Wilderness Hotel Muotka – Northern Lights Adventure
- Details
Details
Our Northern Lights Adventure packs a real activity punch in just four days and you will spend a great deal of time exploring the wilds of Lapland, both during the day and at night.
On this trip, you will travel across the snow-covered landscape in a variety of ways. From the much-loved Finnish pastime of cross-country skiing to the exhilaration of snowmobiling and the thrill of driving a team of huskies across the wilderness.
Your nocturnal activities will be dedicated to seeking out Northern Light displays and with the guide's local knowledge, and a wide variety of vantage points to choose from, your chances couldn't be higher. You will search for the lights by minibus, using snowshoes and in a sleigh pulled by a snowmobile.
Your base at Muotkan Maja Wilderness Hotel can be found amongst the forested-fells in North-East Finland. Muotka's secluded setting provides guests with an idyllic retreat.
The welcoming hotel is decorated in typical Scandinavian décor and offers cosy accommodation and excellent hospitality.
Muotka also has another attraction up its sleeve; the exceptional Aurora Kotas. The Kotas offer guests the chance to spend the night under the Arctic sky and guests can spend their entire stay in a Kota should they wish. Details of these unforgettable options can be found in the 'Accommodation' section of the holiday page.
It's hard to narrow down the reasons why we love Muotka; whether it's the wonderful welcome, the fabulous Aurora prospects, the array of activities or the spectacular location. We recommend that you simply go and see for yourself.
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
You will be greeted at the airport before being transferred* the 40km to the Muotkan Maja Wilderness Hotel ready to begin your exciting adventure.
Your schedule will be keeping you pretty busy for the next few days, so you may wish to get an early night once you have finished your evening meal. However, you should also keep an eye on the sky. The remoteness of the hotel means you don’t have to go far to witness the Northern Lights should a display begin.
The Aurora Kotas here at Muotka are an exceptional upgrade option and provide very comfortable Aurora accommodation either for one night or your whole stay. Details of these options can be found in the ‘Accommodation’ section of the holiday page.
* 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.
Following breakfast this morning, you will be out exploring the beautiful wilderness traversing the landscape with cross-country skis (approximately two hours), navigating the trails which surround the hotel. Cross-country skiing is something of a national obsession in this part of the world and an activity we think that everyone should try at least once. It can be addictive and so, if you would like to explore independently later on in the week, you can hire the equipment at the hotel. Lunch will be served at the hotel.
In the late afternoon, your guide will talk through the phenomenon of the Northern Lights in detail and describe some of the science and legends behind them. As photographing the Aurora has become increasingly popular they will also aim to discuss the optimal camera settings that will help you capture a potential image.
Tonight you will head out on your first of three nocturnal excursions in search of the Northern Lights. The guides here are all local experts and their knowledge and enthusiasm for the Aurora are unsurpassed. Tonight your guide will lead you in a sled pulled by their snowmobile to the Aurora Camp, where you will sit around a campfire, listen to stories your guide has to tell and watch the skies for a potential Northern Lights display. You will be out for around two and a half hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Snowmobiling is one of the most thrilling ways to explore the Arctic, allowing you to cover a lot of ground and gain a sense of the scale of the wilderness. Full instruction and a safety briefing will be given before you set off, travelling two people per snowmobile. Providing you both have a full driving licence and are over 18, you will have the chance to take it in turns to either drive or be the passenger.
Your destination is a reindeer farm around 20km away, where you will meet with the local herder and his reindeer. Here you will gain an understanding of the history of herding and the importance of the reindeer to the region.
There will be time to enjoy a short sleigh ride and take some pictures of these gentle animals before embarking on your snowmobiles for the return trip to Muotka. You will be out for around four to five hours in total and a soup lunch is included.
Following dinner this evening, you will strap on your snowshoes for a hike with your guide. Snowshoeing at night is a different experience to doing so in the day, and the scenery will look very different by torchlight. It is a wonderful experience and with any luck, the Northern Lights will help guide your path. This activity will last for approximately two and a half hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your last day in this remote corner of the world is sure to be a memorable one as you experience a husky safari across the fells. The dogs here love nothing more than to pull a sled and their enthusiasm is a joy to witness. You will travel two people per sled with a team of four to six dogs. Once the dogs’ initial excited barking has abated, they will pull you enthusiastically across the snow and the experience becomes an altogether tranquil one. The peacefulness of the activity will allow you to really appreciate the awe-inspiring wilderness that provides the backdrop to the experience.
The distance travelled will be determined by the conditions on the trail but you will be driving for around one hour with the dogs. This activity last around two hours and you will take lunch back at the hotel.
After your final dinner with the group at Muotka tonight, you will be travelling in a minibus and on the hunt for the Aurora one last time. Utilising the mobility, your guide will locate the best viewpoint and the Northern Lights will hopefully come to bid you farewell. You will be out for around two and a half hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will bid farewell to Muotka as you are transferred to the airport for your flights home. If you are departing on an early flight, you will be provided with a breakfast box.
We can arrange for you to extend your stay in Finland and enjoy the sights and sounds of Helsinki on your way home.
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
- 4 nights’ accommodation in twin/double hotel rooms
- 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
- Aurora workshop
- Cross-country skiing
- Aurora camp
- Snowmobile safari to a reindeer farm
- Aurora snowshoe hike
- Husky safari
- Aurora hunt by minibus
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
- Aurora Alert for the duration of your stay
Accommodation
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| Wilderness Hotel Muotka resides around 40km from the main town of Ivalo, tucked away in the corner of North-East Finland. Recently renovated and restored it is owned and run by the same couple as the popular Nellim Wilderness Hotel, Mari and Jouko Lappalainen. They run the hotel with the same hard-working ethos and it exudes the same warmth and charm for its much-welcomed guests. The hotel boasts some wonderful scenery, tucked away in the forested-fells with roaming reindeer frequently seen amongst the trees. It consists of two main accommodation buildings, one with the majority of the bedrooms and another with hosts additional bedrooms, the main restaurant and the reception area. Hotel facilities
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Wilderness Room
These double or twin bedrooms sleep a maximum of 2 people and are split across the two main buildings at Muotka. All rooms are en-suite with shower and hair dryer. The décor offers Scandinavian charm, and these rooms are a warm and comfortable base after a day of adventure. They are approximately 20m² in size.
Premium Wilderness Room
These double rooms are more spacious (approx. 25m2) and feature stylish, modern décor. They are ideal for couples and have the added bonus of tea and coffee making facilities. They are situated in their own building (which offers its own sauna for guests to enjoy), just a short distance from the main restaurant.
Superior Sauna Room
Muotka Wilderness Hotel has 16 Superior Sauna rooms, located a short distance from the main hotel building. These rooms offer modern Scandinavian interiors and plenty of space. They are ideal for small families as they have a double bed and a convertible sofa bed (so they sleep a max of 3 – 4 people). The rooms are approximately 33m² and each separate building has four superior sauna rooms inside.
As the name suggests, each room has its own private sauna which provides a wonderful way to relax after a day of activities. They also offer tea and coffee facilities.
The Riverside Room
The Riverside Room at Muotka is a real favourite with guests. As the name suggests it is right next the stream which gently flows through the grounds and the setting is incredibly peaceful. The room has its own entrance and is log built, giving it a unique interior. There is a shower room with private sauna, hair dryer and tea and coffee making facilities. Featuring a double bed it is a wonderful rustic retreat for couples.
Panorama Log Cabin
Situated not far from the main hotel, these traditional log-built cabins are a wonderful upgrade option and provide a self-contained base with incredible views, making them very popular for couples. They are just a short distance from the main building.
Each log cabin is approximately 42m² and has a double bed (log built!) and space for extra beds (sleeping a maximum of 4 guests).
The real gem is the shower room with private sauna which coupled with the log burning stove offers the ideal way to warm up after a day in the wilds.
The cabins also offer a small kitchenette (meals are all served in the main restaurant), fridge, seating area, tea and coffee facilities and hairdryer.
Riverside Log Cabin
The most exclusive accommodation available at Muotka, these stunning rustic log-built cabins are perfectly situated with views over the stream, a short walk from the main building. Beautifully appointed, with a fireplace in the living room, a shower room with private sauna, and kitchenette (and fridge), the cabins have sleeping space for 5 people and are around 72 m². There is a double bedroom downstairs and three single beds in the loft (accessed by very steep steps). There is also a second toilet in the loft. The cabins also contain a hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities. Please note that these cabins require a minimum number of 4 guests in order to be booked.
Aurora Cabin
Guests have the chance to spend the night in one of their 20 magnificent Aurora Cabins, just a short walk from the main building. These stunning partially glass-roofed buildings, offer guests an exceptional overnight Aurora hunting experience.
You can enjoy the space and feel of a cabin during the day and the Aurora viewing benefits of a glass igloo at night, as you sleep under a heated glass roof. This means that you are provided with the most wonderful views of the night sky from the comfort of your bed.
The cabins are all approx. 30m² with double bed (there is space for additional beds so these can sleep a maximum of 4 people, but we recommend no more than 3 adults) and en-suite shower room. There are tea and coffee facilities provided.
Tour Map
Additional Info
Price is based on 2 persons travelling
Tour terms, click here
Booking conditions click here
Payment and Cancellation Terms:
If you are travelling early in the winter season and there is not enough snowfall, then some activities may be adapted by the local team, or alternatives provided, to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. For more information on this, please see section 11 of our booking terms and conditions.
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
