Northern Lights Over Finland: Helsinki and Lapland

Depart the U.S. on an evening transatlantic flight to Helsinki, and transfer to our centrally located hotel upon arrival the next day. Your Smithsonian Journeys Travel Director will be available this afternoon and throughout the program for suggestions regarding sightseeing, restaurants, and independent activities. After time at leisure to settle in and explore the area, meet your tour staff and fellow travelers at a festive welcome reception and dinner at the hotel. (R,D)

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel. Then embark on a panoramic tour of this vibrant capital of architecture and design, viewing sites such as Helsinki Cathedral and the astonishing Oodi, an innovative library and public space built to commemorate the centennial of Finland’s independence in 2017. Have lunch on your own in town before attending a talk by a local expert on the history of saunas and their important role in Finnish culture. Then experience this unique wellness tradition for yourself on a visit to Löyly, an authentic Finnish sauna. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to try out both traditional and modern saunas and, if you dare, take a dip in the Baltic Sea! Enjoy a relaxing evening on your own tonight. (B)

After an early breakfast, board a morning ferry to Tallinn, Estonia, a two-hour sail across the Baltic Sea. After free time for lunch, set off on a walking tour of Tallinn’s beautifully preserved medieval Old Town, a World Heritage site. See the Viru Gate and the 700-year-old Town Hall, and learn about the city’s role as an important trading center in the Hanseatic League. You’ll have time to explore the narrow streets at your own pace, discovering shops, cafes, and historic landmarks. This evening, take the ferry back to Helsinki, enjoying dinner on board. Back at the hotel, meet in the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner for an informal discussion with your expert about Finnish and Estonian history and culture. (B,D)

After breakfast, head to the airport for your flight north to the village of Ivalo in Finnish Lapland. Check into your delightful resort near Saariselkä, located 155 miles above the Arctic Circle. Meet for an introduction to the property and its programs and get fitted with the winter gear you’ll use for the duration of your stay. Then enjoy free time to settle into your cozy, glass-roofed cabin and discover this winter wonderland. Gather for dinner before heading into the night to hunt the aurora borealis at the resort’s Aurora camp, set on the shores of Lake Ukonjärvi. Steeped Sámi mythology, the lake was believed by ancient Laplanders to be the home of Ukko, the god of thunder. At the camp, sit around a roaring fire beside the picturesque lake, sipping a warm drink and watching for the northern lights to make their appearance. (B,D)

Greet the morning with a hearty breakfast at the lodge. Today, you can customize your Arctic experience with your choice of one of the following activities.

Ice Fishing and Wilderness Cooking: Embark on a winter fishing adventure at Rahajärvi Lake in Ivalo. Experienced guides will introduce you to authentic Sámi fishing practices, such as ice drilling and ice fishing as well as under-ice net fishing. Then gather around a fire and use traditional techniques to prepare your fresh catch and other native ingredients for lunch.

Wilderness Cooking: Venture out into the elements to experience “wilderness” cooking at its finest. Gather around a blazing fire to prepare lunch using locally caught and foraged ingredients, including freshly caught fish, reindeer, berries, and forest mushrooms.

Later, join a local expert for an engaging lecture on the Finnish way of life—and find out what makes Finland the “happiest country in the world.” Linger to sample wild herb snacks, teas, and chaga coffee over casual conversation with fellow travelers.

After dinner at the lodge, set out on an expedition by snowshoe to seek out the aurora. A guide will lead you through the forests and fells to the best vantage points. Stop along the way at an outdoor fireplace for snacks, warm drinks, and tales about the northern lights. (B,L,D)

Travel to the town of Inari in the homeland of the Sámi people. On a guided tour of the Sámi Museum and Nature Center at Siida, see traditional buildings and learn about the cultural and architectural heritage of Lapland’s three Sámi cultures. Sit down to a lunch of regional specialties, then visit a reindeer farm owned and operated by a Sámi family. Ride through the forest on a sledge to spot wild reindeer in their natural habitat. Then enjoy a warm welcome at the family’s home and hear about everyday life far above the Arctic Circle. (B,L,D)

On your final day in Lapland, take advantage of the activities and amenities offered by the Northern Lights Village. Borrow complimentary cross-country skis or snowshoes for an outing in the snow, walk into the village of Saariselkä to do some exploring on your own, or sign up for one of the resort’s many optional excursions. Gather in the evening for a special farewell reception and dinner in a kota, a traditional tent used by Sámi reindeer herders during the Arctic winters. Feast on locally sourced salmon prepared in the Sámi way and celebrate your Nordic adventure. (B,R,D)

Please note: On 2027 departures, you’ll begin the day with a cross-country skiing lesson, learning techniques from a local guide. Then glide along forest trails to soak up the hushed winter beauty of Lapland. After free time for lunch, gather for a snowshoeing outing, crunching through the deep snow with a naturalist guide and learning about the region’s flora and fauna. Stop for a fire and hot drinks along the way. Celebrate your adventure during a farewell dinner in a traditional kota in the evening.

Depart for the airport for your return flight to Helsinki and connect to your flight home. (B)

Please note that the order of this itinerary may change due to operational considerations. Return flight schedules may require an overnight stay in Helsinki which is not included in the tour price and is at the traveler’s own expense. All flight schedules will be advised well in advance of your departure date.