About Muotkan Ruoktu
A legendary wilderness village in Inari, passed down with care and still run like a family home.
Half a century of human adventure
In the northern part of Inari, on the banks of the Peltojoki river, lies a village in the middle of nature called Muotkan Ruoktu Tunturikylä, the "Fell Village, Home in the Mountains". Since 1967 it has been run by the charismatic reindeer herder Hans Niittyvuopio and his Sami family.
For over fifty years, Muotkan Ruoktu has been a peaceful haven for Finnish and international travellers seeking an authentic Arctic escape, far off the beaten track. Many returned year after year, and in 1990, a group of loyal guests even founded Muotka Ruovttu Ustibat — the Friends of Muotkan Ruoktu — to help preserve the village’s unique spirit and traditions.
In autumn 2023 Hans handed the village over to Kinga and Kevin. He chose them for their values, their way of travelling and their wish to protect the authenticity of the place, and Hans, now 93, stayed close at first to help them start. Today the village is ours to look after, and yours to feel at home in.
The legendary camp
Become part of the Muotkan Ruoktu story
Kinga & Kevin, Your Local Hosts in Lapland
Kinga is French-Polish: an Arctic guide, life coach and lover of outdoor activities. She believes that being close to nature and sharing unforgettable adventures with others makes life a fascinating journey. Living in Muotka and designing unique experiences for others allows her to live this passion every day. Welcoming guests, sharing the soul and history of the place, and creating memorable journeys within the Munay Experience brand for them is her greatest reward.
Kevin is French: an explorer, snowmobile guide and helicopter pilot who loves wild places. After ten years of travelling the world and exploring fifty countries, he fell in love with Lapland on his first visit and decided to settle here. Today, he designs expeditions through the wildest corners of the North and promotes sustainable tourism through his brand, Scandlap Explorer.
Together, they guide, cook, mend and welcome guests alongside a small, passionate team. Out here, everyone relies on one another to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere — and that’s the spirit you’ll feel from the moment you arrive.
We are not a five-star hotel. We are a village under a thousand stars.
Far from the lights of any town, Muotka enjoys truly dark Arctic skies. On clear winter nights, thousands of stars shine overhead, and the Northern Lights often dance above the Peltojoki River. Surrounded by wild fells, winding rivers, endless lakes, untouched forests and crystal-clear waters, our little wilderness village offers a rare connection with nature in Finnish Lapland.
Guests often tell us they feel alone in the world — or in another world. That’s the true luxury we offer.
Protecting the Place We Call Home
Muotkan Ruoktu has great natural and cultural value, and we want to grow with it, not at its expense. We believe sustainable tourism should protect this still well-hidden gem. We welcome travellers who truly care about the Arctic wilderness, local traditions and responsible travel. Our goal is to create authentic experiences that support local communities and preserve Lapland for future generations.
For us, authenticity means sharing not only the beauty of Lapland, but also its real stories and challenges. Together with Sami reindeer herders and local people whose roots go back generations, we create ethical travel experiences that respect nature, culture and traditional ways of life. We keep our groups small, avoid mass tourism and follow sustainability agreements with Metsähallitus.
Surrounded by the pristine Muotkatunturi Wilderness, we work to conserve water, reduce waste and raise awareness of Arctic environmental challenges. Together with our sister brands, Munay Experience and Scandlap Explorer, we promote responsible tourism in Finnish Lapland, guided by initiatives such as Sustainable Travel Finland, Biosphere and the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund. Our mission is simple: to leave this special place better for the generations to come.
Responsible travel
Small-group Lapland experiences, local guides and respect for the wilderness and Sami culture.
Beyond Muotkan Ruoktu
Kinga and Kevin run two adventure travel brands, bringing passion and authentic spirit to meaningful journeys and expeditions that take you further.
Munay Experience
Extraordinary, tailor-made expeditions into Lapland’s wildest places, guided by Kinga, an experienced wilderness guide and life coach. Intimate, meaningful journeys that go beyond adventure, offering connection, discovery and personal growth, with special expeditions for women in both winter and summer.
Scandlap Explorer
Snowmobile expeditions into the wildest and most remote corners of Northern Lapland, led by Kevin, an experienced Arctic guide. From short adventures to tailor-made multi-day journeys and corporate expeditions, each experience goes beyond the ride, focusing on authentic wilderness exploration, discovery and the spirit of adventure.
Jobs and partnerships
We are a small team and we like to meet people before we meet CVs. Write to us, tell us who you are.
Talk to us
We answer personally, in English, French, Spanish, Polish or Italian.
We answer 9:00–22:00 (Finnish time)