Äkäslompolo

Depending on your departure point, whether it's Brussels, Düsseldorf, or Amsterdam, you'll take a direct flight of about 3 hours to Kittilä Airport, in the heart of Finnish Lapland.

Upon arrival and after collecting your luggage, you'll be welcomed by our guides. You can easily recognize them by a sign saying “Lapland Travel” or by their jackets with our logo. They will then escort you to the transfer.

Once the whole group is complete, you’ll head towards Äkäslompolo, one of the most well-known villages in Finnish Lapland. The drive takes about 40 to 50 minutes. During the transfer, the guide will introduce themselves and provide some practical information about your stay.

Before heading to your accommodation, we'll make a stop at our local partner. Those who have rented thermal clothing can pick up their gear here. This clothing is specially designed to comfortably withstand the Arctic climate.

Your luggage will stay with us in the meantime. The guide will let you know when you can check in to your accommodation. Please keep in mind that this may take a little while, depending on the arrival time.

When everything is ready, you’ll be dropped off at your lodging. All you need to do then is settle in, relax, and enjoy the peace and nature of Lapland.

On the day of arrival, no activities are scheduled. So you have plenty of time to settle in, explore the surroundings, or maybe do some shopping.

Morning at your leisure:

After your first night in Lapland, the day starts off slowly. The morning is free. It’s the perfect time to explore your surroundings, take a walk around your accommodation, unpack your bags, or simply enjoy the serene silence of the Lapland nature.

If you're ready for an adventure, there are plenty of walks around the large lake of Äkäslompolo waiting for you.

This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the beautiful nature of Lapland for the first time. You'll discover various marked paths featuring typical landscapes of the region.

Your guide will inform you in good time what time you’ll be picked up for the afternoon activity, along with practical clothing tips. Make sure to eat well before you head out, as you'll burn energy faster in the cold than you might think.

Afternoon:

This afternoon, your first activity is scheduled: the snowmobile tour.

Your guide will pick you up at your accommodation or at a designated meeting point and take you to our local partner. There, you'll receive your helmet and a short briefing about the safety rules and basic operation of the snowmobile.

You’ll be paired up on a snowmobile, and then you’ll embark on a ride of about 2 hours through the snowy landscape of Lapland. Halfway through, you'll have the chance to switch places if you wish, becoming the driver or passenger.

The activity wraps up with a cozy break with a warm berry juice, after which you'll return to your accommodation by the end of the afternoon.

Relaxing evening:

In the evening, you can choose to dine in a restaurant in the charming center, or simply enjoy a cozy meal in your accommodation.

It's also the perfect time to get acquainted with one of the most beautiful traditions of Finland: the Finnish sauna. There’s nothing better to relax after a day outdoors and to warm your body up again.

Practical information:

• Snowmobile tour (included in the basic package)
• A valid type B driver's license is required to drive

Morning at your leisure:

After a night where (hopefully) the Northern Lights made an appearance, enjoy a free morning to rest and recover. Today's activities start later, giving you some time to catch your breath... before diving into the traditional Sámi world.

You can also explore the village of Äkäslompolo: stroll through the local shops, discover the surrounding trails, or treat yourself to a well-deserved moment of relaxation in the sauna at your accommodation.

Afternoon: 

Embark on an adventure through the frozen forests and marshes of Äkäslompolo on an electric bike, equipped with wide tires specially designed for riding on snow. Glide gently between the snow-covered spruces and enjoy an unforgettable moment.

Along the way, there’s a stop planned at a small café, tucked away in the heart of the forest: a warm, well-deserved break in this winter landscape. Throughout the activity, you’ll be guided by passionate local guides who will share their favorite spots and tell you more about the region.

This activity is accessible to everyone, regardless of your level.

If you haven’t booked an optional activity, we recommend exploring the ski slopes of Äkäslompolo.

Evening under the Northern Lights:

As night falls, your guide will pick you up for a Northern Lights experience. Depending on the weather conditions, the departure time may be slightly adjusted.

You’ll drive and walk to a remote spot, far from all light pollution. There, as the sky prepares, a campfire will be lit. Around the fire, with grilled sausages and marshmallows, your guide will share the mysterious legends surrounding this phenomenon and explain how to observe the Northern Lights during your stay.

And suddenly... there they are! The auroras appear, dancing above your head, enveloping the sky in a green glow.

A memory that, hopefully, will be etched in your mind... and on your retina.

Practical information: 

• Electric snow biking (€105 per person)
• Northern Lights experience (included in the basic package)

Morning: 

This morning, an absolute classic of your stay is on the agenda: a snowshoe hike, included in the basic package, so off to the snowy forest!

Depending on the group's pace, you'll cover between 4 and 8 km, passing frozen rivers, quiet lakes, and panoramic viewpoints.

Along the way, your guide will share the secrets of Lapland's nature, from the wildlife to the ancient trees. And of course, this beautiful trek will be interrupted by a cozy break with warm berry juice.

Once back at your accommodation, you'll have time for lunch, to rest a bit... or why not enjoy your sauna?

Afternoon: 

Around noon, your guide will pick you up for a trip to the reindeer farm: an iconic place within the local culture.

There, you'll meet the locals and your reindeer, each with its own name.

Take a seat in the sled for a peaceful ride of about 2 km through the snowy nature.

Back at the farm, you'll be welcomed in a heated cabin where you can enjoy warm berry juice. The local guides will tell you about their daily lives, the unique bond with their animals, and the age-old traditions of reindeer herding.

An authentic and warm immersion in the Lapland culture.

Magical evening:

Tonight, you'll experience an extraordinary moment in the heart of the Lapland forest. You'll spend the night in a glass chalet, about a ten-minute drive from Äkäslompolo. These modern and intimate cabins, each located separately, offer a complete immersion in the Arctic nature.

From your cozy bed, you can admire the starry sky… and maybe, with a bit of luck, witness the magical dance of the northern lights, comfortably and warmly, from the front row.

The chalet features a double bed, a small seating area, and a private bathroom with a shower and toilet. On-site, a restaurant will welcome you for a gourmet three-course menu, as well as a delicious breakfast the following morning.

A true northern cocoon, perfect for an unforgettable evening for two.

Practical information:

• Snowshoe hike (included in the basic package)
• Reindeer farm (€165 per person)
• Night in glass chalet (€680 for 2 people)

Morning:

Explore the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. With snowshoes on your feet, you'll traverse untouched landscapes, wander through snow-laden forests, and enjoy spectacular viewpoints.

For those opting for the full-day tour, the experience is completed with a lunch around the fire in a traditional kota hut.

You’ll also get the chance to see the famous ‘tykky’ trees, bent under a thick layer of snow, creating that iconic, postcard-worthy Lapland landscape.

Evening: 

At the end of the day, a special and magical experience awaits: a visit to the ice hotel.

Completely carved from snow and ice, this unique place reveals its rooms, bar, and restaurant, all adorned with stunning, endless artworks. Your guide will provide you with the necessary explanations, after which you'll be free to explore this icy masterpiece at your own pace.

A warm drink at the ice bar will conclude your visit.

Practical information:

• Adventurous snowshoe hike – half-day tour (€ 85 per person)
• Adventurous snowshoe hike – full-day tour (€ 115 per person)
• Snow Village (€ 95 per person)

Morning:

Your guide will pick you up for a morning full of sensations, dedicated to a typical Lapland activity: ice fishing. But before you reach the frozen lake, you'll hop on the local mode of transport … the snowmobile!

You’ll set off on an exciting excursion through breathtaking winter landscapes: snowy forests, hills, and frozen plains glide by at the rhythm of your snowmobile. After about 45 minutes of driving, you'll arrive at a large lake, completely frozen over by winter.

Once there, a local guide will teach you how to drill a hole in the ice and handle the fishing rod like a true Arctic fisherman. You can warm up by a small fire at the edge of the lake from time to time. And as tradition goes, warm berry juice and some local cookies will be served for a cozy and authentic moment.

After this timeless break, you'll head back to your accommodation on the snowmobile.

Afternoon: 

After a rest and lunch, you'll get ready for a dog sledding adventure, a typical Lapland experience.

Your guide will take you to the location where you’ll meet a pack of dogs, ready to take you on a 10 km journey through the forest. You’ll receive instructions on steering and braking, and you'll set off two by two on the sled, with the option to switch places halfway through.

At the end of the ride, you'll have a cozy moment with the dogs. You’ll have time to pet them, take photos, and especially to chat with the musher, their handler.

It’s the perfect time to ask all your questions and learn more about this fascinating and demanding profession, as well as the unique bond between the dogs and their guide.

Evening: 

In the evening, your guide will take you for a typical Scandinavian wellness experience.

For 3 hours, you’ll alternate between the dry heat of the sauna and a freezing dip in the lake of Äkäslompolo for the brave ones! An intense but incredibly healing contrast: breathe deeply, relax … and repeat as often as you like. Your body (and mind) will thank you.

Practical info:

• Ice fishing by snowmobile (€165 per person)
• Husky Safari (included in the basic package)
• Sauna & icedipping (€59 per person)

Morning: 

Embark on an unforgettable snowmobile adventure to the top of Ylläs mountain, one of the seven iconic hills around Äkäslompolo. At the top, you'll be greeted with a 360° panoramic view: a breathtaking spectacle of snowy Lapland, nestled between vast forests and pristine plains.

During a journey of about 3.5 hours, you'll traverse 45 km of impressive landscapes, through forest trails and viewpoints. It’s an exhilarating activity, perfect for adrenaline junkies and nature lovers alike.

Afternoon: 

Cross-country skiing is a true tradition here. A local guide will teach you the basics and then take you along the groomed trails around Äkäslompolo lake, which are ideal for beginners. It's a sporty moment, peaceful and in tune with nature.

For those who haven't chosen these optional activities, the day is free to fill as you wish. You could use the day to go skiing, for example!

Enjoy your last evening at your accommodation or in the village of Äkäslompolo. In our app, you'll find all our tips for cozy restaurants and local bars.

And don't forget to look up at the sky from time to time.
Who knows... maybe the sky will treat you to one last dance of the northern lights to beautifully wrap up this magical journey.

Practical info:

• Snowmobile trip Yllas 360 (€175 per person)
• Cross-country skiing (€79 per person)

The moment has come to pack your bags, leave your accommodation, and slowly say goodbye to these beautiful white landscapes.

For travelers returning to Brussels, Düsseldorf, and Amsterdam, the shuttle will pick you up in the morning. The exact times will be communicated by your guide the day before.

After about a 50-minute drive, you'll arrive at Kittilä airport for your return flight, with your backpack full of memories and your phone full of snowy photos.

And so, a wonderful week ends in one of the most beautiful places in Europe (and the world).