This is the perfect journey for travellers wanting to experience the very best of Finnish Lapland beyond the Christmas season. Travel through snow-covered wilderness, discover authentic Arctic traditions and enjoy unforgettable encounters with huskies, reindeer and the magical Northern Lights. From driving your own husky sled and searching for the Aurora beneath star-filled skies to cruising aboard a powerful icebreaker and floating among the frozen sea in a survival suit, every day offers a new Arctic adventure. Combined with comfortable accommodation, spectacular winter landscapes and an overnight train through the heart of Finland, this 10-day itinerary showcases the true spirit of Lapland in winter.
Tour Inclusions:
One night's accommodation in Helsinki, including breakfast
Return overnight train between Helsinki and Lapland
Sightseeing tour of Helsinki
Transfers to and from your Lapland resort
Six nights' accommodation in Lapland
Breakfast daily in Lapland
Dinner on your first evening in Lapland
Thermal outdoor clothing and winter boots
Husky safari
Reindeer safari
Ice fishing experience
Guided visit to the Amethyst Mine
Aurora search by heated sleigh
Scenic chairlift ride to the summit of the fell
Sampo Icebreaker cruise
Ice floating experience in a thermal survival suit
Please note this is a provisional itinerary. Dates and timings for activities may change. All activities are subject to weather conditions and may be rescheduled or cancelled if required, based on advice from our suppliers.
Welcome to Finland. Upon arrival in Helsinki, make your own way to your centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to begin exploring Finland's vibrant capital, with its waterfront, cafés, markets and striking Nordic architecture. Enjoy your first evening in Scandinavia before your Arctic adventure begins.
Discover Helsinki’s highlights on a guided sightseeing tour, enjoy some free time to explore, then board the overnight train to Rovaniemi in your private ensuite cabin.
Your guided tour this morning takes in Helsinki’s most fascinating sights, including the historical centre, the stunning Oodi Library, the impressive City Hall and Parliament buildings, and the remarkable Temppeliaukio Church — also known as the Rock Church — built directly into solid granite. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into the city’s rich history, modern design culture, and daily life by the sea, with plenty of opportunities to capture the beauty of Finland’s capital.
Board your double-decker overnight train to Rovaniemi — a comfortable and scenic way to travel to Lapland. Enjoy a traditional Finnish dinner in the restaurant car, perhaps trying the famous meatballs and mash with lingonberries, paired with a local apple or pear cider. Later, relax in your cabin and watch the snowy landscape roll by before drifting off to sleep.
Arrive in Rovaniemi this morning before transferring to the peaceful fell resort of Pyhä, nestled within one of Finland's oldest national parks.
Upon arrival, collect your thermal outdoor clothing and winter boots, which are provided for the duration of your stay in Lapland. After checking into your accommodation, the remainder of the day is at leisure to settle into the Arctic surroundings or explore the village.
This evening, venture into the wilderness on a traditional heated sleigh in search of the Northern Lights. Wrapped up warm beneath the Arctic sky, enjoy the tranquillity of the snowy landscape while your guide shares stories of the Aurora and local traditions. If conditions are favourable, you'll witness the spectacular Northern Lights dancing overhead.
Experience the beauty of the Arctic night on a guided Aurora hunting excursion by heated sleigh. A snowmobile tows the enclosed, heated sleigh through the snowy wilderness, taking you far from city lights for the best chance to see the Northern Lights.
Once at the viewing site, relax by an open fire with hot drinks while your guide shares fascinating stories about the aurora. When the sky comes alive with colour, step outside to capture unforgettable photos of the Northern Lights shimmering over the snow-covered landscape.
Enjoy a day of Arctic adventure with a husky safari through the snowy wilderness, followed by a visit to the Amethyst Mine atop Lampivaara Fell.
Get hands-on with our friendly huskies in this exciting experience that combines a sled ride and a visit to the husky farm. This fun, educational, and interactive activity is perfect for dog lovers of all ages.
Spend time with the huskies, learn about their training and daily life, and discover how much they love to run and work as a team. Feel the thrill of mushing through the snowy trails, the energy of the pack, and gain insight into the care and passion that keep everything running smoothly — and safely.
Just 20 minutes from Pyhätunturi, in the village of Luosto, lies the world’s northernmost Amethyst Mine. Perched atop the fell, the Mine offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Even getting there is part of the adventure — a scenic ride in a carriage pulled by a snow tractor. After an informative presentation about the mine, it’s your turn to dig for your very own lucky stone.
Experience traditional Sámi culture with a visit to a local reindeer farm and peaceful sleigh ride, followed by a scenic chairlift to the summit of Pyhä Fell for spectacular views across the Arctic landscape.
Enjoy an authentic Arctic experience with a visit to a local reindeer farm. Learn about the deep connection between reindeer and the people of the north — from traditional herding practices to modern reindeer husbandry.
During your visit, meet the reindeer up close and take part in a peaceful sleigh ride through the snowy landscape. Your hosts will share stories about life in Lapland and the importance of reindeer in the region’s culture and history.
Take a chair lift ride to the top of the fell for breathtaking views over Pyhä and the edge of the national park.
At the summit, you’ll find Restaurant Tsokka and a scenic hut where you can relax by the fireplace — perfect places to warm up and take in the scenery.
Experience a favourite Lapland tradition with guided ice fishing on a frozen lake, followed by free time to enjoy optional winter activities or relax in a traditional Finnish sauna.
Experience the tranquillity of Lapland’s frozen lakes as you try traditional ice fishing in the heart of the Arctic wilderness. With guidance from your instructor, you’ll drill your own hole through the thick ice, drop your line, and wait patiently for a catch in the peaceful silence of nature.
As you fish, enjoy the warmth of a campfire and a cup of hot berry juice or coffee. This relaxing activity is suitable for all ages and skill levels — perfect for anyone wanting to experience a true taste of northern life.
Enjoy a full day at leisure to experience Lapland at your own pace. Whether you choose to explore the surrounding national park, relax in a traditional Finnish sauna or simply unwind and take in the peaceful Arctic scenery, today is yours to enjoy.
For those seeking more adventure, a variety of optional activities are available, including downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and additional snowmobile or husky experiences.
After breakfast, transfer to Rovaniemi. If you wish, take the opportunity to visit the famous Santa Claus Village, where you can cross the Arctic Circle, browse the souvenir shops or send a postcard from Santa's official post office. Your luggage can be securely stored at the railway station while you explore.
Later, board the train to the coastal town of Kemi. Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure before tomorrow's unforgettable icebreaker adventure.
Visit the magical SnowCastle 365 before embarking on an unforgettable Sampo Icebreaker cruise, including the unique experience of floating amongst the sea ice, followed by an overnight train to Helsinki in your private ensuite cabin.
Visit Kemi’s fascinating SnowCastle 365, a year-round indoor winter wonderland where temperatures remain below freezing even during the Finnish summer. Step inside a world created from ice and snow, with beautifully illuminated ice sculptures, intricate carvings, themed displays and impressive frozen architecture that changes from year to year. Explore the ice rooms and admire the craftsmanship behind this unique Arctic attraction. If the Ice Bar is open during your visit, you can also enjoy the novelty of having a drink served in a glass made entirely from ice.
Today is one of the highlights of your Lapland journey as you travel south to the coastal town of Kemi for an unforgettable experience aboard the legendary Icebreaker Sampo.
Upon arrival, board this impressive vessel and set sail across the frozen waters of the Gulf of Bothnia. Originally built as a working icebreaker, the Sampo now offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience life aboard one of Finland's most iconic Arctic ships. During the cruise, you'll enjoy a guided tour through the vessel, exploring the engine room, bridge and other areas while learning about the vital role icebreakers play in keeping northern sea routes open during the long Arctic winter.
As the ship powers through the thick sea ice, witness the remarkable sight of enormous ice sheets cracking and splitting beneath the vessel. The surrounding frozen landscape creates a truly unique Arctic environment unlike anywhere else in the world.
One of the most memorable moments of the day is the opportunity to step out onto the frozen sea itself. Guests can walk across the vast ice-covered expanse and take in the breathtaking views across the Gulf of Bothnia. For those seeking an even more extraordinary experience, there is the option to float among the ice in a specially designed thermal survival suit, allowing you to relax weightlessly in the icy waters while remaining completely warm and dry.
Images from Icebreaking Company
Board your double-decker overnight train to Helsinki — a comfortable and scenic way to travel through Lapland. Enjoy a traditional Finnish dinner in the restaurant car, perhaps trying the famous meatballs and mash with lingonberries, paired with a local apple or pear cider. Later, relax in your cabin and watch the snowy landscape roll by before drifting off to sleep.
Cabins are equipped with Wi-Fi and power sockets.
There is no porter service at the train station, so please transfer your luggage onto the train independently.
There is space for your luggage in the compartment. Larger luggage can be stored in the paid lockers downstairs, if available.
Arrive back in Helsinki this morning, where your unforgettable Lapland Winter Adventure comes to an end. Continue with your onward travel arrangements or extend your stay to further explore Finland's vibrant capital.
Pure Scandinavia is a family-run travel business specialising in curated journeys through Scandinavia and the Nordic region. With over 35 years of experience, the business is built on the expertise of founder Claudia Pallaspuro, who created and ran Snowbound Adventures and Lapland Magic in Finland. After relocating to Australia in 2010, Claudia brought her passion for Lapland with her and steadily developed Scandinavian travel experiences tailored for Australian travellers.
In 2025, her daughter Elaine joined the business and has extensive first-hand experience. Elaine has travelled throughout Scandinavia and personally inspected many of the hotels featured in the itineraries, ensuring each meets the standard and experience expected by Pure Scandinavia clients.
What sets Pure Scandinavia apart is its deeply rooted local knowledge. Every member of the team has lived and worked in Finland, offering genuine insight, trusted relationships, and a personal, hands-on approach to designing authentic Nordic travel experiences.
Pure Scandinavia is proud to receive consistently strong feedback from travellers who value personalised service, expert planning, and authentic Nordic experiences.
Based on verified reviews via Trustindex and other public platforms such as Google Reviews, Pure Scandinavia maintains a strong overall rating, reflecting high levels of customer satisfaction across both independent and escorted Nordic journeys.
According to Trustindex (updated 2026), Pure Scandinavia now holds an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 41 verified reviews, demonstrating consistently high satisfaction across both independent and escorted travel experiences.
Clients consistently highlight:
Seamless, well-structured itineraries across multiple Nordic countries
Personalised service and flexibility, particularly for independent travel
Deep local knowledge and authentic experiences in Lapland and Scandinavia
Stress-free planning for complex, multi-destination trips
“Claudia… put together an amazing 3 week holiday… detailed itinerary that flowed and showed her extensive knowledge and passion.”
– TT Foodie, April 2026
“Made a last minute decision… the team looked after everything… an amazing itinerary.”
– Scott Post, March 2026
“Everything was organised perfectly… amazing trip… highly recommend Claudia and Pure Scandinavia.”
– Louise Stuart, February 2026
“Amazing job… everything was thought of… felt like travelling with a bunch of friends.”
– Adelle Fernandez, February 2026
“Unforgettable Arctic holiday… seamless itinerary… incredibly easy travelling through remote areas.”
– Silke Bader, January 2026
“Took all the stress out of planning… a once in a lifetime holiday.”
– U S, January 2026
“Totally exceeded our expectations… activities were exceptional and well organised.”
– Garry Elsdon, January 2026
“Well planned and organised… balanced itinerary with first class experiences.”
– Michelle Collett, January 2026
“Unforgettable Lapland and Tallinn Experience”
– James Delaney, May 2025
“Enjoyed an amazing trip to Norway. Claudia was efficient and very friendly, including providing advice on what clothing to take for the cold weather. The local guides and activities were exceptional.”
– Clancy Michael, April 2025
“A once in a lifetime trip. Everything ran smoothly, we loved the overnight train journeys and the wilderness hotel was fantastic.”
– Andrew Roser, March 2025
“We travelled as a family of six in December on an independently tailored trip. Everything was flawless and all accommodations exceeded expectations.”
– Scott, March 2025
“The Lapland Fantasy Tour was nothing short of magical. The itinerary was very thoughtfully put together and Claudia’s passion and guidance really stood out.”
– Danielle W, January 2024
“Highly recommend for families. Our Lapland Fantasy Christmas Tour was a true bucket-list experience.”
– Sharon Burton, January 2024
“The experience was amazing and I would definitely book again.”
– Nigel Ainsworth, October 2023
“A 15-day self-guided tour through Scandinavia was much less stressful than trying to organise everything ourselves.”
