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4.7725 Google reviews

WinterChristmas Eve dinner

Christmas in Lapland, 8 Days

Christmas far from the crowds: a festive dinner, huskies, reindeer and a sky that brings its own lights.

From €2,600 / person

1 / 6

  • The log restaurant at night under green Northern Lights
    The log restaurant at night under green Northern Lights
  • The sauna cabin in the snow
    The sauna cabin in the snow
  • A team of huskies running across the snow towards the low sun
    A team of huskies running across the snow towards the low sun
  • A reindeer lying in deep snow, its antlers showing, in low sunlight
    A reindeer lying in deep snow, its antlers showing, in low sunlight
  • A wooden cottage glowing under green Northern Lights, with a birch tree beside it
    A wooden cottage glowing under green Northern Lights, with a birch tree beside it
  • Green Northern Lights over a dark river valley
    Green Northern Lights over a dark river valley
  • Everything arranged
  • More time to explore Lapland
  • Off the beaten track
  • Feel at home

In short

  • Winter
  • 8 days · 7 nights
  • Group departures
  • Easy, for everyone
  • Group 6–8 guests
  • English, French, Polish
  • Christmas Eve dinner in the village
  • Husky sled and reindeer herder
  • The polar night and the Northern Lights

Christmas in the village is very quiet, and very beautiful. No crowds and no shopping streets: a long table, a fire, the sauna, the people you came with, and a sky that sometimes brings its own lights.

The week follows the rhythm of the polar night: a blue twilight at midday and long dark evenings, perfect for the sauna, the fire and the Northern Lights. In between, you meet the herder, drive your own huskies and ski through the forest.

The days, one by one

A flexible plan, not a fixed schedule: Our guides adapt each day to the weather conditions, ensuring the best possible experience for you.

  1. A log cabin with a warm light in its window, on a snowy path at night

    Day 1

    Welcome to the village

    Transfer from Ivalo, your Cosy Cottage, your winter gear and a first dinner together in the restaurant.

  2. Aerial view of the log cabins of Muotkan Ruoktu in the snow at dusk

    Day 2

    On Arctic skis

    Three hours through the quiet forest on Arctic skis, with coffee in the snow.

    • Arctic ski mini expedition, 3 hours · 3 hours
  3. A guest in a brown jacket feeding a reindeer at a herder's camp

    Day 3

    Reindeer and a fire meal

    A day with a Sami herder and his reindeer, and a meal cooked over the open fire.

    • Sami reindeer herder visit · 3 hours
  4. A team of huskies running across the snow towards the low sun

    Day 4

    Husky day

    Drive your own sled through the forest behind a team of huskies.

    • Husky Sledding · 2 hours
  5. The log restaurant at night under green Northern Lights

    Day 5

    Christmas Eve

    A slow day in the village and the Christmas sauna, then a festive dinner at the long table. Afterwards we step outside, under the stars.

    Our tip Bring a headlamp for the walk back to your cottage: it gets very dark and very quiet.

  6. Guests gathered round the fire outside a snowy kota lit with fairy lights

    Day 6

    Christmas Day, slowly

    A late breakfast and a day to rest. In the evening we smoke salmon over the embers and watch the sky.

    • Smoked salmon, sauna & Northern Lights - Arctic Culinary Experience · 2 hours
  7. Aerial view of the village in the forest

    Day 7

    Inari and a snowmobile at sunset

    The Siida museum in Inari, then a last ride across the lakes in the blue light and a farewell dinner.

    • Inari: Siida museum & river walk · 4 hours
    • Snowmobile experience, 2 hours · 2 hours
  8. Snow-laden birch branches bent low in the evening light over a snowy field

    Day 8

    Goodbye

    Breakfast and the transfer to Ivalo airport.

1 / 5

  • The sauna cabin in the snow
    The sauna cabin in the snow
  • A team of huskies running across the snow towards the low sun
    A team of huskies running across the snow towards the low sun
  • A reindeer lying in deep snow, its antlers showing, in low sunlight
    A reindeer lying in deep snow, its antlers showing, in low sunlight
  • A wooden cottage glowing under green Northern Lights, with a birch tree beside it
    A wooden cottage glowing under green Northern Lights, with a birch tree beside it
  • Green Northern Lights over a dark river valley
    Green Northern Lights over a dark river valley

What's included

Come for the adventure. Stay for the magic.

  • 7 nights in our Cosy Cottage
  • Full board in our restaurant
  • Winter clothing and equipment
  • Transfers from Ivalo airport and to every activity

Included in every holiday with us

Your stay & Arctic hospitality

  • 7 nights in the heart of Arctic wilderness

    Enjoy our cozy accommodation, with complimentary coffee and tea throughout your stay. We'll even provide sleds to transport your luggage to your cottage — or simply to have some fun in the snow!

  • Delicious homemade food

    Enjoy authentic Lapland flavours and locally sourced ingredients at Muotkan Ruoktu Restaurant. Meals are included according to your selected package, from dinner on your arrival day to breakfast on your departure day.

  • Warm drinks & local treats during activities

    Enjoy tasty tea, coffee and local snacks during your Arctic adventures, adding a little comfort and warmth to every experience.

  • A warm welcome, with a personal touch

    Our friendly team is always happy to share local knowledge, stories, practical advice and recommendations to help you discover the real Lapland.

Premium equipment, safety & comfort

  • Warm winter equipment

    Thermal overalls, helmets and essential protective gear provided for your activities.

  • Premium activity equipment

    Modern, high-quality equipment designed for safety and comfort, including snowmobiles with heated seats and handlebars.

  • Safety first, always

    Our experienced, multilingual guides provide clear safety briefings, practical training and personal support. Your safety, comfort and confidence are our priorities.

  • Convenient airport transfers

    Return transfers between Ivalo Airport and Muotkan Ruoktu, coordinated with your arrival and departure times.

Northern Lights & freedom to explore

  • Your personal Northern Lights experience

    Receive aurora alerts, local advice on the best viewing conditions and personalized guidance from our team. Discover our rooftop viewing area and learn photography tips to capture the magic of the Arctic sky.

  • Complimentary snowshoes

    Enjoy one day of free snowshoe rental to discover the surrounding wilderness at your own pace.

  • Your own Arctic playground

    Explore the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Muotkan Ruoktu independently, on foot or snowshoes. With wilderness right at your doorstep, you can enjoy a rare sense of freedom, tranquility and connection with nature. Our team will gladly recommend suitable routes and share essential safety advice.

  • Access to our traditional Kota & Laavu

    Relax around an open fire, discover local specialities and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of our traditional Arctic shelters. Located near the frozen river, our riverside Laavu is also a wonderful place to watch for the Northern Lights.

Your Arctic adventures

  • Arctic skis, 3 h
  • Reindeer and a Sami herder, with a meal by the fire
  • Husky experience: drive your own sled
  • Smoked salmon on the fire
  • Inari: the Siida museum
  • Snowmobile at sunset, 2 h
  • Sauna
  • Christmas Eve dinner
All this from €2,600 / person

Not included

  • Flights to Ivalo
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Drinks outside the meals
From a guest
Good food and friendly people.

Niklas Syväjärvi

Dates and how it works

Winter runs from the first snow of December to the bright days of April: the polar night and the Northern Lights first, then long blue afternoons and the best snow in March.

Departure dates

  • 20 – 27 Dec 2026Few places left
  • 20 – 27 Dec 2027Places available

How it works

  1. Send your request

    Your dates, who is coming and any food needs. We reply personally within one working day with your plan and price.

    Would you like more space? Ask us about an upgrade to a Big Lodge.

  2. We plan it with you

    Your transfer from Ivalo, and the days arranged around the weather and the Northern Lights forecast.

  3. You arrive, we take care of the rest

    From the airport to your last breakfast: the guides, the gear and the meals are ready for you.

From €2,600 / person

Per person sharing a Cosy Cottage, full board, transfers and equipment included. Fixed dates over Christmas.

  • A personal reply within one working day
  • Nothing is charged until you say yes
Request this holiday

Important information

Detailed directions
  • Flexible activity schedule

    The order of activities may change to make the most of weather conditions, Northern Lights forecasts and the best opportunities for each experience. Your final itinerary will be confirmed upon arrival.

  • Meals

    All included meals are served at Muotkan Ruoktu Restaurant, conveniently located just 50 metres from the cottages.

  • Special dietary requirements

    Please inform us of any dietary restrictions, food allergies or special dietary needs when booking your package, so we can prepare accordingly and accommodate your needs as best as possible.

  • Weather & safety

    Your safety is our priority. We and our activity partners reserve the right to adjust, reschedule or modify activities due to weather conditions, safety considerations or other unforeseen circumstances.

  • Professional guiding & inclusions

    All guided activities include experienced English-speaking guides (other languages may be available), applicable insurance, VAT and transfers from Muotkan Ruoktu when required.

  • Snowmobile driving requirements

    Drivers must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. Children must be at least 120 cm tall to participate, subject to the specific activity's safety requirements.

  • Appropriate clothing

    Guests are responsible for wearing suitable clothing and footwear for the weather and planned activities. We provide the specified winter equipment, and our team will gladly advise you on how to stay warm, safe and comfortable.

  • Level

    No special fitness or experience needed. Our guides set the pace.

More questions? Read our answers

What our guests say

Read all reviews & our guestbook
4.7725 Google reviews
  • This place is my dream come true about Finland, or rather about Narnia.
    Dagmara, Poland
  • What an intense experience! The unexpected is here! You make us cry with happiness.
    Fanny, France
  • Live the adventure in Lapland at Muotkan Ruoktu!
    Johanna, New Caledonia

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Read all reviews & our guestbook

Green northern lights over the forest, reflected in the still river

One of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.

No midnight transfers, no city lights. At 69° north, on the edge of the Muotkatunturi wilderness and far from any town, the dark Arctic sky begins right at your cabin door. When the Northern Lights appear, simply step outside and look up. Here, your chances of seeing them are excellent!

  • A wilderness of dark sky

    1,570 km² of protected fells around the village and almost no light pollution, so even a faint aurora shows, under a thousand stars.

  • Every other clear night

    In Muotkan Ruoktu the aurora shows on about every other clear night from September to March. Stay three nights or more to enjoy it !

  • We watch the sky for you

    We check the forecast every day and tell you when it clears and Northern Light activity is high. Wait in the hot tub, or ride deeper into the dark by sledge with a guide.

Traditional Sauna and Hot Nordic bath

After a day in the cold, warm up and unwind in a private sauna or riverside Hot Tub, reserved just for you beneath the starry sky.

Sauna and hot tub
Northern lights over a kota in the snow, in the village by the river

A unique hot tub under the Northern Lights.

Hot tub by the river

Our hot tub sits on the bank of the Peltojoki. We are the only ones to offer a hot tub by the river: on a clear night, you watch the Northern Lights from the warm water.

€120 for 2 hours for 2, sauna included · on request

  • The sauna cabin in the snow

    Sauna

    Hot stones and gentle heat in our traditional Finnish sauna.

    €25 an hour for 2 · book at reception

  • Hot water thrown into the frozen air in the low winter sun

    Nordic bath

    Sink into the warmth of our wood-heated hot tub, filled with fresh river water, and relax beneath the Arctic sky.

    On request

Other holidays

Stay Longer, Discover More of Lapland

  • Ultimate Lapland Holiday, 8 days

    Eight days and seven nights in a cosy Lapland cottage with full board, Northern Lights sledge safari, Sámi reindeer herder encounter, snowmobiling, ice fishing and a visit to Inari.

    • 8 days · 7 nights
    • Easy, for everyone
    • Any arrival day
    From €2,400 / person
  • Lapland Discovery, 3-Day Winter Holiday

    A unique 3-day Lapland winter holiday package, perfect for a short Arctic escape or a complete getaway, filled with authentic experiences in the heart of Finnish Lapland's wilderness.

    • 3 days · 2 nights
    • Easy, for everyone
    From €740 / person
  • Lapland Wilderness Escape, 5 days

    Four nights in a cosy Lapland cottage, with Sámi reindeer herding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, a Northern Lights sledge safari and traditional fire-smoked salmon.

    • 5 days · 4 nights
    • Easy, for everyone
    • Any arrival day
    From €1,500 / person

All holidays

A guest in warm winter gear on snowshoes in the snowy forest

Rent your gear

Explore Lapland at your own pace! Rent snowshoes, outdoor equipment and warm winter clothing at Muotkan Ruoktu, near Inari. For your comfort and safety, just ask at reception!

  • Warm overalls
  • Winter boots
  • Gloves and hats
  • Snowshoes

See all gear to rent

Questions about holidays

Christmas in Lapland is an eight-day holiday over Christmas at Muotkan Ruoktu in Inari, Finnish Lapland, far from the crowds. You stay in a Cosy Cottage with full board, in a small group, on fixed dates over Christmas.

The week brings a Christmas Eve dinner, a husky sled you drive yourself, a Sami reindeer herder with a meal by the fire, Arctic skis, a sunset snowmobile ride, the Siida museum and the Northern Lights. Transfers and equipment are included.

Is it very dark at Christmas?

It is the polar night: a few hours of blue twilight at midday, then stars. It is also a very good time for the Northern Lights.

Do I need my own winter clothing?

No. Thermal overalls, helmets and the protective gear for each activity are provided. Bring warm underlayers, wool socks and a good hat.

How do we get to the village?

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.

How do I book a holiday?

Send us a request from the holiday page. We reply personally within one working day with the plan, the price and the next steps. Nothing is charged until you confirm.

Can we change dates or add nights?

Yes. Tell us in your request or through the contact page: extra nights before or after your holiday are usually possible.

Responsible travel

Small groups, local guides and respect for the wilderness and Sami culture, recognised by three sustainability labels.

How we protect the place

Not sure which holiday fits?

Call or write to us on WhatsApp and we will plan it with you. We answer 9:00–22:00 (Finnish time)

  • Feel at homeStay in authentic Lapland accommodation where every guest is welcomed like a friend. Genuine hospitality, homemade local food and a warm family atmosphere.
  • Legendary Sami heritageDiscover the rich Sami heritage and reindeer herding traditions through the history and people of Muotkan Ruoktu.
  • Northern Lights & wildernessIn the heart of the Muotkatunturi Wilderness, one of the best places to see the Northern Lights and experience untouched Arctic nature.
  • Authentic adventures, no crowdsSmall-group Arctic adventures with passionate local guides, from snowmobiling and snowshoeing to fishing and Northern Lights experiences, far from mass tourism.

Request your holiday

Christmas in Lapland, 8 days

8 days · From €2,600 / person

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Christmas in Lapland, 8 days

How to get here

Muotkan Ruoktu is located in the beautiful Muotkatunturi wilderness of Finnish Lapland, along the Kaamanen–Karigasniemi road, on the way to the North Cape (Nordkapp), north of Inari.

Directions on Google Maps

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We answer 9:00–22:00 (Finnish time)

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Tell us a little about your plans and we will reply by e-mail, with ideas and prices.

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Dogs welcome

We love animals: your dog is welcome to travel with you, as long as it respects the place.

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