Wilderness Hotel Nellim – Christmas Aurora Adventure
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Details
Nellim epitomises the unspoilt wilderness of Lapland and is an ideal location for an exciting, festive family holiday. Spending Christmas in the heart of The Aurora Zone, families will make the most of the incredible landscape. You can enjoy wilderness activities, husky safaris, reindeer encounters, snowmobiling and some serious Northern Lights hunting.
Nellim encapsulates the genuinely unspoilt wilderness of Lapland which, when combined with the warm, welcoming family atmosphere at the hotel, creates a fabulous location in which to spend a very memorable Christmas. This holiday is all about celebrating the festive season together, trying some unique Arctic experiences and creating unforgettable family memories.
You're well away from the commercial Santa crowds that descend on some areas of Lapland. At this time of year and at Nellim you can really experience the winter wonderland properly. Throughout this festive family holiday you'll enjoy the thrill of a dog sled safari, snowmobiling, meet with reindeer and learn winter wilderness survival.
The hotel is situated within the Aurora Zone and has been a real favourite for Aurora hunting for years. Many people in the Aurora Zone team saw the Northern Lights for the first time here. They have since taken their own families back to share in the experience. We have included dedicated Northern Lights hunts on two nights during this holiday and our expert local guides will really help you to maximise your chances of seeing a display.
This itinerary has been designed to suit older children (8 years and above, see terms for details).
Please note that the order of activities within your itinerary is subject to change and the agenda below should be used as a guide only. The exact order of your agenda will be confirmed upon arrival at the Wilderness hotel.
Read more to discover this festive family holiday.
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.
Terms
Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in Section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.
If you are travelling between, and including, the dates of 14.12-06.01, the following cancellation terms apply:
– Prior to 24.09 – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of the flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– 25.09 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 43 days prior to departure – 50%
– 42 to 15 days prior to departure – 75%
– 14 or less days – 100%
Itinerary
After being greeted at the airport, you will be transferred to Nellim Wilderness Hotel*.
After settling into your room you will enjoy dinner. You’ll need a good night’s sleep tonight ahead of tomorrow’s adventures and festivities but as with all nights at Nellim, if you have a moment we thoroughly recommend heading down to one of the two nearby lakes after dinner to search the skies for the Northern Lights.
Please note that the order of activities within your itinerary is subject to change and the agenda below should be used as a guide only. The exact order of your agenda will be confirmed upon arrival at the hotel.
* 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.
Included Meals: Dinner
By now you will be desperate to get out and about in the winter wonderland around the hotel and so today you’ll head out on a snowmobile safari to see just how much fun you can have on the snow.
Snowmobiles are a thrill for all the family and a great way to explore further afield, as they allow you to really get a sense of just how big this wilderness is. This adventure lasts around two hours and will lead you all across frozen lakes and amongst the forests and fells. You can soak up the surroundings and look out for roaming reindeer.
Full instructions and a safety briefing will be provided and adults will set off travelling two people per snowmobile, with children tucked up warmly in a sled behind the guide’s machine. You must have a full driving licence and be over 18 to drive a snowmobile in Finland.
Once back at the hotel you will take part in a Northern Lights workshop so you have some background knowledge on this natural wonder and some helpful hints will be provided by your Aurora expert guides.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today your family will get to experience what life in a wilderness environment is really like. There will be a great range of activities included throughout the day, with one of the main highlights being the wilderness skills session where you will learn how to build a fire and how to design and construct an igloo. Your guide will also teach you the ancient art of ice fishing and if you are lucky enough to land a catch then you might be able to taste it for lunch, which will be cooked on an open fire and the whole group will get involved with the cooking. A simple meal such as this is such a wonderful introduction to the Great Outdoors and a real Lappish experience for families. In total, you will be out for approximately four hours.
The fun isn’t over just yet as following dinner at the hotel, you will be out hunting the Northern Lights with your Aurora guide. Using their knowledge, experience and the latest forecasts, your guide will drive you via minibus or car to a prime viewpoint where your efforts will hopefully be rewarded with a display. One of the most successful spots is Paatsjoki Bridge, where you can look out at the flowing river below. You will be out for approximately three hours tonight.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You will by now have noticed that it can be quite hard to walk in the deep snow (trial and error normally means you get stuck up to your knees at some point during your stay), snowshoes make life much easier! After instruction and a little practice, you can explore areas of the forests that are generally inaccessible in any other way. With your guide leading the way you will explore the forests and fell area around the hotel and hopefully get to see some of the local flora and fauna at close quarters as you guide points out animal tracks and points of interest to the group. You will be out for approximately two hours.
Once back at the hotel you will take part in a Northern Lights workshop so you have some background knowledge on this natural wonder and some helpful hints will be provided by your Aurora expert guides.
Then, following dinner, everyone heads to an Aurora Camp. Travelling in a sled pulled by your guide’s snowmobile you will make your way to an Aurora viewpoint. A warming fire will be lit and everyone can enjoy hot drinks as you cast your eyes towards the night sky to await a potential Aurora. You will be out for approximately two and a half hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross-country skiing is a national pastime in Finland with children strapping on skis as soon as they can walk! Today it is your chance to take to the trails and after a skiing lesson, you will be able to try out this sport for yourselves. You don’t need any previous experience of any form of skiing as full tuition will be provided (a bit of balance can be an advantage, however!). You will be out for approximately two hours.
Your next activity is a firm favourite with families as you head to the kennels to meet with the excited huskies ahead of your dog sled safari. This is sure to be a true highlight and after instruction on how to handle your team, everyone will take to the trails with their own teams of dogs. Guests will travel two adults per sled and take it in turns to drive, children will typically travel in large sleds which are controlled by the guide, older children may be able to try driving a sled but this is entirely at the guide’s discretion on the day. In total, you will be out for approximately two hours, with the safari itself lasting around one and a half hours.
This is one of those unforgettable experiences, so be sure to take as many family pictures as possible!
As Christmas is celebrated on 24th in The Nordic countries, tonight you will enjoy a festive dinner and celebrations in the hotel restaurant
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
No visit to Lapland is complete without the chance to see some reindeer up close.
Today you will meet some furry locals and learn all about these lovely animals. Reindeer are synonymous with the culture here in Northern Finland and herding is still of the utmost importance to the economy here. During your time here you will have the chance to get up close to some of the reindeer herd and of course, take plenty of photographs of these fascinating animals. You will be out for approximately two hours.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you may spend your last full day in Finland as a family and tailor your final activities to suit your own family. You can relax; simply enjoying each other’s company or spending some time in the sauna or around a campfire. Alternatively, you can hire snowshoes or cross-country skis for some independent exploration or you can also arrange additional activities (please speak to one of our Travel Experts for further information).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, it is sadly time to head home and you will have to wave goodbye to Nellim as you are transferred back to the airport for your return flights home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Return flights from London to Ivalo (via Helsinki). Flight routes subject to change
- Return airport transfers
- 7 nights hotel accommodation in double/twin room
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Snowmobile safari
- Cross-country skiing
- Husky safari
- Northern Lights workshop
- Aurora Camp
- Wilderness day
- Minibus/car Northern Lights hunt
- Snowshoeing
- Reindeer visit
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructor
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
Our Expert Opinion
We know that once children get to a certain age they don’t have the same sense of excitement about Father Christmas that they do when they’re little. Despite this, we know that children of all ages love Christmas and the joy it brings. Spending Christmas in the wilds of Lapland surrounded by snow-covered fells and frozen lakes is sure to be a treasured memory for years to come. With an exciting array of activities, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, husky sledding as well as some spectacular Aurora hunts, adults and children alike are sure to have a fabulous family holiday.
Accommodation
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Wilderness Hotel Nellim is owned by our good friends Jouko and Mari Lappalainen. Nellim was their first hotel (they now also own the delights of Nangu, Muotka and Wilderness Hotel Inari) and is now renowned as an Aurora destination. It will always hold a special place in our hearts for being the first place many of us saw the Northern Lights. The hotel has been upgraded over the years and now has a wide range of accommodation options including rooms, suites, log cabins and unforgettable Aurora Cabins and Bubbles (see the ‘Personalise’ section for details) which are all within a short walk of the main reception and restaurant building. A tiny village, Nellim is a remote spot close to the shores of Lake Inari and surrounded by incredible wilderness, providing perfectly dark skies, ideal for Aurora viewing. Hotel facilities
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Tour Map
Additional Info
Price is based on 2 persons travelling
Tour terms, click here
Booking conditions click here
Payment and Cancellation Terms:
Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in Section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.
If you are travelling between, and including, the dates of 15.12-06.01, the following cancellation terms apply:
– Prior to 25.09 – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of the flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– 26.09 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 43 days prior to departure – 60%
– 42 to 16 days prior to departure – 85%
– 15 or less days – 100%
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
