Wilderness Hotel Nangu – Northern Lights Short Break
- Details
Details
Spend three nights in a wonderful whirlwind of winter activities by the shores of Lake Inari. This short trip doesn't compromise on activities with experiences including husky sledding, a reindeer farm visit, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. At night, you will search for the Northern Lights on foot and at an Aurora Camp.
Venture 250km north of the Arctic Circle to the southern shores of Lake Inari in Northern Finland, and experience a short-but-sweet, Northern Lights hunting holiday.
The newly transformed adults-only (16+) Wilderness Hotel Nangu is just a total haven of peace and quiet and is tucked in the most incredible lakeside location in the depths of the wild. It is small scale and just oozes comfort and charm with its high-end décor and stunning log-built construction. The owners also happen to be our longstanding friends and suppliers, and we know that they offer nothing less than excellence. With this as your base, we can assure you that every free moment you have can be savoured and enjoyed. The hotel's proximity to Lake Inari means that, by night, there is a vast expanse of dark sky above you, ideal for Northern Lights hunting.
The lake and surrounding area also offer a base for a myriad of activities during your time here. Despite the short length of this trip, we have included all the 'must-dos' when visiting Northern Finland. You will do some incredible dog sledding and visit a reindeer farm, you'll explore the wilds on snowshoes and will have the chance to try snowmobiling. We have also included two Northern Lights hunts.
By night, you will spend one relaxed evening at an Aurora Camp which you will typically reach via a snowmobile-pulled sleigh. With your expert guide, you will sit around a warming fire in this prime viewpoint and will wait to see if the Northern Lights will appear. Your second trip will see you venture out on snowshoes as you head to an ideal viewpoint with your guide in the hope of catching a display.
So, go on, spare a few days from your hectic schedules this winter and escape to the remote wilderness of Northern Finland. Returning with memories that will last a lifetime and impressive stories to tell your friends and family, we know that you will not regret it.
Important Information
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only. Your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which will be emailed to you around a week prior to departure), or upon arrival.
Itinerary
Once you land at Ivalo Airport, you will be greeted by your driver who will be waiting to escort* you to the shores of Lake Inari. The journey will take around thirty minutes, as you venture further North and deeper into the remote wilderness of Finnish Lapland.
After arriving, you will have some time to settle into your cosy hotel room before dinner in the hotel’s fabulous log-built restaurant.
You will also receive your cold weather clothing tonight, so you will be all set to head out this evening and down on to the lake should you wish to begin your Aurora efforts.
Please note that the order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final itinerary will be provided on arrival at your accommodation.
* Transfers are based on a scheduled group shuttle that sometimes stops at a few nearby hotels. If you would prefer to upgrade to private taxi transfers please ask our Travel Experts for a quotation.
Included Meals: Dinner
Today, the trip will truly commence as you begin your first full day at Nangu, which includes one of our favourite winter activities as well as an evening Aurora hunt.
After filling up on breakfast, you will take a transfer to the husky farm where you will meet an expert musher who will give you a brief tour of the farm. The first thing you will notice is the loud, impatient barking of the huskies raring to take you on your sleigh-ride. They must wait a little longer as you are given a thorough safety briefing and lesson on how to guide your own husky team before you set off.
Once your guide is comfortable that you are ready, you will head out, huskies first, on an unforgettable journey. With two sharing a sled, you can appreciate the sudden silence as the dogs focus on running. This is an unforgettable way to enjoy the snow-laden trees and the stunning, crisp white surroundings. Halfway through the drive, you will have the chance to pause and swap with your driving partner, so that both of you can try taking control. In total, you will spend 60-90 minutes out with the dogs.
After lunch at the hotel, you will travel to a nearby reindeer farm, where you will meet with a reindeer herder. Here you will learn about the Sámi culture and have the chance to meet and feed the reindeer.
Your busy day will end with a relaxing Aurora hunt, as you head to a dedicated Aurora camp in the hope of spotting the Northern Lights this evening.
Beginning with a snowmobile-pulled sleigh ride, you will kick back and enjoy a cosy journey beneath the stars. You will travel further and further away from any light pollution from the hotel until you come to an Aurora camp spot where you can huddle up around a warming open fire.
Hopefully, while you enjoy a hot drink and some interesting facts and stories told by your guide, the Northern Lights will dance and swirl above you, lighting up the night and putting on an awe-inspiring display. This activity will last around two and a half hours in total.
After breakfast today, you will explore this wild and wonderful spot on foot, using snowshoes to ease your travels.
Snowshoes will be provided by the hotel, and your guide will show you how to securely strap these over your winter boots before you set off. It is amazing how much further you can travel in snowshoes, as you can cover areas of extremely thick snow that you would otherwise find yourself knee-deep in.
With your guide leading the way, you will take to the snowshoeing trails and venture to even more remote areas of wilderness. Along the way, your guide will explain features of the landscape and any wildlife that you might see. It is also common to spot animal prints embedded into the snow, which your guide can give you some insight into.
Weather permitting, you will break for lunch while the comforting sound of a crackling open fire acts as the only background noise in the peaceful surroundings. This activity will last for around four hours including lunch.
In the afternoon you will get to try one of the most popular forms of transport in Lapland as you board snowmobiles for a two-hour safari. You will be given a safety briefing and full instructions before heading out on a short safari in the hotel’s surroundings with your guide. Please note that you must be over 18 years of age and hold a valid driving licence in order to drive a snowmobile.
After a relaxed late afternoon and final dinner at the hotel, you will head out on a snowshoe Aurora hunt for the final night of your trip.
With your guide leading the way, you venture onto the lake and head to a prime Aurora viewpoint. Here, a fire will be lit, and you will gather with your guide to wait and watch for a potential Aurora display. This is a wonderful way to spend an evening in the wilderness and if the Northern Lights dance above your head, it will be unforgettable. The activity will last for around two and a half hours in total.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, it is time to depart ready for your flight home. After breakfast, your transfer will take you to Ivalo Airport, as you bid farewell to a fantastic few days. If you are on an early flight, a packed breakfast will be provided.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Return from London to Ivalo (either direct or via Helsinki). Flight routes are subject to change.
- Return scheduled group shuttle airport transfers
- 3 nights in a twin/double hotel room
- Full board meals
- Husky and Reindeer Day
- Snowshoeing
- Aurora camp
- Snowmobile safari
- Aurora snowshoeing
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
Accommodation
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Wilderness Hotel Nangu is an adult-only (16+), boutique hotel tucked away in a secluded spot close to the shores of Lake Inari in North East Finnish Lapland. This is the ideal place for those wanting to escape to a real haven of peace and quiet which just oozes rustic style, charm and comfort. Think handmade wooden furniture, sheepskins, stunning log architecture, comfy chairs and roaring fires; all with a view over snow-laden trees and a vast frozen lake beyond.
The central log-built restaurant and reception building is a spectacular spot in which to dine and unwind and the elegant wooden buildings which contain the bedrooms are around 20-50 metres away.
The hotel was transformed in 2017 by our longstanding friends and partners Jouko and Mari and they have really put their heart and soul into making Wilderness Hotel Nangu the grown-up retreat that it is.
In prime Aurora territory and just a minute’s walk from the shores of Lake Inari, this is really an incredible place in which to hunt the Northern Lights.
This is one of Wilderness Hotel’s smaller destinations and there is a real exclusivity about this place and we would really recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Hotel Facilities
- The wonderful main log building contains the reception, dining area and lounge where a roaring log fire and tasteful décor makes for a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere
- We think the food at Nangu is delicious and the setting for your meals could not be more delightful. Breakfasts and lunches are both ‘help yourself’ buffets with local and international flavours. Evening meals consist of three courses: starters and desserts are self-service buffet style and your main course will be served to you at your table (except for Christmas and New Year’s Eve). Guests are provided with two or three choices each evening
- There is a sauna situated in one of the bedroom buildings and this is available for guests to reserve during their stay. The ideal way to relax after a day of activities
- Free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas at Nangu, but really, other than checking the Aurora forecasts, we recommend that you just switch off from the outside world
Tour Map
Additional Info
Price is based on 2 persons travelling
Tour terms, click here
Booking conditions click here
Payment and Cancellation Terms:
Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in Section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.
If you are travelling between, and including, the dates of 15.12-06.01, the following cancellation terms apply:
– Prior to 25.09 – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of the flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– 26.09 up until departure date – 100%
For all other travel dates, the following cancellation terms apply:
– Up to balance due date (this is normally 16 weeks prior to departure however some holidays differ. If this applies to your holiday you will be advised at the time of booking) – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– Between balance due date and 43 days prior to departure – 60%
– 42 to 16 days prior to departure – 85%
– 15 or less days – 100%
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
