Mid December in Salla
Feel the magic of this fantastic trip to Lapland. An unforgettable experience full of adventures with snowshoe rides, sleigh rides, snowmobile tours and a private visit to Santa Claus
December is a time full of magic and excitement, which is why we want to invite you to spend the days leading up to these special dates in a unique and magical destination, Lapland. Salla is one of the most visited destinations in all of Finnish Lapland thanks to its pristine and untouched surroundings. Its latitude makes it one of the most spectacular places in Lapland and where the first snowfalls arrive earlier and in greater quantities than some more northern areas of Lapland. During this fantastic program, you will enjoy the best activities and excursions that you can find in Lapland, from short snowshoeing routes to long snowmobile rides. Additionally, these days are an ideal time to pay a visit to Santa Claus in his private cabin and deliver your letter directly to him.
Day 1. Madrid - Rovaniemi - Salla
At the indicated time, meet our staff at the airport for check-in on a direct flight to Rovaniemi, Finland. Your journey to Lapland begins here! Direct flight schedule (local time): Madrid - Rovaniemi 09.00 - 15.00 h. Upon arrival at Rovaniemi airport, you will be assisted and transferred to Salla, approximately 150 km away from the airport. You will arrive in this winter wonderland, where Finland's newest national park was established in 2021. Salla is located in a fantastic natural environment, in one of the most pristine, untouched and sparsely populated areas of Europe, where the latitude and altitude make it the first and heaviest snowfall in Lapland. You will be accommodated in your cabin. All cabins are very comfortable and cozy, equipped with full amenities to make your stay unforgettable, including bathroom(s) with shower, heating, your own sauna, one or more bedrooms (see descriptions based on size and capacity at the end of the itinerary), a fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, etc. In addition, unlimited firewood for the fireplace and sleds for children will be available to you free of charge. Just a few minutes' walk from your private cabin is the small alpine ski resort of Salla, ideal for skiers of all levels as well as for families to slide down the slopes on sleds. Thermal suits in your size will be waiting for you at your accommodation, available for your use upon arrival and throughout your stay. Once settled in and equipped with your thermal clothing, dinner will be served at the Kiela restaurant in the Salla Tuvat complex. Accommodation for the night.
Day 2. Salla - Reindeer sleigh ride and dinner in a Kota
After our first night in Salla, and a hearty buffet breakfast served at the resort restaurant, we'll head to a nearby reindeer farm to learn about the reindeer way of life and take a relaxing sleigh ride through the snowy forest, pulled by a reindeer. During the activity, we'll visit the enclosure where pregnant females spend the winter, as well as some of the young that are not yet old enough to pull the sleds. We'll be able to feed them by hand and have an incredible time with them. We'll enjoy lunch in a "kota," which is a traditional Lappish tent similar in shape to teepees or Native American tents. The rest of the afternoon is free. Continuing our Lapland experience, for dinner we'll be transferred to a wooden kota to enjoy a very special meal made with delicious local produce from nearby. During the evening, our hosts will tell us old stories and local shamanic traditions... An unforgettable dinner in a unique setting. Return to our cabin to rest and recharge for the next day.
Day 3. Salla - Husky sledding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and cinema.
We continue to enjoy our unique destination and activities. After a hearty and necessary buffet breakfast served at the resort restaurant, we will begin one of the most exciting excursions of our trip: a dog sled ride. Although most of the dogs are huskies, other breeds are also trained to pull the sleds, which they do with great enthusiasm. Once we have received the necessary advice to enjoy the experience safely, we will become expert mushers of an authentic husky dog sled. Driving a husky sled through the snowy forests of Salla is certainly one of the best experiences one can have on a trip to Lapland. Today we will have a local-style lunch of hot soup and grilled sausages around a bonfire in the middle of the forest. We will continue with local traditions by taking a snowshoe walk through the snowy Lapland forest until we reach a frozen lake where we can try our luck at ice fishing. After a day of new experiences, we will return to our accommodation, where we can relax and enjoy an authentic Finnish sauna in our private cabin. An evening of cinema and popcorn awaits us, starting aboard a Lapland train where the wagons are sleds and the locomotive is a snowmobile, which will take us to the auditorium (about 3km from the Kiela restaurant) where a family-friendly movie will be shown, revealing a magical world to us. Tonight we will enjoy dinner at the Kiela restaurant in Salla Tuvat. Return to our cabin to rest and recharge for the next day.
Day 4. Salla - Oulanka National Park.
After breakfast, we will depart by coach to Oulanka National Park. We will arrive at the Visitor Center of Oulanka National Park where we can explore the new exhibition about nature and wildlife. Then we will walk approximately 1 kilometer to see the most beautiful and photographed rapids of Kiutaköngäs. Next, we will find a place for a pleasant and warm lunch at Basecamp Oulanka. With a full stomach, it's nice to take a short walk of 500 meters to the rapids area where the old mill and a suspension bridge over the water can be found. We will have the opportunity to take beautiful photographs and relax while listening to the roar of the Kitka River. On the way back to Salla, we may stop to see more white-throated dippers near the Käylä bridges. We will return to our accommodation where we will have free time to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Dinner at the Kiela restaurant.
Day 5. Salla - Snowmobile Safari
A new day dawns in Lapland filled with unique moments and activities. After having a complete buffet breakfast at the Kiela restaurant in the Salla Tuvat complex, we will experience a unique adventure riding powerful snowmobiles through snowy forests and frozen lakes. We will discover the sensation of having a hot coffee or chocolate in the middle of a bonfire while contemplating the bucolic image of Lapland's nature. All of this while being fully equipped against the cold and having received all the necessary safety and snowmobile handling instructions (it is very easy) to enjoy the activity. For the peace of mind of parents, younger children will enjoy the snowmobile safari in a sled pulled by the guides' snowmobiles. After this unforgettable experience on our Lapland trip, it is time for lunch which we will have prepared at the Kiela restaurant. Free time to rest until dinner time. Tonight's dinner will be at the Kiela restaurant, in our cabin complex. Here, you will dine in a cozy and casual atmosphere. The restaurant is a member of "Chaîne des Rôtisseurs", a famous French gastronomic society that nurtures and supports local food culture and pays tribute to national cuisine. In 2008, the Kiela restaurant was awarded their seal of excellence in recognition of the high quality of food and service. Return to our cabin. Accommodation.
Day 6. Children's multi-activities, mini snowmobiles, private meeting with Santa Claus, and spa.
After a good breakfast buffet, we will head to a nearby reindeer farm (just 5 minutes from our cabins) where we will enjoy fun snow activities for the whole family: snowshoe walks, Lappish lasso throwing, snow hockey, feeding the reindeer, and even the possibility of driving mini snowmobiles on a safe circuit. While having fun in this environment, we will wait for the call of an elf who will take us on a snowmobile-pulled sled to a secret location in the middle of the forest where Santa Claus is waiting for us. Privately, family by family, we will be transported by a guide's snowmobile-pulled sled to a magical place in the forest to meet Santa Claus in person, chat with him, take photos, and enjoy a magical encounter. Our dear friend Santa Claus will thank us for our visit by giving each child a gift. Lunch at the Kiela restaurant. Rest of the afternoon free. Tonight we will have dinner at the Kiela restaurant in Salla Tuvat. Return to our cabin after a day of magical experiences to rest.
Day 7. Salla
Buffet breakfast at the Kiela restaurant. After a week full of adventures and emotions, we will have a free day to continue enjoying the surroundings. Today is the ideal time to relax in the Spa of the hotel complex and enjoy its hot tubs, heated pools with water jets and saunas. It's perfect for the whole family to relax and have fun, as admission is included and allowed for both adults and children and it can be reached by walking from the cabin. It is essential to bring swimwear and slippers, but if you forget with the excitement of the day, don't worry...swimwear can be rented there. Today we will enjoy lunch at the Kiela restaurant. For a Lapland afternoon, we recommend enjoying skiing, as a few minutes' walk away we have the Salla alpine ski family resort, with illuminated slopes. We can purchase the ski pass by hours (from 1 hour), as well as the rental of equipment, a great experience for lovers of this sport with fantastic snow taking advantage of the time to the fullest as there are no queues on the lifts. Dinner at the Kiela restaurant. Accommodation.
Day 8. Salla - Rovaniemi - Madrid
Last day in Lapland. After enjoying the buffet breakfast at the Kiela restaurant, we will head to Rovaniemi. Arrival at the Santa Claus Village, located just above the imaginary and magical line of the Arctic Circle, where we can visit its craft and souvenir shops, send a letter or postcard from Santa Claus' official Post Office and visit the different attractions that are part of this magical world. With this visit, we will put the finishing touch to this dream trip. Continuation to the airport, located less than 3 km from the Santa Claus Village. Check-in procedures for our direct flight to Madrid. Direct flight schedule (local time): Rovaniemi - Madrid 4:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. During the flight, we will enjoy a snack-dinner on board with drinks included. Arrival and end of the trip.
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