Christmas or New Year 2019 in Tankavaara

Christmas or New Year in Tankavaara gives you an access to the magical forest of UKK National park by snowshoes, husky and snowmobile sledge. High value for reasonable cost. 

Tankavaara  is the gate of the gold-mining area of Lapland in summer. In winter the trees in this area of Lapland get a heavy snow load, which makes the trees look magical in spring winter sunshine or during northern lights nighttime. This offers an excellent environment for snowshoeing. 

The familyrun, small hotel and their nostalgic goldminer style restaurant offer a great alternative to holiday resorts - tasty food, simple but brand new rooms (opened February and August 2019)  and very friendly service. Location 400m from the main road makes it possible to use a public bus for getting to Saariselkä or Rovaniemi so this package is ideal for individual travelers. 

Activties included: 

1) Husky safari 2h

7km daytime safari where you can drive the sleigh yourself to the fells around Tankavaara with magnificent views to the nature around us. Safari will be driven with 2 persons on a sleigh. Safari includes coffee by the fire in our traditional kota afterwards. Dog-sled driving time is about 1 hour and you can switch drivers midway.

Safari starts and ends in Tankavaara Gold Village. Please come to the reception/restaurant for sign up and bring your booking ticket on paper or on your mobile device. Winter overalls and gear are included for free if needed.

2) Northern lights Snowmobiling by sleigh

Our guide will drive the snowmobile while you sit comfortably in our sleigh. We will borrow winter overalls, gloves and helmets free of charge, if needed, so you can stay warm during the trip. Guests can't drive the snowmobile during this tour.

The snowmobile sleigh tour will take you to the fells to look for northern lights and gaze at the starry sky. Midway you'll have hot juice and a snack by the fire in a cozy lean-to-shelter. Winter forest in Tankavaara is silent, there's no lights disturbing your views to the sky. Try walking outside the trail and you might fall waist deep in soft snow, a true adventure!

3) Northern Lights Snowshoeing 2h

Light and easy snowshoeing trip to the national park with our professional guide in the evening to hunt for northern lights. Snakcs by the fire included.

4) Winterpark Saariselkä 4,5h visit

In Saariselkä there is a very long 1,6km long lighted toboggan slope. Winterpark is a package of a 2-hour skipass for getting up on top and access to the winter zone, where you can use snowtubes and even skate if you like. Tour takes place by a public bus and does not include any meals as there are a lot of restaurant choices in the ski village.

5) Self-guided snowshoeing in Tankavaara

In spring-winter the tracks in Tankavaara start to be in such a good shape that you can well take self-guided snowshoeing tours in the forest safely. Snowshoe rental for 1 full day is included. 

6) Christmas Trail with Elves in the afternoon of the 24th of December takes your for a walk on trails Gold Village. You will hear stories of Santa and his reindeer, get hot drinks and gingerbread and meet santa in his cabin  At New Year instead of Santa you will meet a foreteller, who makes a fortune tin for you. The tin tells you if you will get money , love, happiness or for example more tours in 2020. 

Extra activity idea! A Sámi workshop at a local reindeer farm. 

WINTER BREAK IN TANKAVAARA

Accommodation: 

• 4 nights in Tankavaaara Gold Village new hotel rooms for two (Note! Single supplement for 4 nights 300€ but if you are a group of 3-5, it is also possible to book a loft apartment in the older part of the hotel and even save a little bit/person.)

Meals: 4xbreakfast, 4xdinner (special dinner on Christmas Eve&New Year's Eve), 2xlunch, hot juice and some snacks during activities

Transfers: airport transfer by taxi, Saariselkä visit by public bus. Please note!  A single traveler can save up to 300€ if she/he chooses flights atching the public bus timetables. 

Flights: not included and can be other than in the sample itinerary

Itinerary: CHRISTMAS

Sun  22.12.

• 12-17.30 direct flight from London to Ivalo
• taxi from the airport to Tankavaara
• dinner
• night in a loft apartment

Mon 23.12. 

• breakfast
• 11-13:00 husky safari 2h,7km  (4 people at a time)
• lunch 
• visit to the Gold museum, also a visit to a local 
• dinner
• 20-23:00 NorthernLights snowmobiling
• night in a loft apartment  

Tue 24.12. Christmas Eve

• breakfast
• snowshoe rental and snowshoeing on your own as you like
• 12:00 lunch (rice porridge traditioally served)
• 15-16:00 Christmas Trail with Santa Claus 
• from 16:00 Finnish sauna available 
• 19:00 Christmas Eve dinner
• night in a loft apartment  

Wed 25.12.

• breakfast 
• 11.:27-12.15 bus to Saariselkä ski village
• Winterpark there: tobogganing, snow tubes
• lunch at own cost
• 16.45-17.30 bus back to Tankavaara
• dinner
• 20-22:00 Northern Lights snowshoeing 

Thu 26.12.. 

• packed breakfast, early breakfast  or breakfast 
• 5:00 or 7:20 taxi to Ivalo airport or bus to Rovaniemi
• 7:00 flight to London, 9:20 to Helsinki or a two-day package in Rovaniemi

Itinerary: NEW YEAR

Sun  29.12.

• 12-17.30 direct flight from London to Ivalo
• taxi from the airport to Tankavaara
• dinner
• night in a loft apartment

Mon 30.12. 

• breakfast
• 11-13:00 husky safari 2h,7km  (4 people at a time)
• lunch 
• visit to the Gold museum, also a visit to a local 
• dinner
• 20-23:00 NorthernLights snowmobiling
• night in a loft apartment  

Tue 31.12. Christmas Eve

• breakfast
• snowshoe rental and snowshoeing on your own as you like
• 12:00 lunch (rice porridge traditioally served)
• 15-16:00 New Year Trail with fortunate tin making
• from 16:00 Finnish sauna available 
• 19:00 New Year's  Eve dinner
• night in a loft apartment  

Wed 1.1..

• breakfast 
• 11.:27-12.15 bus to Saariselkä ski village
• Winterpark there: tobogganing, snow tubes
• lunch at own cost
• 16.45-17.30 bus back to Tankavaara
• dinner
• 20-22:00 Northern Lights snowshoeing 

Thu 2.1.. 

• packed breakfast, early breakfast  or breakfast 
• 5:00 or 7:20 taxi to Ivalo airport or bus to Rovaniemi
• 7:00 flight to London, 9:20 to Helsinki or a two-day package in Rovaniemi