Fun with Father Christmas 4 day trip to Lapland

Lapland Fun with Father Christmas

Yllas's seven fells lie east of Europe's longest free streaming river, the Tornio-Muoniojoki, just over 100 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Dominated by its eponymous fell and with two original Sami Villages, Akaslompolo and Yllasjarvi, this unique fell area is renowned for its subtle landscapes and awesomely dramatic scenery.

Day 1 in Lapland

Depart Heathrow at 10.20 for your flight to Kittila via Helsinki. Arrive 17.45 local time and transfer to Akaslompolo, collecting thermal clothing en route. Check in and then enjoy a welcome drink and programme briefing followed by a Sami buffet supper.

Day 2 in Lapland

After breakfast it's time to leave for the reindeer corral for a sleigh ride through the snow clad forest following a marked trail. Along the way you stop by an open fire encampment for hot berry juice, gingerbread cookies and tales from the herders about their lives and those of the reindeer. Lunch back at the hotel restaurant.

Early afternoon at leisure and time for the children to re-charge their batteries, before leaving for an early evening private tobogganing party on the nearby ski slopes after they close to the public. Fun, games and hot chocolate on tap. Return to the hotel for supper.

Day 3 in Lapland

After breakfast it's time for a short scenic journey to the husky kennels to meet the excitedly barking dogs, some just puppies, waiting eagerly to take you through the forest. Grown ups drive their own sleigh whilst children ride tucked up in a sleigh behind a team driven by your guide. In the afternoon it's party time on a frozen lake in the middle of the forest using an old lumberjack's cottage as a base. Inside Santa's little helpers show you how to decorate gingerbread cookies whilst outside there will be snowmobiling with mini snowmobiles for the children, tobogganing and a visit to the 'Old Woman of the Woods' who recounts traditional Lappish tales around an open fire.

Concurrently, each family takes time out to travel individually by reindeer sleigh to meet Father Christmas in his lakeside cabin home. Late afternoon return to the hotel. A traditional Sami Christmas buffet culminating in a visit from Father Christmas and Rudolph to make earlier made wishes come true and hand over a small present to everyone, grown ups and children alike.

Day 4 in Lapland

After breakfast we pop round to 'Mailan Putiikki' where you can buy local handicraft, Christmas decorations and cuddly huskies before transferring to Kittila airport for your flight back to Heathrow to arrive at 1710 local time.