Wilderness Hotel Saariselkä – Arctic Horizons
- Details
Details
Spend four unforgettable nights at Wilderness Hotel Saariselkä, your serene home from home in the middle of the Arctic wilderness. The design, hospitality and location of the hotel all serve to create an immersive winter experience that feels both authentic and exclusive.
Spend your days exploring the wilderness by snowshoe, snowmobile and dogsled - when every paw-step carries you further into the snow-covered forests, and only the breath of your willing team of huskies breaks the silence.
At night, follow the call of the Aurora. Settle in around the warmth of the fire at a well-sited Aurora Camp or join an Aurora hunt by car, guided by an expert whose own experience is augmented by the latest weather and solar activity forecasts.
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.
Itinerary
Welcome to the Arctic! You will be met at the airport and guided you to your transfer to Wilderness Hotel Saariselkä. This takes approximately 35-40 minutes. Once you arrive at the hotel, you can check in before enjoying dinner.
Depending on your arrival time, your cold weather clothing will be provided either upon check in or the following morning before your first activity.
Included Meals: Dinner
Your day begins with a husky safari, perhaps the most iconic Arctic experience of them all. After meeting your guide and learning the basics of handling the sled, you will soon be gliding serenely along forest trails and across frozen lakes. Each sled is shared between two guests, with one driving and the other seated, and you can switch halfway so both of you can enjoy the thrill of mushing. With around an hour of actual driving time, this safari offers plenty of moments to take in your untouched surroundings.
The afternoon is yours to relax, you can sample the sauna or simply enjoy the warmth of your suite. As darkness descends, prepare for a night focused on the hunt for the Aurora.
This evening you will visit an Aurora camp. Your guide leads the way on a snowmobile while you travel in a comfortable sleigh behind, gliding through the quiet wilderness toward a prime Northern Lights viewing spot. At the camp, far from any light pollution, you can enjoy the camp fire with hot drinks also provided. With clear skies, this is the ideal setting to watch for that unforgettable first glimmer of the Aurora on the horizon.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, following breakfast, you are all set for a Snowmobile Adventure in the Arctic wilderness. After a driving lesson with your expert guide, you will set off along smooth trails leading through forests, over fells, and reaching deep into the seemingly endless stretches of snow. Partway through the journey, you will stop to enjoy an outdoor lunch and warm drinks, adding a touch of comfort to your back country adventure. This experience lasts 4-4.5 hours in total.
Later this afternoon, you will meet with some of Lapland’s most celebrated residents – reindeer! A change of pace from this morning’s exhilarating ride, a local guide welcomes you to the reindeer enclosure and shares stories about Sámi culture and the eons long tradition of reindeer herding in Lapland. You also have the chance to feed the animals, who may wander right up to you, and you can take in the calm presence that makes them so special. Your visit also includes a 20-minute sleigh ride – another ideal opportunity to appreciate the surrounding landscape.
This evening, you can decide to add another Aurora hunting activity or to try your luck around the hotel and its grounds.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Snowshoeing is a gentle yet invigorating way to explore the winter wilderness. In company with your guide, you will trek through quiet forests and across snowfields, learning about local wildlife and the history of the area. Your destination is the historic Prospector gold mine, where stories of past adventurers are brought to life. This excursion involves light exercise but also invigorates your sense of exploration and adventure.
After a relaxing afternoon at the hotel, your evening adventure is an Aurora Hunt by car. Setting off in a comfortable vehicle, your guide will lead you in search of the Northern Lights, heading to prime locations where the skies are clearest. If the weather is cloudy, the journey continues further into the wilderness to maximize your chances of witnessing this spectacular natural phenomenon. Along the way, warm drinks and snacks are available. This experience combines comfort and the thrill of chasing one of nature’s most extraordinary shows.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast it is sadly time to say goodbye to the Wilderness Hotel Saariselkä. Your transfer to Ivalo airport awaits as you begin your journey home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Book with confidence – Our flight inclusive packages are fully financially ATOL-protected and guaranteed by a trusted and fully regulated UK operator
- Flights: Direct return flights from London to Ivalo (flight routes are subject to change)
- Transfers: Return group scheduled airport transfers
- Accommodation: Four nights in an Arctic Sky Suite at Saariselkä Wilderness Hotel (Upgrades available on request, subject to availability and supplement)
- Meals: Full board meals
- Husky safari
- Meet the reindeer
- Snowshoeing to Prospector gold mine
- Snowmobile adventure
- Aurora camp
- Aurora hunt by car
- 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
Accommodation
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Opening December 2025, this brand-new resort is the latest addition to the Wilderness Hotel family (who also have hotels in Nellim, Nangu, Muotka, Inari and Juutua.) Set amidst the untouched landscapes of Finnish Lapland, Wilderness Hotel Saariselkä offers an unforgettable escape for those seeking both adventure and comfort. Its prime location within the Arctic Circle provides excellent opportunities for witnessing the Northern Lights, with minimal light pollution and vast open skies enhancing the experience. The hotel’s blend of rustic charm and modern amenities will ensure a seamless balance between authenticity and luxury.
The on-site restaurant showcases locally sourced ingredients, presenting a menu that celebrates Nordic flavours with an elegant touch. Mornings begin with a generous buffet breakfast, providing plenty of options to prepare you for the day ahead. At lunchtime, a varied buffet ensures a satisfying break between activities. Evening meals will start with a selection of appetisers before a thoughtfully prepared main course served to your table. The restaurant’s well-stocked bar provides an excellent range of beverages, allowing guests to unwind with their favourite tipple in hand.
Hotel facilities
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On-site Restaurant and bar
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Traditional Finnish sauna
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Outdoor hot tub (availability may vary)
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Snowshoe and Cross Country Skis available to rent
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Free Wi-Fi in common areas (may be limited in remote accommodations)
Arctic Sky Suite
The Arctic Sky Suites offer an exclusive and intimate way to experience the magic of the far north. Designed with comfort and nature in mind, this modern suite features a panoramic glass ceiling, allowing guests to gaze up at the Arctic sky from the warmth of their bed. Thoughtfully furnished with Scandinavian-inspired decor, the suite blends stylish simplicity with practical luxury. A private sauna adds an extra touch of indulgence, providing the perfect way to unwind after a day of Arctic exploration. Each suite features a television, fireplace, tea and coffee making facilities and a hairdryer.
Arctic Sky Villa
The Arctic Sky Villas are spacious and sophisticated. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass-ceilinged lounge invite the ever-changing northern skies into the living space, offering breathtaking views of the snow-covered wilderness and, with a little luck, the Northern Lights. The villa’s stylish Nordic design balances warmth and elegance, with contemporary furnishings and natural materials. A private sauna and outdoor jacuzzi provides the perfect way to unwind, while the generous living and dining areas make this an excellent choice for families or small groups looking to share an unforgettable experience. Each villa features a television, fireplace, tea and coffee making facilities and a hairdryer. These villas measure an additional 10m2 in comparison to the Arctic Sky Suites.
Tour Map
Additional Info
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%
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
