What’s on your bucket list?

Only in True Lapland can you drive a snowmobile, mush a team of exuberant huskies and glide in a reindeer-led sleigh across the vast frozen tundra, then have the night sky take your breath away! And this is just the beginning.

Especially for adults, our Arctic Spirit holidays offer opportunities for a veritable treasure trove of bucket-list experiences. Snowshoeing. Sleeping in a real snow igloo. Arctic ice fishing. The list goes on...

As pioneers of travel deep within the Arctic Circle, far away from tourist crowds, we've carefully crafted our trips. Flying direct from airports across the UK, we take you to remote, serene, unspoilt spots in the far-flung northwestern arm of Finland to experience this extraordinary region in ways few people ever do. During your visit, you’ll have opportunities to tick off multiple epic adventures and leave with the stories of a lifetime to tell!

Some bucket-list moments reveal themselves naturally as you travel through the landscape, while others come from the unforgettable activities included on your specific tour or that you’ve added on as optional excursions.

Pure Lapland magic... on every journey!

•  Travel inside the Arctic Circle.

Your first bucket-list experience will be setting foot in the northernmost region of Earth! Located at the top of the northern hemisphere, the Arctic Circle is a line of latitude that sits at approximately 66°33′ North. It’s a border few people venture beyond. We land at Enontekio Airport, situated in the remote northwestern arm of Finland at about 68° North. So it’s well inside the Arctic Circle… and most of our resorts are located even farther north!

‘Wow’ moment: The feeling of stepping off the plane and into something otherworldly.

•  Experience temperatures well below freezing.

Lapland will likely be the coldest place you’ve ever travelled to. Temperatures rarely rise above freezing in winter and can drop to as low as -30° to -40° Celsius. When we visit between late November and early March, they typically range from -7° to -35° Celsius.

You’ll look twice when you see numbers like these displayed on digital signs. While your mind comes to terms with the low temperatures, your body figures it out fast! That’s why we provide you with thermal suits and boots, so you’ll be able to cope comfortably in the extreme cold.

‘Wow’ moment: Having your nose hairs freeze or your eyebrows frost over.

•  Breathe the cleanest air in the world.

In Lapland, the air is among the purest anywhere for lots of reasons. First off, being situated in the Arctic Circle, it’s far from urban centres and industrial activity. The population here is sparse and so is the traffic. Much of Lapland is also covered by pristine forests which act as natural air filters. Plus, along with strong regulations preventing pollution, there’s a long-standing culture of respect for nature.

‘Wow’ moment: The invigorating sensation you get with each inhale that compels you to take deeper, lung-filling breaths… not to mention the more pronounced visible vapor cloud when you exhale!

•  Hear the sound of silence.

With Lapland’s endless expanses of wilderness, you’ll be enveloped in stillness. Just imagine… no crowds, no distractions, no noise. Thanks to winter’s frozen landscapes, there’s little human or wildlife activity to create sound, eliminating all typical background noise, and even if there were sound deep blankets of snow would muffle it.

‘Wow’ moment: When the total and immersive silence is broken by a sound – like the crunch of stepping on fresh snow or your own heartbeat – it’s thunderous!

•  Meet Europe’s only indigenous people.

Lapland has nurtured the nomadic Sami for thousands of years. A diverse people, they inhabit an area called Sapmi that stretches through parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia’s Kola Peninsula. Their linguistic tradition with its multiple dialects, colourful gatki national dress, ancient joik singing style and spiritualism are just a few highlights of their rich culture. 

By providing a source of food, clothing and transportation, reindeer herding has been the mainstay of the Sami’s survival and livelihood. On our trips we spend time at locally run farms to learn about the history and practices from the families who have worked with these animals for generations.

‘Wow’ moment: Encountering the welcoming Sami people and discovering a way of life that most visitors never see – or even know exists.

Five bucket-list classics, the kind you’ll talk about forever… included on many of our tours!

•  Search for the Northern Lights.

A true wonder of Mother Nature and perhaps the crown jewel of Arctic experiences, you’ll have many chances to seek the Northern Lights. Travel across frozen lakes and through silent forests in unforgettable ways to hopefully glimpse the aurora overhead.

All our trips are based along the official Northern Lights Route, which is recognised by the governments of Finland, Sweden and Norway as offering the best viewings of the ethereal displays. These places also feature open spaces with minimal light pollution.

And did you know there are other sky spectacles that may take your breath away in Lapland too? If you’re lucky, you just may witness the pretty pastel hues of polar night, a thin ribbon of purplish light called STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) or an optical phenomenon that makes it look like there are three suns!

‘Wow’ moment: When it sinks in and you realise something extraordinary is happening in the sky and you’re right there beneath it!

•  Drive a snowmobile across vast Arctic landscapes.

Snowmobiles are the fastest way you can travel through the snow in Lapland – and arguably the most fun too! Imagine zooming through snow-covered forests, along frozen rivers and lakes, and up breathtaking fells. What a rush! They give you opportunities to explore deeper into the wilderness, uncovering even more untouched areas of natural beauty. 

There are many ways to enjoy snowmobiling with us, including half-day adventures to the Three-Borders Cairn (where you can circle through three countries in less than 30 seconds) and night-time hunts for the beguiling Northern Lights.

Steering a snowmobile is easy and you don’t need previous experience… but you do need to be at least 17 years old and hold a valid driving licence. Typically, two adults share a snowmobile and switch halfway.

‘Wow’ moment: Zipping across frozen terrain with the icy air against your face and a view to the horizon that’s open and endless!

•  Mush your own team of huskies.

You won’t forget this exhilarating ride gliding through Lapland’s frozen tundra led by man’s best friend! Husky sledding has long been part of the tradition of transportation and exploration here. 

Two adults share a a team of furry, four-legged guides and a sled (one driving and another as passenger, swapping positions halfway). ‘Mushing’ these beautiful huskies is simple, essentially just steering and braking, so most people master it quickly.    

The dogs are so eager to run their energy is contagious, and you’ll feel yourself become part of the team on a wild dash across the snow that is pure Arctic joy!

‘Wow’ moment: Hearing the symphony of happy howling and seeing the dogs bouncing in their harnesses, exploding with anticipation. You’ll have to hang on tight because they can’t wait to run!

•  Explore Lapland step by step on snowshoes.

As one of the oldest means of getting around in the Arctic without animals, snowshoeing offers an intimate way to traverse the frozen terrain. Revel in the crisp air as you step across deep snow, often through untouched corners of the landscape. Compared to other winter sports, strapping on a pair of snowshoes and learning how to move in them is easy to pick up before you’re ready to set off! And there’s no rush… just a relaxed, joyful exploration as you become the very first person to make tracks in an unspoilt blanket of freshly fallen snow.

‘Wow’ moment: The simple pleasures of feeling every step and hearing the snow crunch beneath your feet.

•  Encounter reindeer up close and personal.

In Lapland, reindeer outnumber humans 2,000 to 1! The unofficial mascots of this region, you can meet these gentle giants while spending time with Sami farmers. Learn about their fascinating way of life and the deep bond they share with their reindeer. It’s a rare and authentic experience, allowing you to connect with the rich local culture and traditions. Plus, you’ll have chances to interact with the reindeer – from feeding them moss to going on sleigh rides. 

‘Wow’ moment: A sense of reverence and humble proximity while taking in the lovely sight of reindeer, with their thick coats and gentle eyes, roaming the frozen terrain.

Five more memory-making experiences – available as added excursions!

Our tours already feature a selection of amazing Arctic activities, including many of those mentioned above... AND there are more extraordinary adventures you can add to your journey to delve even deeper into the spirit of Lapland.

How about spending a night in a real snow igloo? Sleeping while cocooned within walls of snow is warmer than you think, and there’s nothing like snuggling with someone special into reindeer hides atop a sculpted bed of ice. This is a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience the Arctic winter from inside out.

Alternatively, you can stay for a night in a glass cabin on a reindeer reserve. It features slanted floor-to-ceiling windows that nearly wrap around your bed! Lie back and watch out for the Northern Lights from beneath your cosy covers. Your antlered neighbours are among Lapland’s most famous attractions, and you’ll often spot their distinctive silhouettes against the glowing night sky.

You can also visit a hotel sculpted entirely from ice. Journey into Swedish Lapland to marvel at the world-famous ICEHOTEL, rebuilt every winter with a new design from ice sourced directly from the Torne River. It features hand-carved seasonal artwork and suites as well as an ice bar and lounge.

If you’re feeling daring, take a plunge into a frozen lake. Many hotels and attractions – like Tundrea in Kilpisjarvi, Hetan Kota in Hetta and Arctic Sauna World in Jeris – offer ice bathing where you can have a frosty dip. After jumping in an ice hole, you’ll warm up in a steamy sauna... and discover why cold and hot are inseparable in Arctic culture.

Or instead of jumping into a frozen lake why not hand-drill a hole through it? Then drop a baited hook and wait... surrounded by a wide expanse of ice in muted whites and pale blues, where time seems to stand still. This is the quiet ritual of traditional ice fishing in Lapland.

Here in the Arctic wilderness you can cross off bucket-list adventures you’ve long dreamed of and others you never even imagined. These 15 experiences are a taste of what awaits! Words and photos only begin to capture the feelings because True Lapland is best discovered first-hand... and it’s not until you arrive that the magical moments are fully revealed!

Head this way to start planning an Arctic Spirit trip with us and make your bucket list a reality!