Ruka Village - Early December 2023

Rukavillage 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. A perfect place to explore on a snowmobile, take husky or reindeer sleigh rides, meet Santa Claus in his house in the forest... or simply enjoy nature. Perhaps you can see an impressive northern lights.

Day 1. Spain / Kuusamo / Ruka ARRIVAL AT OUR DESTINATION

Arrive at the airport. Meeting with staff who will help you with the simple billing procedures. Departure by special direct flight to Kuusamo. Snack on board included. Arrival. Meeting with our guide and transfer to Ruka (approx. 30 min). Upon arrival in Ruka we will collect the thermal equipment that we can use during our entire stay in Lapland. Once installed we will have a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation.

Day 2. Ruka ICE FISHING AND SNOWSHOES

Breakfast at the restaurant. We will start our Lapland adventure with a fishing excursion on the frozen lake. The experience begins with the arrival at a frozen lake where a fisherman will teach us how to ice fish, each participant will have time to try their luck with the rod through the ice. First everyone will have to make their own hole in the ice and then try to fish. In this lake we can find perch, pike and lake herring. We will carry out a fun activity, which is liked by both adults and children; a snowshoe ride through the snowy Lappish forest. Light lunch during the excursion. In the afternoon, free time that you can take advantage of to do some skiing or do an optional activity. Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation.

Day 3. Ruka SAFARI OF ARCTIC ANIMALS: HUSKIES AND REINDEER

Breakfast at the restaurant. We prepare to spend another amazing day in nature. In the morning we will go on an excursion that will remain in our memory for a long time, since we will be able to drive, like true mushers, a sled pulled by a team of husky dogs. Well-trained huskies can pull up to seven times their own weight. This and many more curiosities will be explained to us by their trainers before taking the walk. We will taste a light lunch during the excursion. Then, transfer to a reindeer farm where their Lappish reindeer breeders will tell us about their way of life. We will go on a sleigh ride and learn about the life of reindeer and their herders. Rest of the afternoon free that you can take advantage of to do some skiing. In just a couple of hours you will be able to enjoy many descents since there are usually no queues at the ski lifts. Ruka usually has its slopes open from October until almost the end of May and most 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 scenic gondola from Ruka village. You will have a skipass and the necessary equipment for skiing for 3 hours. Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation.

Day 4. Ruka SAFARI BY SNOWMOBILE AND MEETING SANTA CLAUS

Breakfast at the restaurant. Today we will go on one of the most spectacular excursions of the trip, a snowmobile safari. For this, they will provide us with helmets and gloves and after the instructions of the guides, we will start our snowmobile ride. The adults will drive the snowmobiles (2 people per snowmobile) and the children will travel in a sleigh that pulls the guide's snowmobile. During the journey we will be able to feel the power of these machines and enjoy the snowy forests and frozen lakes. Light lunch during the excursion. In the afternoon the moment that all the children have been waiting for will come. We will move to the town of Vuotunki where Santa Claus's house is located, next to a large frozen lake. On the slopes of the lake, when the snow falls, large natural slides are formed in which children, and not so children, can enjoy sledding. The time has come to enter the house where Santa will be waiting for us. Upon entering, we are greeted by an elf, Santa's helper, and leads us to the room where we will meet Santa himself. With him we will have a good time, he will tell us stories and teach us a song. Mrs. Claus is an expert cook and today she will show us her famous recipe for Christmas cookies that, once made, we can bake in the house's large wood-burning oven. After the visit, Santa will personally deliver a gift to each child. With the indelible memory of this visit, we will say goodbye to the Claus family and return to our accommodation. Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation.

Day 5 Ruka / Kuusamo / Spain RETURN FLIGHT

Breakfast at the restaurant. Free time until the time indicated for the transfer. They can make their last purchases in the Village or perhaps enjoy a relaxing time before the return. We cannot leave Lapland without practicing a relaxing sauna. The sauna in Finland is quite a tradition. Although the Finns did not invent it, they are the country with the largest number of saunas per inhabitant; almost a sauna for every 2 inhabitants and those who practice it more frequently. Departure to Kuusamo airport. Check-in procedures and direct flight departure to Spain. Snack on board included. Arrival and end of our adventure in Lapland.