DAY 1 ISTANBUL – ROVANIEMI – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE – NORTHERN LIGHTS
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 meeting 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 winter. It is famous for its traditional Lapland houses and snow-covered landscapes. Visitors can visit Santa Claus's house and convey their special wishes. They can also send postcards to themselves or their loved ones from Santa Claus's post office in the red mailboxes so they will arrive at the next Christmas time. The village is full of souvenir shops, local handicrafts, and Christmas-themed cafes. Santa Claus Village, a wonderful place for people of all ages to experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas, is the point 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 Rovaniemi city center. Before checking into the hotel, we stop by the safari office to receive the thermal clothing we will use on our safaris and tours.
Ice Hotel Visit, Dinner and Northern Lights
After check-in and a short rest at the hotel, we head to the ice hotel. 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 each year and decorated with ice and snow art. Visitors can tour the rooms made of ice, ice sculptures, the Ice Bar, and the Ice Restaurant. After the visit, we have our dinner in the Kota, the traditional Lapland house belonging to the ice hotel, with a main course of wood-fired salmon. If we are lucky and the weather is clear, we will have the chance to see the northern lights. Late in the evening, we return to our hotel.
DAY 2 ROVANIEMI – 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, one of the cutest dogs in the world. Today we will learn how to guide our own husky team and enjoy an unforgettable sled ride experience with these lovely friends. Then we relax around the fire with hot drinks in a traditional Lapland hut (kota). After the husky tour, we proceed to the reindeer farm.
Reindeer Safari
After learning about reindeer from our local guide, we take a ride on sleds pulled by reindeer in the snow-covered forest. After this unforgettable experience, we spend pleasant moments around the fire and receive a "Reindeer Driving Certificate" at the end of the tour. Afterwards, we have our lunch consisting of roasted reindeer, a traditional Lapland dish. Later, we return to our hotel by bus.
Free time for the evening.
DAY 3 ROVANIEMI - ICEBREAKER TOUR
Icebreaker Ship Tour
After breakfast, we head to the Swedish city of Kalix, located 170 km from Rovaniemi, for the icebreaker activity. During our journey, we cross the Sweden-Finland border and arrive at Axelsvik port. During the 3-hour journey we will take on the world's largest tourist icebreaker ship, you will witness how the ice on the frozen sea is broken. At the halfway point of our journey, in the middle of the ice-covered sea, we put on thermal suits specially designed to survive in cold seas and keep us on the water's surface, 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 go to Kukololaforsen, a fishing town in Sweden, for our lunch. After lunch, return to Rovaniemi and free time for dinner.
DAY 4 ROVANIEMI – SNOWMOBILE SAFARI
Snowmobile Safari
This morning we will take an unforgettable tour with a snowmobile through frozen river valleys and snow-covered forests. During the journey, we will enjoy the frozen landscape and take breaks with hot drinks. Two people share one snowmobile, and you can switch drivers halfway through the route. After the snowmobile activity, we return our thermal clothing. Free time in the afternoon. You can enjoy your own jacuzzi and sauna in each room, or shop in Rovaniemi city center and Santa Claus Village. Dinner at the hotel
DAY 5. ROVANIEMI – ISTANBUL
Free time after breakfast. Then we transfer to the airport. We depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight (TK1750) at 15:25. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 21:10 local time and the end of our tour.