Encounter 3 day short break 3 day trip to Lapland

Encounter 3 Day Short Break to Lapland

The Encounter short break takes you deep inside the Arctic Circle, to Hetta in the far north of Finnish Lapland. This is the true Lapland, and a perfect base from which to go in search of the real Father Christmas.

Hetta is a small and quiet village, surrounded by miles of forested landscapes and alongside a dramatic frozen lake.  The vast wilderness expanses of this region have long been traversed by nomadic Sami tribes, the indigenous local people; and many Sami families are still resident among the local community of Hetta.  The village is proud of its cultural heritage and has a small and interesting museum that depicts the time-honoured way of Sami life.  Other facilities include a small drag lift to the top of the local fell for children, perfect for tobogganing and for providing great views, and a handful of shops and eateries.  The setting is very beautiful, with the village lying alongside Lake Ounasjarvi, with dense forest beyond, leading to the vast wilderness of the Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park.  The village has a beautiful church, with its distinctive, slender belltower.

This sleepy village remains largely uncommercialised, where old-fashioned values of hospitality hold sway among a small range of attractive, family-run hotels and log cabin villages. 

A one and a half hour snowmobile safari will be an experience to remember. Adults will have the chance to drive their own. Children will be pulled in a sleigh pulled by one of the snowmobiles.

Also included, Lapland's most traditional form of transport, the reindeer sleigh ride, a leisurely ride on a sleigh pulled by reindeer taking you into the snow-clad surroundings.

You will also enjoy the memorable experience of a five kilometre husky ride through the snow. The eager barking of the dogs as we arrive at the husky farm will indicate that they are ready to give you a swift ride!

On all our short breaks to Hetta, there is plenty of time to enjoy playing in the snow!  Take your pick from tobogganing, kick-sledging, childrens' snowmobiles and tandem skiing.  And of course there is always a snowball fight..!

There is a festive atmosphere for the gala dinner on the last evening of your stay. You will be served with a special three-course meal.

Day 1 in Lapland

Fly to Enontekio Airport and transfer to chosen accommodation, picking up your thermal suits and boots en-route.  A welcome meeting will be held, hosted by your representative, who will go through the content of your stay and introduce you to the area.  This evening, a walk to the local church were, after a short welcome by the local vicar, you can enjoy carol singing, before returning to your accommodation.  Once back at the hotel, there will be a welcome dinner, and your representative will be available to answer any questions you may have.  

Day 2 in Lapland

After a hearty breakfast, time to get all of your outdoor wear on, and head into the local area.  The winter scenery will remind you again of why Santa chose this area for one of his many resting places.  A fun filled day awaits, including tobogganing down the slopes, guiding your own stiga toboggans (toboggans with stearing wheels!), kick sledging, tandem skiing, snow hockey, tug of war and children's snowmobiles.  The activities are available throughout the day to be enjoyed at your leisure.  A hot warming lunch will be provided.  However, the highlight of the day is sure to be when , with your special boarding ticket in hand, you join Santa's own reindeer sleigh as you set off in search of Father Christmas.  Travelling through ill snow-laden trees to find a secret path, with one of the elves to guide you on your way you see something through the trees - could this be the place where you will find Santa taking a well-deserved rest in his log cabin or Sami kota?  During a private family meeting with Santa, each child has the chance to talk with him and will receive a small gift.  This evening you will sit down for a special Festive dinner, a time to share magical experiences and memories and enjoy the afterglow of a day spent in the Arctic wilderness.           

Day 3 in Lapland

After a good night's sleep and breakfast it will be time to check out before joining in your two included Santa safaris,  a 5km Husky Safari and a 1.5 hour Snowmobile Safari, where you will enjoy two adventures surrounded by the vast landscapes of this majestic region.  There will be a small amount of time left to have a last go at tobogganing or participate in one of the optional excursions (at extra cost) - perhaps an introduction to reindeer herding or an expedition to a frozen lake to try you hand at ice fishing?  Lunch will be provided at the hotel before you depart back to Enontekio airport for your return flight to the UK. 

Your Lapland Encounter short break also includes

• Hire of thermal suits and boots
• Transun representatives (all English-speaking)
• Arctic Circle Crossing Certificate
• Souvenir Lapland Passport

Plus: your choice of accommodation, all meals, return flights including all taxes and government air passenger duty.

Offer 3A - Adults save £100 off the brochure price. Standard child reductions off brochure price apply to children (max 2 per booking)

Offer 3A - If 1 adult & 2 children only one child will receive the reduction.

All offers are subject to availability and can not be combined.