Ailo the reindeer
Explore the arctic scenery in the foot steps of Ailo the reindeer!Ailo
Small streams of the fells burbbles in the wilderness. They start their journey high up in the fell area, from where they slowly head to the great river Teno. The river Teno flows steadily in to the arctic ocean, creating life to the river valley on its way. There is more trees and and bushes, foxes and rabbits, more people in the valley. Up in the fells its ice dessert. Great whiteness as far as eyes can see. This is the land of the reindeers.
During the darkenes aurora borealis – the northern lights – illuminates the land scape in its hunting colors. If you light up a lamp you can see thousands of snowflakes sparkling. The snow squeaks under your boots. Lack of cities and towns gives you peace and incredibly fresh air that you will not find elsewhere This is a land that humans have barely scratched on the surface.
This is the home of Ailo the reindeer.
Always wanted to see the beautiful scenery where Ailo the reindeer had his journey? Come experience the arctic lapland in luxurious surroundings in a top hotel of Utsjoki – Finlands northern most area!
Utsjoki – Land of the Sámi
Utsjoki, Sámi culture still lives very strongly in Utsjoki and there are more than 10.000 reindeer in the area. In winter the Northern lights, the starry heavens and the moon lend a mystical twilight which hangs suspended above the landscape. In summer Utsjoki has the lengthiest period of the Midnight Sun. There are three ”Ailigas” – ”holy fells” In the municipality, of which one raises its lofty peak on the vicinity of the village. During the safaris and treks you may see the ptarmigan, which is the world’s northernmost arctic fowl. Elks, wolfs, lynxes, wolverines, foxes, eagles and the great grey owl live also here.
Day 1: Arrival
Following your flight into Ivalo, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Utsjoki. Village host will welcome you, show you around the holiday village and brief you on the program for the following days. Once you are all set, you will be shown to your double rooms or cabin, followed by a dinner at the restaurant.
DAY 2: SNOWSHOE TOUR IN THE SACRED VALLEY AND VILLAGE TOUR
After breakfast you will meet your guide who will give you warm winter clothing. You will do a Snowshoe tour to the nearby nature with your guide, who will tell you about the nature and animals. You will also learn how to read animal footprints and how to make fire. You will make coffee together by campfire. The valley is a historically significant sacred area of the Sámi people for thousands of years. There are lots of historical signs of ancient times.
Duration 2-3h.
Lunch in restaurant.
After lunch we’ll take a car drive near by village and get to know the open-air museum, Cottages are the most valuable cultural heritage of Utsjoki. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. After church cottages we drive to the village house Giisa, where the locals also like to come to share the news of the day. There is also a local handcraft shop located in Giisa.
Duration 1,5h.
A dinner is served in our restaurant in the evening.
DAY 3: REINDEER SAFARI AND SÁMI CULTURE
Today you will get to know better the reindeer, which are very important to Sámi culture and history. After breakfast we will make a short transfer to the reindeer fence nearby. You will meet and feed the reindeer before starting a short reindeer safari. Warm drinks will be served by campfire in a traditional ”Lavvu” after the reindeer safari. Your guide will tell you about the reindeer and life of Sámi.
Duration 2h.
Lunch in restaurant. The afternoon is free time. A dinner is served in our restaurant in the evening.
DAY 4: DAY ON THE FELL – Get to see the filming locations of Ailo!
During the sleigh ride, you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the fell and we will also take a nice little break to see reindeer. We will visit the filming locations of Ailo. We may also see other animas on our way, such as a willow grouse, a hare, a fox or even an elk. Once we arrive at the ice fishing lake, our guide will share ice fishing tricks with you and hand out the fishing tackle. Your potential catch includes Arctic char and trout. During the ice fishing, our guide will prepare an outdoor lunch by an open fire. During the sleigh ride, you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the fell and we will also take a nice little break to see reindeer. We will visit the filming locations of Ailo.
DAY 5: TRADITIONAL DINNER IN FÁLLEGOAHTI
After breakfast you can relax or book additional activities. Lunch will be served in our restaurant.
Highlight of the day is the traditional dinner in Fállegoahti. The hut has received its’ name from a hawk, who nested near the hut, on the Norwegia side, across the River Tenojoki. The hawk still lives on the area, as she can be seen flying low on the River Tenojoki valley and thus keeping us entertained, and those visiting the hut during summer nights.
During the dinner, you will hear lots of stories about Sámi life and the history of the culture. After dinner, we will quiet down and listen to an enchanting Sámi yoik performance. Your guide is dressed in his traditional Sámi dress, gákti.
DAY 6 AND 7: FREE DAY
After breakfast you have a free day. You can relax and enjoy the silence of the area, or maybe you want to do a snowshoe or cross-country skiing trip in nearby nature by yourself. You can also take a walk to the village house Giisa, where the locals also like to come to share the news of the day. There is also a local handcraft shop located in Giisa. During your fre says you are able to book various optional activities.
Lunch and dinner will be served in our restaurant.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Breakfast and free time depending on departure time of your flight. Chec-out and transfer to Ivalo airport. Bye-Bye amazing Sámiland!
Holiday Village Valle in Utsjoki
The family-run Holiday Village Valle is situated by the legendary Teno river, just 2 km from Utsjoki village center. Holiday Village Valle is a wonderful destination for travelers who are looking for untamed nature, genuine cultural experiences and fantastic nature-based activities all year round. In summer fishing in the Teno River and in the Fell lakes is extremely popular along with hiking in the fells, visits to reindeer farm, biking, canoeing, hunting, trips to Norway & Arctic Ocean. In winter this is a wonderful destination to hopefully view the Northern Lights. Various Aurora activities can be arranged along with reindeer rides and safaris, snowshoe and cross-country skiing trips, winter fishing, snowmobile transfers and safaris, tours to Norway and Arctic Ocean, and much more.
Information and booking:
Holiday Village Valle, Ellintie 25, FI–99980 Utsjoki, Finland
Email: info@holidayvillagevalle.fi
Tel. +358 400 948 210