* TOURS INCLUDED * - MAGNIFICENT AURORA BOREALIS & LAPLAND - SUGAR HOLIDAY - 2027
DAY 1 ISTANBUL – ROVANIEMI – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE – AURORA BOREALIS – KEMI
We depart from Istanbul at 09:45 AM on Turkish Airlines flight TK1749 to Rovaniemi. We arrive in Rovaniemi at 13:25. At the airport, we board our bus and head first to Santa Claus Village.
Santa Claus Village Visit
Santa Claus Village is known as Santa Claus' home and is especially popular during the winter months. It is famous for its traditional Lapland houses and snow-covered landscapes. Visitors can visit Santa Claus' house and send their special wishes. Additionally, you can drop a letter into the red post boxes at Santa Claus' post office addressed to yourself or your loved ones, to be delivered next Christmas. The village is filled with souvenir shops, local handicrafts, and Christmas-themed cafes. Santa Claus Village, where the Arctic Circle passes, is a wonderful place for people of all ages to experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas, marked by a blue light line indicating the polar line. After our visit to Santa Claus Village, we head to our hotel in the city center of Kemi. Before checking into the hotel, we stop by the safari office to collect the thermal clothing we will use for our upcoming safaris and tours.
In the evening, you have free time or can join an optional bus tour to see the Northern Lights.
DAY 2 KEMI – HUSKY AND REINDEER SAFARIS
After breakfast, we head to the husky and reindeer farm.
Husky Safari
We arrive at the husky farm and visit some of the world's cutest dogs, the huskies. Today we will learn how to guide our own husky team and enjoy an unforgettable short sled ride (3KM) with these adorable friends. Afterwards, we head to a restaurant in Kemi for lunch. After the buffet-style lunch, we proceed to the reindeer farm.
Reindeer Safari
After receiving information about reindeer from our local guide, we take a short tour (400M) in sleds pulled by reindeer through the snow-covered forest. After this unforgettable experience, we spend pleasant moments around a bonfire and receive a “Reindeer Ride Certificate” at the end of the tour. Afterwards, we return to our hotel by bus.
Free time in the evening.
DAY 3 KEMI – FREE DAY (OPTIONAL ICEBREAKER TOUR)
Free day in Kemi. Guests who wish may join the optional icebreaker tour.
Optional Icebreaker Ship Tour – 425 EUR per person
After breakfast, we head towards the Swedish town of Kalix, located 70 km from Kemi, for the icebreaker activity. 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 ship, you will witness how ice is broken over the frozen sea. Halfway through our journey, in the middle of the icy sea, we put on thermal suits specially designed to survive in cold seas and keep us afloat, and swim in the pool created by the ship breaking the ice. After our tour, which is listed among activities one must try before dying by National Geographic, we return to Kemi and have free time for dinner. Lunch is included in the icebreaker tour.
DAY 4. KEMI - ROVANIEMI – SNOWMOBILE – ICE HOTEL
After breakfast, we depart for a snowmobile safari and a visit to the Ice Hotel in Rovaniemi. After approximately 1.5 hours by bus, we arrive in Rovaniemi.
Snowmobile Safari
This morning we will take an unforgettable tour on snowmobiles 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 each snowmobile, and you can switch drivers halfway through the route. After the snowmobile safari, you have free time for lunch in the city center of Rovaniemi. In the afternoon, we head to the Ice Hotel from the meeting point designated by your guide.
ICE HOTEL VISIT
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 each year and decorated with ice and snow art. Visitors can explore ice rooms, ice sculptures, the Ice Bar, and the Ice Restaurant. After the visit, we return to our hotel in Kemi.
Free time in the evening.
DAY 5. KEMI – HELSINKI – ISTANBUL
After an early morning breakfast, we check out of the hotel and transfer to the train station. Our journey begins with a train departing from Kemi around 06:30. For approximately 7 hours, we will enjoy a pleasant trip accompanied by Finland's enchanting snowy landscapes and unique northern nature.
Upon arrival in Helsinki, we take a short panoramic city tour with our private vehicle and then have free time to explore the city. After the free time, we transfer to the airport. After completing check-in and passport procedures, we depart from Helsinki to Istanbul at 19:00 on Turkish Airlines' direct flight TK1764. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport at 23:50, our tour concludes.
- Prices are calculated per person based on double occupancy.
- Hotel check-in hours are 15:00–17:00, and check-out hours are 10:00–12:00.
- If multiple hotel alternatives are offered for the same destination and/or only the hotel category is specified, the hotels to be stayed at will be notified to you 48 hours before the tour departure date.
- Due to high occupancy, changes may occur in hotels; however, the hotel category will not change.
- In some hotels, twin (TWIN) beds may be provided. During the hotel stay, requests for room type changes are subject to the hotel's discretion.
- We kindly request that prices be verified prior to completing the purchase.
What's Included
- Economy class flights with Turkish Airlines between Istanbul Airport – Rovaniemi and Helsinki – Istanbul Airport.
- 4 nights at Merihovi Hotel (in Kemi center) with BB or similar.
- Airport-hotel and hotel-airport transfers via comfortable bus.
- 1 x daytime train from Kemi to Helsinki.
- Transportation via comfortable bus for activities and tours specified in the program.
- 1 x visit to Santa Claus Village.
- 1 x visit to Ice Hotel.
- 1 x 3KM Husky safari.
- 1 x visit to a reindeer farm, including a 400M reindeer ride.
- 1 x 1-hour snowmobile safari.
- 1 lunch.
- 4 breakfasts at the hotel.
- Professional Turkish-speaking tour leader service (regardless of group size).
- Airport taxes.
- Hotel taxes.
- 1 set of thermal clothing including overalls, boots, woolen socks, and fisherman's waders (for the entire tour).
Not Included
- All personal expenses and hotel extras.
- Optional icebreaker tour
- Departure tax (can be paid to relevant banks or the treasury counter at the airport).
- City taxes
- Domestic connecting flights.
- Schengen visa fee
- Mandatory travel insurance (professional liability insurance).
- Travel protection package (covers cancellations). A 100% surcharge applies for guests over 70 years of age.