Overview
What's included?
- Flights: return flights from London to Kittilä (via Helsinki). Flight routes are subject to change
- Transfers: return airport transfers included from Kittila Airport
- Accommodation: hotel accommodation in en-suite double/twin rooms (minimum of three nights required)
- Meals: half board
- Activities: choose from our extensive range of activities, special nights and little extras (individually priced as detailed in the 'Activities' section of this holiday page)
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors during activities
More than 230km north of the Arctic Circle, Harriniva is the heart of Finnish Lapland not only geographically but in every other sense of the word. Here we have captured the essence of this unique part of the world, allowing you to pick and choose from the top traditional and the most exciting experiences to suit you and your family or friends. Our experienced wilderness guides will teach you the skills you need for each activity and outing, as well as telling you all you want to know about Lappish life, past and present. From the very first warm welcome, until you wave goodbye, you will be as impressed as our many guests who return to Harriniva each year.
On your tailor-made adventure to Harriniva, you choose how active or relaxed you want to be. There are some "must do" activities: a husky safari, for example, is on everyone's list, snowmobiling is an unbeatable thrill, and a reindeer encounter is really special too. You can head out cross-country skiing and snowshoe through the snowy landscape, visit the small town of Muonio (around 4km away) or take some "me" time out at the Aurora Wellness Centre where spa treatments can be arranged.
Safaris in search of the Northern Lights are a regular feature in this prime location and you can join the hopeful watch every night of your stay should you so wish. How about a night in a snow igloo or an unforgettable Aurora Dome? Create your own itinerary deciding how to spend each wonderful day? Choose from our range of activities, special nights and little extras which are all detailed in the 'Activities' section of this holiday page.
Read moreHarriniva is a perfect destination that has it all. Everything you need is included: flights, transfers, en-suite hotel room, half board meals, and winter clothing for the duration of your stay. Your only problem is how to choose what to see and do! Simply choose the duration of your holiday (a minimum of three nights is included in the price) and then select the activities which you would like to take part in from the weekly activity schedule (see Activities section of the holiday page for all the amazing options).
Please note that some activities require a minimum number of participants to operate, schedules are always subject to change and are subject to availability.
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Key facts
| Duration: | 3 or more nights |
| Pace: | Set your own |
Dates & Prices
Thank you for your interest in this Artisan Travel experience.
We have found that this holiday is better tailored exactly to your requirements, so please email our Travel Experts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact us on 01670 785 085 to discuss the various options available to you.
Our Travel Experts have been to all the destinations we feature and love to share their experiences and insight. We want to match you with your perfect trip, so if you have any questions please get in touch; we will be happy to talk through the destinations and itineraries with you.
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Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Harriniva Adventure Resort
Nights: 1-3
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
Other options
Wilderness Cabins
Wilderness cabin accommodation is reserved for those people enjoying overnight safaris. There can surely be few better forms of escape from the everyday stresses (which could include laptops, mobiles and your day job) than a night in one of these cabins. Their isolation also means that the views of the night sky are incredible.
The Northern Lights could well pay you a visit should conditions be right and, if the sky is clear, you will never forget the sight of the galaxy overhead.
The title is fairly self-explanatory as the cabins are located in the wilds. The cabins that you visit are determined by the conditions of the trails you are using. They are varied in their set up but all offer the same incredible experience of complete silence in the evening (not guaranteed if you are dog sledding as the huskies do like a howl now and then!).
Some of the cabins are more basic than others, as some have no electricity or running water. Everyone will join the guide to help set up camp by collecting wood and water if needed. Participating enhances the wilderness experience.
Once the fire is lit, the food is cooked. The guides prepare your meals over an open fire and our guests always provide exceptional feedback on the meals that the guides rustle up.
Should you have specific dietary requirements, please mention these at the time of booking.
There are no showers or bathroom facilities in the cabins but this is all part of the adventure. Scandinavia is renowned for its saunas and the wilderness cabins are no exception. Once heated, you can steam clean in the sauna. The toilet facilities are normally a short walk from the cabin and are compostable. We certainly recommend a head torch for any ventures to the toilet during the night!
In most cases, the sleeping arrangements are dormitory style. You will be given your own arctic-grade sleeping bag in which to sleep and, combined with your thermals and the open fire, this should keep you lovely and warm.
You will carry with you all that you need for any stay in the cabins, so luggage is typically restricted to the essentials. Your main bag will be securely stored back at the hotel and a safe is provided for your valuables.
There is something so refreshing about realising that you can strip back your belongings and enjoy such a simple but satisfying experience.
Depending on the weather conditions you might spend the nights in cosy and warm basecamp tents at one of the wilderness camps.
Image Credits: Antti Pietikainen
Harriniva Riverside Cabins
Set in a picturesque, riverside location and ranging from 39m² to 47m², Harriniva’s Riverside Cabins are ideal for larger groups, or those wanting a little more space and privacy during their trip. Each cabin sleeps five people in total, with a main bedroom for two people, a lower ceilinged loft area (accessible by a steep ladder) sleeping a further two people and a pull-out sofa bed in the lounge. Fully equipped with kitchen facilities, including a stove, dishwasher and fridge, and with a cosy living room, you can relax and enjoy your own space in complete comfort. Each cabin even has its own private sauna, perfect for keeping warm after a long day out in the cold.
Please speak to one of our Travel Experts for a quote.
©Antti Pietikainen
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.
Special Nights
Overnight stay in a wilderness cabin
In the evening, you will be taken to a wilderness cabin with shared facilities, around 45 minutes away. You will travel there by either minibus or snowmobile-pulled sleigh. A wood-heated sauna by the lake will be waiting for you, as will a hearty fireside dinner. Far from light pollution, you will also be able to look out for the Northern Lights dancing in the dark sky. Settle down for the night in before waking up to a rousing breakfast the next day. Following that, you will head back to Harriniva.
You will stay in either a shared mezzanine sleeping area or can choose to upgrade to a private room if you prefer (subject to supplement and availability - contact our team for a quotation).
This activity does not include your hotel accommodation back at Harriniva.
Activity level: Low
Suitable for those aged 12 years and over.
Minimum group size: 2 adults
Available: Saturday at 5 pm
Activities
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Extensions
Little Extras
Special Nights
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
Your local rep Katrina welcomed us with all the information necessary - and even remembered us from our visit two years ago! Whenever we saw her around, she was cheerful, chatty and made sure everything was just as we wanted it. The activities fulfilled our expectations completely. We also hired snowshoes on a free day and carried out our own explorations too. The two day Husky Safari was…
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brilliant. The overnights cabin was far less spartan than we expected, and because there were just three couples on the trip, the use of the sauna worked out well. It was good to be able to get 'hands on' with the dogs with feeding/ harnessing, etc, and the guide went out of her way to explain things - as well as cooking us some excellent food. The sledding itself is at times an energetic activity, and occasionally a little challenging. Two days of it was just the right amount of time and effort. Glad we didn't opt for the five day event though as I think it would have been too much. I also enjoyed the snowmobiling, so opted for an additional trip - the Olos Panoramic on a free day. Excellent fun! Our first trip to Harriniva, two years ago, was intended to be a 'once in a lifetime trip' - primarily to see the Northern Lights. We enjoyed it so much we went again this year (and saw the Lights three nights out of six!). We are now muttering about saving up for a return visit in a couple of years - trusting we are not overcome by old age and infirmity..... If this plan comes to fruition, we shall be in touch with Artisan Travel once again. Many thanks for making it all happen!
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We saw the Aurora 4 times in one week. Everything was really good.
The Reindeer Farm - great to meet the reindeer and the safari through the forest also very interesting information about the Sami culture and the origins of the village.
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