FJELL AURORA

Northern Lights, Snowshoe trip, Fjell day, Sami Culture and relaxing in the beautiful Sami Village in the northernmost Lapland, close to Norway and the Arctic Ocean.

FJELL AURORA

Utsjoki, the land of the Sámi, is the northernmost municipality in Finland and the only 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. 

 The Northern Lights have always fascinated arctic people. The flaming Aurora Borealis may sometimes entertain us with their playful dance long into the night, while at other times, this mystical natural phenomenon may disappear in the blink of an eye. Before being scientifically explained, this beautiful natural phenomenon induced many mystical beliefs. The Sámi people, in particular, had many beliefs about the Northern Lights.  

During our Northern Lights explorations, we strive to find an ideal place for seeing the Aurora Borealis. On default all our Aurora tours start at 19:30 and last 23 hours, but we are also flexible of departure times based on weather circumstances and the time of year. We follow various aurora forecast applications and weather forecasts to plan our Aurora tours to be able to offer our guests the best possible chances of seeing this natural phenomenon. Based on the circumstances and guest wishes we can either go to the fells in sleighs pulled by snowmobiles, take a car or a bus to ride further away, or go by snowshoes to the surroundings of the holiday village. During every Aurora tour, we explain what the aurora borealis meant for the Sámi people back in the olden days.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL 

Following your flight into Ivalo, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Utsjoki. The northern skies are visible all the way to your destination and many have witnessed a display of the Aurora already during the transfer – what a way to be welcomed! Depending on when your flight lands, you will either have dinner in the restaurant on arrival or a packed dinner during the journey. Your Sámi hosts will greet you at the holiday village, and then you can head to your cabin or hotel room to enjoy your first peaceful night in the very north of Finland.

DAY 2: SNOWSHOE TOUR IN THE SACRED VALLEY 

After breakfast you will meet your guide who will give you the warm winter clothes. 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 prepare coffee together by the campfire. The valley is a historically significant sacred area of the Sámi people since thousands of years. There are lots of historical signs of ancient times. Duration 2 h. Lunch in the restaurant.

Dinner in the restaurant. After the dinner we learn about the Northern Lights, how to photograph them and how to adjust the camera settings for aurora photography. Then we go out, and if we are lucky, we can admire the Northern Lights dancing in the sky and photograph them. For taking the photos of Northern Lights you need a proper tripod to hold your camera steady. Your camera needs to be good in low light conditions. Warm drinks are included in the activity. Duration 2h.

DAY 3: FJELL DAY

After breakfast you will sit in the sleigh pulled by a snowmobile, and your guide will take you to the nearby fell area and to places from where you have amazing views to Teno river valley and the Norwegian fells. We may also see animals on our way, such as a willow grouse, a hare, a fox or even an elk. You will meet and feed the reindeer and take photos of them. Warm drinks are included. Duration 3h. Lunch in restaurant.

After the dinner we will start an Aurora tour by snowshoes.

DAY 4: FREE DAY FOR OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES OR RELAXING 

After breakfast you have a free day. You can relax and enjoy the silence of the area, or instead do a snowshoe or cross-country skiing to the nearby nature by yourself. You can also take a walk to the village house Giisa, where the locals like to go to share the news of the day. You can also book additional activities. Lunch in restaurant. 

After the dinner we will start an Aurora tour by snowmobile.  

DAY 5: DEPARTURE 

Breakfast and free time depending on the departure time of your flight. Checkout and transfer to Ivalo airport. ByeBye amazing Sámiland! 

INFORMATION 

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

DURATION: 5 Days/4 Nights 

DATES: 28.01.2023 – 25.03.2023 (Sunday-Thursday, or on request) 

GROUP SIZE: 2-12 persons, several groups 

PRICE

In the new hotel Deatnu opened in December 2016 

1230 €/person in double/twin room 

1430 €/person in single room (double for single use) 

In holiday cabins for 2-4 persons: 

1305 €/person, when 2 persons in the cabin  

1255 €/person, when 3 persons in the cabin

1230 €/person, when 4 persons in the cabin

CHILDREN: 818€/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 Ivalo airport to Utsjoki and from Utsjoki back to the airport, 4 nights in cozy hotel rooms with shower/toilet or in holiday cabins (2-4 persons per cabin), full board (4 x breakfast, 3 x lunch & 4 x dinner), activities as mentioned in the program, warm outdoor clothing for the whole stay (warm overalls, socks, mittens, boots, hat), necessary equipment for the activities, English speaking wilderness guides and hosts. Free use of cross-country skis and snowshoes when equipment available.  

ADDITIONAL DAY 

119 €/person in double/twin room incl. half board 

163 €/person in single room incl. half board 

140 €/person incl. half board, when 2 persons in the cabin 

119 €/person incl. half board, when 3 persons in the cabin 

106 €/person incl. half board, when 4 persons in the cabin 

66 €/child incl. half board, with 2 adults in the cabin or in extra bed in hotel room with 2 adults. 

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