ROVANIEMI – CUSTOM ADVENTURES / SAMPLES

Sample 1: Feel the Spirit of Lapland
Sample 2: 3-day snowmobile adventure in Rovaniemi

FEEL THE SPIRIT OF LAPLAND

* 3 NIGHTS, 4 DAYS IN ROVANIEMI (Programme for groups, minimum of 10 persons)

Day1 – WELCOME TO THE CAPITAL OF LAPLAND, ROVANIEMI!

Upon arrival at Rovaniemi Airport meet & greet by Lapland Safaris guide, and board the waiting coach for transfer to your hotel, Pre-registered check-in and accommodation in twins or singles.

In the early evening meet your guide in hotel lobby and board the waiting coach for transfer to tonight’s welcome dinner venue, Poropirtti Lodge.  Transfer takes some 15 minutes. Upon arrival at the cottage, meet & greet by local Lapp wearing his traditional, colourful costume. The ceremony of crossing the Arctic Circle is performed in a Lapp hut. Sitting comfortably on reindeer skins around a campfire you will listen to the old tales of Lapland, and learn to understand Lapp customs and superstitions. Everyone will have a sip of the magic drink made of reindeer milk, and as a proof of the crossing you will receive an Arctic Circle Certificate with your name on.

Lappish welcome dinner is served in a cozy cottage by the glow of a big fireplace. Waitering staff is wearing traditional Lapp costumes.

Sample menu:       
- Purée of vegetables
- Reindeer stew, mashed potatoes, lingonberries
- Fresh cheese cake, cloudberry melba
- Coffee, tea

Return transfer back to hotel for overnight.

Day 2 – WHEN TIME STOPS!

Finnish buffet breakfast is served in hotel restaurant. White winter day, crispy snow under the snowshoes, warm sough of fire and delicious scent of fried reindeer meat - these are the ingredients that make the time stop and let you feel the spirit of Lappish nature in its most simple but true form.

The day starts at our SafariClub where you will be provided with warm thermal clothing. After this you will step into sleigh pulled by snowmobile and start your trip down the river Kemijoki. After a short ride you will arrive to your destination, an old Kotisaari Island which used to be a resting place for lumberjacks when they were floating logs down the river to sawmills.

Now the island provides a perfect setting for you to try ice fishing and snowshoe walks. Before heading back to city enjoy a cup of campfire coffee or hot berry juice. (Option: lunch around campfire)

In the afternoon those who want can join for a 2-hour snowmobile safari, starting from city centre:

The best way to get to nature – and back. During this safari you learn the fun of snowmobiling along frozen rivers and through forests covered with snow. Enjoy the beautiful view of the river valley from the top of the hills. A pause and hot beverages keep your motor running.
                        
Hotel guest saunas and swimming pool are at your disposal in the late afternoon and evening (non-exclusive basis). Tonight’s dinner is served in hotel restaurant, half-board basis with 3 courses and coffee.

Day 3 – ON THE KICK-SLEIGHS! Finnish buffet breakfast is served in hotel restaurant.

Today you will learn yet another way of moving – by kick-sleighs. Kick-sleigh is the traditional vehicle in Lapland, it’s fun and good exercise – though not too strenuous. The trip starts from the city centre, following the river shores. En route you have time to admire the wintry river scenery as today we are not in a hurry.

First stop is made at the house of Arktikum ( HYPERLINK "http://www.arktikum.fi" www.arktikum.fi), representing both science center and museum. Arktikum focuses on the Arctic regions and presents life, natural habitats, history, customs and cultures of the peoples living north of the Arctic Circle. The building itself is an unique architectural sight, opened in 1992 and designed by architects Bonderup and Lehtipalo. The glass-roofed passageway, its’ most visible structure, is 174 metres long and cut off by a 30-metre wide section of the highway to Kittilä.
Tour of the exhibitions is followed by delicious lunch at Restaurant Arktikum. After lunch continue the trip and view all the main sights of Rovaniemi: Lappia Hall, Library, Town Hall…

In the afternoon you continue by coach to local reindeer farm for a 1-hour visit. The farm is located within a 10-minute ride from city centre.

Reindeer husbandry is an important livelihood in Lapland. But as the reindeer are semi-wild animals, they roam free in the woods and forests, and are collected together only twice‑a‑year for reindeer round‑ups. At the farm the reindeer owner has a carefully selected a group of reindeer, which have been trained for sledge‑pulling, and for reindeer races. At the farm you will also see the original "kota" tents and "kammi" huts used during the past centuries by the herders while camping in the woods. Your host will demonstrate how to harness a reindeer and how to drive a reindeer sledge, and then it is your turn to take a reindeer driving test, for which you will receive a reindeer driving licence! Hot beverages are served around campfires, and you can also try reindeer lassoing with a help of “suopunki”.

Hotel saunas are at your disposal in the late afternoon and evening (non-exclusive basis).

Farewell dinner is served in the nature, in the middle of nowhere. The dinner venue is a Lapp “kota” hut, called Furtrapper’s Kota, and it is located within a 15-minute ride from city centre. Transfers will be made by private coach.

Upon arrival at Furtrapper’s kota, meet & greet by your host/hostess serving hot welcome drinks. There are outdoor torches and candles to light up the way to the hut, and dinner is served by open fire.

Sample menu:       
- Creamy mushroom soup
- Char-broiled salmon - fried chunks of salmon
- served with a tomato-rich vegetable stew
- Crêpes with strawberry jam and whipped cream
- Coffee, tea

Return transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 4 – FAREWELLS TO LAPLAND!

Finnish buffet breakfast is served in hotel restaurant. Check-out and transfer by private coach to Rovaniemi airport via  HYPERLINK "http://www.santaclausvillage.info/eng/main.htm" Santa Claus Village.
Santa has chosen this magic line of Arctic Circle to be the place for his office. Meet the man in person and tell him your wishes - by the Christmas time you will see, if you have been good. Light lunch is served at Santa’s Village featuring hot main course, dessert and coffee. Free time for shopping at Santa’s shopping gallery, and why not sending your regards home from Santa´s Main Post Office with a special stamp.

The tour ends to Rovaniemi airport and farewells to your guide.

Terms & Conditions for confirmation, cancellation and payment will be sent on request.

Scandinavian breakfast buffet at the hotel
Check-out  meeting with the safari guide at the lobby of hotel

Everybody will carry his personal belongings in a backpack and luggage will be stored at luggage store of hotel or at Arctic Safaris office.

Walking down to safari office and delivery of the helmets. Shortly after briefing of driving technique and safety rules you start your day with snowmobile safari in right from the city centre. Two persons share one snowmobile, taking turns in driving.

Optional: Single driving

Everybody is carrying his personal belongings for overnight in a rucksack.

During the day visiting the local Reindeer Farm, where everyone can try his skills in reindeer driving and obtain an official reindeer driving license.

Lunch is served also at the Reindeer Farm.
Menu to be informed later

Arrival to Bear’s Lodge late in the afternoon. Non-stop saunas at disposal for the group (not private)

The hotel is located in the heart of the rocky countryside of Lapland and on the shore of a wilderness lake. The picturesque hotel and surroundings offer each guest memorable experiences.

Half board dinner at the hotel restaurant (3 courses + coffee)
Accommodation in double/twin rooms.

Day 2 – SNOWMOBILE SAFARI BEAR’S LODGE – KORVALA (about 110 km) – ICEFISHING

Scandinavian breakfast buffet at the hotel

Departure for snowmobile safari through the snow-covered Lappish scenery

Driving to the small wilderness lake where everybody can try his skills in ice-fishing. Catch will be prepared for delicious snack over a camp fire

Outdoor lunch is served also at the ice-fishing place

Menu:  fried fish (the catch), reindeer meat, potatoes, bread, berry juice, coffee/tea and biscuits.
Arrival to Korvala late in the afternoon

Korvala’s crown forest estate was established in 1889 alongside the path joining the village of Rovaniemi and the small community of Sodankylä. When the road was completed up to the ice-free Arctic Ocean, inn activity began. Today, work at Korvala’s inn is enjoyed by the fourth generation of the founding family.

Sauna and possibility to try ice swimming

Dinner will be served at the main building
Menu to be informed later (3 courses + coffee)

Accommodation in cabins, 2 pax/cabin.

Day 3 – SNOWMOBILE SAFARI KORVALA – ROVANIEMI (about 80 km) – VISIT TO SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE

Breakfast at the mainbuilding

Meeting with the guide at the mainbuilding
Departure for snowmobile safari through the snow-covered Lappish scenery

During the day visiting the Santa Claus Village where time for shopping, sending postcards from Santa`s Main Post office, meeting Santa himself.


Lunch is served also during the day (at Santa’s Village or in Forest Manor)
Menu to be informed later (2 courses + coffee)

After lunch safari continues back to Rovaniemi.