Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland!

AE
Annie Emanuelli
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12 reviews
Nov 21 - 26, 2023
Group size: 4 - 16
Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland!
Finland

Annie Emanuelli
  • Email address verified
  • Facebook verified
  • LinkedIn verified
12 reviews

$NaN
Nov 21 - 26, 2023
Group size: 4 - 16

About this trip

Bucket List Travel is thrilled to announce a five-night trip to Finnish Lapland to see the spectacular Aurora Borealis - the Northern Lights!

We will be staying in cozy private cabins at the charming Aurora Holidays resort, 280 miles above the Arctic Circle. It is  one of the best places on Earth to experience the lights! 

ALL of the guests who have stayed here since 2017 - every single one - have seen the lights here!!

Group size is limited to under 16 guests.

Seeing the Northern Lights is on everyone's bucket list - so make 2023 the year you stop dreaming, and start packing!

Where Can You See the Northern Lights?

The Aurora Borealis is the most amazing natural phenomena in the world! But most people never get the thrill of seeing it. (I made three winter trips to Iceland hoping to see the Northern Lights and never saw them!) The Lights are usually only visible on Earth during four winter months from a 700-mile-wide band near the North Pole, known as the “Aurora Zone.” Our destination is located smack-dab in the middle of the Aurora Zone, in the tiny village of Utsjoki in Lapland, northern Finland. ("Lapland" is situated in Scandinavia and often referred to as the northern area of Finland.)

Hunting the Lights

The guides at Aurora Holidays are Northern Lights-hunting professionals, ensuring you always get the best views of the spectacular aurora borealis. We’ll actively hunt the lights three evenings of our tour. The guides search the night skies and analyze conditions, always choosing the best nights, places, and times when you will most likely see the Aurora. (Occasionally the Lights are visible from your cottage!) Our viewing might take place around the resort or on the road in our van - guided by where we predict you will have the best possible chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis. These northern lights tours last between two to three hours, but some nights we are out longer if the lights appear at then end of our tour. 

Keep in mind that there is no guarantee you will see the Northern Lights during your stay. We will do our absolute best to make sure that your bucket list dream comes true, but we are at the mercy of nature and can't make any promises.

We'll Eat Really Well!

Your package includes full board (all 14 meals included) of delicious Finnish, Sami, and Scandinavian cuisine based on local ingredients of the best quality. The restaurant serves local free-range/grass-fed meat, and fish from local rivers, lakes and the Arctic Ocean. The resort's owners are an indigenous Sami reindeer-herding family, so self-raised free range reindeer meat is the star of the menu. They always have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free meal options. The chef accommodates everyone based on individual dietary preferences, allergies, or restrictions. You'll enjoy five breakfasts; four lunches, either in the dining area or during the activities; five three-course dinners, including non-alcoholic drinks, water, soda or juice; and evening snacks when we are chasing the Northern Lights. In addition, the bar and kitchen are there if you want anything else (at additional cost.) The restaurant consciously works to avoid food waste, support small local businesses, chooses ecological options whenever possible, and uses only the cleanest local water (no bottled water). 

Our Accommodations

You will stay in one of our four cozy wooden Finnish two-bedroom cottages that sleep up to four people each. You can have a cabin all to yourself, or share it with up to three other friends or family members. These high quality Finnish cottages are fresh and clean, because they are quite new, well maintained, and smoke-free. They are equipped with everything you need, including a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Each cottage has a private sauna where you can warm up after a cold night chasing the lights. The cottages face directly north, so you can check what is happening in the sky any time, and you can watch auroras from your window all night long if you like! 

Aurora Holidays is actively  LGBTQ friendly. It is the first business in Lapland to join the "We Speak Gay" community. 

Costs and Payments

The cost of this trip is $2,199 per person. There is no single supplement. Children under 15 years old are half price.

This does NOT include airfare to and from Finland.

Your space will be secured when we receive a  nonrefundable deposit of $500.

The balance is due three months before your departure (August. 21, 2023.)

Included and Excluded

This tour includes:

  • Five nights accommodation
  • Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)
  • Unlimited WIFI in all cottages
  • Three guided Northern Lights chasing tours
  •  Assistance with your photography
  • Village tour of Utsjoki
  • Tour of Northern Norway
  • Polar Plunge
  • King Crab feast
  • Reindeer feeding experience
  • Transfer to and from the airport and all activities 
  • Firewood for your outside fireplaces
  • 24/7 assistance by experienced guides

It does not include:

  • Flights
  • Optional activities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Alcohol
  • Tips for guides

How Do I Get There?

Utsjoki is such a great place to see the Northern Lights because it is in a remote area of Lapland close to the North Pole. Yup, this is Santa country!

We recommend you fly Finnair (through Helsinki) and then to  Ivalo airport, which is a 2.5 hour drive from the resort. Transportation to and from our location is included in the package. 

You should book a flight that arrives Ivalo Tuesday, November  21, 2023 around 1 p.m.  We pick you up from Ivalo airport at 1:30 pm on Tuesday. 

Departure flights should be scheduled on Sunday, Nov 26, 2023 around 1 p.m. We'll drop you off at the airport around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. 

Note that you might be better off arriving to Ivalo already on Monday, depending on your flights. 

If you are unsure about the flights – please contact us before booking your flight so that we can advise you.

Arctic Weather

November marks the arrival of winter in Utsjoki. The daily average temperature is around 26°F with highs of just 34°F. Overnight lows average 25°F.

November Is also the wettest month of the year here, which usually means snowfall. But snow is not guaranteed. There is a small chance that some winter activities (like snowshoeing and dogsledding) may not be possible if there isn’t enough snow. The Polar Night begins at the end of November. (The polar night is a phenomenon that occurs only inside the polar circles where nighttime lasts for more than 24 hours.) The sun won’t rise again until January

What Should I Pack?

When packing. for this trip, follow the Nordic saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather. There's only bad clothing." Weather conditions in Lapland can change quickly and often, so you should bring many layers of warm, comfortable inner wear such as long johns, long sleeved shirts, and trousers. Here is a suggested packing list for your Lapland winter holiday: 

  • Insulated boots with good grip
  • Insulated jacket (preferably waterproof too)
  • Waterproof or snowproof trousers
  • Thermal underwear and base layers
  • Warm woollen or fleece jacket
  • Warm gloves, scarf and hat
  • Thin thermal gloves (ideal as a base layer under snowmobile gloves)
  • Warm woollen socks
  • Small backpack
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera with extra battery pack
  • Heat pads for hands and feet
  • A swimsuit if you're going to take a polar plunge in the ocean. (Towels and swimming footwear are provided)

Feeding the Family Reindeer!

The owners of Aurora Holidays are a traditional Sami reindeer herder family, and there are some resident reindeer around the resort. During the winter the reindeer are fed every day in their enclosure, and you’ll get to help us feed them!

Reindeer are not fully domesticated animals, and by nature do not like to be touched. But if they are feeling brave, they might eat directly out of your hand!

We respect their natural tendencies and will never force human interaction with them. 

Northern Norway & Polar Plunge

For his full-day trip, we leave the resort around 8:30 a.m., and drive to the picturesque village of Bugeynes, on the coast of the Arctic Ocean in Norway. We'll stop to admire and photograph the spectacular scenery along the way. The unique landscapes of the stunning Arctic coast will take your breath away! This day trip includes an opportunity to plunge into the clear frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean! This quick dip will be followed by a sauna, to warm you and bring calm to your very core.

On the way back, we'll stop at a sea-side bistro for a feast of local King crab! This trip can also be a vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free friendly, and we can work around physical disabilities. On the way back to Utsjoki, we'll look for northern lights along the way of course! 

Disclaimer: All activities are dependent on weather condition and availability. We reserve the right to make modifications for health or safety reasons.

Optional Activities

This package includes three nights of aurora chasing activities, a village tour of Utsjoki, a tour of northern Norway, a polar plunge, a King Crab feast, and a daytime reindeer feeding activity. 

You can opt to spend the rest of your time relaxing in the resort. Or if you want something more active, we offer two optional activities:

* Snowshoeing

* Happy Huskies Dog Sledding

Optional: Snowshoeing

The snowshoeing hike is an ideal activity to enjoy the beautiful winter scenery here. Take a walk through the winter wonderland on snowshoes: it gives you the opportunity to see things you can’t see unless you go off the beaten paths. Our pace is slow and the terrain won’t be too difficult, so this is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. We will have a lunch break at our private hut with fireplace, where you can warm up and enjoy some hot drinks and snacks.  

3½ Hours, $80

Optional: Dogsledding in Arctic Forest

You'll have the option to experience the unique Arctic Taiga forest on a husky dogsledding trip (hiking if there is not enough snow). We partner with a responsible dog owner who started his husky company to rescue just one unwanted sled dog. You’ll feel invigorated and free speeding through the Taiga with these happy huskies! The dogs will shower you with affection by the fire after the sledding/walking,

You'll also explore the interactive Siida museum and nature center where you'll learn about the

indigenous Sami culture. (The Samis are the only indigenous people in Europe.) 

This day tour includes transportation, a guide who will be with you the entire day, the Taiga forest experience with huskies (hiking or sledding), Siida museum and nature center tour, and lunch, snacks and warm drinks.

9 hours, $260 

Travel Insurance

Bucket List Travel recommends travel insurance for all of our guests. Travel insurance provides financial protection for unexpected events that affect a trip, such as a cancellation, illness, or an injury that occurs during the trip, and may include coverage for trip expenses, medical emergencies, travel delays, and luggage.

We have partnered with a company called Travel Insurance Master, which works with 11 of the country’s best travel insurance providers to find the best plan and value for you so you don’t have to figure it out yourself. 

They take into account your age, trip cost, and the features you want, and present you with what they think is your best option, as well as several alternatives. You only pay the premium amount; there is no additional cost to you.

Take a look at Travel Insurance Master, and rest assured they’ll find you the best trip insurance for your needs.  https://travelinsurancemaster.com/a?5cc9488b-808d-4077-a31f-c22a7c47abd2 

Cancellations

If you cancel more than 60 days before arrival, you only lose your deposit.

  • 60 to 45 days before arrival - 50% of the full cost will be refunded
  • 44 to 31 days before arrival, 25% of the full cost will be refunded
  • Less than 30 days before the holiday is scheduled to start: no refunds.

If a person in your group must cancel, someone else can take their place for no extra charge. It is also possible to change the booking to another time, if there is availability.

What’s included

  • Accommodation
    Five nights in a private cottage for 1-4 people
  • Meals
    Full board (all 14 meals included)
  • Tours
    All tours provided by an English-speaking guide
  • Admissions
    Entrance fees to all sights in the itinerary
  • Ground transportation
    All transportation, in modern vehicles
  • Airport transfers
    We'll pick you up at the airport when you arrive, and when it's time for you to leave, we'll bring you back to the airport
  • Airfare
  • Tips
    Tips to guides
  • Specialty beverages
    Alcoholic beverages
  • Trip Insurance
  • Personal expenses

Available options

Your Organizer


AE
Annie Emanuelli
12 reviews
Hi - I'm Annie, the founder of Bucket List Travel! Travel is my life! I left a 30+ year career as a corporate marketing exec to start my own travel business, taking people to Bucket List locations! I'd like to take you somewhere you've always dreamed of going. Stop dreaming, start packing!

Reviews

ED
This was the trip of a lifetime!! Annie had every detail planned out so well. We saw the most amazing parts of Zimbabwe, Johannesburg and Capetown. Our lodging and meals were incredible! The game drives were amazing! Annie and the guides were so flexible and were able to make a few last-minute changes based on the groups' needs. She made the trip so easy and enjoyable. I would definitely recommend Annie and the Bucket List team.
By Elizabeth D for Sept 4-15, 2022: South Africa! on 02 Nov, 2022
SUCH a wonderful time in South Africa with a bonus trip to Victoria Falls. This trip was planned pre-pandemic, and it as worth the 2.5 year wait! Everything was taken care of, all I had to do for the most part was show up. The guides were phenomenal, making sure that we saw everything we wanted to see, being flexible in their schedules, and quite literally "making it happen" a number of times. Annie is such a joy to work with and does her best to accommodate requests of all of her guests. This is my second trip with Bucketlist Travel and I am looking to book a third (Jordan+) in the near future.
By Kasey P for Sept 18-29, 2022: South Africa! on 31 Oct, 2022
I would highly recommend taking a tour with Bucket list travels and Annie Emmanuel. This was my first tour but I can’t imagine anything better. Annie organized such a fabulous tour encompassing everything you want to see in South Africa. She takes care of everything….you don’t have to worry about a thing. It is an experience instead of just a vacation. You will be driven by a knowledgeable tour guide to all of the sights she has carefully arranged so that you really experience South Africa….and there’s so much to see! All of the accommodations are fabulous! Great hospitality and great food! The game drives were amazing…I saw every animal I had hoped to see there. You can tell she has a passion for travel that she wants to share with others! I plan on taking another tour with Annie because she has other places that I would like to see. I highly recommend her tours… it exceeded my expectations! Thank you Annie!
By Peg B for Sept 4-15, 2022: South Africa! on 12 Oct, 2022
Annie is THE BEST! She created a wonderful itinerary that allowed us to see so many animals in their natural habitat - including the Big 5, whales and penguins! - and learn about the history of the country through visits to various museums, cultural centers and visiting Cape Town. And we did this all while staying in lovely accommodations and enjoying delicious food. Annie also builds into her trips the opportunity to add on visits to nearby sites. Victoria Falls was fabulous! Thank you, Annie, for another bucket list trip of a lifetime!!
By robin s for Sept 4-15, 2022: South Africa! on 27 Sep, 2022
This was truly an unforgettable experience. It surpassed all our expectations, from the lodging, to the animal sightings, to the food, the guides, and the cultural experiences. Annie Emanuelli you are the best and I look forward to going on another one of your trips in the future.
By Julie K for Sept 4-15, 2022: South Africa! on 24 Sep, 2022
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References

I just returned from a once in a lifetime trip to Cairo organized by Bucket List Travel. Annie took care of every detail of planning, and it really showed when I got off the plane and was taken care of from start to finish with the greatest care. Our guide Yasser was kind, professional, knowledgeable, and funny! He went above and beyond to ensure every need was met and we got the most out of each day in Egypt. I always felt safe and loved experiencing local life and culture. I plan to grab my friends and book again with Bucket List Travel!
By Noel G on 05 Feb, 2020