Lapland Ruka: Rukatonttu

Santa Claus in Lapland offers you a unique opportunity to spend a few days in December at the Arctic Circle. It's a fantastic program to travel to Lapland with an exclusive departure from Madrid on the 18th, accommodation in the fantastic Rukatonttu apartments, and activities included.

Approximate price per family:

6199 $

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The Rukatonttu Apartments are located in Ruka Village Ski Resort, one of the largest alpine ski resorts in Finland, right on the edge of the imaginary line of the Arctic Circle and next to the border with Russia. It's a perfect place to explore on a snowmobile, take rides on husky or reindeer sleds, meet Santa Claus in his forest house... or simply enjoy nature. Perhaps you might be able to see an impressive Northern Lights display.

Day 1. Madrid / Kuusamo / Ruka

Arrival at the airport. Meet with Catai staff who will assist you with the simple check-in procedures. Departure on a special direct flight to Kuusamo. Snack onboard included. Meet our guide and transfer to Ruka (approximately 30 minutes). Arrival. Upon arrival in Ruka, we will collect the thermal equipment that we can use throughout our stay in Lapland. Once settled, we will enjoy dinner at the resort's restaurant. Accommodation.

Day 2. Ruka. Ice fishing and Snowshoeing

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. You will start your adventure in Lapland with a fishing trip on a frozen lake. The experience begins once you arrive at the frozen lake, where a fisherman will teach you how to ice fish. Each participant will have time to try their luck at this activity. You will begin by making your own hole in the ice and you will be given a fishing rod to try and catch the fish below. In this lake you can find perch, pike and lake herring. After, you will carry out a fun activity, which both adults and children will enjoy; a snowshoe adventure through the snowy Lappish forest. Light lunch during the excursion. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. You can take advantage of the nearby ski resort or do an optional activity. Dinner at the hotel restaurant

Optional excursion: Go-karting and Mini Snowmobiles

You will be transferred to the go-karting center, where you will enjoy an exciting new experience. Drive special made go-karts meant to move on snow or ice. In groups of 5 or 6 people, everyone will have a chance to drive their own kart. This fun and easy activity can be enjoyed by everyone. The minimum height requirement is 5 ft, the height at which the driver can reach the accelerator and brake pedals. Children who cannot drive the karts will be able to drive the mini-snowmobiles (ages 4 to 11 years old). Important: a minimum of 10 participants is required to carry out this excursion. Adult price: $90 // Children price: $60.

Day 3. Ruka. Arctic Animal Safari: Huskies and Reindeer

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Be prepared to spend another amazing day in nature. You will begin today's adventure by heading to a husky farm. Our furry friends are anxiously waiting for you to arrive. After the dogs are placed in their harnesses and separated into different teams (4-6 dogs per sled), you will start your sled ride. The guide will teach you how to handle and drive the sled. These well-trained huskies can pull up to seven times their weight. Experience the wind on your face as the huskies go racing through the beautiful Lappish white landscapes. There will be a light lunch during the excursion.

Then transfer to a reindeer farm where their Lappish herders will tell you about their way of life. You will take a sleigh ride and learn about the life of reindeer and their herders. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. You can take advantage of the nearby ski resort. In just a couple of hours you can enjoy the slopes as many times as you like, since there are usually no lines at the lifts. Ruka usually has its slopes open from October, to almost the end of May and the majority of them are illuminated. The little ones will find fun skiing at the Rosa & Rudolf Family Park playground located in Ruka Valley which can be accessed by a scenic gondola from the town of Ruka. Dinner at hotel's restaurant.

Day 4. Ruka. Snowmobile Safari and Meeting with Santa Claus

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Today you are heading over to one of the most spectacular excursions of the trip, a snowmobile safari. To do this, you will be provided with helmets and gloves as well as instructions from the guides. The adults will drive the snowmobile (2 per snowmobile) and the children will be in a sled that is being pulled by the guide's snowmobile. Enjoy the amazing views that Lapland has to offer as you travel through the snowy forest and pass by frozen rivers. There will be a light lunch during the excursion.

In the afternoon, the moment that all the children have been waiting for is next. You will move to the village of Vuotunki where Santa Claus' house is located, next to a large frozen lake. When the snow falls on the slopes of the lake, large natural slides are formed, in which the young ones, and the not so young ones, can enjoy going down with the sleds that are provided. When the time comes, an elf will lead you through Santa’s house to a room where Santa Claus is waiting to meet you. He will receive you privately, family by family, and you will be able to spend a few very special moments with him. Take as many photographs and videos as you want. Mrs. Claus is an expert baker and today she will show us her famous recipe for Christmas cookies, which once made, you can bake in the house's large wood-burning oven. At the end of your visit, every child will receive their first gift of the season from Santa Claus himself. With the wonderful memory of this visit you will say goodbye to the Claus family and return to your accommodation. Special New Year's Eve dinner at the complex's restaurant.

Day 5. Ruka. Snowshoes in Oulanka National Park

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Today you will enjoy an unforgettable experience. You will take an excursion to the nearby Oulanka National Park, which is known for its impressive landscapes and waterfalls. The guide will tell you stories about the plants and animals of the area and visit the beautiful rapids of Myllykoski. You will then enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to a bonfire. You will also carry out one of the activities that both adults and children will enjoy. You will walk with snowshoes through the snowy landscape of the National Park. Return to your accommodation. In the afternoon you will have free time to take advantage of the ski resort. You can also learn to glide down the snowy roads of Lapland just as the locals have been doing for years with cross-country skis. Cross-country skiing is quite a common practice in all the Nordic countries. It is very simple and in a short time, with the advice of the instructors, you will be able to learn to slide through the beautiful snowy landscapes. Or if you prefer, in the nearby village, close to your accommodation, you can go shopping or enjoy a hot drink in one of the bars. Dinner at hotel's restaurant.

Day 6. Ruka / Kuusamo / Madrid

Buffet breakfast. Free time until the indicated transfer time. You can do some last-minute shopping in the Village or perhaps enjoy some relaxation before returning. We can't leave Lapland without experiencing a relaxing sauna. Sauna is a tradition in Finland. Although the Finns didn't invent it, they have the highest number of saunas per capita in the country, with almost one sauna for every 2 inhabitants, and they practice it regularly. Departure to Kuusamo airport. Check-in procedures and departure on a direct flight to Madrid. Snack onboard included. Arrival and the end of our adventure in Lapland.

Los apartamentos Rukatonttu están situados en Ruka Village Ski Resort, una de las mayores estaciones de esquí alpino de Finlandia, justo en el borde de la imaginaria línea del Círculo polar Ártico y al lado de la frontera con Rusia. Un lugar perfecto para explorar en moto de nieve, realizar paseos en trineos de huskies o renos, conocer a Santa Claus en su casa del bosque…o simplemente disfrutar de la naturaleza. Quizás podáis ver una impresionante aurora boreal.

Día 1. Madrid / Kuusamo / Ruka

Presentación en aeropuerto. Encuentro con personal de Catai que os ayudará con los sencillos trámites de facturación. Salida en vuelo especial directo a Kuusamo. Snack a bordo incluido. Encuentro con nuestro guía y traslado a Ruka (aprox. 30 min). Llegada. A su llegada a Ruka recogeremos los equipos térmicos que podremos usar durante toda la estancia en Laponia. Una vez instalados degustaremos una cena en el restaurante del complejo. Alojamiento.

Día 2. Ruka. Pesca en hielo y raquetas de nieve

Desayuno buffet. Comenzaremos nuestra aventura en Laponia con una excursión de pesca en el Lago helado. La experiencia empieza con la llegada a un lago helado donde un pescador nos enseñará como pescar en el hielo, cada participante tendrá tiempo para probar suerte con la caña a través del hielo. Primero cada uno tendrá que realizar su propio agujero en el hielo y a continuación intentar pescar. En este lago podremos encontrar percas, lucios y arenques de lago. Realizaremos una divertida actividad, que gusta tanto a mayores como a pequeños; un paseo en raquetas de nieve por el nevado bosque lapón. Almuerzo ligero durante la excursión. Por la tarde tiempo libre que podéis aprovechar para realizar algunas bajadas de esquí o realizar una actividad opcional. Cena en el restaurante del complejo. Alojamiento.

Excursión opcional: Karting y mini motos de nieve

Traslado al circuito de karting, donde disfrutaremos de una experiencia totalmente nueva; conducir karts especiales para desplazarse sobre la nieve o hielo. Conducir los karts es muy fácil y esta actividad la pueden realizar todas las personas (adultos o niños) con una altura mínima de 150 cm (necesaria para llegar a los pedales de acelerador y freno). Los niños que no puedan conducir los karts podrán conducir una mini-motonieve, una experiencia que sin duda no olvidareis.* Precios válidos para reservas hechas hasta 30 días antes de la salida sujetos a disponibilidad de plazas. * Se requiere un mínimo de 10 personas para realizar la excursión.Precio adulto: $90 // Precio niños (5-11 años): $60.

Día 3. Ruka. Safari de animales árticos: huskies y renos

Desayuno buffet. Nos preparamos para pasar otro día increíble en la naturaleza. Por la mañana realizaremos una excursión que perdurará en nuestra memoria durante mucho tiempo, ya que podremos conducir, como auténticos mushers un trineo tirado por un equipo de perros huskies. Los huskies bien entrenados pueden tirar de hasta siete veces su propio peso. Esto y muchas más curiosidades nos las explicarán sus preparadores antes de realizar el paseo. Degustaremos un almuerzo ligero durante la excursión.

A continuación, traslado a una granja de renos donde sus criadores lapones nos hablarán donde su modo de vida. Realizaremos un paseo en trineo y aprenderemos sobre la vida de los renos y sus pastores. Resto de la tarde libre que podéis aprovechar para realizar, opcionalmente, algunas bajadas de esquí. En tan sólo un par de horas podréis disfrutar de muchas bajadas ya que no suele haber colas en los remontes. Ruka suele tener sus pistas abiertas desde octubre hasta casi finales de mayo y la mayoría iluminadas. Los más pequeños encontraran diversión esquiando en el parque infantil Rosa & Rudolf Family Park situado en Ruka Valley al que se puede acceder con una góndola escénica desde el pueblo de Ruka. Está incluido un ticket por persona para subir al telecabina de la estación de esquí y poder admirar y fotografiar las vistas desde la cima. Cena en el restaurante del complejo. Alojamiento.

Día. 4 Ruka. Safari en moto de nieve y encuentro con Santa Claus

Desayuno buffet. En el día de hoy realizaremos una de las excursiones más espectaculares del viaje, un safari en moto de nieve. Para ello, nos proveerán de cascos y guantes y tras las instrucciones de los guías, iniciaremos nuestro paseo en moto de nieve. Los adultos conduciremos las motos (2 personas por moto) y los niños viajan en un trineo que arrastra la moto de nieve del guía. Durante el trayecto podremos sentir la potencia de estas máquinas y disfrutar de los bosques nevados y lagos helados. Almuerzo ligero durante la excursión.

Por la tarde llegará el momento que todos los niños estaban esperando. Nos trasladaremos al pueblo de Vuotunki donde se encuentra la casa de Santa Claus, al lado de un gran lago helado. En las laderas del lago, al caer la nieve, se forman grandes toboganes naturales en los que los niños, y no tan niños podrán disfrutar tirándose en trineos. Ha llegado el momento de entrar en la casa donde Santa nos estará esperando. Al entrar, nos recibe un elfo, ayudante de Santa Claus, y nos conduce hasta el salón en el que conoceremos al mismísimo Santa. Con él pasaremos un buen rato, nos contará historias y nos enseñará alguna canción. La Sra. Claus es una experta cocinera y hoy nos enseñará su famosa receta de galletas navideñas, que una vez hechas, podremos hornear en el gran horno de leña de la casa. Finalizada la visita, Santa entregará personalmente un regalo a cada niño. Con el recuerdo imborrable de esta visita nos despediremos de la familia Claus y emprenderemos el regreso a nuestro alojamiento. Cena en el restaurante del complejo. Alojamiento.

Día 5. Ruka. Raquetas de nieve en el Parque Nacional de Oulanka

Desayuno buffet en el hotel. Hoy disfrutaremos de una experiencia inolvidable. Realizaremos una excursión al cercano Parque Nacional de Oulanka, que es conocido por sus impresionantes paisajes y cascadas. El guía nos contará historias sobre la flora y fauna del área y veremos los hermosos rápidos de Myllykoski. Podremos disfrutar y saborear un almuerzo tipo picnic al lado de una hoguera. También realizaremos una de las actividades que gustan tanto a mayores como pequeños. Caminaremos con raquetas de nieve por el nevado paisaje del Parque Nacional. Regreso a nuestro alojamiento. Por la tarde tendremos tiempo libre que podéis aprovechar en la estación de esquí. Os proponemos opcionalmente aprender a deslizarse por los caminos nevados de Laponia como llevan tiempo haciéndolo los locales, con esquís de fondo. El esquí de fondo es una práctica muy habitual en todos los países nórdicos. Es muy sencillo y en poco rato, con el asesoramiento de los instructores, podréis aprender a deslizaros por los bonitos paisajes nevados. Si lo prefieres, en el entorno de nuestro alojamiento, podréis realizar compras o disfrutar de una bebida caliente en alguno de los bares del Village. Cena en el restaurante del hotel. Alojamiento.

Día 6. Ruka / Kuusamo / Madrid

Desayuno buffet. Tiempo libre hasta la hora indicada para el traslado. Pueden realizar las últimas compras en el Village o quizás disfrutar de un rato de relax antes del regreso. No nos podemos ir de Laponia sin practicar una relajante sauna. La sauna en Finlandia es toda una tradición. Aunque los fineses no la inventaron sí que son el país con mayor cantidad de saunas por habitante; casi una sauna por cada 2 habitantes y los que la practican con mayor asiduidad. Salida hacia el aeropuerto de Kuusamo. Trámites de facturación y salida en vuelo directo con destino Madrid. Snack a bordo incluido. Llegada y fin de nuestra aventura en Laponia.

Program from December 18 to 23, 2023

Prices Apartament Rukatonttu 43

Family

Price

1 adult + 1 child

$6199

1 adult + 2 children

$8359

2 adults

$6665

2 adults + 1 child

$8825

2 adults + 2 children

$10975

Conditions of Cancelation
until August 31, free of charge
from September 1 to September 30, 15%
from October 1 to October 31, 25%
from November 1 to 22 days before, 50%
from 21 days before, 100%

Contact us for more information

This grand experience includes
	Direct flight from Madrid
	Snacks on board
	English and Spanish-speaking escort guide during the trip
	All transfers
	Thermal suit throughout the stay
	Includes boots and thermal jumpsuit
	Snowmobile helmet and gloves
	5 nights in apartment Rukatonttu
	Set of sheets and towels per person
	Final cleaning of the apartment
	Full board according to itinerary
	Meeting with Santa Claus
	Gift for children 11 and under
	Reindeer sleigh ride
	Snowmobile safari
	Husky sleigh ride
	Ice fishing
	Snowshoe safari
	Gondola pass
	Excursion to Oulanka National Park
	Complete online documentation and gifts
	Travel assistance insurance
	Airport taxes
	SCIL® experience

Flight schedule

12/18/2023 Madrid 09:00 Kuusamo 14:45

12/23/2023 Kuusamo 15:35 Madrid 19:25

Optional excursions
Optional karting and mini snowmobiling excursion: $90 per adult and $60 per child (5-11 years).

It will interest you to know

Full board (including a jug of water), except for lunch on the last day as specified in the itinerary: breakfasts at the restaurant, light lunches during excursions, and dinners at a local restaurant.

Daily cleaning in the apartments (not included in the price).

The prices of optional activities are valid for bookings made up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability.

The order (but not the content) of the excursions may vary from this itinerary.

The prices for snowmobile and sled excursions are based on two people sharing the vehicle.

The minimum age to drive snowmobiles is 18 years old. Children below this age will ride in a sled pulled by the guide's snowmobile, based on their weight and height. It is mandatory to possess a valid European car driving license in order to drive the snowmobiles, and it must be carried during the excursion.

All snowmobiles are covered by comprehensive insurance with a deductible of €1000, for which each participant is responsible in case of an accident.

Due to weather conditions (such as snow or ice accumulation) and for safety reasons, excursions may undergo changes in itinerary, duration, or even cancellations without prior notice.

When the group size is very large, it may be divided into several smaller groups, which provides a more convenient operation for passengers. The schedule or order of services on excursions may be altered for this reason, without changing the content of the excursion. Your guides at the destination will inform you in advance of the schedule for your excursions.

The organizer does not guarantee weather conditions, snow or ice accumulation for the realization of the offered excursions or safaris. In the event that force majeure prevents the execution of any excursion and it needs to be canceled, an alternative activity will be arranged or the amount paid will be refunded upon return; either in full if the activity is canceled, or partially if conditions do not allow its complete realization.

Smoking in accommodations where it is not permitted may result in high fines, which can reach up to 4500 euros per person.

The customer is responsible for the keys to the apartments, and in case of loss, compensation will be requested.