Aurora above snow-covered trees
Semester SpecialVisa Required

Scandinavia & Lapland

Magical Lapland & the Northern Lights

Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, husky sleds, an icebreaker cruise and a glass-roofed night under the aurora

Rovaniemi · Santa Claus Village · Kemi

  • 4 Nights 5 Days
  • 29 December 2026 +3 dates
From €2,499 per person in a double room

Overview

In winter, Finnish Lapland becomes a fairy-tale world of snow-laden forests, frozen lakes and northern lights dancing across the sky. We base ourselves in Rovaniemi, the regional capital, visit Santa Claus Village right on the Arctic Circle, and glide along snowy trails on husky-drawn sleds and a reindeer sleigh.

One of the highlights is the icebreaker cruise from Kemi: we plough through thick ice in the Gulf of Bothnia, then float in the water among the ice floes wearing special thermal survival suits. In the evenings we head away from the city lights to hunt for the aurora, and you spend the final night gazing at the sky from your bed in a glass-roofed igloo or cabin.

Seeing the northern lights depends on the weather and solar activity, so we have planned several nights with a chance of sightings. Winter clothing – thermal overalls, boots and gloves – is provided during excursions, and on the December departure you welcome the new year in Lapland.

Icebreaker cruise includedHusky & reindeer safarisGlass igloo nightArctic clothing provided

Highlights

  • An icebreaker cruise from Kemi and floating in the frozen sea in a thermal suit
  • A husky sled safari through snowy forest
  • Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle and meeting Santa
  • A sleigh ride at a reindeer farm
  • A guided aurora hunt away from the city lights
  • A night in a glass-roofed igloo or cabin facing the northern sky

Itinerary

Day 1 Istanbul – Helsinki – Rovaniemi

We take a morning Turkish Airlines flight to Helsinki, then a connecting domestic flight to Rovaniemi. On arrival we transfer through the snowy landscape to our hotel and collect the thermal winter clothing we will use on our excursions. After dinner, if the sky is clear, we may catch our first glimpse of the northern lights near the hotel.

  • Dinner
  • Overnight: Rovaniemi
Day 2 Santa Claus Village – Reindeer Farm – Aurora Hunt

After breakfast we visit Santa Claus Village, where the Arctic Circle line runs through; we meet Santa and send postcards to loved ones from Santa Claus Main Post Office. In the afternoon we take a sleigh ride at a reindeer farm and hear about traditional life in Lapland. After dinner we set out with our guide on an aurora hunt to spots far from the city lights.

  • Breakfast · Dinner
  • Overnight: Rovaniemi
Day 3 Kemi Icebreaker Cruise

In the morning a drive of about 1 hour 30 minutes takes us to Kemi on the Gulf of Bothnia. As the icebreaker ploughs through the frozen sea we have the chance to look around the bridge and engine room. When the ship stops we put on thermal survival suits and float in the water among the ice before returning to Rovaniemi.

  • Breakfast · Dinner
  • Overnight: Rovaniemi
Day 4 Husky Safari – Glass Igloo Night

The first stop of the day is a husky farm, where we mush along snow-covered forest trails with experienced guides. In the afternoon those who wish can join an optional snowmobile safari. In the evening we move into glass-roofed igloos or cabins near Rovaniemi, giving you the chance to watch the sky from your bed through the night.

  • Breakfast · Dinner
  • Overnight: Rovaniemi (glass igloo)
Day 5 Rovaniemi – Helsinki – Istanbul

After breakfast we return our winter clothing and transfer to Rovaniemi Airport. Connecting in Helsinki, we arrive in Istanbul in the evening, bringing the white silence of Lapland home with us.

  • Breakfast

Accommodation

The first three nights are at a 4★ hotel close to central Rovaniemi and the final night in a glass-roofed igloo or cabin near Rovaniemi facing the sky, all on a half-board basis. Hotel names are confirmed 7 days before departure.

  • Rovaniemi
    4★ hotel close to the centre
    3 nightsHalf board
  • Near Rovaniemi
    Glass-roofed igloo or cabin
    1 nightHalf board

Transport

Flights between Istanbul and Helsinki are with Turkish Airlines, with a connecting domestic flight between Helsinki and Rovaniemi. All transfers and excursions in Lapland use vehicles equipped for winter conditions.

  • Istanbul (IST)Helsinki (HEL)

    Flight · Morning flight · approx. 3 h 30 min

  • Helsinki (HEL)Rovaniemi (RVN)

    Flight · Connecting domestic flight · approx. 1 h 20 min

  • RovaniemiKemi

    Coach · Day trip · approx. 1 h 30 min each way

  • Rovaniemi (RVN)Istanbul (IST)

    Flight · Via Helsinki · approx. 6–7 h in total

Dates & Prices

DatesPer personSingle supplementChild (2–12)Status
29 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 €2,799 +€690 €2,290 Few seats left · Last 4 seats
26–30 Jan 2027 €2,549 +€620 €2,090 Available
16–20 Feb 2027 €2,549 +€620 €2,090 Guaranteed
9–13 Mar 2027 €2,499 +€600 €1,990 Available

Prices are per person in a double room and subject to availability.

What's Included / Not Included

What's Included

  • Return flights Istanbul – Helsinki – Rovaniemi (Turkish Airlines with a connecting domestic flight)
  • 3 nights at a 4★ hotel in Rovaniemi and 1 night in a glass-roofed igloo or cabin
  • Daily breakfast and dinner (half board)
  • Kemi icebreaker cruise with floating in a thermal suit
  • Husky sled safari, reindeer farm visit and sleigh ride
  • Santa Claus Village visit and a guided aurora hunt
  • Thermal overalls, boots, gloves and hats during excursions
  • All transfers and a professional Turkish-speaking tour guide
  • Compulsory professional liability insurance

Not Included

  • Schengen visa fee and application service charges
  • Turkish departure fee (yurt dışı çıkış harcı)
  • Travel health insurance (can be added on request)
  • Lunches and drinks with meals
  • Snowmobile safari, official photos with Santa and other optional activities
  • Personal expenses

Visa Information Visa Required

Finland is a Schengen country, so Turkish citizens holding ordinary passports need a valid Schengen visa; applications are made through Finland's authorised visa application centre. As appointments fill up early around the winter holidays and New Year, we recommend applying at least 6–8 weeks before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date and have at least 2 blank pages; current requirements are confirmed before departure.

Important Information

  • Seeing the northern lights depends on weather and solar activity and cannot be guaranteed; no refund is given if there is no sighting.
  • The icebreaker cruise depends on ice conditions; if it cannot operate, an alternative activity is offered. Please tell us about any health conditions in advance for the floating experience.
  • Winter temperatures in Lapland range from −10 to −25 °C and can fall lower; we recommend wearing wool or thermal layers under the clothing provided.
  • In late December daylight lasts only a few hours; by the March departure the days are noticeably longer.
  • The child price (ages 2–11) applies when sharing a room with two adults; age and height limits may apply to some activities.

Cancellation & Refunds

Bookings are confirmed with a written package tour contract finalised with our adviser. Cancellation charges based on the time remaining before departure, non-refundable items (visa fees, insurance, special-fare flights) and your rights if a tour is cancelled are explained on our Cancellation & Refund Policy page. Tour-specific terms are stated in the contract.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Are we guaranteed to see the northern lights?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon that depends on clear skies and solar activity. The programme gives you several chances: a guided aurora hunt, opportunities near the hotel and the night in a glass-roofed igloo.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Yes, the programme was designed with families in mind. Children ride in the husky and reindeer sleds with adults, though age and height limits may apply to activities such as floating from the icebreaker and snowmobiling.

What clothing should I bring?

Thermal overalls, boots, gloves and hats are provided on excursions. Bring wool or thermal base layers, thick socks, a fleece and a neck warmer to wear underneath, plus non-slip winter boots for walking around town.

Enquire about this tour

Fill in the form for availability, room options and current prices; our adviser will get back to you shortly. No payment is taken on the site.

Your details are only used to respond to your request.

Similar Tours

All tours
Early Booking10% offVisa Required
8 Nights 9 Days

Scandinavia & Lapland

Scandinavia & the Norwegian Fjords

Copenhagen · Oslo · Flåm · Karlstad · Stockholm · Helsinki

  • 6 Jun 2027 +2 dates
  • Istanbul

€999From€899

New Year SpecialVisa Required
7 Nights 8 Days

Italy

Grand Italy Tour

Rome · Florence · Pisa · Venice · Verona · Milan

  • 13 Nov 2026 +4 dates
  • Istanbul, Izmir

From€749

Starting price€2,499
Enquire

Find your next route

We'll call you

Leave your number and an adviser will call you during business hours.

Your details are only used to respond to your request.