Nature and cultural tour in Lapland

Arrival at Kemi-Tornio Airport (KEM), Finland. After collecting our luggage, we'll go to the hotel of your choice in the Kemi Tornio Haparanda area, in the region of Lapland, a region crossed by the border between Sweden and Finland. Here, you speak two languages, use two currencies, and live in two different time zones! We will go to the facility of your choice from a wide range of possibilities.

Upon arrival in the city you can try  on arctic clothing, which will be available to you throughout the tour. We'll then have a welcome dinner, where we'll explain the program. Conditions permitting, we will guide you on the first hunt for the Northern Lights.

After breakfast we will leave our hotel and transfer to Kemi, where we will drive you to the Snow Castle, located in the eastern part of the city, on the shore of the Baltic Sea. Here we will do a beautiful arctic trek, on the frozen surface of the sea! We will meet our guide, who will give us the equipment and safety instructions, before starting a beautiful walk of easy level that will lead us to the island of Laitakari, located about 700 m from the coast.

Here stand the ruins of a historic industrial settlement, which gave rise to the city of Kemi in the nineteenth century. The view from the island towards Sweden is characterized by ice, which is lost as far as the eye can see: this is in fact the southernmost sea in the northern hemisphere that freezes regularly. During your stay on the island, we'll explain how this settlement marked the birth of the city of Kemi. With the help of the exhibition materials, you will learn how a community of workers lived with their families in such an isolated environment.

On your return from the trek, you can optionally visit the Snow Castle (separate ticket to be purchased on site).

In the afternoon, we'll transfer to a reindeer farm, run by a family from the area. These wonderful animals have been the key to life in Lapland for centuries: we can feed them delicious lichens and take a ride on a sleigh pulled by them. We will also talk to the farmers, who will make us feel at home. In the beautiful kota, around the lit fire, we will be served a snack with a hot drink.

Back in the hotel, dinner will be served. After dinner, weather permitting, we will go on a night safari to try to observe the Northern Lights. As every evening, the excursion may be postponed to one of the following days in case of unfavorable conditions.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the historic center of Tornio: the city was founded in 1621 and is characterized by wooden buildings typical of the Finnish tradition although the architecture has been influenced by Swedish architecture, as seen for example by the church of Hedvig Eleonora, built in 1686. During this tour we will have the opportunity to visit and get to know the church, the city museum and then move to the neighboring town Haparanda where we will visit the park that divides the two cities (EU Parken). 

Afterwards, we will drive by private vehicle on the Swedish side of the Tornio River, to the perfectly preserved historic fishing village of Kukkola, located some half an hour away on the banks of the longest rapids in the Nordic countries. We will explain how people lived in these areas before the advent of technology, and we'll visit the small but fascinating fish museum to retrace the ancient traditions of the area. We'll see interesting buildings such as the sawmill, mill, and miller's house (entry may be limited by snow in winter), and we'll have time to explore the picturesque Arctic river environment.

Later we will go to a kota dating back to the late eighteenth century, to learn how to make bread in the traditional Lappish way, sitting around the fire in a unique atmosphere, with the guidance of a local person. We will be able to enjoy the bread we made together with a succulent fish salad and hot juice.

Dinner will be served at the hotel or nearby. After dinner, weather permitting, we will go on a night safari to try to observe the Northern Lights. As every evening, the excursion may be postponed to one of the following days in case of unfavorable conditions.

In the morning breakfast will be served at the hotel, and then we will leave for a husky sled safari. The experience is very intense, in contact with these wonderful animals and unspoiled nature. Upon arrival, we will meet the breeders, who will welcome us.

The dogs will howl and squirm when you arrive: it is not a sign of threat, but rather of a desire to start the safari! After a brief explanation of driving techniques and safety, we will begin a wonderful journey through the snowy forest, which we will cross for about 20 to 30 minutes. At the end of the safari, we'll gather around the campfire to sip a hot juice.

Afterwards we will have a wonderful ice fishing experience. We will be guided in learning the techniques of ice fishing, which you can practice on the surface of a picturesque lake or on the surface of the frozen river, depending on the conditions. Afterwards, our guide will take you on a snowshoe hike, lasting about 30-45 minutes, into the snowy nature near the fishing spot. In the evening, we'll return to the facility, where you can relax. Upon return to the hotel, dinner will be served, after which, weather permitting, we will go on a night safari to try to observe the Northern Lights.

In the morning breakfast will be served at the hotel. This will be followed by a transfer to the chose departure airport, where we will help you with boarding formalities. End of the tour.