Frequently Asked Questions

Muotkan Ruoktu is a fell village in the heart of the Muotkatunturi wilderness, between the fells, the river and endless lakes. Time stands still here, and adventures start straight from the door, in untouched forest, among wild animals and with crystal-clear drinking water.

Our guests often tell us, "Here, you feel alone in the world, in another world." But it is also a place of human stories, where you feel more among friends than among strangers. We are not a 5-star hotel, we are a 1000-star village.

For nature, for the people who live here, and for a real break from daily life. You can listen to the silence, meet other travellers and step into a Lapland that is still preserved, on our terms and with our values.

It is a human adventure with a long history, told by hosts who love this land.

We live our passion and enjoy making it accessible to others who feel the same. Our trips stay off the beaten path and far from mass tourism, close to nature and to the people who live here. Each one is shaped around our guests and around what nature offers during their stay.

We are guided by a love of wild nature, by respect for Sami culture and values, and by the need to protect the environment.

Each cabin has its own history and has welcomed travellers from Finland and abroad who love nature, history and places off the beaten track. Our log restaurant serves local flavours and is a good place to share a meal, and being here feels like being on another planet, especially under the midnight sun or the Northern Lights.

We travel without haste, at a pace that suits everyone and the conditions of the day. For us a journey is a moment of pleasure, reflection and renewal, a time to learn about the environment and to share it with people who see travel the way we do. Adventure is about discovering the animals and plants of the north with mindfulness and joy.

We work only with people who share our way of travelling and who respect the local ecosystem, the animals and the plants. All of them are local providers, many of them Sami, the Indigenous people of the region. We make sure our impact on the environment stays small and that our work supports the local economy in a fair and responsible way.

Most guests fly to Ivalo and reach us in about 1 h 15 by road, 103 km. From Inari it is 55 km, about 40 minutes. The road is open all winter, ploughed and sanded, though often snowy, so allow extra time. Daily buses from Rovaniemi, Ivalo and Inari stop on the road by the village, and parking is free for guests and hikers.

If you prefer not to drive, we can arrange the transport for you, subject to our availability. Tell us your flights and we help you plan it.

Yes. The road from Ivalo is ploughed and sanded all winter, and rental cars have winter tyres. It is often snowy, so drive slower than you think you need to and leave some extra time. Our getting here guide has winter driving tips.

Yes, if we agree it with you in advance. We collect you at Ivalo Airport and drive you to the village, about 1 h 15 away. For our holidays, transport during the programme is included in the price; flights remain yours to book.

Fly to Ivalo, a well-served airport with flights from Helsinki all year. Airlines release the winter flights gradually, from mid-September, and more routes open as the season gets closer, so be patient and check again. We post news on Facebook and Instagram.

If you are unsure which flight to choose, tell us where you are travelling from and we help you plan it.

Summer and winter are both perfect for discovering the Muotkatunturi Wilderness Area and the north of Lapland. Each season has its own light, colours and wildlife.

In winter, trips run from December to mid-April for the best snow and the Northern Lights. In January the days are short and cold, with unique colours in the sky; from mid-February the days lengthen and temperatures become milder.

In summer, trips start in June, when the midnight sun shines (until late July; long light evenings into August). In September the night returns with "double Northern Lights" reflected in the lakes, and the ruska colours of the Arctic autumn, with reindeer walking through them.

Muotkan Ruoktu is in one of the best places in the world to see them. The wilderness around us has almost no light pollution, and on a clear night you can watch the sky from your cottage, or simply step out of your door and look up.

The sky is dark enough from late August to early April, and September to March is the best bet. Clouds matter as much as the month, and nobody can promise the lights, so plan at least three nights. We watch the forecast every day and tell you when the sky is clear. You can also join a Northern Lights sledge ride. More in our Northern Lights guide and winter guide.

In winter you can explore on Arctic skis, snowshoes or snowmobile, go ice fishing, and meet local reindeer herders to learn about their life and see the animals up close.

In summer the wilderness opens up for hiking, packrafting (a light inflatable boat), stand-up paddling and fishing, and the forest is a paradise for picking berries and mushrooms. The Inari region also has local events and holidays that let you discover its culture, such as the Reindeer Race and Sami Day.

Anyone in good physical condition can join. Our activities are chosen to be interesting and adventurous but also accessible, and each one shows the effort level it needs.

Our trips suit all kinds of travellers. If you are in normal physical condition and do not need special medical attention, you will be fine, because it is the desire to explore that carries you. With your guide you quickly gain confidence in the Arctic environment.

The effort varies by activity, and each page says whether it is easy, moderate or demanding. On our multi-activity trips we call the levels Serenity, Discovery and Pushing limits. Easy means little effort and no skills; moderate means a mini-adventure for anyone who does regular sport and can walk for a few hours; demanding means a real adventure of several hours or days, such as hiking, packrafting or dog sledding, which can be tough in snow, rain or wind. Minimum ages are shown on each activity page.

Our activities follow your wishes and the pace of the group. The priority is to be with nature and take the time to enjoy it, so every day has room to stop, look at the landscape, watch animals and plants, take photos or simply marvel at Lapland.

Groups are small, with a maximum of 8 people. That keeps every trip in harmony with nature and culture and lets travellers truly connect.

We speak French, English, Spanish, Polish and Italian, and you are always accompanied by a guide who speaks one of your languages. Tell us in advance which languages you can use during your activities.

Yes. We love animals and welcome dogs at Muotkan Ruoktu, in the cabins, on the campsite and in the restaurant, as long as they respect the place and stay on a lead so they don't disturb the wandering reindeer and other animals.

Yes, families are welcome. The Big Lodge sleeps up to 5 (an extra bed is €30), the Cosy Cottages, the Authentic Cottage and the Adventure Cottages sleep up to 4, and our guides adapt the pace to the youngest in the group. Each activity page shows its minimum age, so you can pick what suits your family; write to us and we help you choose.