Four Days Above the Arctic Circle

Aurora hunting and dog sledding at an all-inclusive in Finnish Lapland

From the jump, I knew I wanted to stay at a Wilderness Hotel in Lapland. My introduction to the region was via YouTube video where the vlogger spent her time at Wilderness Hotel Nellim. It looked magical.

However, the Nellim location was already full for our dates. So, we pivoted to another property on the frozen shores of Lake Inari. It was equally magical.

Family-owned and operated, Wilderness Hotels has six resorts across northern Lapland. Each location offers a little something unique, but all resorts include similar package options with arctic activities, accommodations, and food. We booked the 4 day, 3 night Northern Lights Adventure (now called Inari Aurora Break).

The best part? All packages included heavy-duty winter gear, saving you so much space in your bag (carry-on packing list coming next week!). But enough background. Let’s get into what makes Wilderness Hotels so great.

Accommodation

We opted for two Arctic Chalets, semi-detached cabins that can sleep up to four people. My sister and I shared the living room (left picture), while the other members of our group got the primary bedrooms. All chalets include their own sauna (!!) and we lucked out with an unobstructed view of the frozen lake.

Overall, the chalets worked great for us. The sauna was a perfect treat after a day in the cold and the rooms were cozy and comfortable. Not much more you could ask for.

Depending on your budget and desired experience, you can also stay in larger log cabins, glass-roofed aurora cabins, or in the main hotel lodge.

Food and drinks

A daily buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner was included in our package. The menu featured Finnish favorites like reindeer, salmon, and lingenberry in almost every lineup, plus special treats like an ice cream station. Alcohol was not included in the food package, but you could pay per drink at the onsite bar (we ended every evening with a night cap and a card game).

We really enjoyed the variety of food and fell in love with lingenberry everything. My sister has a tree nut allergy and was able to speak with the chef to check the ingredients. The staff was so nice and accommodating, and the view of the lake from the lodge was unmatched.

Activities

This is why you come to Lapland — to soak in the snow-day adventures and learn the local culture. We fit in a lot of activities in our short time. You will not be bored!

Snowmobiling

You actually go snowmobiling twice. Once is a “trial” during the day to learn how to operate the equipment and explore. The real snowmobile safari takes you out at night for a chance to see the auroras and discover remote locations in the wilderness, like this church from 1760.

Reindeer Farm & Sámi Culture Talk

This outing took us to a local reindeer farm where we learned about their importance to Finland, especially the indigenous Sámi people. Our guide shared the history of his people and how they’ve fought to keep their culture alive. This stop also included traditional games, hot drinks and snacks, and a shop selling Sámi handicrafts. I came home with quite a few souvenirs!

Dog Sledding

We were in the first group of the day and the dogs were SO excited to run. Seriously their joy was infectious. You sled in pairs, trading off steering and riding in the sled. After a few laps, the owner walks you through the kennels, sharing about the dogs’ lives, the history and importance of dog sledding in the region, and how he lives off the grid in one of the coldest places on earth.

Aurora Camp

I could go on and on about the thrill of seeing the northern lights (and I have), but I’ll just say this experience was truly breathtaking. We set up camp across the lake with a fire, tent, and hot drinks. Then, we waited for the lights to start streaking across the sky. It took a little bit, but man did the lights put on a show.

You can also book other activities in your free time, like snowshoeing or cross country skiing. We spent our downtime relaxing in the lodge with a drink in hand. To each their own!

I can’t recommend Wilderness Hotels enough. The activities were top-notch, the staff was incredibly kind and fun, and the lodging was perfectly warm and cozy. If Inari is booked during your trip, check out one of their other locations. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.