DAY 1

Arrival at Kuusamo Airport

Transfer from the airport to your hotel

Three nights at Wilderness Hotel Kortteeri, incl. breakfast, lunch and dinner

The Wilderness Hotel Kortteeri is situated by the peaceful, clear-water Lake Heikinjärvi, only two kilometres from the Russian border zone, completely surrounded by the quiet of the northern nature.

Possibility to book a log cabin at a supplement

DAY 3

Cook dinner in a traditional hut with Sirpi

It is time to learn how to prepare a lovely and tasty meal in a traditional Lappish hut. The secrets of cooking on the open flame are revealed at Helekuta Hut. In the age-old tradition of Kuusamo, salmon and other local fish in season are cooked into a delicious meal. As a starter, we will make a soup or a salad. The main course will be glow-fried salmon and boiled potatoes. For dessert, we will make Poor Knights, a tasty dish of fried white bread served with forest berry jam and whipped cream. This Finnish gourmet meal will be eaten in the warm glow of the Kota fireplace. The meal ends with stories about life in North-East Finland told by your hostesses over a cup of aromatic campfire coffee.

DAY 5

Santa Claus Safari including lunch (11:00-17:00)

This day is filled with the magic of Lapland. Starting out on a riverboat that takes you to your first destination by the river Ounas. Onshore you will discover what’s inside the wooden walls of a traditional Lappish home, as a local family warmly welcomes you to their home and a handicraft workshop. Continuing the journey, the boat will take you to the reindeer farm located by the river Ounasjoki. At the farm you will be served a lunch, become familiar with reindeer herding, and take part in a ceremonial crossing of the Arctic Circle. Afterwards we’ll head by car to the Santa Claus Village, where you will have an opportunity to meet the most famous Finn, Santa Claus himself, and have some time to wander around the village dotted with Finnish design and souvenir shops.

DAY 7

Excursion to Inari including lunch (09:30-16:30)

The beautiful road to Inari winds along the coast of Lake lnari, taking you to the village where you will visit the Sámi museum Siida. This museum is a window on Sámi culture and the diverse nature of Northern Lapland. During the visit you will enjoy a guided tour and an appetizing buffet lunch. After lunch it is time to head to outdoors and to the harbor, where a sturdy catamaran boat is waiting for you. During the 2 hour cruise of Lake Inari, you will visit the sacred Ukko Island, which was used as a Sámi sacrificial offering ground right up until the 19th century. At Ukko Island take your time to admire the view from the top of the island over lake Inari and 300 other islands. Return to Inari is along the old postboat waterway, passing by an old cemetery island, where wooden crosses are still standing.