Best of Utsjoki

Canoeing, fatbiking, getting to know the Church huts and the old post road, and relaxing in the beautiful Sami Village in the northernmost Lapland, close to Norway and the Arctic Ocean.

Best of Utsjoki

Utsjoki, the land of the Sámi, is the northernmost municipality where the majority of the 1400 inhabitants are Sámi. The 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 cabins, followed by a dinner at the restaurant.

 DAY 2: CANOEING TRIP

After a tasty breakfast we will meet a guide that takes us to a canoeing trip. After the equipment is viewed through and basics of the canoeing are repeated, we pack the canoes into the car and the ride will take us to the starting point. Teno is a flowing, clear-water river, which is surrounded by a stunning scenery. We will paddle in two countries at the same time! On the way there is strong flow of water and canoes will get a bit more boost. Halfway through the trip there is a small hut onshore and we will light a fire and eat lunch. Peaceful place to just sit down and rest a bit. Our journey continues after lunch, and before the holiday village we have a small, speedy rapid in front. In it the stream becomes harder but still you can see all the big rocks around. Our guide takes the canoes safely through the rapids and soon we are back at the Holiday Village Valle. 

The afternoon is free. Dinner is served in our restaurant in the evening.

 DAY 3: FATBIKE JOURNEY

 After breakfast we pack small snacks and a full drink bottle to our backpacks. We meet up with a guide, pack our bikes to the car and get a ride to the fells in Skalluvaara. Up there, in the mountain area, the bikes are headed towards the village of Utsjoki, northwards. During the peaceful cycling in the wilderness area, we can feel and see the silence when we climb the saddle of the bike, only the birds entertain us. A small path runs up, which is easy to follow, beautiful mountain scenery opens into the west side. On the eastern side, we can see small mountain lakes flicker in the sun. In about halfway we have a little lunch break, and afterwards we head towards Ailigastunturi’s mast and from the vantage point with beautiful views of the village and the valley of Utsjoki. The excursion culminates in the downhill slope and ends in the holiday village. 

The afternoon is free. Dinner is served in our restaurant in the evening.

 DAY 4: GETTING TO THE HISTORICAL CHURCH COTTAGES AND TREKKING ALONG THE PATH TOWARDS THE HOLIDAY VILLAGE

After having breakfast, we will meet again with our guide that tells us about the day’s program When our backpacks are packed, we will take a car ride nearby Utsjoki 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. The cottages are owned by the Sámi families and originated in the early 19th century. After seeing the area, we start walking the path that leads us up to the fells. Part of the trail, mail men over a hundred years ago walked with the post over a hundred kilometers. The path we walk will open a panoramic, breathtaking view up to the Norwegian side of the mountains. Halfway we enjoy a warm lunch by open fire. The guide will tell about the local wildlife and plants during the trip. The distance of the hike is about 10 km, ending to the holiday village.

The afternoon is free. Dinner is served in our restaurant in the evening.

 DAY 5: FREE DAY

Free day. Peaceful breakfast. It is possible to just take it easy and rest or pack a little bit and go for a walk in the nearby area. Also visiting the village and getting to know the local village house is a nice option. If you have any questions, you can always ask our staff for tips! 

Lunch and dinner will be served in our restaurant. 

 DAY 6: DEPARTURE

Breakfast and free time depending on the departure time of your flight. Check-out and transfer to Ivalo airport. Bye-Bye amazing Sámiland!

 Depending on the season, excursions can be used to collect berries and mushrooms. The guide will explain how to use them as food and, if desired, they can be used by the kitchen as an additional dinner, for example.

INFORMATION

Please note that the order of the daily activities may change according to the day of your arrival.

DURATION: 6 Days / 5 Nights

GROUP SIZE: 2-10 persons, several groups

DATES: 11.6.-17.9.

PRICE: IN THE NEW HOTEL DEATNU OPENED IN DECEMBER 2016

1296 €/person in double/twin room

IN HOLIDAY CABINS FOR 2-4 PERSONS:

1421 €/person, when 2 persons in the cabin

1346 €/person, when 3 persons in the cabin

1234 e/person, when 4 persons in the cabin

CHILDREN: 838 €/ child 4-11 years, when with min. 2 adults in the same cabin or in extra bed in hotel room with two adults.

SERVICES INCLUDED

Transfers from airport Ivalo to Utsjoki and from Utsjoki back to airport, 5 nights in cozy hotel rooms with shower/toilet or in holiday cabins (2-4 persons per cabin), full board (from dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on Day 6), activities as mentioned in the program, necessary equipment for the activities, English speaking wilderness guides and hosts. 

 Optional activities

 CANOE TRIP ON A PEACEFUL RIVER

By the river there are many old meadows and we can hear different voices of birds. Our trip starts from Holiday Village Valle and we head to Kevojärvi where we start the trip. Before going into the water, guide tells the basics of canoeing. On the way the guide tells us about the local nature and history. We enjoy snacks and drinks during the program. Min. 2 persons. Duration: 4 hours. 

Price 125€/person

SCENERY TRIP BY RIVERBOAT

We will take a small trip at the river by a real riverboat. Just admire the scenery of the river valley and the clear water. Duration: 30 min.

Price: 25€/person

TASTE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING

We are facing a great wilderness; small trails lead us straight North. Halfway trip we enjoy snacks and drinks. The excursion culminates on a 3 kilometer long downhill and ends in Holiday Village Valle. Min. 2 persons. Duration: 3-4 hours.

Price: 99€/person

CANOEING ALONG TENO RIVER

We leave by car from Holiday Village Valle. There are a few spots of strong flow and small rapids of first class. We stop by ”lavvu” on half way trip and enjoy small snacks while guide is preparing coffee by the fire. Min. 2 persons. Duration: 5 hours.

Price: 125€/person

FAT-BIKING FOR BEGINNERS

A bike with fat tires goes over the rocks and roots unnoticed. The guide will tell us stories about the area and the nature. Cycling through the trails until we have great view of the Tenojoki Valley. Duration: 1 hour.

Price: 40€/person

Holiday Village Valle Restaurant Deatnu Utsjoki Lapland Finland Summer activities Midnight Sun Canoeing

LEARN SUP

 SUP is stand paddling on a big surfboard. It is fun, easy, and very good exercise. More experienced paddlers we can take to river Teno. Min. 2 persons. Duration: 2 hours.

Price: 55€/person

CANOE SAFARI AT THE RIVER TENO

 This canoeing excursion takes us from Holiday Village Valle to Sirbmá along the river Teno.  There are no actual rapids, just a few strong flows of water. During the journey we will take a break to enjoy a lunch by open fire. Min. 2 persons. Duration: 6 hours.

Price: 145€/person

MIDNIGHT SUN CANOE

The route takes us slowly around the lake Mantojärvi. The sun glows, and we get to admire the beautiful fell landscape around us. The golden sandy beaches invite us to swim. Small break and the guide will prepare coffee by open fire. Min. 2 persons. Duration: 3 hours.

Price: 72€/person

MIDNIGHT SUN GLIDING BY RUBBER RING

 Enjoy the slowly stream of river Teno. There are no actual rapids, just strong flows of water. Before starting off, the guide teaches us how to handle the rubber ring. Min. 2 persons.  Duration: 2 hours.

Price: 45€/person

HOLIDAY VILLAGE VALLE

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 that 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, visit 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.

HOTEL ROOMS

The new hotel building was opened in December 2016 and has 12 high quality twin rooms with huge panorama windows, a breathtaking view towards the northern sky and the beautiful Teno river valley. Each room is equipped with private bathroom, a television, hairdryer, kettle and fridge.

RIVERSIDE CABINS

 The cabins overlook the nearby river and have a traditional and a homely feel. Each cabin has 2 twin bedrooms, a cozy living room with kitchenette and delightful open fireplace. A private bathroom with sauna is also included, as well as TV and hairdryer.

GRANDPA’S VILLA

This spacious and modern suite has 4 cozy twin bedrooms. Guests can take advantage of a well-equipped dining area with kitchenette and roaring fireplace. A homely living room with TV, private sauna and shower, two bathrooms and a hairdryer are also included.

 The new restaurant Deatnu with 50 seats and reception is just a few steps from the lodgings, with wonderful view to the Teno river and the opposite dramatic Norwegian fells. This unique restaurant offers a wide range of local delicacies and specializes in traditional dishes which have long been enjoyed by the Sámi people.

 INFORMATION AND BOOKING

Holiday Village Valle, Ellintie 25, FI-99980 Utsjoki, Finland

Email: info@holidayvillagevalle.fi | Tel.+358400948210