Customer Review

Wow, where do I even begin on this one! I went on a holiday to show my wife the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) which I had been fortunate enough to have seen previously. In the event, we had such a fantastic time that the fabulous light show we eventually witnessed was a total bonus. The obvious emphasis of the holiday is understandably the Aurora, but the truth was that the fabulous activities on offer (and we tried them all) kept us fully occupied from first thing in the morning to last thing at night! This could have been more accurately sold as an 18-60 (a spin-off of the old 18-30 holidays). Due to the nature of the activities, this was an adult only holiday which was a bonus we hadn’t expected. There really was so much to do. In a brief and very packed week we went on snowmobile safaris, dog sledge safaris, (and husky flatulence is something that has to be experienced to be believed), ice fishing, late-night snowshoe walks, cross-country skiing (several times – wow that was hard work), late-night sauna and hot tub, at -15C staring up at the stars, walks into Muonio (twice) and across to Sweden via the river bridge, lunch in the “Ice Palace” and an unbelievable evening in the Aurora Dome down on the river – but a fantastic venue, then someone turned on the Northern Lights for 3 ½ hours! You should change the name from Aurora Zone to Aurora Euphoria!!! Despite what you might hear about Scandinavia, Finland IS NOT expensive. Beer and food is the same as the UK, fuel was the same price as in England, and the two supermarkets in Muonio (only a short walk away) sold everything that the tourist needed. The staff in the hotel were fabulous and without exception, it is the best holiday I have ever had! I really can’t suggest anything to better what was on offer at Harriniva.

Brilliant holiday thanks, and one that we will be recommending to all of our friends.

Thank you to Barry, Dawn and Carol for your superb service. Thanks also for your help and support when Violet had to cancel. Travelling solo was not a problem as everyone was friendly and inclusive. Pease tell anyone who is considering going on their own that it's OK. Most enjoyable: Husky sledge ride! Just fab. Individual evening (dark) snowmobile ride led by Ben. Well worth the money.

We found the whole experience stress free; the guides knowledge and enthusiasm infectious. From the start when we looked at the holiday through to the coach drivers, cooks, hotel manager, reps and guides all were helpful, knowledgeable and nothing was too much trouble. Each activity was a good experience with the friendly knowledgeable guides Ben, Mia, Anthony, Matais, Matt and the Finnish guide whose name escapes me. The husky day has to be up there due to the unique experience, the quietness, only hearing crunching snow and breathing of the huskies. Each guide we felt safe with. Enjoyed every moment - thank you all.

All excellent and made for a most enjoyable holiday. Hard to choose a favourite activity as all were enjoyable. Everyone went out of their way to make it a very happy and enjoyable holiday.

Your sales team/admin team were fantastic and extremely helpful especially Amy and Dawn. Thanks for sorting out twin beds in the Kota. Am so pleased we chose the Kota rather than the hotel - well worth the extra - thanks Amy for that advice and "nudge"!! The husky trip was the best - the reindeers would have topped this had the ride been longer. That was my wife's view! I loved the snowmobile trip with Juoko, with the huskies a very close second! All were brilliant and amazing!! All of it was exceptional and enjoyed them all! We have travelled to many places but for such a short trip every day was filled with the most amazing experiences ticking many of our bucket list items!! It completely surpassed all of our expectations. We really had no idea what to expect and strangely the Northern Lights became secondary! However, we loved seeing them even though they weren't that spectacular because of the cloud cover but because of the other trips we weren't as disappointed as we thought we might have been when we first arrived.

I had such an awesome time I am still buzzing even after a month! The package was a fair detail and Mountain Lodge was the best place to stay and food was yummy! I was luck enough to see Northern Lights three nights out of which last night was a very grand display! I loved the Husky safari and another importanat point - I also saw the best sunset of my life! Thank you for arranging everything so flawlessly!

10 out of 10. Can’t fault it. Loved it all.

The whole process from initial ideas shared with you to the holiday itself represented excellence so there are no individual or specific issues requiring further comment. Most enjoyable: Very difficult. Whilst we had always hoped to see the Northern Lights we enjoyed all the activities we were able to undertake bearing in mind Kay's limited mobility but being lucky to see the lights on three occasions, it must be the Aurora safaris/camps. However the Husky safari was a wonderful experience. I had no idea that I would "drive" a dog sled team. Least enjoyable: We enjoyed all the activities we chose . Nothing could remotely be classed as not enjoyable. For us everything was perfection and far exceeded our expectations. Although we were prepared we did underestimate the extreme cold weather. Just a point. This holiday was a wonderful experience which we enjoyed immensely . The hotel, staff, food, activities, guides especially Ben, and all the ancillary items were first class. Lammu and Meeka were the most welcoming and charming hosts and left us with memories to cherish.

The staff at Muotka Lodge were cheerful, helpful and attentive. The flights and transfers were seamless. The accommodation was warm and comfortable. Most enjoyable activity: For me it was the dog sledding. It was exhilarating and something I didn't think I would achieve at age 76! I travelled alone and therefore had dogs and sled to myself. Least enjoyable activity: There wasn't one. Improvements: If there is I don't know what it is. Additional comments: This was probably the last item on my bucket list. I couldn't be more delighted with the result. I loved all the activities, the guides were attentive and helpful as were the managers and staff at the lodge.

Thank you for a fabulous trip - great staff, great service and great food make up for otherwise basic accommodation. Organised trips were fun, expertly guided and memorable. I would recommend a visit to the Abisko Sky Station, and the dog sledding experience is not to be missed. Overall a very enjoyable trip... not affected by the cloudy skies and poor visibility for Aurora viewing. We did see them once...

Snowmobile safari - we went into total wilderness and it felt like a proper Arctic experience. Dinner at the Icehotel was excellent. Also really enjoyed the reindeer sledging and getting insights into the life of Sámi.

Our guide Robert was superb. His knowledge of the area and all related activities was excellent in every way, and even when the weather forecast was not encouraging his relentless positivism was contagious. We were fortunate to be a party of two, and therefore much of the activities we did were with Robert; this was like having a private guide and he ensured that we remained the focus of the trip throughout. We cannot recommend him enough. The whale safari and the Huski sledding were both fantastic. The small rigger was ideal to view the whales, which we were fortunate enough to see, and the Captain clearly knew how and where to find them!

Everything was well-prepared during our stay. I am especially impressed by the work ethics as even when there was a time where there were only 3 tourists, including the both of us, the trip still continued. The whole process, including the payment and administration, was smooth and all replies were fast. As an international customer situated in the Asia country (Singapore), I was worried that there would be some hiccups, but after this trip, I could confidently comment on its great reliability and credibility.

Absolutely fantastic experience! Could not have asked for anything better. Everything went smoothly, no problems at all with travel. BRILLIANT holiday. Excellently looked after throughout, absolutely nothing to worry or even think about at any point. All activities were excellent, the lodge is just perfect. Not 5 star service, but everything you need and a VERY friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The Northern Lights aren't guaranteed, but on this trip everything possible is done to help you see them. A wonderful, wonderful experience.

Great holiday from the booking of it to the holiday and activities in Finland. Great knowledge and always helpful on the phone. The staff at the hotel and the guides were all very friendly.

The holiday was amazing! Absolutely perfect :) We had been planning this holiday for nearly 10 years and it finally happened. But what an experience it was...the places, the people, the food was amazing, and of course the lights were spectacular. Luckily we had displays every day, but the final night at the Ice Hotel had the most wonderful, indescribable full display - I literally don't know how to describe what we saw! - greens, reds, purples all over. A sight we will never forget! Just breathtaking, worth the wait and a perfect way to end the trip. The organisation was so professional that we were at ease the whole time. A very big thank you to Barry and the whole team for ensuring we had such a wonderful experience! I literally didn't want to come home!

Everyone we met were extremely helpful and nothing was too much trouble. We had the warmest welcome we have ever had on holiday when we arrived at the hotel. All the activities were well organised and ran to schedule. The Aurora workshop was cut short because there was activity outside. The guide set up my camera in temperatures around minus 30 degrees C so that I could take some photos of the Aurora for which I am very grateful. I hope his hands have thawed out. I could write an essay praising the holiday and the people.

I would like to thank the team out in Torassieppi for helping make my Birthday celebrations even more spectacular than I expected. This trip certainly exceeded expectations in many ways and with a few sightings of the Aurora Borealis what more could I ask for? Each activity was special in its own way. I enjoyed them all immensely but the one that stands out and brought tears to my eyes was returning back to base over a frozen lake with the sun setting, not a sound around except the glide on the ice 'mushing' with a husky pack- truly memorable! The Guides certainly know their job well and were such friendly people too. I would personally like to thank the team: Katrina (rep), Carly (reception), Piia, Valtteri,Scotty (guides & transfer), Eve, Lasse, Topi (amazing chefs) - nothing was too much trouble for this team, they were absolutely brilliant! I do hope to return another time and take up a husky safari as I had a truly magical day 'mushing' with my team of dogs. So many wonderful memories to treasure, thank you so very much to all the Aurora Zone Team (the wine for my birthday was a lovely gesture too).

10/10 for Abisko Mountain Lodge. The staff were so welcoming and helpful. Rooms basic but clean and comfortable. The food was amazing. The chef did an amazing job for my daughter who has allergies. Normally the food is bland when changes are made but he made it exciting and tasteful. It takes a lot to get my daughter to eat unusual foods but he definitely won her over. Husky sledging - was just amazing to travel this way and as it was in the afternoon we saw the sun setting. Just beautiful. Will definitely want to go back to Abisko.

Absolutely fabulous!!! Everything was amazing!!! You can't improve perfect!!!! This was the most amazing holiday I have ever had. So well organised, the most amazing destination and I would like to send a massive thank you to our wonderful guide Ben Murgatroyd he looked after us so much he made us feel like family. Thank you Ben!!!!!! I will definitely be recommending your company to EVERYONE.

All information given before booking the trip was fantastic. All booking documents, travel documents, etc were sent very quickly and were full of information and easy to navigate. Looked after brilliantly while we were at Senja. Food choice - there was none, set meals, except breakfast. Regardless of above, food was beautiful, fresh and above all different! Ingvil/Ingrid (local guide) was brilliant, and a lovely person to talk to whilst trekking for views of the lights! Activities were great fun, and very impressed with the level of care and equipment provided. The hike to see the lights was very basic. I do not mean this as a negative - something so simple was just brilliant. Sitting down after you've climbed, having a cup of tea and some chocolate whilst the guide described the area and the lights, was a truly unique experience. Especially with the lights across the sky. All staff at Hamn I Senja are so polite and accommodating, it really added to the overall experience. From initial enquiry to trip back to the airport in Oslo, this was one of the most enjoyable holidays I have had. Congratulations, you run a fantastic service.

Hotel warm and welcoming. Beds very comfortable. Activities well organised and guides very helpful, knowledgeable and fun! Seeing the Northern Lights was amazing. Snowmobiling and dog sledding was great fun too as we were able to explore the wilderness. We enjoyed every minute of the holiday. We were very lucky and saw the lights two nights running. The guides were excellent and very enthusiastic.

The staff were wonderful, especially Robin, Niina and Minga at Muotka. Barry on the sales team went out of his way to get us booked before Christmas. The husky safari was wonderful. As a dog trainer, it was so fun to see the dogs doing what they were bred to do. And the Aurora made a splendid appearance, which was fantastic.

Everything was very good on this trip; all my questions were answered prior to leaving. Everything worked out as expected and I wouldn't change a thing. The guides were all excellent, the transfers to and from the airport were on time and excellent. The food was tops and freshly prepared. All the equipment we were given was excellent, we stayed very warm on this trip as the temperature got down to -40 degrees one of the evenings we were out doing our night photo activity. It was the first time I had been snowmobiling in my life; the guide was very good at explaining how to operate the snowmobile and it was a total blast when we got out on the trails. My wife and I were very happy with everything.

Katrina your rep at Harriniva was brilliant, as were all the Harriniva staff and activity leaders we met. Loved the hotel, loved the food, and once again, both your staff and all the folk at Harriniva were absolutely first class.

We have just come back from the most wonderful trip ever. We went for 4 nights and were luck to see the lights every evening. The scenery is amazing and the temperatures got down to -38 degrees on our last day. We took part in the husky safari, the trip to the Amethyst mine on snowmobiles & the reindeer safari. The team at the Aurora Zone were amazing and so helpful, making the booking of this trip of a lifetime easy and enjoyable.