1. DAY. ISTANBUL – ROVANIEMI – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE – NORTHERN LIGHTS – 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. With our bus welcoming us at the airport, we first head to Santa Claus Village.
Santa Claus Village Visit
Santa Claus Village is known as the home of Santa Claus and is especially popular in the winter months. It is famous for its traditional Lapland houses and snow-covered scenery. Visitors can visit Santa Claus's house and share their special wishes. In addition, from Santa Claus's post office, you can send a card to yourself or your loved ones by dropping it into the red mailboxes so that it will arrive by the next Christmas. The village is full of souvenir shops, local handicrafts, and Christmas-themed cafes. Santa Claus Village, a great place for people of all ages to experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas, is where the Arctic Circle passes, and the polar line is marked with a blue line of light. After our visit to Santa Claus Village, we head to our hotel in the city center of Kemi. Before checking in to the hotel, we stop by the safari office and receive our thermal clothing that we will use on the safaris and tours we will take.
Free time in the evening or you can join the northern lights tour by optional bus.
2. DAY. 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 the huskies, some of the cutest dogs in the world. Today we will learn how to guide our own husky team and have an unforgettable short sled ride (3KM) with these lovely friends. Then we head to the restaurant in Kemi where we will have lunch. After a buffet lunch, we proceed to the reindeer farm.
Reindeer Safari
After getting information about reindeer from our local guide, we take a short tour (400M) on sleds pulled by reindeer in the snow-covered forest. After this unforgettable experience, we spend pleasant moments around the burning fire and receive a "Reindeer Driving Certificate" at the end of the tour. Then we return to our hotel by bus.
Free time in the evening.
3. DAY. KEMI – FREE DAY (OPTIONAL ICEBREAKER TOUR)
Free day in Kemi. Our guests who wish may join the optional icebreaker tour.
Optional Icebreaker Ship Tour – 425 eur per person
After breakfast, we head to the city of Kalix in Sweden, located 70 km from Kemi, for the icebreaker activity. During our journey, we cross the Sweden-Finland border and arrive at Axelsvik port. During the 3-hour trip on the world's largest tourist icebreaker ship, you will witness how the ice on the frozen sea is broken. 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 we swim in the pool created by the ship breaking the ice. After our tour, which is among the activities recommended by National Geographic to try before you die, we return to Kemi and have free time for dinner. Lunch is included on the icebreaker tour.
4. DAY. KEMI - ROVANIEMI – SNOWMOBILE – ICE HOTEL
After breakfast, we head to Rovaniemi for a snowmobile safari and an ice hotel visit. After about a 1.5-hour bus ride, we arrive in Rovaniemi.
Snowmobile Safari
This morning, we will take an unforgettable tour through frozen river valleys and snow-covered forests by snowmobile. During the journey, we will enjoy the frozen scenery and take breaks with hot drinks. There are two people per snowmobile, and you can switch drivers halfway through the route. After the snowmobile safari, free time for lunch in Rovaniemi city center. In the afternoon, we head to the Ice Hotel from the meeting point determined by your guide.
ICE HOTEL VISIT
The Ice Hotel is a popular attraction open to visitors every day from December 15 to April 1. It is one of the largest snow hotels located on the Arctic Circle. The Snow Hotel is built differently every year and decorated with ice and snow art. Visitors can tour the 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.
5. DAY. KEMI – HELSINKI – ISTANBUL
After an early breakfast, we complete our check-out from the hotel and transfer to the train station. On our journey starting with the train departing from Kemi around 06:30, we will enjoy a pleasant trip for about 7 hours accompanied by Finland's enchanting snowy landscapes and unique northern nature.
After our arrival in Helsinki, we take a short panoramic city tour with our private vehicle waiting for us and give you free time to explore the city. After free time, we transfer to the airport. After completing our check-in and passport procedures, we depart from Helsinki to Istanbul at 19:00 with Turkish Airlines' direct scheduled flight TK1764. After arriving at Istanbul airport at 23:50, our tour ends.