LAPLAND FAMILY ADVENTURE HOLIDAY
The Jolly Bearded One

There remain certain opportunities in life for which there is a window. Young children have imaginations that are primed to accept enchantment and Christmas is the ultimate season of magical occurrences. The moment has finally arrived in a parent’s life – it’s time to visit the elves!

Father Christmas, as any child could tell you, lives with his wife and a cluster of elves, deep in a snowy forest in a cosy log cabin where he builds any toy a child deserves (for free of course!). He has a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. This epic trip gives you the chance to get close to the big man himself. We would also suggest a spot of husky sledding, reindeer sleigh riding, tobogganing, biscuit baking, gift making and tree decorating wouldn’t go amiss.

After fun-filled days settle down in your cosy cabin with its roaring log fire and enjoy a truly memorable Christmas. ‘Bah Humbug’ to all the Grinches of this world.

Family Adventure Holidays - Trip Duration








Family Adventure Holidays - Departure Dates
Lapland - The Jolly Bearded One - Trip Map
Family Adventure Holidays - Minimum Age


Family Adventure Holidays - Activity Level

What's included

  • Flights: International return flights from regional UK airports to Kittila (KTT) or Ivalo (IVL)
  • Transport: Private return transfers or winter car hire from airport pick-up to airport drop-off
  • Accommodation: Stay in a log cabin, cottage or apartment
  • Meals: Self-catering basis
  • Trip Pack: Key family-friendly information about the country you are visiting with links to reviewed activity providers, places to eat, travel blogs and packing lists

Trip highlights

  • Stay in a cosy log cabin near the ‘real’ home of Father Christmas
  • Explore isolated forests and fells covered in crisp white snow
  • Build snowmen and whizz down mile long sledding hills
  • Follow family-friendly snow-shoe hikes such as the Varkaankuru Trail and Ylläslompolo Nature Trail
  • Learn about the Sami culture, the original inhabitants of Lapland
  • Venture out at nightfall to search for the dancing Northern Lights
  • Add on as much adventure as you wish from traditional activities such as husky sledding, reindeer safaris, search for Santa tours and snowmobiling to more left-field activities such as ice floating

Key facts

  • When can we go? November to January
  • What type of tour is it? Private family tour with optional guided activities
  • Who is it suitable for? For those with a heart full of Christmas cheer - no grinches allowed
  • What is the minimum age? For all that believe!

Guide price

We publish ‘guideline prices’ for both the high and low season to give a reasonable estimate of what you might expect to pay per person based on a family of four (two adults, two children) - to get an accurate price based on your estimated departure date and party size please contact us directly

Guide Price: Nov to Jan - £795 - £1,195 pp

WHAT WE OFFER

  • Wandering Tribe offers true wilderness trips to the very north of Finnish Lapland where there are no mass Santa crowds. Just lots of trees!
  • We provide you with the fabric for a memorable family holiday – flights from the UK, your accommodation in a 4* log cabin or cottage and winter car hire or private transfers.
  • These essentials give you the freedom to tailor-make your own trip. We can arrange adventure activities on your behalf or simply provide the information to book these independently. We can also provide part or full catering service to your cabin.
  • We also provide you with an information pack containing links to reviewed activity providers (in terms of past customer ratings, safety and value for money), recommended family-friendly places to eat, tips for driving and any recommended cultural activities. Your entire trip research presented to you in a handy pack.

RESORT OPTIONS

YLLAS/AKASOMPOLO
The road to Yllas is considered one of the most beautiful in Finland, weaving its way through valleys filled with fir trees whilst stark white snow dazzles against an intensely blue sky. This area with its wintry fairy-tale beauty has stayed true to its traditional roots and is considered by many to be the real home of Santa. In winter it is the epitome of a picture-postcard Christmas scene: pretty wooden houses surrounded by a landscape of white.

The first snow falls here in November and continues until May. There are a range of activities available including a magical visit to Father Christmas’s secret cabin, sledding with huskies, snowmobiling, reindeer safaris, and visiting the snow hotel. The ski area is one of the largest in Finland with over 60 slopes and 53km of pistes across two sides of the mountain. Most of these are at a forgiving gradient perfect for learning to ski on. Higher up the mountain enjoy the spectacular views of the snow-laden fells of the Pallas-Ylläs National Park.

SAARISELKA
Saariselka, is located some 250km within the Arctic Circle, in the Sami heartland of Finnish Lapland. This small village sits at the very edge of a vast wilderness where taiga forests lead to snowy fells offering incredible views of infinite landscape. Make no mistake there are no mass Santa crowds situated here. This is true authentic Lapland with its simple honesty and warm hospitality. Saariselka also enjoys ‘big skies’, far away from artificial light pollution meaning lots of potential for aurora sightings.

Among Saariselkä's attractions are an extensive network of ski trails, a vast toboggan run (we’re talking huge!), Urho Kekkonen National Park with its beautiful aurora hiking trails and opportunities to take a reindeer sleigh ride, go snowmobiling or husky sledding. At night time, settle into cosy & inviting restaurants for dinner inspired by local traditions.

LEVI
The winter wonderland resort of Levi is surrounded by dense pine forest and glittering lakes. It could easily double up for the fictional kingdom created by C. S. Lewis. There are miles of fabulous ski runs and boundless fresh powder. Throw in the Northern Lights, ice hotels, snowmobile safaris, Sami reindeer farms, ice karting, husky sledding, and search for Santa trips and it is a perfect world of wintry dreams.

The resort centre is located at the foot of the main ski lift with 17 uncrowded floodlit pistes. Next to the ski slopes a sledging run leads into the forest for magical Narnia-esque adventures whilst Kota huts complete with log fires and warm berry juice dot the mountainside. Out in the woodland, hibernating bears doze surrounded by complete silence under a mystical blue twilight.

CONTACT US

Wandering Tribe has travelled to all of the destinations that we feature and we like nothing better than talking about them. If you would like further information about these tours or a tailor-made quote then please contact us on 07392 742333. Alternatively you can fill in the contact form and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

HUSKY SAFARI
You will be greeted with a huge wet lick by ten adorable pure-bred Siberian huskies before driving through the snowy wilderness and vast empty spaces at the helm of your sled. Part of a noisy canine caravan of sleds, skirt forests and lakesides, reaching speeds of about 12mph. Feel pure exhilaration having heard the call of the wild. ‘Yip’ ‘Yip’.

REINDEEER SLEIGH RIDE
With matted horns that stand like a fanciful hair-do atop its head, the reindeer is a hardy creature of the cold. Being pulled in a sleigh by a "poro" ("reindeer" in Finnish) is one of the quintessential Lapland experiences. Travelling through the snow-covered forests is an enchanting and magical experience, wrapped up with a cosy blanket and dreaming of Narnia. Reindeer have a reputation for being stubborn so fingers crossed “Dasher” doesn’t stop too many times to munch on moss or lichen.

SEARCH FOR SANTA
Watch your children’s eyes sparkle as they set foot on a 'secret path' through the forest, following the elves and the twinkling lanterns to Santa's log cabin home. Father Christmas will be waiting to greet them personally and your children can sit and discuss their hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Without doubt the most magical experience in Lapland.

AURORA SAFARI
The Northern Lights are one of nature's most spectacular phenomenons, and Lapland is the perfect destination to witness the magic for yourself. On average they appear in the sky around 200 times per year. Choose your mode of transport – snowmobile or snowshoe – then gaze up at the stars snugly wrapped in the enveloping darkness and surrounded by a sky filled with a swirling mass of spectral colour.

SNOWMOBILING
Boondocking over a frozen lake at 60mph without a seatbelt might not sound like the most appealing (or safe) activity, but if you pluck up the courage to try snowmobiling, you'll be rewarded with a huge adrenaline rush. Unlike husky and reindeer sledding, this activity requires a driving license and a large pinch of guts. You will be given a full safety briefing but rest assured the snowmobiles are easy to manage and even have heated handlebars to keep you warm.

SNOWSHOEING
This is hiking on an elevated level. Snowshoeing is one way to build up thighs of steel as you strap snowshoes (racket-shaped frames) onto your feet and start climbing a fell. Check for animal tracks from hares, willow grouse, Arctic foxes, and of course reindeers. Feel like you are bouncing off clouds on your hike back down.

SKIING
Skiing in Lapland is a world away from the crowds of the Alps. Expect wide pistes, tree-lined runs and tons of snow. It’s a fantastic place to learn to ski, with excellent English-speaking ski schools and plenty of beginner’s slopes. For more advanced skiers there are World Cup slalom worthy slopes and off piste runs through magical forests. If you fancy something different, why not have a go at cross-country skiing - it’s practically the national pastime in Finland and the perfect way to delve into the amazing landscape around you.