New Year at Ranua
- Details
Details
This four-night itinerary over New Year offers a special and unforgettable experience for the whole family. We have carefully hand-picked some of our favourite winter activities and festive experiences to create the perfect short break.
Your nature-orientated agenda will see you meeting the wide variety of wildlife that Ranua has to offer. As a ticket to Ranua Wildlife Park is included in the price, you can visit the impressive array of animals that live in their wintry home. Here, you can see moose, otters, golden eagles and Arctic fox! You will even meet the parks polar bears as you assist your guide in feeding them. And finally, you will also make some new, furry friends during your husky safari and reindeer sleigh ride.
As well as making the most of the fascinating animals at Ranua, we cannot forget about the Northern Lights, which are often put on a phenomenal display at this time of year. We include an Aurora excursion to help improve your chances of witnessing the lights.
We will not be offering a full board upgrade to include lunch in December, but guests can arrange and pay for this locally. In our experience, the restaurant can become busy during the festive lunchtimes, with outside visitors to the park. We have found that most families prefer to make their own lunch arrangements in their wonderfully equipped apartment kitchens. Breakfast and dinner are included in all our holidays.
If you wish to add other activities to your trip, we have some fantastic options detailed in the Personalise tab of the holiday page, including a visit to Father Christmass Secret Cabin and a snowmobile safari.
On New Years Eve, you will enjoy an evening filled with celebrations and fun, as you are served a delicious Gala Dinner.
During your stay, your accommodation will be in your very own apartment at the Gulo Gulo Holiday Village, which sits amongst the snow just a short walk from Wildlife Park.
Please note that the order of activities is subject to change and the final agenda will be confirmed on arrival.
Itinerary
Once you arrive at the airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation, which will take around one hour. You’ll be travelling through Northern Lights territory on your way to Ranua, so don’t forget to keep an eye on the sky.
This morning, you will be provided with your cold-weather clothing and will enjoy breakfast in the restaurant. Then, your guided tour of Ranua Wildlife Park will begin. You can admire the animals in their spacious enclosures, each of which has been carefully designed to match their natural habitats as closely as possible. Your guide will tell you all about the animals, and you may even have the chance to feed some of the smaller inhabitants.
Dinner will be served in the restaurant this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning you will have some free time. Please browse through the ‘Personalise’ tab and see if any additional activities catch your eye. You could find yourself speeding across the fells on a snowmobile safari to the impressive Snow Village, to admire the magical ice sculptures and igloos. Or, why not strap on some skis and head out for a cross-country skiing lesson? The choice is yours.
Later this afternoon, you will meet the Wildlife Park’s reindeer! This is the perfect activity following Christmas, as the reindeer are winding down from a very busy season of helping Father Christmas with his deliveries. You will sit in your cosy sleigh and be pulled along on a relaxing ride through the silent, tranquil surroundings – you may spot some wildlife along the way, along with plenty of snow-covered, wintry flora. The activity will last for approximately 40 minutes in total.
Tonight is New Year’s Eve. You will enjoy a delicious Gala Dinner, and adults will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you have the chance to meet some more furry friends – huskies! Back at the Wildlife Park, the huskies will be excitedly awaiting your arrival, barking impatiently, eager to start the husky ride.
Adults will be given a full overview and safety briefing regarding how to drive the sleigh, before you set off, two people per sled, into the shimmering white wilderness where you will drive for around twenty to thirty minutes. Generally, those aged 15 and over can drive a team. The guides, however, must put clients’ safety first and therefore this decision is completely at their discretion. Children will otherwise travel in the sleds.
Following the safari, the huskies will be much calmer after their exercise and they’ll be far more likely to sit still for those all-important photos.
This is your final night and after dinner this evening you will set out on a hunt for the Northern Lights during a horse-drawn sleigh ride (6-8 people per sleigh) with Finn horses. You’ll be wrapped up warm in your sleigh as you listen to stories about Lapland. Take in the magic of the wintry surroundings at night and if conditions are favourable, the magic will extend into the skies as the Northern Lights make their appearances. This activity will last approximately 2 hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Unfortunately, it is time to depart today. You can enjoy breakfast at Ranua before your transfer will take you back to Rovaniemi for your return flights home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Return flights from London to Rovaniemi (via Helsinki). Flight routes are subject to change
- Return Airport Transfers
- 4 nights in superior apartment accommodation
- 4 breakfasts, 4 dinners
- Entrance fee (unlimited entries allowed) and guided tour of Ranua Wildlife Park
- Husky safari
- Reindeer sleigh ride
- Northern Lights safari by Finn horse pulled sleigh
- New Year’s Eve celebrations including a glass of sparkling wine for the grown-ups and a visit from Father Christmas
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors for all activities
Our Expert Opinion
Ranua is one of our most popular family destinations, as every aspect of what it has to offer is so appealing for kids and parents alike. The Wildlife Park is such a great facility to have during your stay, as there are few opportunities in life to get so close to so many special animals! Spending New Year’s Eve here promises to be a unique and special post-Christmas treat for everyone.
Accommodation
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Located around 4km from the small town centre, Ranua Holiday Village boasts proximity to the Ranua Wildlife Park which guests have unlimited access to throughout their stay. The holiday village offers guests modern comfortable apartments which are very well equipped. HOTEL FACILITIES
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Personalise This Tour
One of the most memorable and enchanting ways in which to explore the Arctic is on a husky safari, they provide an unforgettable experience.
The huskies epitomise enthusiasm when you meet them and are always eager for the trail. Full instruction and safety briefing is always provided prior to setting off on the snowy trails, travelling two people per sled. After the tour, you can meet the dogs and take pictures as well as ask any questions you may have.
Duration: 1 hours
Following driving instructions from your guide, you will set out to snowmobile towards Laivala, a small and traditional reindeer farm, which is approximately 15km away. Here you will be welcomed by the herder and taken to see their reindeer, before enjoying a short reindeer sled ride (15 minutes).
Back at the farm you will enjoy a hot snack and learn more about the life of the reindeer herders and their long history in this region. The activity will end with a snowmobile trip back to the hotel.
Please note: the driver of a snowmobile must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence.
You will travel two people per snowmobile. Single driver supplement applies.
Duration: approximately 3 Hours in total
Warm drinks will be served and, if you are lucky enough to land a catch, you can cook it there and then.
Please note: the driver of a snowmobile must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. You will travel two people per snowmobile. Single driver supplement applies.
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Heading out into the darkness via snowmobile is a wonderful way to explore the night-time wilderness and your guide will lead the way along the dark forest trails. There will be breaks to enjoy a hot drink and keep a keen watch on the sky in anticipation of a potential Northern Lights display.
Duration: approximately 3 hours
One of the best ways to enjoy the wonderful forest neighbouring the wildlife park is to strap on a pair of snowshoes and head into the deep snow to explore. Your guide will offer lots of interesting information on the way on the local flora and fauna.
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Cross-country skiing is a hugely popular activity in Finland and the trails criss-cross the countryside pretty much wherever there is snow.
Your guide will give you instruction on how to succeed in cross-country skiing before you head onto the trails to put your skills into practice. The ski tracks begin close to Ranua Wildlife Park and you will cover around 3km in total.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours in total
Hidden in the depths of the forest is Father Christmas's very special cabin and this is your chance to visit the man himself! Your guide will drive you the short 10-minute journey amongst the trees, stopping on the way to seek out clues to Father Christmas's whereabouts. Eventually, you will come across a tiny wooden cabin where you will be warmly welcomed by the man in red!
Join local handicraft artist Ms. Paula in her workshop, where you'll make a traditional Lappish souvenir to take home with you.
You can choose between different sessions depending on the item you want to make. From genuine reindeer leather shoulder bags and pouches to a unique piece of Lappish jewellery, the choice is yours! Children can also take part by making a red-nosed reindeer using a variety of materials.
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours total
Go on the hunt for the Northern Lights during a horse-drawn sleigh ride (6-8 people per sleigh) with Finn horses. You'll be wrapped up warm in your sleigh as you listen to stories about Lapland. Take in the magic of the wintry surroundings at night and if conditions are favourable, the magic will extend into the skies as the Northern Lights make their appearances.
Duration: approximately 2 hours in total
| Tour Loaction: | Ranua,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Ranua,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Ranua,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Ranua,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Ranua,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Ranua,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Ranua,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Ranua,Finland |
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Tour Map
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
