5 days | Independent tour | Dec-Mar | Rovaniemi
The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is situated in the forest within the Santa Park at Rovaniemi. With spectacular views over the treetops, the TreeHouse suites offer an exclusive combination of local tradition, Lappish heritage and modern Scandinavian design.
For the adventurous amongst us, you can combine exhilarating activities such as dog sledding and snowmobiling. For the romantics out there, hunting the dancing colours of the Northern Lights is one for the bucket list. For those with children, Santa and his many helpers are waiting to say 'hello'.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this itinerary using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
Through our Climate Action Plan, we measure our carbon emissions each year and set goals to reduce them. But our responsibility does not end when the journey does. A share of our annual profits goes to our Impact Fund, supporting conservation, restoration and the communities we work in.
Transfers from Rovaniemi Airport to the TreeHouse Hotel (5 mins from airport) and luggage transfer to your room.
Winter Season inclusions:
Summer, Spring and early Autumn inclusions on request.
Visit an authentic reindeer farm outside of Rovaniemi and enjoy an unforgettable sleigh ride through the snowy forests.
You will meet the reindeer herder family who have been practising reindeer herding at least 5 generations in this traditional farm. During your visit you will explore everyday life in the farm, get to feed the reindeer and take 2 km ride on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. You will also hear some great stories and facts about reindeer herding in Lapland and how it is an integral part of the nature and culture in Northern Finland.
After breakfast head out on a husky safari. Even close to Rovaniemi centre, the wilderness surrounds you. The eager dogs await you for a speedy ride on the sledges, where you will mush in teams of two for a 5 km ride. Children travel in a sleigh pulled by the guides snowmobile. After the ride you have time to spend time with the dogs and hear about daily life on the farm.
In the evening, experience the magic of Lapland on an electric snowmobile. Ride your eSled to the top of a hill, far from the city lights – an ideal place for watching the Northern Lights. You will stop to observe and admire the night sky and stars, and, if we are lucky, see the Northern Lights as well. The guide will help you with camera settings if you wish to take pictures. During the stop, warm yourself by the fire in a private hunting cabin and enjoy a Finnish style grilling.
After breakfast, travel 20 minutes from Rovaniemi by minivan and take a short walk to reach the lake. The location is a private place away from the crowds in the middle of the peaceful nature. The main activity is of course fishing itself, but the frozen lake also offers an ideal setting for landscape and wildlife photos.
Learn the basics of ice fishing and enjoy a pleasant afternoon fishing and photographing. Enjoy a campfire in traditional Lappish Kota shelter and some hot drinks and snacks – and of course fry the catch of the day.
After breakfast, transfer to Rovaniemi airport for your onward destination.
All prices listed are per person, based on two adults sharing a double suite (without kitchenette). Twin suite (with kitchenette) price on request.
Please note 29 Dec - 2 Jan also includes lunch and dinner on 30.12.2026-2.1.2027.
Family triple price is 2 adults and 1 child (age 4-12) sharing a suite. Recommended age limit for the tour as per our website is 10. The children sleep in a 'nest' within the suite, not a pull-out or extra bed.
Other price is 1 adult and 1 child (age 4-12) sharing a double suite (without kitchenette).
The suites (27 m²) have a kitchenette and they can be connected to the adjacent rooms to form a larger family suite. The extra bed for the children is a 'nest' - a comfortable, cubby house type room with windows and adored by children.
Tours can change depending on the snow and weather conditions. The hotel is positioned on a hill so you may have an uphill walk to your cabins.
Please note that the TreeHouse Hotel is 10 minutes from central Rovaniemi and close to the main road.
We have excluded dinners as you may like to visit local restaurants in Rovaniemi. Please let us know if you would like to include the first dinner on arrival or anything else. Lunches often clash with activities so we leave it up to you to fit in with your day.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Weather conditions may occasionally affect certain activities, and as a result, the schedule may be adjusted to ensure the best possible experience for all guests. For multi-activity stays, often the order of the activities will be confirmed locally on arrival. Activities might vary slightly in their duration or location due to the weather and local conditions. Any activities that are unable to be re-scheduled due to weather conditions will be refunded as a general practice, as determined by the activity provider.
Planning a northern lights holiday and wondering when to go? The most reliable window across the Nordic region runs from early September to mid-April, when the nights are dark enough for the aurora to show.
Our CEO, who grew up in the region, explains why the days either side of Christmas week are often the smarter time to visit the Nordics.
50 Degrees North reveals their leading partner hotels and activity providers in the field of sustainable ecotourism. Innovations and Awards include Green Key Certification, White Flag International and the Grand Travel Award for Best Swedish Ecotourism business.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
This is a general packing checklist for Scandinavian winter travel. You don’t need everything every day, but these items cover most winter conditions across the region.
If you’re new to winter travel, start with our guide to travelling in Scandinavia during winter to understand what conditions are really like. For practical advice on managing luggage and day-to-day winter travel, see our Lapland winter packing advice, and for detailed guidance on what to wear and how to layer, read our Snow Clothing Essentials guide.
Outer layers
Base and mid layers
Accessories for warmth
Footwear
Everyday and practical items
Health, documents and electronics
Sun and eye protection
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, is one of the best-known places in the world to meet Santa Claus. Located on the Arctic Circle, the village welcomes visitors throughout the year, with festive attractions, Santa's Main Post Office and opportunities to enjoy the snowy landscapes of northern Finland in winter.
Whether you are planning a family Christmas holiday or visiting Lapland at another time of year, Santa Claus Village offers a chance to meet Santa, cross the Arctic Circle and experience the Christmas traditions associated with Finland's northernmost region.
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and the main gateway to the region. Although the village is especially popular in December, Santa is there every day of the year.
There is more to Santa Claus Village than meeting Santa. You can explore its festive attractions, visit the post office, cross the Arctic Circle and find activities and excursions that introduce you to Lapland's winter landscapes.
Meeting Santa is the highlight for many visitors. You can visit him at Santa Claus Village throughout the year, making it possible to include a Santa experience in a winter holiday, a summer trip or a visit outside the traditional Christmas season.
December is the busiest time to visit, when families from around the world travel to Rovaniemi for a Christmas experience. If you are travelling with young children, allow time for queues and plan your visit around the other activities you want to enjoy.
For opening information and current visitor arrangements, check the official Santa Claus Village website before you travel.
Santa Claus Village sits on the Arctic Circle, one of the geographical highlights of a visit to Rovaniemi. You can cross the marked line and take photographs to remember the occasion.
The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line of latitude around the Earth, marking the southern boundary of the region where the sun can remain above the horizon for 24 hours at midsummer or below it for 24 hours at midwinter. The exact daylight experience depends on the season.
Santa's Main Post Office is a popular stop for families. You can send postcards and letters from the village, including mail that carries a special Arctic Circle postmark. It is a simple way to share your visit with family and friends at home.
Santa Claus Village and the surrounding Rovaniemi area offer a range of seasonal experiences. Depending on the time of year and the operator, these may include reindeer encounters, husky excursions, snowmobile safaris and other guided activities in the surrounding forests.
Winter brings snow-covered scenery and a distinctly festive atmosphere, while summer offers long daylight hours and a different perspective on the Arctic landscape. Check seasonal availability when planning your visit, particularly if you have specific activities in mind.
The best time to visit depends on the experience you want.
If seeing Santa is the main reason for your trip, you do not have to travel in December. A visit at another time of year can make it easier to combine Santa Claus Village with a broader exploration of Finland.
Santa Claus Village is just outside Rovaniemi, approximately 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the city centre and close to Rovaniemi Airport. The short transfer makes it straightforward to include the village in a stay in Rovaniemi or as part of a longer Lapland itinerary.
Rovaniemi can be reached by air from selected destinations, as well as by train and road from elsewhere in Finland. Services and flight schedules vary by season, so check your travel dates before making arrangements.
You can visit Santa Claus Village independently or include it in a planned Lapland holiday. If you are travelling in December, arrange accommodation, transfers and any special excursions ahead of time, as demand is high around Christmas.
For another kind of Christmas experience, visit SantaPark, an underground Christmas-themed attraction built inside a cavern beneath the forests near Rovaniemi. It offers a different experience from Santa Claus Village, with indoor activities and festive encounters designed for families.
SantaPark is a good option for families looking to spend several hours immersed in a Christmas setting, particularly when the weather is cold. Depending on the season and current programme, experiences may include meeting Santa, visiting the elves and taking part in Christmas-themed activities.
SantaPark and Santa Claus Village are separate attractions, so check their opening dates, admission arrangements and activity schedules before planning your visit. If you have time in Rovaniemi, you may wish to include both in your itinerary: Santa Claus Village for the Arctic Circle, Santa's Main Post Office and its wider outdoor setting, and SantaPark for its indoor Christmas experience.
Santa Claus Village is the most recognisable place to meet Santa in Rovaniemi, but it is not the only option in Finnish Lapland.
The village is a busy visitor attraction, particularly in December. If you want to combine Santa with shops, restaurants, the Arctic Circle and a range of activities in one location, it is a convenient choice.
For families who prefer a quieter experience, other parts of Lapland offer private Santa visits in forest cabins and smaller settings. These experiences can include a sleigh ride through the forest, time with Santa away from the crowds and activities arranged especially for your family.
Read our guide to meeting Santa in Finnish Lapland, away from the crowds to explore the alternatives.
Santa Claus Village can be a day trip from Rovaniemi or one part of a longer winter holiday. Staying in the region also gives you time to discover Lapland's forests, meet reindeer, try seasonal outdoor activities and experience the distinctive atmosphere of the Arctic.
For families interested in a more personal encounter with Santa, explore our independent Christmas holidays and small group Christmas tours.
For help choosing the right itinerary, contact our Nordic destination specialists.
