If you ask us, Lapland is one of the most enchanting places on Earth. This northern part of Scandinavia is a stunning winter destination when the pristine landscape is covered with a thick layer of snow. We traveled to Finnish Lapland with Lapland Travel to experience the most incredible activities in one week, such as a husky ride, snowmobiling, a northern lights expedition, and much more. It was an unforgettable journey, and here we share our experience with Lapland and the travel organization Lapland Travel so you know what to expect.
Why Did We Choose Lapland Travel?
You could describe us best as do-it-yourself travelers, and we usually plan all our trips ourselves. We enjoy the freedom of exploring and finding beautiful places and activities on our own. However, when it comes to Lapland, it’s a bit different. When traveling to Lapland in winter, you typically don’t do a road trip but rather visit one destination from where you’ll undertake activities. Moreover, almost everyone wants to experience similar activities. A trip to Lapland requires less research and more careful planning. This is where Lapland Travel comes in and takes care of the arrangements, ensuring you have the ultimate Lapland experience in one week. They handle the flight, accommodation, activities, and transfers, leaving you with the opportunity to check off your entire Lapland bucket list and enjoy the experience to the fullest without any hassle.
The Lapland Travel Concept
At Lapland Travel, the accommodation and five exciting activities are included in the package. There are various types of accommodations to choose from, such as a log cabin, a glass cottage, a bed in a hostel, or an apartment. The prices depend on the type of accommodation you choose. We opted for a log cabin and one night in a glass cottage. The log cabin was simple but very cozy, and the glass cottage was incredibly beautiful. You can find more information about the different types of accommodations available and their corresponding prices on their website.
The activities that are always included in the package are:
1. Husky safari
2. Snowmobile ride
3. Northern Lights expedition
4. Cross-country skiing
5. Snowshoe hike
Additionally, there are many more optional activities that you can book, such as fatbiking, visiting a reindeer farm, skiing, and horse riding. You can also choose to book the flight to Lapland through Lapland Travel or arrange it on your own if you prefer. Once in Lapland, the travelers are divided into groups of about 12 people. You will do the five included activities with your group, which we found enjoyable as you get to know the same people throughout the trip. The optional activities often consist of a mix of participants from different groups. You can choose between two different destinations: Äkäslompolo and Rovaniemi. We chose Äkäslompolo because it is a smaller village, but Rovaniemi is also just as beautiful, as we later discovered.
Our Lapland Experience
The first week of February, the time had come, and we set off for Lapland. We flew from Amsterdam around sunrise, and we could enjoy it throughout the entire flight. The sun only rises a short way above the horizon around this time in Lapland. On a clear day, you can enjoy up to 6 hours of sunrise in February. That alone is magical, isn’t it? The constant low light enhances the beauty of the winter landscape even more.
After arriving in Lapland, the Lapland Travel bus was already waiting, and we drove to Äkäslompolo in about an hour. This is a very small village, surrounded by 7 hills and the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The village has everything you need for a pleasant week. There is a large supermarket, a bar, and several restaurants. Not that we tested them because we enjoyed preparing our own meals quickly in the cabin after a day full of activities. The cabin was a delightful place to relax. It had its own sauna, a well-equipped kitchen, and a cozy seating area. Everything was well taken care of!
The weather forecast indicated that it would be around -0.4°F (-18°C) throughout the week. However, once in Lapland, it turned out to be quite different. There was a day when it was 28.4°F (-2°C), but there was also a day when it was -31°F (-35°C)! So, make sure you are prepared for all types of weather and check our packing list for Lapland before you go. At -35°C, it was so cold that the condensation from our breath immediately froze on our faces. After an hour of cross-country skiing, our toes were freezing, and we quickly bought thicker woolen socks and hand and foot warmers. With those, the rest of the week, our shoes and gloves were wonderfully warm.
The activities were all fantastic experiences, with the husky ride being the highlight for us. What an adventure it was! Each day, one or two activities were scheduled, and there was enough free time to explore on our own. In the surroundings, you can go for beautiful walks in the national park, go skiing, or visit a sauna. We rented this adorable sauna by Lake Äkäslompolo where you could also take a dip in the icy water. It was a really cool experience and perfect in combination with the sauna!
The communication from Lapland Travel was excellent. One week before our trip, we received our itinerary, which provided an overview of how the week would unfold. Then, we received an invitation to join the group chat, where everyone from our group and a Lapland Travel representative participated. Each day, we received messages in the chat with all the information we needed for the following day. Everything was organized to perfection, so we didn’t have to worry about anything, and we also received some great tips for exploring the area.
When Can You Visit Lapland and What Are the Costs?
There are various dates available from late December to March. The prices vary and depend on the type of accommodation you choose. The prices start from approximately $1380 per person. This includes five activities, accommodation, and flights. If you are excited about this amazing trip, take a look at www.laplandtravel.com for more information or to register.
