Lapland · GUIDED
The good guided tours fill up weeks ahead in high season, and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Wild About Lapland’s two-hour tour pairs you with a guide for a snowmobile ride through the snowy countryside near Rovaniemi. You’ll get safety instruction, thermal overalls, boots, gloves, a helmet, and a balaclava before about an hour on the trails. Groups are limited to eight, and drivers need a physical license valid in Finland.
“Super guide, he took pictures of us Beautiful moment”
Head from Rovaniemi to a private lakeside trail for about an hour of snowmobiling, with safety instruction, photo stops and a fire-side barbecue. English-speaking guides, including Roman, MG and MJ on some outings, lead small groups of up to eight. Winter clothing, helmets, hot drinks and grilled sausages are included.
“The activity is value for money, it will take 40-45 minutes to reach the river side for the snow mobile and come back the same time. They will pick you up from the city centre. If you are two, you both will get 30 minutes each for the snow mobile ride. It’s highly recommended with this price.”
Head into the countryside outside Rovaniemi with an English-speaking guide to look for the Northern Lights. The two-hour outing includes transport, winter overalls, boots and gloves, plus juice and cookies. Guides such as Rafael, Diana and Cecilia have led past tours, but the aurora is never guaranteed, and the route depends on conditions.
“Well in short it was an amazing experience with or without the Northern lights. We got packed in warm clothes from the company so that we survive the cold. Then we went to the location by the river with a full moon but covered with cloud above us. there were bonfires so we had hot berry juice, cookies and bbq marshmallows. The day had a very strong activity for the light show but then the sky was covered with snow. The company waited for the sky to clear more than the assigned time of the trip. More than half of the group left after few hours because of the cold.…”
At Tajukangas Ice Fall in Pyhä, an English-speaking guide teaches you ice-climbing basics before you make two climbs up the wall, which rises more than 20 meters. Helmet, harness, crampons, ice axes, and footwear are provided. A 10-minute walk gets you to the ice, with hot berry drinks and a bonfire for breaks.
“This was such an awesome experience. It was difficult. However, i couldnt believe how well we both did. Definitely a unique experience.. the guide was lovely, kind, and accomodating. Would highly recommend.”
Ride a snowmobile through Southern Lapland’s taiga forests and frozen terrain on a small-group tour of up to eight people. Your guide gives safety instructions, leads scenic stops and serves warm drinks during the route. Two adults share each machine, or you can pay a €60 supplement to ride alone. Allow four hours, including transfers.
“Went on a 65km snowmobiling trip with Fran and one other couple … the whole experience was well managed and explained and Fran was amazing throughout. Great fun and would recommend! One point to note was we saw many other snowmobile trips whilst out which consisted of 30-40 bikes … they just seemed a procession and our trip seemed to be more personal and with a lot more freedom.”
Explore the Luosto area on a private snowmobile tour with local guide Ville. You’ll get safety instruction, riding gear, and a route matched to your experience, plus a warm drink by a fire. The ride lasts about 2.5 hours, with pickup making the full outing roughly 3 to 4 hours.
“I was lucky to book a last-minute tour with Ville and couldn’t wait to start! He picked me up at 9:30 a.m., provided a warm snowsuit and boots, and soon we were off on a snowmobile adventure through Lapland’s winter landscape. The frozen scenery was utterly surreal—like stepping onto a new planet or reaching the edge of the world. It was just us, surrounded by untouched nature, as we experimented with different speeds and enjoyed the exhilarating ride. The three-hour tour felt like just an hour as we explored untouched nature and took in the surreal scenery. We paused by a fire to enjoy reindeer pies prepared by Ville’s wife…”
From Rovaniemi, this six-hour small-group trip pairs a minibus journey with a snow train ride and a visit to an amethyst mine. Your guide provides digging tools and help finding a small stone to take home. Guides have included Sarah and Valentin. Pickup is included; overalls and snow boots cost an extra €10.
“Dès la prise en charge la magie commence avec les magnifiques paysages enneigés. Une fois arrivée au lieu de départ du wagon sur ski (je ne me souviens plus du nom exact) la magie s'intensifie. La descente à la mine est sympa on trouve de petites améthystes. Un petit passage à la boutique et on reprend la descente avec toujours des paysages à couper le souffle. Nous nous sommes régalés, je conseille cette activité et un GRAND MERCI à Sarah pour son accueil, ses traductions et sa gentillesse :)”
Travel from Rovaniemi to Ranua Wildlife Park, about an hour away, for a walk among Arctic species including Finland’s only polar bears. Your guide shares facts about Lapland’s animals and nature, then you sit down to a buffet lunch. Pickup, park admission, drinks, tea, and coffee are included.
“We went to the Ranua Wildlife Park with Tania, and this was honestly an amazing experience. She took the time to walk us through each exhibit and gave us so much insight about every animal, their habitats, where they can be found, and how they relate to Finland and the Arctic Circle. I’ve never had such an insightful and dedicated tour guide. Tania was clearly passionate about what she does and genuinely cared about sharing not just facts, but also the culture and history of the land with us. This isn’t your typical zoo visit. It felt meaningful, thoughtful, and personal. If you’re planning to visit Ranua, I highly recommend…”
Travel from Rovaniemi to Ranua Wildlife Park with an English-speaking guide, then walk about 2.5 kilometers among 50 Arctic and northern animal species, including Finland’s only polar bears. The five-hour small-group tour includes hotel pickup, entry and a restaurant break. Guides such as Alex have accompanied visitors through the park and explained the animals.
“From pickup to drop off everything went smoothly, the driver was very friendly and helpful and we all had a fantastic day.. highly recommend”
Set out from Rovaniemi for a three-hour kayaking trip on a calm Lapland lake, with pickup, a guide, a kayak or canoe, a lifejacket and a hot drink included. Groups are capped at nine, and guides speak five listed languages. Some outings have been led by Miguel, but the level of guiding and the exact lake can vary.
“Au top !! Très bon moment avec Miguel, sympathique et communicatif. Je recommande 😉”
Spend about four to five hours visiting Santa Claus Village, meeting Santa, and riding a reindeer sleigh for 500 meters and a husky sled for 1 to 2 kilometers. An English-speaking guide handles the outing, with centrally located hotel pickup, a crossing certificate, and hot berry juice included. Guide Victor is one name associated with the tour, though your guide may differ.
“Wonderful tour guide and the day was way more fun than we expected. The dogs were ADORABLE. It would have been nice to mention we had a 1 hour break during the tour to shop / eat - which was lovely.”
Join local guide Velu for a small-group aurora hunt from Rovaniemi, with pickup at your accommodation and a route that can change to find clearer skies. The group is limited to eight, and the tour includes hand warmers, 5G WiFi, charging ports, and help with photography. If you see no aurora, the ticket price is refunded.
“It was perfect! The guide was incredibly helpful and friendly. He actually found the northern lights and was willing to keep searching to make the experience perfect for us. I’m just so grateful!”
This small-group Rovaniemi tour pairs a guided city drive with Santa Claus Village, where you can meet Santa, visit the post office and cross the Arctic Circle. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The advertised price is $130.97 per person, but Santa photos, food and Arktikum admission cost extra.
“Santa Village is a magic place where your family can meet Santa. From our experience, the tour is much more magical with a good guide. Rovaniemi city tour was also very informative. Very nice and professionally done tour, and we recommend it to everybody!”
Spend two hours exploring Santa Claus Village with a Rovaniemi-born guide who can show you the post office, Arctic Circle line, Snowman World, Santa’s office, and village activities. The guide can help reduce the wait to meet Santa and take photos along the way. The $57 price excludes transport and entry tickets for Snowman World and mini safaris.
“Lassy went to Santa Claus village earlier and queued to get meet the Santa tickets for us. He then came to our stay and picked us to the village. He was with us until end of the day and brought us back to staying place. Thanks Lassy to wait for us during long queue for Santa Salmon place also.”
A local English-speaking guide takes you from Rovaniemi to a frozen lake in the forest, where you learn to drill through the ice, prepare your fishing gear and try to lure fish below. Winter clothing, transfers and equipment are included. The 2.5-hour outing ends with hot drinks by a campfire.
Pick a sky, a sled or a frozen lake.
