Steal My Itinerary: Chasing The Northern Lights And Other Things To Do In Finland
2 min readWhy should you make a trip to Finland a top priority?
While many tourist destinations offer urban treading, temple running, and exhilarating water activities, Finland showcases a borderline out-of-this-world experience. That is, chasing the Northern Lights and the enchanting Aurora Borealis.
How about sleigh riding at the reindeer and husky farm? Or snow hiking and snowmobiling in between exploring lush greens of lakes and forests?
Aside from nature trips, you can also immerse in the culture and the arts at the city center in Helsinki.
Now Finland may be one of the most expensive countries in the Eurozone, but you can always opt for a cheap hostel or book your accommodation via Airbnb.
Mercedes Limson, a former bank executive and businesswoman, shares her encounter with perpetually soft summer sunshine and dim winters earlier this year.
Check out how she made the most of her Arctic Safari experience in Helsinki, Rovaniemi, and Saariselka in Finland.
| Activity | Notes | |
| Day 1 | Departure from NAIA Terminal Manila to Hong Kong | Connecting flight to Norway |
| Day 2 | Arrival at Helsinki-Rovaniemi | Transfer hotel to Santa Claus Village on a private bus |
| Overnight at Scandic Hotel Rovaniemi |
| Activity | Notes | |
| Day 3 | Scandinavian Breakfast at hotel | |
| White Silence on snowshoes | ||
| Excursion to Aurora Borealis Camp | Aurora Borealis Theatre, Snow igloo camp, and catching the Northern Lights. Try traditional reindeer burger. | |
| Day 4 | Scandinavian Breakfast | |
| Excursion to Reindeer and Husky Farms | Reindeer ride through the forest, husky sleigh ride | |
| Overnight and dinner at Muotka Aurora Cabin |
| Activity | Notes | |
| Day 5 | Scandinavian Breakfast | |
| Saariselka to Rovaniemi | Morning transfer to Rovaniemi in a private bus | |
| Hotel check in | ||
| Evening escape by snowmobile with fire camp | Northern Lights story-telling. Activity inclusive of winter clothing and snowmobile instructions. Food incudes Lappish toast, fried sausages, hot drinks. | |
| Day 6 | Scandinavian Breakfast | |
| Transfer to airport in a private bus | Rovaniemi bound to Helsinki | |
| Arrival at Helsinki airport | Transfer to hotel in a private bus | |
| Overnight at Clarion Hotel Helsinki |
| Activity | Notes | |
| Day 7 | Scandinavian Breakfast | |
| Start at Helsinki City Tour in a private bus | The City Tour covers all major sights in Helsinki like Finlandia Hall, City Theatre, National Opera, Temppeliaukio Church (The Church in the Rock) | |
| Tour ends at hotel | ||
| Day 8 | Checkout from hotel | Hotel can store luggage until transfer |
| Shopping at Marimekko Outlet Store | ||
| Evening transfer to airport | Helsinki Departure | |
| Departure for Hong Kong | ||
| Day 9 | Arrival in NAIA Manila | From Hong Kong connecting flight to Manila |
Total cost: P254,117
Visa charges and service fee: P9,200
Tips to guide, drivers and service personnel: P9,200
Travel insurance: P3,800
Travel tax: P21,800
Tour Package Cost: P210,112
Inclusions:
- Roundtrip economy airfare (Cathay Pacific and Finnair)
- First-class hotel accommodation and hotel taxes
- All breakfast and one dinner
- English-speaking tour guide and fee of tour manager
- Tours and transfers in modern air-conditioned bus
- All entrance fees
- Luggage handling in Muotka Igloo Cabins
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