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Departure dates from: 13 December 2012 to 14 March 2013

Mystical and Magical Lake Inari

If there’s anywhere more beautiful than Lake Inari in winter then we’d love to know about it. Lake Inari has an almost mythical status amongst the Sami people and during this holiday you’ll experience much of their culture and history including a visit to “Ukko” Island an ancient sacrificial site of the Inari Sami.

The Sami People

It’s sometimes hard to understand why, centuries ago, a race of people would choose to settle in an environment where winter prevails for almost half the year but when you stand on the frozen ice of Lake Inari looking skywards at the Aurora Borealis you begin to see the attraction. The history and culture of the Inari Sami is superbly represented at the Siida Museum in the town and we’ve included a visit there during your stay.

The Northern Lights

And, the Northern Lights are a major attraction here at Inari. While December may not be the best month for viewing the Aurora, this year we are expecting great things as the sun approached the peak of its solar activity cycle. Keep popping your head outside and there is a very good chance you’ll be rewarded with some spectacular displays in this Aurora Borealis hotspot. Just look at some of the images we’ve added from Inari for an idea of what is possible here.

Grown-ups Only

The small town of Inari is the base for this holiday which is specifically designed to escape the Santa commercialism in some other parts of Lapland at Christmas and New Year. Instead, we’ve designed this holiday for grown-ups aged 18 and over. We can’t promise that there will be absolutely no kids here but if there’s anywhere in Lapland that is likely to be relatively child-free at this time of year then this is it. Last year there were only three children at the hotel at Christmas so if you are looking for a child-free winter experience (and many people are) then this is the place to be.

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Day 1: Arrival, transfers and introduction
You will fly to Ivalo, far above the Arctic Circle, where you will be greeted for your transfer to Inari. Dinner will be served on arrival and you’ll be briefed about the schedule for the next few days.
 
Day 2: Sami snowmobile, Sami culture and Aurora snowshoe
After breakfast you will be given full instruction and a safety briefing before you head out into the magnificent winter landscape on snowmobiles (if you do not wish to drive you can travel in a sleigh behind the guide). The safari will take you to areas of great importance for the local Sami people including the wilderness church at Pielpajarvi and the island of Ukonkivi, an ancient sacrificial site. Weather permitting, you will have lunch by an open fire.

This afternoon you will visit the Sami Siida Museum in Inari. The exhibitions here are world renowned and you will learn a huge amount about the local culture and the Arctic environment. There is also an excellent DVD presentation on the Aurora Borealis which will set you up nicely for this evening’s inaugural hunt for the Lights.

After dinner at the hotel your Aurora adventure begins in earnest. You’ll head out on snowshoes following easy trails which take you out into the deep darkness of the Lappish night in search of the Aurora.
 
Day 3: Reindeer, cross country skiing and minibus Northern Lights hunt
Today you will be taken to a local Sami reindeer farm where you will be told about the importance of herding and the value of the animals to the local people. You will be taken on a short reindeer-pulled sleigh ride before a coffee break in a traditional kota. Lunch will be served back in Inari.

After lunch, you will try the most popular of Nordic pastimes; cross country skiing. This requires no previous experience and you will be given full instruction before a short ski trip. It is an excellent way to explore the countryside and is surprisingly addictive – you have been warned.

After dinner at the hotel you will depart in a minibus to search out the Lights. Your guide will take you to a suitable view point where hopefully you will be able to admire the Aurora in all their glory. The bus provides you with added mobility so should there be any local cloud cover you can hopefully outrun it during your trip. You will be out for approximately 3 hours.
 
Day 4: Husky safari and Aurora snowmobile
 A highlight for most visitors to Lapland (besides hopefully seeing the Northern Lights) is a husky safari. You’ll meet with the dogs’ trainers and they’ll tell you about the lives of the huskies up in the Arctic. After full tuition you will head out with your teams (2 people per sled) for a safari lasting around 2 hrs. There can be few better ways to travel anywhere in the world.

You will have some free time to relax before dinner and your final evening excursion.

Tonight you will be back on snowmobiles for your final Northern Lights hunt (again you can choose to travel in a sleigh if you prefer). Hopefully the Aurora will guide your way.
 
Day 5: Depart or extension
Today you will be transferred back to Ivalo for your return flights. Alternatively you may wish to extend your stay in Inari.

We have designed a 2 night extension for those who want some extra time in which to see the Aurora and experience some more of region’s many highlights.
 
Two night extension:
 
Your holiday would continue as follows:
 
Day 5: Winter Fishing by snowmobile
You will take snowmobiles (should you prefer not to drive then again you can ride in a sleigh) to either Lake Inari or Lake Pielpajarvi, a journey which will take you through some stunning winter scenery.

You will be provided with fishing equipment and some of the special tips for successful winter fishing and then the rest is down to lady luck – happy fishing! Coffee and snacks will be served before you head back to Inari.

This evening you are free to relax at the hotel and enjoy dinner. Your hosts know of some wonderful local spots for Aurora viewing and will be happy to point you in the right direction. Many guests have however seen the Aurora from the balcony in their room or the hotel’s courtyard.
 
Day 6: Day with a reindeer herder or husky safari. Evening minibus search for the Northern Lights
Today you have the choice of trying one of two additional activities.
 
Option 1: Day with a reindeer herder
This experience is pretty much unique to Lapland and something few people will ever get to experience. You will be transferred to a local reindeer herder’s home from where they will take you out by snowmobile pulled sleigh in search of their animals. The reindeer roam freely and so your journey will be dictated by their movements. The herder will tell you about the hardships of traditional Sami life and the way that things have changed in the modern era. You will help feed the animals and enjoy snacks around the camp fire before you return to Inari for lunch. You will be out for approximately 3.5 hours.
 
Option 2: Husky safari
For many people the huskies are the ultimate Arctic adventure and today you will have the chance to try a longer safari lasting around 4 hours. You will further explore the wild landscapes and get more time to enjoy the company of the dogs and improve your mushing skills. A picnic lunch will be served and you will be out and about for around 5 hours. 2 people per sled.

After your daytime activity you will again travel by minibus in search of the Aurora. Hopefully you will have seen the Lights by now but if not then hopefully tonight will be your lucky night.
 
Day 7: Departure