Finland family activity centre holiday

Situated 230kms north of the Arctic Circle, the hotel combines Scandinavian style accommodation, the warmest of welcomes and a great range of activities designed to take you into the very heart of Lapland’s winter wilderness.

Quite simply, we love this place and judging by the feedback, so do our clients. Located on the banks of the Muonio River (cross it when it’s frozen and you find yourself in Sweden) the hotel’s unforgettable safari programmes will take you into the very heart of Lapland’s winter wilderness.

Our tailor made programmes allow you to design your own holiday. Simply decide when you want to travel and for how long then match your stay to the activities available. Tailor made holidays at Harriniva are based on a minimum stay of three nights in en-suite hotel rooms.

Also included are: flights, transfers, half board and cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay.

Please note that Finnair have recently withdrawn tour operators’ fares which means that we have far less flexibility over durations than in the past. It also means that a seven night stay based around direct charter flights from the UK to Kittila represents far greater value than using Finnair’s services via Helsinki for shorter durations. If you do wish to use Finnair’s services, we will require the full flight cost as a deposit at the time of booking as we are now required to pay the airline immediately. Harriniva offers one of the most extensive activity programmes anywhere in Finnish Lapland. We’ve put together a brief description of each one below but please contact us if you have any questions. Almost everybody from our office has been out there and tried these safaris, it’s a tough old job!

Snowmobile Safaris:
A truly exhilarating way to experience the winter wilderness. You must be at least 16 years old and possess a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile in Finland. All of our snowmobile safaris whether 1 or 24 hours long include a full safety briefing and instruction and are based on 2 people sharing.

• Snowmobile and ice fishing - The perfect introduction to the snowy winter landscapes and a great way to quickly acquaint yourself with the area surrounding your accommodation. You will travel 30kms and try your hand at ice fishing. Approx 2.5 hours.
• Snowmobile wilderness safari - 3.5 hours of exhilaration and fabulous scenery as you drive over frozen lakes and through snow covered forests. A hot drink around a campfire is included. Approx 50kms.
• Snowmobile Extreme Safari - A 5 hour trip covering approximately 80kms of snowy landscape.
• Snowmobile (Northern Lights Safari) - With headlights on full you enter the snowy forest for a two hour night safari but with any luck it will be the Northern Lights that illuminate your path. Hot drinks will be served around a campfire. Approx 20 kms.

Husky Safaris:
An absolute must do when visiting Harriniva. The dog's excitement for the trail is infectious and as the animals fall silent on the trail you will realize that this is the only way to see Lapland. All our husky safaris at Harriniva include a tour of the Sled Dog Centre, full instruction and are based on 2 people sharing a sled unless otherwise stated.

• Husky safari (Intro) - An introductory 9km safari lasting approximately one and a half hours. Two people share a sled and dog team. Guides, instruction and equipment included.
• Husky safari (3 hours) - A 17km safari. Two people share a sled and dog team. Guides, instruction and equipment included.
• Husky safari (5 hours) - A 25km safari includes lunch by a campfire out "on the trail". One person per sled and dog team. Lunch is included.
• Overnight Husky safari (2 days) - Take control of your own team as you drive out to a wilderness cabin and spend the night miles from anywhere. This is without doubt the most popular safari at Harriniva.

Reindeer and Lappish Culture:
The Lapp people have herded reindeer for centuries and they remain integral to their lives to this day. Learning about the lives of the herders and their animals is vital to gaining a deeper understanding of the region on its culture. A reindeer sleigh ride is also highly recommended.

• Reindeer farm and safari (10km) - You will visit a local reindeer farm where the herders will tell you about the animals and their importance in Lapp culture. After learning to lasso your reindeer you start a 10km safari pausing for coffee and cake by an open fire. Approx 3 hrs.
• Lappish culture - Lapland Manor and safari (3km) - You will visit the Lapland Manor where you will learn about the Lappish way of life and a year in the life of a reindeer. This is followed by a 3km safari with lunch, coffee and cake served in a warm kota (teepee). Approx 4 hrs.
• Snowshoe trek (2 hours) - If you've tried walking through deep snow you will know that you simply sink up to your waist. Snowshoes may look like tennis racquets but they allow you to walk easily across the snow making your two hour trek immensely enjoyable.

Cross country skiing:
Children in Scandinavia can ski as soon as they can walk – gliding along the glistening trails is a truly authentic way to explore the snowy landscape.

• Cross country skiing (2 hours) - You will receive ample tuition before trying a short skiing trip. A hot drink included.

Horse riding in the snowy forest:
Suitable for beginners. Your horse ride takes you deep into the silent and snowy forest. Approx 2 hrs.

Ice fishing:
You may wonder what the appeal of sitting by a hole in a frozen lake is – well this can easily be explained by the excitement of your first catch! Add in some stunning scenery and great company and you have a great arctic outing! Approx 3 hours.

Lainio Snow Castle & Kellokas ature Centre:
Round off your tailor made winter activity holiday in style. We will arrange a taxi transfer from Harriniva to Lainio Snow Village. Each year it takes around 1000 truck loads of snow to create the Snow Village. This magnificent complex constructed from ice and snow changes shape every year but the artistry, handicraft and breathtaking design always leaves a lasting impression. The Snow Village covers an area of approximately 7,500 square metres and consists of a restaurant, bar, lobby, hotel rooms and suites. For 2008/09 the plan is to build 20 igloo rooms and 10 ornately decorated suites as well as an ice chapel. Approx 6 hrs.

Overnight at the Lainio Snow Castle:
An overnight stay in one of the bedrooms or a suite is an unforgettable experience. Regardless of the weather outside the temperature inside is always between 0 and -5°C. You will sleep on specially insulated mattresses (they used to use reindeer skins but they begin to smell after a while!!) and be provided with expedition grade sleeping bags. And, if that is not enough, you can always retreat to the comfort of the warm safety room

Accommodation
Hotel: Situated 230kms north of the Arctic Circle this family-run hotel has 64 Scandinavian style en-suite bedrooms. Most of the rooms accommodate 2 or 3 people but there are some larger bedrooms suitable for families. The hotel has 3 cosy dining rooms (including one with a log fire) and a recently built pub, ideal for those pre-dinner aperitifs. Naturally, this being Finland, there are two large saunas and a family sauna within the main building.

Wilderness cabins: On any holiday which includes an overnight safari you will normally spend the night in a wilderness cabin. Some, but not all, of the cabins can be basic (no electricity or running water) but they are all comfortable and cosy, especially once dinner is cooking and the fire burning. Sleeping arrangements will be in shared dormitory style areas. The cabins are generally so remote that there is little or no light pollution creating the best possible chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis. Despite their far-flung locations, there is always a sauna in the cabins - after all, this is Finland! Please note that we can never specify which cabin you will stay in as routes may change subject to local weather and trail conditions.

For a bit of pampering, the Aurora Wellness Centre offers therapies such as massages, dry cupping, peat treatments and a variety of facials. On the riverbank there are 2 hot jacuzzis, 2 steam baths, an ice hole (for the very brave!) and a relaxation room. There is even a husky farm just 2 minutes walk from the hotel entrance.