Wilderness Hotel Muotka – Arctic Family Adventure
- Details
Details
Itinerary
You will arrive at Ivalo Airport, which serves as the starting point for your adventure. Your transfer to Muotka will be waiting for you. This transfer is likely to be a scheduled group shuttle that might make stops at nearby hotels. If you prefer a private taxi transfer, you can inquire about upgrading the transfer (additional cost may apply).
After checking in, you will have dinner in the hotel restaurant – your first chance to sample the flavours of Lapland. After receiving your cold weather clothing, why not take a walk outside and keep your eyes on the skies. An Aurora display on your first night, would be the perfect way to kick off your trip.
Note about Activity Order: The order of activities mentioned in the itinerary is subject to change. The final agenda for your trip will be confirmed upon your arrival at the hotel.
Included Meals: Dinner
After a hearty breakfast, you will be able to immerse yourself in the snow-covered forests that surround Muotka. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful walk through the picturesque landscapes, equipped with snowshoes and poles for ease of movement. The guide’s stories and insights about Finnish nature and animals will add further depth to your experience. This activity takes approximately two hours and will be followed by lunch at the hotel.
You will have some time to yourself in the afternoon, and you can arrange to hire snowshoes whenever you wish if you want to explore the extensive trails around the hotel, but equally you may wish to spend some downtime enjoying the hotel’s sauna.
After dinner this evening, you will be collected and comfortably seated in a sledge that is pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. This way you can search the skies on the way to your destination – one of Muotka’s well equipped Aurora Camps. The camp will have been chosen for its clear view of the sky and minimal light pollution. As you keep watch your guide will serve warm drinks and give you information on the Northern Lights. This activity is two and a half hours in duration.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today will surely 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 – it is recommended that adults only drive the sleds, although the guides may allow older teenagers to do so. Younger children will ride in the sled driven by an adult in their party or with the guide. 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.
This afternoon is left free for you to set your own agenda. You may want to book an additional activity (payable locally) or alternatively, you can take advantage of one of the saunas or enjoy a good book and some downtime.
There are no guided Aurora activities planned tonight, however, the skies above Muotka have produced inspiring displays of the Northern Lights and you don’t necessarily have to go very far to witness a wonderful show. With any luck, the sky will be filled with a dazzling array of colours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Snowmobiles have become essential machines in this corner of the world, keeping remote communities connected and also providing reindeer herders with an easier means of tracking down their dispersed herd. However, for visitors to this area, they are also a thrilling way to see as much of the winter landscape as possible.
After full instruction and a safety briefing, you will head out into the vast wilderness travelling two people per machine. Your destination for the morning is a reindeer farm around 20km away so there will be the chance to swap drivers (providing you both have full driving licences and are over 18) allowing you both to take control of the snowmobile and travel as a passenger, enjoying the scenery. Any children under 14 will travel in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile.
Upon arrival at the reindeer farm, you will be able to chat with the herder and ask them any questions you may have. Reindeer herding has been an inherent part of life in Lapland for many hundreds of years and today you will learn a little about the fascinating history of herding and its importance to the local culture. This activity lasts for around four to five hours and includes a soup lunch, as well as a short reindeer sleigh ride.
You have your final evening at Muotka to spend as you wish, again you can book another activity locally or you can consider upgrading your accommodation for your last night to one of Muotka’s famous glass roofed kotas to hunt the Lights in style. Please see the Accommodation page for further details.
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.
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
- 4 nights’ accommodation in twin/double hotel rooms. (Please note: the hotel can usually accommodate your bed set up preference but this can’t be guaranteed. Upgrades available on request.)
- 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
- Aurora Camp
- Snowmobile safari to reindeer farm
- Snowshoeing
- Husky safari
- 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
Our Expert Opinion
Muotka is one of those places where you really feel you have stepped out of the modern world for a few blissful days. That said, this fast-paced itinerary includes all of the essential Arctic experiences, designed specifically for a family to enjoy together. Together with the environmentally sustainable practices employed by your hosts, minimising your impact on the pristine environment you are visiting, it is a winning combination for a family trip to the Arctic.
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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Double Room
There are 12 double and twin rooms in the main building and 11 in the additional building just across the courtyard. All rooms are en-suite with shower room, wardrobe, hairdryer and nightstand and can be made up as either a double or twin. They have also been recently renovated and offer lovely Scandinavian décor and charm.
Superior Sauna Room
Muotka Wilderness Hotel has 16 Superior Sauna rooms, located a short distance from the main hotel building. These rooms are designed to offer rustic luxury and are ideal for small families and groups or those that simply wish for more space to relax in during their stay at Muotka. The rooms are approximately 33m² and each separate building has four superior sauna rooms inside. Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Facilities
- All rooms will contain their own private sauna, sofa and an electric kettle to make your stay as comfortable as possible
- Each has a queen-size bed within and space for 1-2 extra beds
- All meals will be served in the hotel restaurant which is just a short walk away
- Hairdryers are available from the main hotel reception
Twin Room
All rooms are en-suite with a shower room, wardrobe, hairdryer and nightstand and can be made up as either a double or twin and offer lovely Scandinavian décor and charm.
Wilderness Premium Room
Renovated in 2022, these are the newest rooms at Muotka and are larger than the standard Wilderness rooms at 269 ft2. Perfect for couples, the rooms feature a double bed, tea and coffee making equipment and are fully ensuite, with the bathroom having a shower and a hair dryer. Premium rooms are situated in a separate building (with its own sauna) adjacent to the reception and restaurant.
Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Panorama Log Cabin
Situated not far from the main hotel, the log cabins at Muotka are a wonderful upgrade option for those looking for a little more space during their stay or if you are travelling for a special occasion – these are particularly popular with honeymoon guests!
Each log cabin is approximately 50m² and is fully equipped to make your stay cosy and comfortable. The attention to detail with these cabins are remarkable and ensure a memorable holiday.
All cabins have their own log burner and private sauna – ideal for warming up after a day in the snow!
Each cabin has a small kitchenette and large windows looking out onto the snowy landscape beyond. All meals will be served in the hotel restaurant which is just a short walk away.
Riverside Log Cabin
The most spectacular accommodation available at Muotka, these modern log cabins are well situated with views over a river. Well appointed, with a fireplace in the spacious living room, together with a private sauna and kitchenette (and fridge), the cabins have sleeping space for 5 people. There is a double bedroom downstairs and three single beds in the loft. The cabins also contain hair dryers and tea and coffee making facilities. Please note that these cabins require a minimum of 4 people to be booked
Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Riverside Suite
In keeping with your surroundings, the Riverside suite is beautifully constructed from local ‘kelo’ wood and combines traditional aesthetics with modern comforts. The suite contains a bathroom with shower and private sauna, a fireplace and tea and coffee making facilities. With a double bed and sofa bed, the suite can accommodate 4 people in comfort. The suite overlooks a small stream running through the grounds of the hotel.
Please contact our Aurora Experts for a quotation.
Log Cabin
Situated not far from the main hotel, the log cabins at Muotka are a wonderful upgrade option for those looking for a little more space during their stay or if you are travelling as a small group or family.
Each log cabin is approximately 50m² and is fully equipped to make your stay cosy and comfortable. Please contact our Travel Experts for a quotation.
Facilities
- All cabins have their own log burner and private sauna – ideal for warming up after a day in the snow!
- Each has a double bed and space for 1-2 extra beds
- All cabins have a small kitchenette and a kettle
- The log cabins are equipped with large north-facing windows so you can easily keep watch for a potential Aurora display
- All meals will be served in the hotel restaurant which is just a short walk away
- Hairdryers are available from the main hotel reception
Aurora Cabin
As ever, Muotka leads the way in Aurora viewing innovation and we are therefore proud to offer our guests the chance to spend the night in one of only 20 magnificent Aurora Cabins. These stunning, part-cabin, part-glass tepee buildings, offer guests an exceptional overnight Aurora hunting experience.
Guests get 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 glass tepee. This means that you are provided with the most wonderful views of the night sky from the comfort of your bed.
These part-cabin and part-glass tepee buildings, are self-contained and situated a short distance from the hotel, next to the annexe. They combine the space and atmosphere of a cosy cabin with a glass roof above the bed. Each cabin faces north so ideal for guests to gaze upon the night sky every night of their holiday, from the comfort of their duvet. The cabins are all 25m² with double bed and en-suite bathroom, making them an excellent base (most of them have a private sauna).
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