Finnish Lapland is Europe’s last wilderness. Home to Santa Claus, and part of the Sámi homeland, it is an ethereal expanse of raw nature where revontulet (firefox’s) flaming tail sets the polar skies on fire in hypnotic dance. It’s a place where indigenous tradition is intertwined with the land and its resources. Reindeer herding, dog sledding, ice fishing, and sauna soaking are a way of life in this untamed corner or Europe. We’ll bask in the evening glow of the aurora, chasing the magic light by snowshoe, sleigh, and sled. We’ll cuddle with huskies and rub noses with reindeer, dig for amethyst and unpack the ancient layers of the Sámi. Join us for this magical detour to 68.9° N!

Iconic Places:
Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle, the snowy stillness of Saariselkä, and the cultural heart of Sámi country in Inari.

Signature Experiences:
Photograph the Northern Lights with expert guidance, mush with (and fall a little in love with) Rovaniemi’s huskies, snowmobile across frozen landscapes, rub noses with reindeer, and try your hand at ice fishing in the far north.

Cultural & Daily Life:
Warm up inside Finland’s deeply rooted sauna culture—where heat, silence, and ritual reveal how Finns live with nature and winter.

Hidden Stories:
Quiet moments beneath the polar sky, Indigenous Sámi traditions, and life shaped by snow, darkness, and light beyond the postcard image of Lapland.

Expert Guidance:
Led by knowledgeable local guides who bring Finland’s Arctic landscapes, Sámi culture, and northern way of life vividly to life.

Welcome to Helsinki! Finland’s cosmopolitan capital sits on the Baltic Sea, welcoming us with its stunning waterfront, picturesque islands and bustling harbors. Known for its progressive values and emphasis on sustainability, Helsinki consistently ranks high in global livability indexes and prides itself in its excellent education system, vibrant cultural scene, and high quality of life. We’ll get to know Helsinki, and each other, over a welcome reception in our hotel around 5 pm before savoring our first of many Finnish feasts together.

We start our morning with a guided tour of Helsinki’s historic center. We’ll visit Senate Square where we’ll marvel at the grand Helsinki Cathedral, wander through the vibrant Market Square, sampling local delicacies and soaking in the lively atmosphere, and we’ll visit the moving Uspenski Russian orthodox cathedral with its unique architecture and acoustics. We’ll stroll through Helsinki's Design District where we’ll gain insights into Finnish culture, design, and lifestyle. The afternoon and evening are yours to delight in Helsinki’s vibrant energy and photogenic squares.

This morning we fly north to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. Located just south of the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is known as the official hometown of Santa Claus, with year-round Christmas spirit. The Arctic Circle itself marks the southernmost point where the sun can stay continuously above or below the horizon for 24 hours, creating summer’s midnight sun and winter’s polar night. We’ll cross the Arctic Circle en route to Santa’s Village where we’ll sample its spirit and eateries. We’ll then head to Rovaniemi, our base for the next three nights where we’ll be welcomed to Lapland over a feast of traditional dishes followed by Aurora hunting.

Husky sledding has a rich tradition in Finnish Lapland, dating back centuries when the Sámi people relied on these hardworking dogs for transportation and hunting in the harsh Arctic conditions. Today, husky sledding remains an integral part of Lapland's culture and heritage, offering us a unique way to experience the snowy wilderness. We’ll enjoy a late morning immersing in this Arctic tradition, learning the in’s and out’s of mastering mushing, including a mush of our own! The afternoon and evening are yours to explore Rovaniemi’s shops, restaurants, and Science Center with possible Aurora hunting after dinner (weather permitting).

Today we bid Rovaniemi farewell and head north to the village of Saariselkä where we’ll tuck into our Aurora cabins for the next four nights. We’ll stop en route to learn about Lapland’s amethyst, mined in the remote wilderness of the Pyhä-Luosto National Park on ancient Sámi land. We’ll ride the purple Pendolino (snow cat) to the mountain top entrance where we’ll get our hands dirty digging for our own gemstone. Once at our hotel, we’ll get prepped for our Aurora activities with a Northern Lights photography workshop, putting our skills to work after dinner when we’ll cozy up by the lakeside campfire waiting to watch the firefox’s flaming tail light the sky.

Today is all about play. We’ll indulge in some of Lapland’s favorite forms of Nordic entertainment on a snow mobile and ice fishing adventure. For anyone who’d prefer the silent reflection of snowshoeing or the cardio burst of cross country skiing, those options are available as well. And if you haven’t already done so, this afternoon is a perfect time to soak up the soft warmth of the sauna tradition at our hotel’s excellent offerings. After dinner tonight we strap on our dancing (snow) shoes for some tango with the Aurora Borealis.

Today marks our northermost point as we travel to Inari to learn about Sámi culture and heritage, stopping along the way to take photos at Lake Inari. A guided tour of the museum provides a foundation of the history and way of life of the Sámi, the indigenous people of Lapland. After the tour, we’ll visit a handicraft shop with beautiful local souvenirs and enjoy lunch at their cozy restaurant. A post-lunch walk takes us to the snowy Juutuanjoki River, where the openly flowing rapids carve ornamental patterns into the surrounding ice. Back at our hotel, we’ll enjoy dinner together and chase the Aurora tonight via heated sleigh ride.

Today is yours to choose your own Arctic adventure. Soak up the silence on an early morning ski through Saariselkä’s enchanting forests. Need a more relaxed pace? Enjoy a leisurely breakfast watching reindeer graze nearby. Get your snow shoe on or head into the village for a bit of shopping or a soothing spa session. If you haven’t yet enjoyed the Finnish sauna experience, now’s your chance! Dip into a hot tub, or brave the cold plunge pool. As night falls, we’ll enjoy a final dinner before heading out to chase the Aurora one last time.

This morning we head to to Ivalo airport after our final breakfast in Lapland. Once back in our Helsinki hotel, the afternoon is yours to seek out any final sights you missed or catch up on last minute shopping. We’ll meet this evening for a farewell dinner where we’ll share our highlights of our time together and plot our next escapes.

Our Nordic detour ends after breakfast. We’ll help arrange taxis to the Helsinki airport, ferry port, or anywhere else you’re planning to visit next. If you still haven’t had enough of the northern latitudes, a boat trip to Talinn, Estonia is an easy excursion from Helsinki. We are happy to help with any post-travel plans. If you’re homeward bound, we’ll say jäähyväiset (farewell!), and look forward to our next detour together.