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Searching for the Northern Lights

Highlights: Beautiful winter landscapes - snowmobiling - huskies - amethyst mine - with luck the Aurora Borealis !

This exceptional short break offers great opportunities for seeing the Aurora Borealis. Hospitality is first class and you will enjoy the quiet village atmosphere deep inside the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland.

Day 1 Depart UK - Arrive Rovaniemi.
Fly from London Heathrow, Manchester or Edinburgh to Rovaniemi via Helsinki. Welcome by your guide to Lapland. Transfer to the Aurora Chalet hotel in Luosto. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Luosto is a small village located about 100km north from the Arctic Circle and Rovaniemi airport. It is an area of natural beauty with a peaceful environment set close to a National Park. The area is famous for its logwood buildings, charming cabins that are built in a traditional way. For those looking for an extra day or two in the north then ice-fishing and other activities can be arranged or you can enjoy the seven ski slopes serviced by three lifts, or try cross-country skiing on well-managed ski trails totalling 74 kilometres, 25 kilometres of which are floodlit.

Day 2 Amethyst & Aurora Borealis.
After breakfast, you are fitted out in thermal winter equipment and start your adventure with a sled trip to the top of a nearby mountain where the only working amethyst mine in Europe is located. The open scenery from the top of Lampivaara is breathtaking and in clear weather mountains 75km away can be seen on the horizon.

Your host at the amethyst mine will tell you about this stone and how the various ice ages have eroded the mountain and brought the amethyst to the surface. The best amethysts here are classified as gems and as all are collected by hand you may search for your own amethyst. Descend to a Lappish teepee, or kota, for an excellent lunch around an open fire before an afternoon at leisure.

After dinner your guide will fit you with snowshoes and take you on a night time walk to search for the northern lights. He will tell you something about this natural phenomenon and should you see them, then being out in the quiet of the hills at night, in winter it is a magical experience.

Note that on Tuesdays only, it is possible to go by snowmobile to Coreana Borealis – House of the Northern Lights where you will gain a greater understanding on this spectacular northern phenomenon. There will be a slide show and talk by one of the scientists working at the Geophysical Observatory at Sodankylä. They should also be able to predict the likelihood of you seeing the Northern Lights during your stay.

Day 3 Snowmobiles, Reindeers & Huskies.
Today you drive your own snowmobile to Jaakkola Reindeer Farm. A short reindeer-sleigh ride is taken and you will learn about reindeer husbandry in Lapland.

Continue by snowmobile to be welcomed by friendly Siberian Huskies! Here is another highlight of the tirp as you experience the thrill of driving your own dog-sled team on the trails for around 3 hours passing through forests, across lakes and streams. This evening there is time to search for the aurora borealis.

Day 4 Leaving Lapland.
After breakfast transfer from Luosto to Rovaniemi airport for departure. Depending on your flight schedule enjoy a visit to the very good Artikulum museum of Arctic life.

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Itinerary:
1. Arrive Rovaniemi, transfer to hotel.
2. Morning visit to the amethyst mine. Evening snowshoe walk to seek the northern lights.
3. By snowmobile to reindeer farm and short sleigh ride. Continue to husky farm for 3h dog-sledding adventure.
4. Depart Finland to the UK.

Cost from: Varies depending on departure date. Please enquire.

Departure Dates: Any dates your requirements between December and April