Lapland is beautiful throughout the year but it’s the late winter and early spring that draw the most attention. This is when the magical Northern Lights are easiest to spot. Tall firs covered with powdery snow, reindeer pulling sleighs and Santa Claus - Finnish Lapland has all the classic cues of winter. If you’re thinking of something beyond the ordinary, let’s paint a picture of a holiday in Lapland and all the things you can do.
See the Northern Lights
Did you know that the aurora borealis, or northern lights are visible not just at night but sometimes in the day too? The phenomenon is easiest to spot in March and April. The only other way to see the sky come alive with these blazing colours would be to book Canada Tour Packages or Iceland Tour Packages From India.
If you’re staying in a glass igloo, you might see the sky come to life from your bed! Or, you could hike up to a vantage point on a lakeshore or hilltop. The Odyssey Winter Wonderland Experience includes a 3-4 hour tour around Rovaneimi with an Aurora expert guide.
2024-25 marks the peak of solar activity for the current 11-year sun cycle. This creates an exceptional opportunity for aurora hunters. The increase in solar activity makes the Northern Lights more intense and visible across a larger area.
Visit Santa Claus
Even if it’s not Christmas, you can visit Santa in his village at Rovaneimi. Known as “Santa's official North Pole residence” this family-friendly destination is open throughout the year. You can meet Santa and Mrs Santa, post your loved ones a greeting stamped with the special Arctic Circle postmark and learn a few tricks at the Elf’s Hat Academy. The Arctic Circle runs through this village. You can hop, skip, jump or do a cartwheel to cross it and get a certificate for it too. The village also has restaurants made of snow and ice where you can savor local delicacies like reindeer meat, leipäjuusto cheese and lingonberries.
Take an Icebreaker Cruise
For a cruise experience unlike any other try the icebreaker cruise in the Bothnia Sea. These ships are designed to be able to break through slabs of ice as thick as 2 meters. Watching the ice break apart from the decks is a mesmerizing sight! If you’re looking for more adventure, get into a dry suit and climb down the side of the ship to float in the sea. It’s fascinating to think of being surrounded by ice and yet not feeling the chill! The cruise also includes a tour of the ship and a meal onboard.
Meet the Reindeer
If Lapland is Santa’s home, the reindeer can’t be far behind! You’ll see them grazing in the forests and roadsides. For a more interactive experience, visit a family-run reindeer farm. This is often included in Europe holiday packages to Lapland. You can meet indigenous Sámi reindeer herders to learn about reindeer husbandry, feed the reindeer treats from your palm and even take a short sleigh ride with these majestic beasts.
Ride a Husky Sledge
Though snowmobiles are more common today, Lapland is one of the few countries where you can go husky sledding. These trained dogs follow the driver’s commands to whisk you past the pristine white landscape. The speed at which they run makes you feel like you’re flying over the snow. Each sled has place for a driver and a passenger. If you like, you can ask the driver to trade places and let you try your hand at mushing the dogs.
Experience a Finnish Sauna
The Finns love a sauna and by the end of your trip, you might too. Your accommodation in Lapland may include a private sauna. Think of it as a heated room where you can relax and unwind. There are several public saunas too – the Finns aren’t shy to take a sauna with others. You can stay here for as long as you like. To take a sauna like a true Finn, after about 10 minutes, cool down with a shower or a swim and get back in!
Discover Lapland with Odyssey
Join the Odyssey Northern Lights Experience in Finnish Lapland to explore this winter wonderland. Our 5 night – 6 day itinerary includes visits to Rovaniemi, Levi and Helsinki. We’ll take you with a small group of like-minded people on guided Aurora hunt tours, an icebreaker cruise, a reindeer and husky safari, snowmobile rides and of course, to Santa Claus Village.
At Odyssey, we go beyond planning an itinerary. Our immersive experiences transform every holiday moment into a cherished memory. In addition, when you travel with us, we’ll help you book flights to and from Finland as well as arrange visas and travel insurance. We take care of all the details so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday.