Finland Northern Lights holiday, Wilderness Auroras
Highlights
Inari | Menesjarvi | Arctic Circle | Northern Lights | Cross country skiing through Finnish Lapland wilderness | Winter fishing | Aurora Workshop | Northern Lights snowshoe hike | Morning with a reindeer herder | Snowmobiling | Husky Safari | Sami Siida Museum | Aurora dinnerDescription of Finland Northern Lights holiday, Wilderness Auroras
With no light pollution and unobstructed views of the night sky from the eponymous lake, Northern Lights holidays in the village of Menesjärvi offer visitors a high chance of witnessing the Aurora at their most spectacular. In Finnish Lapland, this holiday has a wonderful base at Hotel Korpikartano, a charming hotel which was once a boarding school, but which now proffers the perfect wilderness accommodation for those seeking the Northern Lights.As we wait to see if the Northern Lights appear, we offer plenty of winter activities so that you can enjoy your Lapland holiday in a traditional way. Such as snowshoeing or cross country skiing in wilderness areas, as well as spending time with a local reindeer herder, still a very important aspect of the local culture and economy. We also enjoy dinner under the stars at a traditional wooden kota building, where we can also light fires and enjoy the remote tranquillity of this wonderful region. Of course, there is also the sauna. These traditional activities are all part of waiting to see if the Northern Lights appear, as well as immersing yourself in the Finnish wilderness. And if the Lights do appear, there is nowhere better to experience them than out on the frozen lake just beside where we are staying.
Accommodation
Once a remote boarding school, it is now run by superb hosts Timo and Anne, who have created the most welcoming accommodation for people who want to enjoy this wild part of Finnish Lapland. They specialise in traditional home cooking, with plenty of goodness to keep your energies up for all those outdoor activities. Local ingredients are a speciality, especially fish caught by Timo or reindeer from local herders. There are 28 rooms, designed in simple, local style, and all ensuite. There is also a communal lounge, with windows facing north of course, so it is the perfect place to hang out by the stove for waiting and watching. There are two indoor saunas as well as a wood-burning outdoor one, with ease of access to the lake for that traditional post sauna dip.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
Our holidays rely on visiting beautiful and un-spoilt areas, and they don’t come more un-spoilt than Menesjarvi. Naturally we wish to maintain the natural settings in which we work, not just for the future of our company, but also for future generations. We will always insist that our local providers are equally conscious of this need.We do appreciate that some may feel that snowmobiles should not be included in such itineraries however in areas such as Menesjärvi they are a way of life. They are the only means of keeping in contact with remote reindeer herders and communities as the road infrastructure is not extensive. All trails are well managed. The alternatives to snowmobiles would in most cases be large, gas-guzzling off road vehicles. All snowmobiles are regularly serviced and kept as fuel efficient as possible. The snowmobile service industry is also another vital source of employment in these remote areas.
We adopt a ‘no trace’ policy and always ensure that all litter is removed from any of our activity sites, we strongly encourage group transfers to reduce traffic volumes and we make our clients aware of their obligation to the environment.
The Impacts of this Trip
Tourism in Finnish Lapland has become the main source of employment and income, replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Working within this growth industry in rural and remote areas means that we must take a great deal of responsibility; socially, environmentally and economically. We fully appreciate the impact of tourist visits on local communities and their residents and strive to ensure that we are having a positive effect.
In all of our destinations we ensure that we use local accommodation, transport and activity providers, enabling locally owned businesses and the economies in which they work to benefit directly. The wilderness hotel in Menesjärvi is owned and run by the Lappalainen family, whose Sámi routes have been in this area for centuries. The use of small family run hotels and businesses means that the tourism income, generated by our presence stays where it should, in the local economy. They have a strong sense of tradition and we encourage all of our clients to respect and embrace the lives and culture of all Menesjärvi’s local inhabitants by learning a few important words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you etc. We have also included activities with a cultural base. In addition, we always encourage our clients to get involved in local events and activities which help to sustain traditional values and customs.
The hotel in Menesjärvi also serves as much local produce as possible and stocks locally made souvenirs. Through the tourism multiplier effect, this all helps to generate incomes and employment where the drift might otherwise be towards larger employment areas such as towns and cities. In a small and remote village such as Menesjärvi the effects of such a drift could be devastating.
We firmly believe in paying a fair price for all the services provided by our suppliers regardless of where they are in the world.
Our holidays rely on visiting beautiful and un-spoilt areas, and they don’t come more un-spoilt than Menesjarvi. Naturally we wish to maintain the natural settings in which we work, not just for the future of our company, but also for future generations. We will always insist that our local providers are equally conscious of this need.We do appreciate that some may feel that snowmobiles should not be included in such itineraries however in areas such as Menesjärvi they are a way of life. They are the only means of keeping in contact with remote reindeer herders and communities as the road infrastructure is not extensive. All trails are well managed. The alternatives to snowmobiles would in most cases be large, gas-guzzling off road vehicles. All snowmobiles are regularly serviced and kept as fuel efficient as possible. The snowmobile service industry is also another vital source of employment in these remote areas.
We adopt a ‘no trace’ policy and always ensure that all litter is removed from any of our activity sites, we strongly encourage group transfers to reduce traffic volumes and we make our clients aware of their obligation to the environment.
The Impacts of this Trip
Tourism in Finnish Lapland has become the main source of employment and income, replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Working within this growth industry in rural and remote areas means that we must take a great deal of responsibility; socially, environmentally and economically. We fully appreciate the impact of tourist visits on local communities and their residents and strive to ensure that we are having a positive effect.
In all of our destinations we ensure that we use local accommodation, transport and activity providers, enabling locally owned businesses and the economies in which they work to benefit directly. The wilderness hotel in Menesjärvi is owned and run by the Lappalainen family, whose Sámi routes have been in this area for centuries. The use of small family run hotels and businesses means that the tourism income, generated by our presence stays where it should, in the local economy. They have a strong sense of tradition and we encourage all of our clients to respect and embrace the lives and culture of all Menesjärvi’s local inhabitants by learning a few important words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you etc. We have also included activities with a cultural base. In addition, we always encourage our clients to get involved in local events and activities which help to sustain traditional values and customs.
The hotel in Menesjärvi also serves as much local produce as possible and stocks locally made souvenirs. Through the tourism multiplier effect, this all helps to generate incomes and employment where the drift might otherwise be towards larger employment areas such as towns and cities. In a small and remote village such as Menesjärvi the effects of such a drift could be devastating.
We firmly believe in paying a fair price for all the services provided by our suppliers regardless of where they are in the world.
59 Reviews of Finland Northern Lights holiday, Wilderness Auroras
Reviewed on 16 Mar 2020 by Ele Overvoorde
It was a fantastic experience. I would go again in a heartbeat. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Mar 2020 by Kath Shepherd
We loved every minute. Such a wonderful experience. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Mar 2020 by Jo Barker
Perfect...The most memorable part was the Dog sledding and meeting some great people. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Mar 2020 by Susan Hoare
Such a lot packed into such a short space of time, yet at no time did we feel rushed as everything was so beautifully organised Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Mar 2020 by Pauline Coombes
100% would go back tomorrow. But seriously will be looking to return. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Mar 2020 by Kate Rodde
Excellent! Such a warm welcome and everyone keen to make our trip special. From explaining local customs, being understanding of food sensitivities and even coming to collect me when my injured back decided it couldn't take the bumpy snowmobile... Such lovely people, highly recommended. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Mar 2020 by Nikki Hughes
The whole trip surpassed our expectations with the husky experience being our number one. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Feb 2020 by Erika Benowitz
It was a trip of a lifetime! We even got to see the Northern Lights! Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Feb 2020 by Howard Robinson
A brilliant week, with extremely friendly and helpful staff. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Feb 2020 by Lisa Day
Ten out of ten. Would highly recommend this trip! We loved every single minute and would gladly do it all over again! Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Feb 2020 by Patricia Staverton
Wonderful insight to a beautiful Country. The wilderness is something for all to experience, no matter what age, tranquility at its best. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Feb 2020 by Will Timbey
I would love to repeat it again and take my family with me. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Feb 2020 by Kate Higgins
I have totally fallen in love with the country and the Northern Lights Village Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Feb 2020 by Elizabeth Greaves
All of it was super memorable, but the icing on the cake was witnessing the Northern Lights on the evening of day 3. Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Jan 2020 by Lisa Joanes
It was fantastic! I honestly can't fault it. The activities are awesome and were so different from anything else we've done before. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Jan 2020 by Christine McLone
An amazing place to go and experience and do things you have not done before-It was magical Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Jan 2020 by Catherine Wickens
I shall never forget the exhilaration of the husky safari, the magic of the reindeer appearing through the snowy forest or the wonderland joy of seeing northern lights dancing in the sky. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Feb 2020 by Sally Reeve
The most memorable part of the holiday was seeing the Northern lights 3 nights in a row! Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Dec 2019 by Kerry Killin
Fabulous and a wonderful experience. Did things we have never done before. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Dec 2019 by Marie-ange Pakiry
all experiences were great , just arrived from my trip exhausted but happy , it was a holiday of a life time , the people made you feel welcome , the food was good , going on the snowmobile in the dark on a frozen lake was excited Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Dec 2019 by Stefan Bulbaczynskyj
The most memorable part of the holiday was the Dog sledging and aroura Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Dec 2019 by Anthony Bernardo
Fantastic value for money and just a genuinely exciting and original authentic holiday, off the beaten track. Read full reviewReviewed on 31 Oct 2019 by Ira Greenberg
The most memorable part of the holiday was seeing the Northern Lights 2, out of the 4 nights of my stay. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Mar 2019 by Allison Bucknell
The holiday met or exceeded our expectations on all levels. However a small caveat - we have done this sort of holiday before so knew what to expect. I am going to give it 5 stars but that does not mean 5 star luxury!! Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Feb 2019 by Mary Lewis
Seeing the Northern Lights, husky sledging, snowshoeing were the most memorable parts of the holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Feb 2019 by Jane Sargant
Difficult to go for one thing as it was all very memorable and exciting... If pushed I would say that one of the most memorable single events was being in the forest with Petri and his reindeer. Read full reviewReviewed on 31 Jan 2019 by Jane Harrison
The whole holiday was amazing the best I’ve ever been on! The home cooked food, the staff, the planned activities, transfer all was top notch ten out of ten! Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Jan 2019 by Law Pooi leng
It was a fantastic holiday to me from 20th until 24th Jan 2019, our group witnessed the Auroras on 21st & 22nd night. It was amazing. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Jan 2019 by Jay Sivell
The Northern Lights displays over the frozen lake... On the final one, the show was high overhead and when my camera battery finally died, I just lay down in the snow and watched the aurora flicker and coil like a Chinese dragon dance. Read full reviewReviewed on 29 May 2018 by Sian Minns
The highlight was everything! from start to finish. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Apr 2018 by Andrew Allen
Obviously seeing the Aurora was the best part of the holiday however the Husky safari was a big tick off the bucket list. This was indeed a once in a lifetime experience! Our holiday was the best and something we will never forget. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Mar 2018 by Steve Killick
The highlight was the Northern lights - though husky sledging pretty good and reindeer herding exceeded expectations. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Mar 2018 by Lyndsay Long
Snowmobiling across a frozen lake lit by the most starry sky I have ever seen. Snowmobiling, dog sledding and snow shoeing were all brilliant ways to experience this pristine wilderness and we saw the most amazing aurora display! Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Mar 2018 by Teresa Cooper
Now that’s a tricky one as the whole holiday was fab. But, if I had to choose something on pain of death I would say the husky ride, it was amazing. The dogs are so friendly and very well looked after and the enthusiasm they show when you arrive for your trip is infectious. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Mar 2018 by Norman Smith
The day we spent with the Reindeer herder, sitting around the fire drinking coffee outside in the snow covered forest clearing with all the reindeer milling around us. It was so interesting hearing all about Petri's lifestyle, and the Sami culture, a real privilege. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Feb 2018 by Amanda Edwards
Seeing the northern lights every night and husky experience. Absolutely fantastic trip. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Feb 2018 by Martin Mathias
The scenery was outstanding and the friendliness and knowledge of the staff was superb. We really enjoyed the husky safari, but all of the activities (i.e. reindeer safari, snowshoe walks, Kota dinner and snowmobile trips) we excellent. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Jan 2018 by Rosaleen Kirby
Fabulous....The spectacular wilderness of Lapland, exciting activities which involved seeing more of that wilderness and interacting with some of the animals. The friendliness and helpfulness of the staff at Northern Lights village, Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Jan 2018 by Fiona Kempton
So many amazing sifts and experiences. We did everything and more than expected. Northern lights were amazing but so were the night time bonfires under the stars, dog sledding, skidooing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing photos on the bridge by the Russian border... Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Jan 2018 by Jane Turner
All of it but the aurora was obviously the highlight. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Mar 2018 by Batrice Lasseron
The highlight was auroras which we saw from the hotel lake 3 nights out of 4. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Feb 2018 by Steve Buckingham
The morning with Petri and his reindeer was a real authentic Sami/Finnish experience and a real privilege to be with him and be invited into his home. If you fancy getting close up and personal with reindeer there really can't be a better opportunity... Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Dec 2017 by Hannah Lynch
The husky safari was the most memorable. Seeing the Northern Lights was amazing, but all the activities we did exceeded my expectations. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Feb 2017 by Simon Burrows
The reindeer farm was a great day out. Then seeing the northern lights which lasted for hours and just got better and better. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Dec 2017 by Jodie Buckley
Seeing the lights & huskies was my most memorable moment. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Mar 2017 by Lynn Lovelock
This was a very special trip. Every day was well balanced, with plenty of activities but enough time to relax and do our own thing. Everyone involved was delightful. Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Mar 2017 by Julie Thain
The highlight for me was the Aurora. This was made even more special by our night drive on the snowmobiles across the frozen lake to get the best viewing. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Feb 2017 by Richard Bowling
The most memorable part of the holiday was standing on the middle of a frozen lake watching the northern lights dancing in the sky, magical and breathtaking at the same time. We had a fantastic time, a great group of people there at the same time to share the experiences made it even more enjoyable. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Feb 2017 by Linda Dixton
Even if we hadn't been able to see a wonderful display of the Northern Lights on our last night the variety of the activities and the friendliness of all the people we met, the cold, the setting of the accommodation made this a memorable holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Mar 2016 by Marilyn Molyneux
Every minute I spent in Finland was truly memory making! To walk in snowy woods along paths through the trees, to hear nothing but the sound of my breath was so soul restoring. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Jan 2016 by Samantha May
One of the best holidays we have ever had, we loved it all. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Jan 2016 by James Tan
The most memorable part of the holiday was catching the northern lights twice! This was just before Christmas night when the moon was shining bright and to be able to capture it all on digital camera despite the freezing -20c temperature on that night. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Feb 2016 by John White
Don't hesitate to opt in for the activities as the search for the Northern Lights then becomes secondary. Don't rely on seeing them and don't spend hours in a car trying to find them - do the activities and hopefully see them whilst enjoying yourself! Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Jan 2016 by Tom Lupton
The most memorable part of the holiday was the sheer scale of Lapland and being able to get a feel of how the Sami live (reindeer farming, sledging with huskies, ice fishing). Wonderful. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Jan 2015 by Adeline Teo
The entire trip was a great experience! From the moment you land to the last day was very enjoyable. And the itinerary was very well planned even for single traveller like me. Read full review
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