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 will simply happen and 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 walking into someplace otherworldly.

•  Experience temperatures well below freezing.

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

You’ll look twice when you first see numbers like these – that you’ve never seen before – 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 a natural air filter. Plus, along with strong regulations preventing pollution, there’s a culture of respect for nature.

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

•  Hear the sound of silence.

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

‘Wow’ moment: When you do hear sound in this total and immersive silence – like the crunch of stepping on fresh snow or your own heartbeat – it’s loud and clear and intense.

•  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 part of the 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 the history and practices from the families who have worked with these animals for generations – offering rare and authentic insight.

‘Wow’ moment: Encountering warm and welcoming Sami people and discovering a way of life that most visitors never see.

True bucket-list classics, the kind you’ll talk about forever… these activities are included on specific 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 standing 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 – from half-day adventures to the Three-Borders Cairn where you can circle through three countries in less than 30 seconds to night-time hunts to catch a glimpse of 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: The cold air rushing past you as you glide over frozen rivers, lakes and ground with a view to the horizon that’s endless and open!

•  Mush your own team of huskies.

You’ll never 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 in here. Two adults share a sled (one driving and another as a passenger, swapping positions halfway) and a team of furry, four-legged guides. Mushing these beautiful dogs is straightforward, essentially steering and braking, so most people master it quickly. The huskies are so eager and overjoyed to run, their energy is contagious and you feel yourself become part of the team while enjoying a wild dash through the snow that is pure Arctic joy! 

‘Wow’ moment: When your first hear the symphony of happy howling before you even see the dogs and then realise you’ll have to hang on tight because they can’t wait to run!

•  Explore Lapland step by step on snowshoes.

One of the oldest means of getting around in the Arctic without animals, snowshoeing offers an intimate way to traverse the frozen terrain. Enjoy 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 takes just minutes to master before you’re ready to set off! And there’s no rush… just a relaxed, joyful exploration as you become the very first to make tracks in an unspoilt blanket of freshly fallen snow.

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

•  Encounter reindeer up close and personal.

In Lapland, they outnumber the 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 unique and authentic experience, allowing you to connect with the rich local culture and traditions. Plus, as they tend to their herds, 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 seeing the reindeer grazing peacefully on the frozen terrain... with their thick coats and gentle eyes, they are such a lovely sight.

Five more can’t-miss moments with added excursions

There are many more extraordinary experiences you can add to your True Lapland journey if you wish.

Spend a night in a real snow igloo. Sleeping while cocooned within walls of snow is warmer than you think. Snuggle with someone special into reindeer hides atop a sculpted bed of ice. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience Arctic winter from the inside out.

Or choose to stay for a night in a glass cabin on a reindeer reserve. On clear nights, you can watch the Northern Lights drift overhead from the warmth of your bed. 

Visit an ice hotel. Journey into Swedish Lapland to experience the world-famous ICEHOTEL, renowned for its hand-carved seasonal art suites and its permanent, year-round ice structure where design, creativity and cold collide.

Take the plunge into a frozen lake. Many of the saunas – like those at Tundrea in Kilpisjarvi and in Hetta, are where traditional saunas meet icy lake dips. Jump through a hole in the ice, warm up in themed saunas, and discover why hot and cold are inseparable in Arctic culture.

Or instead of diving into the ice why not hand-drill through it to try traditional Arctic ice fishing. You’ll drop your line and wait and wait and wait in quiet anticipation while enjoying laughs and camaraderie with other guests.  It’s a simple, timeless Arctic experience — part patience, part tradition, and part thrill when the line finally moves.

 Our tours already include a selection of amazing Arctic activities, but we also have a range of excursions that can be added to delve even deeper into the spirit of Lapland.

Enhance your Lapland journey with even more unforgettable moments deep within the Arctic Circle. These small extras make big memories! Perhaps you want to stay in a snow igloo or glass-roofed cabin? Both promise a memorable night’s sleep... if they can bring themselves to close their eyes! For those who hear the call of the wild, our Northern Lights Husky Safari combines the thrill of mushing with a starlit sky, while our Fell Viewpoint Snowmobile Safari offers breathtaking panoramas aplenty!

Break open your bucket list with adventures as wide as the Arctic wilderness.

These 15 bucket-list experiences are only a taste of what awaits in True Lapland. But words will never do them justice. This region is best discovered firsthand.

Find out more about our Arctic Spirit trips and start planning your True Lapland adventure with us!