 x 1-hour snowmobile safari
✓ 1 lunch at the reindeer farm
✓ 3 breakfasts at the hotel
✓ Experienced Turkish-speaking Tour Leader Service (regardless of the number of participants)
✓ Airport taxes
✓ Hotel taxes
✓ 1 x thermal clothing set consisting of coveralls, boots, woolen socks and a balaclava (throughout the entire tour)
✓ Mandatory travel insurance (professional liability insurance).
Not Included
✗ Tours to be arranged optionally.
✗ International departure fee (You can pay it at the relevant banks or the treasury cashier at the airport).
✗ City taxes
✗ Domestic connecting flights.
✗ Schengen visa fee
✗ Travel insurance package (includes cancellation). A 100% surcharge applies to guests over 70 years of age.