5 days | Independent | Dec - Jan | Rovaniemi
Festive Family Igloo Stay is a festive Lapland escape designed for families looking to experience the magic of the Arctic in an easy and family-friendly way. Based at the peaceful Vaattunki Wilderness Resort near Rovaniemi, you'll stay surrounded by snowy forests and pristine wilderness while enjoying comfortable accommodation and authentic winter experiences.
Perfect for Christmas, Pre-Christmas and New Year departures, this short break includes all the classic Lapland highlights that children and adults alike dream about. Meet reindeer, race through snowy landscapes on a husky safari, try snowmobiling through the Arctic wilderness and sleep in a Aurora Cabin Igloo, with the chance to spot the Northern Lights overhead.
With easy activity levels, family room options for up to four guests, and a relaxed pace throughout, this tour is ideal for families with children aged 4+ wanting a genuine Lapland experience.
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.
19-23 Dec and 23-27 Dec 2027 departures:
Private Sauna and Jacuzzi Experience for extra cost
29 Dec 2027 - 2 Jan 2028 departure:
Private Sauna and Jacuzzi Experience for extra cost
Please note Santa Experience is NOT included for New Years departure 29 Dec
Upon arrival in Rovaniemi, the gateway to Finnish Lapland, you will be transferred to Vaattunki Wilderness Resort, located just outside the city amid the Arctic wilderness and surrounding river landscapes.
Recently redesigned with a focus on comfort and connection to nature, Vaattunki Wilderness Resort offers a peaceful setting surrounded by forests and snow-covered landscapes. With modern amenities and easy access to the surrounding wilderness, it provides a comfortable base for exploring and experiencing Lapland.
After check-in, take some time to settle in and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Relax in the cosy lounge areas or simply take in the Arctic scenery before your Lapland adventures begin.
After breakfast, get ready for an exciting introduction to one of Lapland's most iconic winter experiences. Today's guided snowmobile safari takes place directly from Vaattunki Wilderness Resort, offering the perfect opportunity to discover the beauty of the Arctic wilderness while learning the basics of snowmobile driving.
Following a safety briefing and outfitting in warm winter gear, set off along snowy forest trails and frozen landscapes surrounding the resort. As you travel through the pristine wilderness, you'll experience the freedom and exhilaration of driving a snowmobile while taking in the peaceful surroundings of Finnish Lapland.
During the safari, there will be a stop to enjoy hot drinks and biscuits while soaking up the silence and tranquillity of the Arctic nature around you. With approximately 1.5 hours of driving time, this easy-paced excursion is ideal for first-time riders and offers a memorable taste of Lapland's winter adventure.
Lunch will be served at Restaurant Niva and the afternoon is free to explore the surroundings or enjoy the Sauna and Jacuzzi (extra cost)
Today, discover an important part of Lapland’s cultural heritage as you visit a traditional reindeer farm and meet the animals that have played a vital role in Arctic life for generations.
After transferring to the reindeer farm, learn about the significance of reindeer husbandry and the traditions of the North before embarking on a peaceful reindeer sleigh safari through the snowy forest. Following your journey, warm up with hot drinks and baked bun while hearing more about life alongside these remarkable animals.
Lunch will be served at Restaurant Niva
For departures 19 - 23 Dec and 23 and 27 Dec 2027
Later in the day you will experience the magic of Christmas. Just a short drive, a hidden woodland home awaits, where a Reindeer Herder, the Forest Queen and Santa Claus are waiting to welcome you. Follow the Forest Queen along a candlelit path and discover a series of festive adventures. Find Santa’s secret wooden house and receive a small gift. Get creative decorating gingerbread cookies in a cabin, then glide through the snowy forest on a reindeer sleigh.
You can also write your Christmas wish and hang it on the special Christmas Tree of Wishes, before warming up with a delicious pastry and hot berry juice.
There is plenty of snowy fun for the whole family too, including tobogganing, kick sledding and mini-snowmobile rides for children.
After a day filled with festive adventures and family time, return to Vaattunki with wonderful memories of your Lapland Christmas.
Few experiences capture the spirit of Arctic Lapland quite like a husky safari. Today, you'll meet a team of enthusiastic sled dogs and discover the thrill of travelling through the snowy wilderness by one of the region's most traditional forms of transport.
After being provided with warm winter clothing, you'll receive an introduction to husky sledding and learn the basics of steering your team. Then it's time to set off on an unforgettable ride through beautiful winter landscapes, following forest trails as your energetic huskies eagerly guide the way.
Travelling in pairs, you'll experience the excitement of mushing your own team while taking in the peaceful surroundings of Lapland's snow-covered wilderness. The crisp Arctic air, the sound of paws racing across the snow and the stunning natural scenery combine to create a truly memorable experience.
Following the safari, warm up with hot drinks and biscuits while learning more about the life, training and personalities of these remarkable Arctic dogs from your guide.
Lunch will be served at Restaurant Niva. The remainder of the day is at leisure, offering time to relax at the resort or simply soak up the tranquillity of your wilderness surroundings.
Enjoy a final breakfast surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Arctic wilderness before checking out of Vaattunki Wilderness Resort.
Standard - 2 people sharing
Family triple - 2 adults sharing with 1 child age 4-12
Family quad - 2 adults sharing with 2 children age 4-12
Please note this tour is not suitable for children under the age of 4. In snowmobile safaris children 4-12 years old are seated in a sledge behind the guide’s snowmobile.
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.
ANIMAL WELFARE POLICY:
At 50 Degrees North, animal welfare is a top priority during all our tours and packages. We carefully select suppliers who adhere to strict animal welfare standards, ensuring that wildlife interactions are respectful and comply with local, national, and international regulations. We avoid offering excursions that involve captive wildlife, except where they are properly regulated, and all activities are designed to minimise disturbance to natural ecosystems. Our travellers are educated on responsible, including responsible animal interactions, through our 'Responsible Travel Tips' for travellers, and our guides are trained to lead by example, promoting ethical conduct towards both wild and domesticated animals. By prioritising animal welfare in every aspect of our tours, we ensure that your travel experience is both enjoyable and ethically sound. Read our article on Animal Welfare to learn more.
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