New Year Tour in Kemi Lapland 2024 – 2025

Kemi is a very northern town in Finnish Lapland standing just by the biggest ice field in Europe – frozen Gulf of Bothnia. Kemi is famous for its icebreaker – the one and only tourist ice breaker in the world with several starts a week. Come and see!

30th of December

Arrival at Kemi Airport or Kemi Railway Station. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner buffet and accommodation.

31st of December – New Year’s Eve

Excursion to Arctic Circle and Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi and New Year celebration

Scandinavian breakfast buffet is available in the hotel.

Enjoy the breakfast buffet and be prepared for today’s great excursion to the Arctic Circle in the north. The coach ride from Kemi takes about 1,5 hours. Before visiting Arctic Circle, we visit a reindeer farm on the way. There you’ll learn about reindeers and their life in the wilderness and Lappish reindeer culture. You’ll also take a ride in a reindeer-pulled sleigh. The reindeer herder might deliver your very own international “reindeer driving license” and during the ceremony of “Crossing Arctic Circle”.

After the reindeer farm we will drive to Santa Claus village where you may meet him and have a chance to buy a picture with him. Lunch is served in Santa’s restaurant in Rovaniemi.

From the Arctic Circle we drive directly to Katkavaara Aurora Apartments and Snow Igloos where we join their famous New Year celebration gala dinner.  After the New Year celebration dinner we climb up on a hill for the special New Year celebration happening. By old Finnish tradition we melt some tin by open fire and after cooling down the tin in cold water a thing is born. By the shape of the thing or it’s shadow you are expected to see your upcoming year. This is a little bit shamanistic ceremony. At midnight we follow fireworks up there on the fell and enjoy some sparkling wine to celebrate your visit here in the north. With some luck also the Northern Lights might appear. Transfer back to Kemi and overnight in the hotel.

1st of January – Husky safari on New Year’s Day

Late Scandinavian breakfast buffet is available in the hotel.

After the breakfast we board the waiting coach for a ride to a sled dog farm. You will learn about the training and life of Siberian huskies, how they spend their winter and then you may try some dog sledding on 1 hour husky safari. After learning about husky team driving you’ll take off on a memorable ride, two persons sharing each sleigh and team (kids travel in guide’s or parents’ sleds depending on their age). You will also see a Lappish kota teepee and enjoy barbeque lunch by open fire. This is a memorable trip you will remember for a life time. In the afternoon you can enjoy some rest and try Finnish sauna in the hotel.

Dinner buffet and overnight in the hotel.

2nd of January – Winter adventures in the wilderness, snowmobile safari and snowshoe trip for ice fishing

After the breakfast buffet it is time to return to the wilderness and start our winter adventures. Let’s go to the snowmobile safari in the middle of wildest forests. See the beauty of winter Lapland! Lunch back in the wilderness restaurant.

In the afternoon we make a little snowshoe trip for ice fishing. After these great adventures we return to our hotel in Kemi.  Sauna and half board dinner buffet in the hotel.

Dinner buffet and overnight in the hotel.

3rd of January

Today it is time to leave this arctic town after such an impressive stay. Breakfast and airport transfer is included. Good bye Lapland!

 

Price: 1990 Euros / adult and 1190 Euros / child under 12.

Option: One more night in Kemi and unique Sampo ice breaker cruise +700 Euros / adult and 500 / child under 12.

One of the greatest experience is waiting for us! The mighty Icebreaker Sampo operates on the northern Gulf of Bothnia out of Kemi in Finnish Lapland. After serving for 30 years in demanding Arctic waters the vessel has been given a new, more fascinating task – to give unforgettable experiences for eager winter adventurers! Capacity on board is 150 persons. Departure from Ajos,the deep port of the town Kemi. Ajos is situated 11 km south from the city center. Boarding time half an hour before the departure. Once on board the Icebreaker, you will have a presentation of the ship and a guided tour will take you to the massive engine room and the bridge. A delicious meal is served in the ship’s cozy Sampo Arctic Restaurant. Before returning to the port, the ship will make a one hour stop to enable you to take a swim in the sea, comfortably dressed in a warm survival suit! At the end of this unique cruise experience, the ship’s Captain presents each client with a certificate.

INCLUDING

4 nights’ accommodations in Hotel Scandic Kemi or similar including daily buffet breakfast and dinners, use of hotel sauna daily. Full board from dinner on December 30th until breakfast on January 3rd: breakfast is a traditional Finnish buffet, lunches and dinners are either 3-course buffet meals or served meals also including coffee or tea, round trip transfers Kemi Airport or Railway Station – hotel – return, full-day coach excursion to the Arctic Circle, reindeer farm, Santa Claus and New Year celebration dinner on December 31 and New Year entertainment: Fireworks, Northern Lights spotting and shamanism. Trip to the husky farm with husky safari on January 1st and snowmobile safari & snowshoe trip for ice fishing on January 2nd. Thermal outfit at clients’ disposal during the entire stay (overalls, boots and socks, balaclava and mittens), guiding in English during the excursions and activities and service fees. Hotel Scandic Kemi superior rooms.

Booking terms and conditions on our web pages!