You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your rustic accommodation which exudes Lappish charm and hospitality. You will enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal before you settle down for the evening.

Included Meals:  Dinner

To awaken in a pristine wilderness such as Menesjärvi for the first time is an experience in itself. You will instantly notice the freshness of the air and will be filled with an eagerness to explore. The hotel looks out towards the lake and beyond this is a remote and picturesque landscape of forest and gently rolling fells. The Finnish ‘Ruska’ is a time of spectacular change and the vibrant autumn colours of September are a particular highlight.

After breakfast, you will begin your exploration with a visit to a nearby reindeer farm. Reindeer herding has long been an important part of the centuries-old Sámi culture and the reindeer itself has become a symbol of this region. It is an animal which is synonymous with these arctic landscapes and meeting the herders provides a first-hand insight into this unusual way of life.

The farm is located a short distance from the hotel and on arrival, you will be welcomed by a local herder. During a tour of the farm, you will gain insight into this fascinating age-old culture. Understanding how the local people have thrived in this remote corner of the world is truly remarkable.

Following the tour, you will return to your hotel for lunch before enjoying an afternoon at your leisure. There are a number of marked walking trails close to the hotel or you may wish to enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna, which is a must-do for anyone visiting Finnish Lapland. A home-cooked dinner will be served in the restaurant during the evening before your first Aurora hunt.

Prior to your nocturnal excursion, you will participate in an Aurora photography workshop. This is vital if you want to learn the skills required to capture the lights on camera and will prepare you for any sightings.

Following the workshop, you will begin to feel the anticipation and excitement mount, as you venture into the wilderness either by car or on foot. Your knowledgeable guide will use their experience to determine the best possible viewing spot. The location of the hotel means that you may not have to venture far to witness a display.

The lights reflecting on Lake Menesjärvi is what an autumn Aurora hunting holiday is all about. On a really good night, you can get two Auroras for the price of one as the dancing lights are reflected in the inky black waters of the lake. The contrast of light and colour can rival, if not better, those of winter and what’s more, you rarely have to cope with sub-zero temperatures either.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, you can enjoy the morning at your leisure. A sauna is a fantastic way to start the day and will leave you feeling revitalised for the upcoming activities.

At around midday, you will venture to a traditional Lappish Kota and enjoy lunch cooked over an open fire. A deliciously cooked starter of reindeer sausage is bound to entice the taste buds, before a homely bowl of hot soup and a homemade pastry (dietary requirments are of course catered for).

After lunch, you will enter the nearby forest, enjoying the electric colours and fragrant autumn aromas. The Finnish Ruska can see the first smatterings of snow, so it is not uncommon to witness the first coverings which signal the oncoming winter.

As you peruse the forest, keep an eye out for wildlife and an interesting array of birds. Your knowledgeable guide will point out any animal tracks and will provide insightful information on the surrounding environment, including the autumn flora. September can see the growth of delicious seasonal berries and mushrooms and you can forage for something to include in your evening meal.

As darkness falls you will have another opportunity to seek out the Aurora Borealis. Similarly, to the night before, your expert guide will make a decision as to whether you go on foot or by car. The remote location means that you don’t often have to travel far to escape artificial light and the car offers the possibility of outrunning any cloud cover.

Chasing the Aurora and experiencing that sense of anticipation that it may appear at any moment is a thrilling concept. To then witness a spectacular display, as the night sky blazes with dancing colour is mind-blowing and very difficult to put into words.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

No trip to Lapland is complete without a visit to a husky farm. These excitable dogs are eager for visitors and will welcome you with a frenzy of collective barking. The host will give you a tour of the farm and an insight into the role of huskies north of the Arctic Circle. You will then get to meet the dogs themselves. If you are lucky you may also get to cuddle some puppies.

Following your visit to the husky farm, you will then travel to Inari which is the centre of Sámi culture in Finland. The colourful and insightful Siida museum has a fantastic collection of exhibitions, including an outstanding Northern Lights gallery. To thrive north of the Arctic Circle is no easy feat but the Sámi have done so by understanding and respecting the land. An example of this understanding is reflected in the Sámi language, which has around 180 words for snow. Impressive, gigantic photographs tell the colourful story of the Sámi people and how they have adapted to the Arctic conditions.

The remainder of your day will be yours to spend as you wish. You may want to unravel further the mysteries that lie within the forest or admire the views over Lake Menesjärvi. As darkness falls, we would highly recommend taking a final opportunity to seek out the Aurora. Your hosts will be more than happy to assist you with safety information and routes should you wish to follow any of the marked trails, but the wilderness location means that the Aurora can very often be spotted from just outside the hotel.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy the picturesque surroundings one last time before embarking on your journey home. Following breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport with a wealth of life lasting memories from this Finnish ‘Ruska’ experience. Alternatively, if you would like to extend your stay in Menesjärvi, then please contact one of our Travel Experts.

Included Meals:  Breakfast