Overview
What's included?
- Transfers: return airport transfers to meet scheduled flights
- Accommodation: 2 nights shared safari houses (for 3 - 4 people sharing), 2 nights Palojärvi, 2 nights Kilpisjärvi cabin
- Activities: 5-day snowmobile safari driving your own snowmobile (you must have a valid driving licence and some previous snowmobiling experience)
- Meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors during activities
- A note on flights: whilst flights are not included in the holiday price, our team will happily provide a quote and arrange them for you. Simply ask one of our travel experts for details of the available options from your preferred departure airport. Direct flights are available on some dates and our team will offer you the best available flights and fares.
You need to be over 18 years old and in good physical condition to undertake this snowmobile safari into the remote wilderness. A full driving licence is required and you must have previous experience of snowmobiling for this holiday.
You will follow your knowledgeable local guide on breathtaking trails to Kilpisjärvi – a mystical and remote region steeped in Sámi tradition and folklore. Admire the incredible views of frozen lakes and snow-covered mountain peaks along the way through the wildest corner of Finnish Lapland.
Before February, the weather is too hostile to travel from Muonio to Kilpisjärvi. But we are ready to take you there as soon as the time is right and the weather improves to reveal one of Finland's best-kept secrets. The locals agree that this is one of the most beautiful places in all the country.
When snowmobiling came to this area in the 1960s it transformed the lives of the local people; communities could keep in contact in the dark winter months and it made the tough existence of the Sámi reindeer herders easier. For guests here today, snowmobiling is about Arctic adventure that allows you to fully appreciate the beauty and the scale of the wilderness.
You will travel to the place where the borders of Finland, Sweden and Norway meet, as well as driving to the summit of Halti, Finland's highest mountain.
At the end of your holiday, we can arrange for you to spend the final night of your stay in an Aurora Hut for an unforgettable night.
Image credits: Antti Pietikäinen & Steve Cushing
Key facts
Duration: | 6 nights |
Pace: | Active |
Suitable for: | Ages 18+ with a good level of physical fitness and a full driving licence. |
Dates & Prices
We include more, no hidden costs
Prices
Dates | ||
---|---|---|
Sun 16 Feb 2025
to Sat 22 Mar 2025 |
Adults £ 3,235 To £ 3,625 |
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
The Specifics
Holiday group size (approximate)
Approximately 4 - 16 people.
Group Size
We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.
Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.
Minimum and maximum age
If a specific minimum age applies to this holiday, it can be found in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page.
Unless otherwise stated in the in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page, the minimum age for participation in an Artisan holiday is typically 8 years old (there may be younger children in some destinations who have booked with other companies). If an adult-only environment is important to you, then please contact our Travel Experts and they will advise on the best dates and destinations for you. If you are looking for a holiday designed specifically for families then please see our sister company www.activitiesabroad.com
Itinerary amendments
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 are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.
Medical History and Advice
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.
It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.
If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.
The UK Foreign Office Advice
Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.
The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html
If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.
If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.
If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.
If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.
Booking activities locally
Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).
When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.
In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are properly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.
Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.
Brexit information for British Passport holders
For the most up to date information on how the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your holiday please click here to view our Brexit information for British Passport holders.
Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation
On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.
Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.
Booking your own flights - cancellation disclaimer
If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.
If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.
Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.
Terms and Conditions
Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.artisantravel.co.uk/booking-conditions
Minimum travellers 10, Maximum travellers 20
Agenda
Agenda
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DAY 1
Arrival and Transfers
From the airport, you will be transferred to your shared accommodation for the first night of your holiday. This will vary depending on availability but could be at any of the Pietikäinen family’s three hotels or a safari house located near the Harriniva Wilderness Hotel (max distance of around 5km). If you are staying in one of the hotels then you will enjoy your evening meal in the hotel restaurant; if you are staying in one of the safari houses the hotel will provide a minibus to take you to dinner. You will be provided will full information regarding your accommodation for the first and final nights of your stay upon arrival.
For an extra special start or end to your holiday, it is possible to upgrade to an Aurora Hut. Please see the personalise section for more details.
Included Meals: Dinner -
DAY 2
Safari to Palojärvi
After breakfast, you will meet with your snowmobile guide for a briefing and introduction on what the days ahead will bring. You will be kitted out with your cold weather gear (warm overalls, boots, socks, hat, mittens, gloves and helmet) and be given instruction in correct snowmobile handling and safety etiquette which your guide will show you how to put into practise.
Then, it is time to turn the key and start your engines. Your previous experience of snowmobiling and good physical fitness are called upon straight away. Covering around 110km of winter terrain, you journey through forests and across frozen lakes against the stunning backdrop of Lapland.
There is a picnic lunch stop before continuing the drive to Palojärvi close to the Norwegian border which is your base for the night.
Following dinner, you will enjoy a well-deserved night’s sleep in a shared log cabin or simple apartment.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 3
Snowmobile to Kilpisjärvi
Following a satisfying breakfast, you enter the treeless mountain area of North West Finland. The weather here can change rapidly with bright sunshine one minute and a snow blizzard the next so it is imperative that you follow the guide’s instruction as they know the trail better than anyone.
Today’s route covers around 140km and ends at the small village of Kilpisjärvi where you will spend the night in cabins. You should take the opportunity to walk down to the lake here for a view to remember.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 4
Ascent of Halti
The driving distance today is a little shorter (around 120km) but the challenges are tougher! This morning your snowmobile ascent of the highest mountain in Finland, Halti, offers spectacular views of the Norwegian mountains. In the afternoon, you will ride out to the famous point where the countries of Finland, Norway and Sweden meet.
On returning to your accommodation in Kilpisjärvi you can use the sauna to soothe any tired muscles and unwind, in true Scandinavian style.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 5
Snowmobiling in the Fells
By now you will be feeling confident driving your snowmobile when you head back to Palojärvi. Clock up another 140km or so today using skills you’ve learnt so far. If the snow conditions allow, you will learn new skills from your guide on how best to handle your snowmobile in deep, powdery snow. You have a picnic lunch en route today with dinner served in your overnight accommodation.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 6
Final Leg - The Victoria Trail
After breakfast, the last part of your snowmobile safari follows part of the Victoria Trail between Finland and Sweden. This 140km run back to Muonio is an absolute thrill. Back at the safari houses, you can enjoy a well-deserved sauna and a farewell dinner of Lappish delicacies to reward your achievement of completing this challenging snowmobile safari.
If you would like to spend the final night of your trip somewhere pretty unique then we can arrange for you to sleep in an Aurora Hut. Please see the 'personalise' section of the holiday page for details.
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DAY 7
Departure
Today you adventure draws to a close and you will be transferred back to the airport for your return flights home.
If you would like to stop off in Helsinki on your way home then we can arrange for you to enjoy some time in the city on your way home. See the 'personalise' section for details or simply speak to one of our travel experts.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Harriniva Adventure Resort
Nights: 1,6
Ideally located in the north-west corner of Finland, high above the Arctic Circle and in the very heart of the Aurora Zone, Harriniva Adventure Resort serves as a perfect base for your adventure holiday.
Welcoming guests for over 50 years now, the hotel has developed a growing reputation for its warm ambience and the large range of enjoyable activities on offer.
Hotel facilities
The hotel has a range of facilities that have been designed to make your stay here as enjoyable as possible.
- There is free Wi-Fi throughout for guest use, in our experience, we have found it works best in the main reception and dining area
- The hotel restaurant consists of three separate dining areas. The meals are served in a buffet style with two or three choices for each course. The food here is hearty and wholesome
- The hotel also has a pub serving a range of beers, wines and spirits - this is the perfect place to unwind and relax with your fellow guests in the evening
- Tea and coffee are available free of charge throughout the day in the hotel restaurant / bar area.
- In the main reception area of the hotel, you will find a small gift shop selling a range of postcards, soft toys and handcrafted products. There is also a selection of snacks that can be purchased
- A sauna is available for guest use with separate facilities for men and women. This is free of charge and is heated every evening for around three hours
- The hotel also has an Aurora Wellness Centre (situated a short walk away on the riverbank), where you can enjoy a range of therapies such as facials or massages. A real treat after a day of sapping up the pristine wilderness! During peak periods, we would strongly recommend booking therapies in advance through reception (all payable locally)
- Snowshoes and cross-country skis are available to hire for a small charge and there are marked trails surrounding the hotel for those with some experience. For those interested in downhill skiing, the reception will be able to arrange a taxi to the nearby ski resort of Olos (payable locally).
Room types
Double/twin rooms: Harriniva has 64 guest bedrooms which consist of twin or double rooms. Triple rooms are also available on request. Decorated in traditional Scandinavian style, all rooms have an en-suite shower room and a hairdryer.
Safari House: For those travelling on our longer husky or snowmobile experiences, your nights before and after setting out on your adventure you will stay either at one of the Pietikäinen family’s three hotels (in a shared room) or a safari house located near the Harriniva Wilderness Hotel (max distance of around 5km). If you are staying in one of the hotels then you will enjoy your evening meal in that hotel restaurant, if you are staying in one of the safari houses the hotel will provide a minibus to take you to dinner. You will be provided will full information regarding your accommodation for the first and final nights of your stay upon arrival. If you are staying in one of the Safari Houses then each has sleeping facilities, a shower room, toilet, hairdryer and a sauna.
Wilderness plus rooms: These recently renovated rooms include double/twin beds and an unfolding sofa suitable for 1 adult or 2 children. Decorated in traditional Scandinavian style, all rooms have an en-suite shower room and a hairdryer, as well as a small seating area
Image Credits: Matt Robinson, Emmi Kähkönen, Harriniva Hotels & Safaris
Palojärvi
Nights: 2,5
Situated close to the Norwegian border, Galdotieva Fell Centre Palojärvi is a spectacularly isolated spot on the route to Norway, which will play a significant part in your wilderness adventure. With very few cars or people passing this way, the vast landscape will take your breath away.
The shared cabins have a perfect position to capture remarkable views across the frozen wilds with nothing else in sight so you can experience uninterrupted views of the Northern skies and the possibility of exceptional Aurora viewing.
Kilpisjärvi
Nights: 3-4
Kilpisjärvi may not have five-star accommodation facilities, but it is in a five-star location; this is a stunning area of Finland that is well off the tourist trail and one that few people will ever get to experience.
Accommodation in this remote village is limited and so depending on availability you will stay in either simple apartments or cabin accommodation on the village outskirts. The bedrooms are typically all shared, as are the bathroom facilities.
Kilpisjärvi is a favourite holiday destination with many of our guides across Scandinavia and you are sure to discover why!
Image credits: Gareth Hutton, Antti Pietikäinen
Other options
Jeris and Torassieppi Aurora Huts
The unique Aurora Huts at Jeris and Torassieppi offer a rather different overnight experience for guests. These huts have pleasant, cosy décor, with floor to ceiling windows on one wall, allowing you to gaze at the night sky in search of the Northern Lights. The Aurora huts at Torassieppi are located close to the lakeshore, whereas the huts at Jeris are located in the woods. The exact location of your dome will be confirmed upon check-in at your hotel.
Each hut has a double bed, a composting toilet and a small sink with running water. Shower and sauna facilities are just a short walk away (around 50-150 metres). There is space for one extra bed in the huts, but space will be very limited when added.
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
Helsinki City Break
The majority of our remote destinations in Finland can only be accessed by flights that connect through the Finnish capital city of Helsinki so a stopover here is a popular choice.
In Helsinki you can enjoy some world class restaurants, a rich culture and a beautiful coastal location on the Baltic Sea. Some of our favourite experiences include a tour of the Ateneum Art Museum, stopping off at one of the city’s many coffee shops and taking a ferry ride out of the main city to visit the incredible UNSECO listed Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.
Read morePlease note that the included flights will not always allow for a stopover but we shall do what we can to meet your requirements. We would advise getting in touch with our Travel Experts to discuss all of the options available and they will happily provide a quotation for you.
Image credit: Visit Finland
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
Its always a pleasure. The guides are great including me in the conversation (I have always been the only brit on every safari so far) & its great that all the other people make the effort to speak English which I appreciate can be a chore. The guide team of Arto & Mari were great. Mari was every bit as capable & with long blonde hair, blue eyes good looking made everyone happy to be…
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there! A true Finnish beauty. Please pass on my thanks for a great holiday to all the team at Harriniva Including the guides from previous years. Jani, Scotie & Karri
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A special positive mention for our guide, Yanni. Very knowledgeable, positive, with a good sense of humor, perfect planning, friendly.
Enough even for the most adventurous. River/forest trail,rolling moors, high fells, mountain passes, powder snow, high speeds on frozen lakes & the Northern lights! Still buzzing & aching a little. Had a great time. Many thanks to the guides & Artisan Travel/Harriniva's organisation & planning. Brian Edlington, The crazy Yorkshireman with the snowmobile with the reindeer bell.