Wilderness Hotel Juutua – Northern Lights Short Break to Inari
- Details
Details
This short winter break at Wilderness Hotel Juutua combines classic Lapland activities with an Aurora experience and a culinary delight, all set in the heart of Inari. Designed for those looking to experience the highlights of Finnish Lapland in a compact timeframe, the itinerary balances daytime adventure, Aurora hunts and exceptional dining. You will explore the surrounding wilderness by snowmobile, travel through forests and across frozen terrain on a husky safari, meet reindeer and learn about Sámi culture, and head out at night to an Aurora Camp located away from artificial light, giving you excellent conditions for Northern Lights viewing. Each activity is led by experienced local guides who tailor routes and locations to the prevailing weather and conditions. One evening, your stay is complemented by a five-course dinner at Restaurant Aanaar, where seasonal local ingredients and Sámi influences are presented in a refined yet relaxed setting overlooking the Juutua River. Wilderness Hotel Juutua provides a comfortable and atmospheric base throughout your stay, combining modern Scandinavian design with a strong connection to the surrounding environment. With a mix of activity, culture and time to enjoy the location, this itinerary offers a well-paced introduction to winter in Northern Finland.Important Information
Itinerary
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.
Please note: If you are travelling over Christmas or New Year, you will enjoy a festive dinner and celebrations on the 24th or the 31st of December (traditionally in Finland, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve).
Itinerary
Welcome to Lapland! On arrival at Ivalo Airport, you will be met for your transfer to Wilderness Hotel Juutua (approximately 50 minutes). Once you arrive at the hotel, you’ll receive your detailed programme schedule ahead of dinner. Depending on your arrival time, cold weather clothing will be provided either on arrival or the following day, ensuring you’re fully prepared for your Arctic adventure.
Transfers operate as part of a scheduled group shuttle, which may include stops at a few nearby hotels.
If you would prefer a more direct and personalised experience, private taxi transfers are available – please contact our Travel Experts for a quotation.
Included Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, it’s time to experience one of Lapland’s most iconic activities – snowmobiling. Your guide will begin with full safety instructions and a driving lesson before you head out into the surrounding wilderness. Travel across frozen landscapes and snowy forest trails as you explore the Arctic scenery in an exhilarating yet accessible way. Children under 15 will travel comfortably in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile and adults travel two people per machine. Please note that you must be 18 years and over and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile. The activity will last for approximately 2 hours, including rest breaks.
In the evening, you’ll head out to a remote Aurora Camp. You’ll travel by snowmobile-pulled sleigh through the dark wilderness to a carefully chosen viewpoint far from light pollution. Gather around the fire with warm drinks in hand and look to the skies, waiting to see if the Northern Lights will dance overhead – a truly magical Lapland experience. You will be out for approximately 3 hours this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today brings two more unforgettable Arctic highlights: a husky safari through pristine winter landscapes and a chance to meet with reindeer.
After learning how to handle the husky sled, you’ll set off across frozen lakes and snowy forests, guided by an enthusiastic team of huskies. Each sled is shared between two guests, with the chance to swap drivers halfway so everyone can enjoy the thrill of mushing. The silence of the wilderness, broken only by the sound of the runners gliding over snow, makes this an experience you won’t forget. The safari lasts around 2.5 hours in total, including approximately 1 hour of driving time in total.
Later this afternoon, you will also visit a local reindeer farm, where you can get up close to the animals and learn about their significance in Sámi culture. You’ll have time to feed the reindeer and listen to stories about life in the North, making this a memorable and educational experience. The activity lasts approximately 2 hours.
In the evening, you’ll enjoy a memorable five-course dinner at Restaurant Aanaar. Overlooking the the Juutua River, the restaurant showcases seasonal Lapland ingredients and flavours, offering a refined and atmospheric dining experience to round off your final night in the Arctic. You can then take a stroll outside for your own Aurora hunt, the nearby frozen lake, and even the riverbank can offer outstanding views of the night sky in this Aurora hotspot.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Ivalo Airport for your onward journey. It’s time to say goodbye to Wilderness Hotel Juutua and the magical landscapes of Lapland.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Book with confidence – Our flight inclusive packages are fully financially ATOL-protected and backed by a trusted UK operator.
- Flights: Direct return flights from London to Ivalo (flight routes are subject to change)
- Transfers: Return scheduled group shuttle airport transfers
- Accommodation: 3 nights in a twin/double Arctic hotel room (upgrades can be arranged subject to availability and supplements)
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Snowmobile safari
- Husky safari
- Aurora camp
- Meet the reindeer
- One 5-course dinner at the hotel’s Restaurant Aanaar
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
- 24/7 assistance from our UK-based operations team and in-destination support from our local partners
Accommodation
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Wilderness Hotel Juutua is situated right in the heart of Inari village in Northeast Finland, on the banks of the river which shares its name. Guests can enjoy walks through the village, enjoy the small selection of shops, the Sami Siida Museum and importantly gain access to some incredible Aurora viewing territory within moments of stepping outside the hotel.
Inari is at the heart of the indigenous Sami culture in Finland. These links are not lost in this recently refurbished hotel, with the interior drawing on the local heritage and combining it with the chic, Scandinavian design that the Wilderness Hotels are now so well known for.
The hotel consists of two buildings. The main building houses the reception, lounge and bar area, as well as the famous Restaurant Aanaar. The Wilderness Rooms are located on the top floor.
A short walk from the hotel you will find the second building which houses the Arctic Premium Rooms and Juutua Suites.
Double Wilderness Room
These rooms are in the main building of the hotel and as this is the original hotel building, they are slightly smaller than some of the other rooms. Recently renovated though, they are very tastefully decorated and offer a cosy base with very easy access to the restaurant of course (no need for winter clothing as you simply walk downstairs).
Each room has an ensuite bathroom with a wet-room shower (includes toiletries), they offer a flat screen TV, hairdryer and a kettle. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. All of the Wilderness Rooms in the main building are double rooms and cannot be turned into twins.
Juutua Suite
These upgraded rooms are a very short walk from the main hotel building. Every suite has either a terrace or balcony (depending on which floor they are on) ideal for Northern Lights viewing in the middle of the night! They each have their own private sauna too which is perfect for relaxing after a day of winter adventures. The rooms also have their own tea and coffee-making facilities fridge and hairdryers.
Arctic Premium Room
These rooms are situated just a short walk from the main hotel and restaurant. They can be either double or twin and provide a relaxing and cosy retreat. Some of the Arctic rooms offer the space for an extra bed (on request).
They each have an en-suite bathroom with shower, as well as tea and coffee making facilities and Wi-Fi.
There is also an Arctic Family Room available which offers a double bed and a separate bedroom with twin beds, as well as a sofa bed, meaning that there is space for up to 5 people.
Tour Map
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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 between, and including, the dates of 15.12-03.01, the following cancellation terms apply:
– Prior to 31.08 – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of the flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– 01.09 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 35 days prior to departure – 70%
– 34 or less days – 100%
Snow coverage in early December
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
