Santa's Aurora - 3 nights

Summary

A fun-filled few days at the Star Arctic with a good choice of activities AND a day at leisure! 

RESORT: Saariselka

Duration: 3 nights/4 days

Lying 200km above the Arctic Circle Saariselka is the most northerly resort in Lapland. It is surrounded by gentle hills and snow-laden forests, it's where rugged nature and ancient mysticism go hand in hand. The native Sami, with their fascinating cultural heritage and hospitable charm, welcome and delight visitors with ancient tales and legends.

Your accommodation on this short break will be the Star Arctic Hotel. This hotel is the ideal location for hunting for the Northern Lights due to the lack of light pollution and prime position at the top of the fell. You will enjoy some stunning views of Saariselkä below.

It's Easy to Book...

Contact us to check latest availability and special offers and we will provide an up-to-date quote. Then if you wish to proceed we will need names as per passports, dates of birth for all and contact details for the lead traveller together with a deposit of £150 per person; all of which can be done over the phone or via our secure online payment page (powered by WorldPay).

Full payment required if within 11 weeks of travel date.

We also offer an easy payment facility whereby you can pay off a little here and there during the year in as many payments as you wish, as long as the trip is paid off by the due date. Some of our customers prefer to do it this way; others prefer to pay it off in one go when the balance is due - it's entirely up to you!

*There is no extra cost for paying off the trip in instalments

Get travel advice from someone who’s been there

Send an enquiry

Gallery

Departures

  • Depart Airport
  • Sun 24th Dec 2023 Birmingham (BHX)
  • Sun 24th Dec 2023 Manchester (MAN)
  • Sun 24th Dec 2023 London Stansted (STN)
  • Fri 29th Nov 2024 Leeds Bradford (LBA)
  • Fri 29th Nov 2024 London Gatwick (LGW)
  • Sat 30th Nov 2024 Birmingham (BHX)
  • Sat 30th Nov 2024 London Luton (LTN)
  • Sat 30th Nov 2024 Manchester (MAN)
  • Fri 6th Dec 2024 Glasgow (GLA)
  • Fri 6th Dec 2024 Leeds Bradford (LBA)
  • Fri 6th Dec 2024 London Gatwick (LGW)
  • Sat 7th Dec 2024 Birmingham (BHX)
  • Sat 7th Dec 2024 Cardiff (CWL)
  • Sat 7th Dec 2024 Manchester (MAN)
  • Fri 13th Dec 2024 East Midlands (EMA)
  • Fri 13th Dec 2024 London Gatwick (LGW)
  • Fri 13th Dec 2024 Manchester (MAN)
  • Sat 14th Dec 2024 Birmingham (BHX)
  • Sat 14th Dec 2024 Manchester (MAN)
  • Sat 14th Dec 2024 London Stansted (STN)
  • Wed 18th Dec 2024 London Gatwick (LGW)
  • Wed 18th Dec 2024 Manchester (MAN)
  • Wed 18th Dec 2024 Newcastle (NCL)
  • Thu 19th Dec 2024 Birmingham (BHX)
  • Thu 19th Dec 2024 Manchester (MAN)
  • Thu 19th Dec 2024 London Stansted (STN)
  • Mon 23rd Dec 2024 Bristol (BRS)
  • Mon 23rd Dec 2024 London Gatwick (LGW)
  • Mon 23rd Dec 2024 Manchester (MAN)
  • Tue 24th Dec 2024 Birmingham (BHX)
  • Tue 24th Dec 2024 Manchester (MAN)
  • Tue 24th Dec 2024 London Stansted (STN)

What's included:

  • Return flights
  • Transfers
  • Thermal snow suits & boots
  • 2 nights half board accommodation at the Star Arctic
  • Santa's Elves
  • Wilderness dinner
  • Lunch on activity day
  • Snow and Ice fun activities including Crazy Reindeer golf, kick-sledding, snow hockey, ice fishing, tandem skiing, mini-skidoo rides for the children and tobogganing.
  • Reindeer sleigh ride to search for Santa
  • Private family meeting with Santa
  • Snowmobile trip
  • Extended Husky sled ride

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Ivalo Airport you will be greeted by a reindeer with its Sami handler and one of Santa's elves, presenting a delightful photo opportunity to capture your family's first few minutes in Santa's homeland. A short, comfortable 25-minute transfer to Saariselka - just enough time to see if the children can spot more reindeer or elves in the forest.

Arrive at your beautiful accommodation, the Star Arctic, and collect your thermal suits and equipment from the downstairs room at the hotel. Spend some time settling into your accommodation & meet your representatives who will give you all the information you need to have the complete Lapland Experience. For the rest of the afternoon you can play in the snow or perhaps try some tobogganing.

Your first evening starts with a Wilderness Dinner and Reindeer Sleigh Ride. It’s a short coach ride to the Wilderness Centre for dinner in a traditional Lappish Kota. By the open fire you’ll be warm and cosy as you enjoy your meal.

Meet your reindeer and your local Sami guide then take a wonderful sleigh ride into the picturesque woods, with the ‘swish’ of the runners across the snow, and children and parents cuddled together under blankets in the sleigh.

Your hotel is in the ideal location to search for the Northern Lights due to its prime position at the top of the fell, far away from any light pollution and boasting some stunning views of Saariselkä below.

 

This extra day on the longer 4 day break will normally be your second day, and gives you the chance to start building up the excitement, with your choice of fantastic Optional Adventures.

Try a daytime Star Arctic Snowmobile Safari where parents take it in turns to drive the snowmobile and children will be towed in a special sled by the guide, or an early evening Aurora Hunt by Snowmobile. Perhaps enjoy a few hours downhill skiing or Saariselkä’s toboggan run. Animal lovers may prefer to go for an extra reindeer sleigh ride (Reindeer Discovery) or the exciting Siberian Husky Discovery.

Back at the Star Arctic enjoy dinner, excitement mounting for tomorrow's Big Day.

A host of great adventures awaits so wrap up warmly and pack some snacks as you will be outside in the Lappish wilderness. There will be some fantastic camera moments for the whole family.

You will be taken to the exclusive Aurora Activity Centre where you can enjoy the following activities at some point during the day:

Extended Husky Sled Ride – where the children get to ride with a parent (and shout ‘mush mush!’ at every opportunity!), and grown-ups can all take a turn at actually ‘driving’ your own sled! Imagine your sled, drawn by five or six eager huskies, straining at the leash and eager to run, then released – and you’re off! Racing across the snow and through the woods is the most perfect way to experience Lapland’s winter wonderland.

Meet the Sami in a traditional Lappish kota (a local tepee). You will be introduced to their fascinating culture with stories of the old way of life and maybe a special song or two.

Magical Reindeer Sleigh Ride in Search of Santa Claus – glide across the snow on this relaxing mystical journey as only the reindeer know where to find Santa’s  secret cabin and his elf helpers.

See your children’s faces light up with wonder, as you have an exclusive private family meeting with Santa in his hideaway log-cabin home, with elves on hand to make you welcome and ensure there is magic in the air! Meet the special Aurora Elf who will be with Santa in the cabin and who is always full of magic and fun with tales of what elves do (and don’t do) and how they help Santa plan for his trip around the world delivering presents.

A host of Snow and Ice Fun Activities are provided for you to enjoy, such as ice-fishing, snow-hockey, kick-sledding (a crazy Finnish cross between a scooter and a toboggan!), tandem skiing, mini-skidoo rides for the children, and tobogganing.

Lunch is also included, to ‘recharge your batteries’ for the afternoon. This will be a simple and warming 2-course meal, with plenty of hot berry juice, squash, tea and coffee also available. Refreshments are also included throughout the day, for those times when a few minutes warming up round a crackling log fire is welcomed.

Finally, back ‘home’ in your hotel, finish the day with your Star Arctic dinner while you relive every unforgettable moment of your biggest ever Christmas adventure!

Fun-time again, with the chance to enjoy another big adventure and high-octane thrills with a snowmobile safari to see more of the frozen and snowy world of Lapland. Parents share a snowmobile with one driving and one riding pillion and full instructions are given prior to departure. Children travel in a large sleigh behind the group leader.

You will then be collected from your doorstep by coach for the short ride to the airport to catch your flight home, to a chorus of fond farewells!

Trusted Service

  • ATOL cover for flight inclusive holidays.
  • One of us at Rediscover the World is very likely to have visited the hotels and travelled along the routes on your itinerary.
  • Dynamic, comprehensive travel app with all your documents, maps and much more.
  • Full financial protection for your holiday (TTA).

Why book Lapland with us ?

  • All trips are fully protected by ATOL & the operator's ABTA. Your money is guaranteed safe by the Travel Trust Association (T6816).
  • We offer exclusively non-commercialised trips.
  • All of us have visited & guided trips to Lapland.
  • Our advice is completely impartial.
  • We offer a FREE payment-plan service.

Why consult our expert ?

  • Dawn started escorting trips to see Santa in 1993 & has been many, many times to various parts of Lapland since then.
  • We are confident that she is the most experienced Lapland consultant around. Please contact Dawn for impartial and knowledgeable advice prior to making your booking with us.
  • Dawn has also compiled a list of Hints and Tips, which will be sent out with every booking.