Santa Claus Express Helsinki to Lapland - 7 Days

Welcome to Helsinki! On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. Stroll through this vibrant seaside capital and enjoy its design, architecture and lively food scene.

Helsinki – Rovaniemi (Overnight train). Enjoy breakfast at the hotel followed by a panoramic tour of Helsinki. You will join other travelers for a sightseeing bus tour of the city’s key landmarks, including the historical centre, City Hall, the Parliament buildings, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. There will also a short stop at either Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church) or the Sibelius Monument if the church is closed.

In the evening, depart for Rovaniemi by overnight train on the Santa Claus Express, a comfortable double-decker night train through Finland’s winter landscapes.

Accommodation is in a private sleeper cabin with bedding, power sockets and a washbasin, with access to shared bathroom facilities. Onboard, there is a restaurant car and the option to have meals delivered to your cabin, as well as Wi-Fi, making for a relaxed and scenic journey to Lapland. This is an approximately 12-hour journey.

Welcome to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. After your overnight train journey, breakfast can be purchased onboard before arrival.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Please note that check-in is from 15:00, however you may leave your luggage at reception until your room is ready. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace.

In the early evening, you will meet your tour escort in the hotel lobby for a welcome meeting with the rest of the group.

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before setting off by private transfer to a local reindeer farm. Here, enjoy a traditional reindeer sleigh ride, a peaceful way to experience the snowy landscapes and learn about Lapland’s unique culture.

Continue to the iconic Santa Claus Village, where a buffet lunch is served at the Christmas House Restaurant or similar. In the afternoon at around 14:30, the adventure ramps up with a 2.5km husky safari, travelling in teams of four on a sled led by a professional musher.

Then, this evening at 21:00, head out to the Ounasvaara area for an Aurora hunting excursion with your tour leader. Roundtrip transfers are included for this unforgettable Northern Lights experience.

Please note: Inclusions in the itinerary remain the same, however the order or timing of activities and days may be subject to change depending on weather and operational conditions.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before departing for Ranua Wildlife Park, the world’s northernmost zoo, located near Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. The park is home to Arctic species living in spacious, natural forest enclosures, offering an authentic glimpse into the region’s wildlife.

On arrival, enjoy a guided visit through Ranua Wildlife Park, where you’ll see native Arctic animals in their naturalistic surroundings.

At around 13:00, a full lunch buffet with dessert and coffee is served at Ranua Resort. After returning to Rovaniemi, the afternoon is free for relaxation.

In the evening, a homestyle buffet dinner is served at the hotel, featuring a selection of main dishes and seasonal sides. For those looking for more adventure, two optional activities are available: a three-hour snowmobile safari with a campfire experience known as the Evening Escape at 20:00, or a specialised Aurora hunting tour at 20:30, including marshmallow grilling and transfers.

After a busy day yesterday, today is completely free for you to do as much or as little as you like. You could learn about the indigenous Sami people at the Arktikum Museum, try your hand at ice floating, or head out on a reindeer safari. Alternatively, channel your inner Kimi Raikkonen, Valterri Bottas and Mika Hakkinen with an Ice Karting experience, allowing you to drive fast on the sheet ice and discover why some of the world's best racing drivers hail from Finland. Your tour escort will be able to help you plan the day to ensure you don't miss out on your preferred activity.

In the late afternoon, transfer to your unique glass igloo, where you will spend the night. As long as skies are clear, you have a great chance of being able to spot the Northern Lights from the comfort of your own bed tonight!

Our tour arrangements end after breakfast and hotel check out. Make your own way to the airport, unless you've pre-booked transfers with us. Safe travels!