Private Europe Tour (FIN003) Lapland & Grand Finland In-Depth (8 Days 7 Nights)

1 Oulu (Finland) - City Tour - Reindeer Farm

We will welcome you at Oulu Airport (OULU), Finland. Located on the coast of the BAY OF BOTHNIA near the Arctic Circle, it is the oldest city in northern Finland. With a population of approximately 1.3 hundred thousand (130,000) people, the sixth largest in the country, it serves as a regional administrative and commercial center and is well known as a technology hub. It is also famous for skiing, surrounded by beautiful nature, and is a colorful city that frequently hosts lively festivals.

We will take you on a reindeer sleigh ride (REINDEER-SLEDDING)—Santa Claus's iconic ride—across the snowy fields. You can feed and get close to these adorable reindeer until it is time to depart.

Afterward, we will take you on a tour of Oulu. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the pedestrian street and take photos with the cute, chubby police statue known as “TORIPOLLIISI,” a must-see highlight of the city.

Check in to your hotel in Oulu.

2 Oulu - Kuusamo - A New Way to Experience Nature with River Floating

Travel to Kuusamo (220 km), the largest tourist destination in this northeastern region of Finland, located 800 km from Helsinki. Welcoming nearly two million visitors each year, it is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, surrounded by lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and valleys.

As part of the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Kuusamo spans a total area of 5,805 square kilometers, with approximately 799 square kilometers of water bodies; its largest lake boasts a shoreline extending up to 2,700 km. It is a town of unique natural beauty. When winter arrives, everything turns pure white like a fairytale kingdom. The average temperature is around 0°C, and it experiences Europe's longest winter, lasting up to 200 days a year. Arrive in Kuusamo.

Join a winter river floating activity on waters that are beginning to freeze over. Wearing thermal insulation rescue suits, life vests, and safety helmets to protect against wind, snow, and cold, gently float along the slow-moving icy river while admiring the surrounding nature.

(This special protective suit is completely waterproof and acts as a flotation device, keeping you safely afloat in the icy water without feeling the cold at all.)

Check in to your hotel in Kuusamo.

3 Kuusamo - Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village - Husky Farm

Travel to Rovaniemi (190 km), the capital of Lapland and a magical land along the Arctic Circle (the boundary line between the temperate and north frigid zones). Arrive in Rovaniemi.

Visit Santa Claus Village, situated right on the Arctic Circle. The village features an official post office for sending gifts to loved ones, souvenir shops for shopping, and the opportunity to take memorable photos with kind Santa Claus himself.

Take photos at the Arctic Circle line marking the northern polar boundary at 66 degrees 32 minutes 44 seconds North, designating the latitude where, for at least 24 hours a year, the sun does not rise in winter or set in summer. Afterwards, proceed to your next stop.

Travel to a husky farm. Huskies have a history spanning over 3,000 years, bred to pull sleds carrying cargo or transport people across snow and ice. They are considered purebred sled dogs with top pulling efficiency thanks to their lightweight build, agility, speed, strength, and remarkable endurance against freezing cold and winter hardships. Their unmatched stamina enables them to pull sleds at sustained speeds in sub-zero temperatures. Dog sledding is also a popular sport, led by a musher directing the sled in races and expeditions across polar regions. Enjoy an unforgettable dog sledding experience.

Check in to your hotel in Rovaniemi.

4 Rovaniemi - Levi - Ski Resort - Skiing

Travel to Levi (170 km), a renowned ski resort town full of charm, welcoming smiles, and pristine nature.

Take a leisurely stroll through Levi to soak in the enchanting atmosphere of this delightful ski town.

If you would like to try basic skiing (Skiing) or are already an experienced skier, you are warmly invited to enjoy it to the fullest. Skiing is not as difficult as you might think. With guidance from an instructor who will teach you basic skiing skills, you can easily follow along in less than 1 hour. Once you have learned the skills,

you can test your abilities and feel firsthand how fun skiing can be, understanding why it is such a beloved activity for people of all ages.

Check in to your hotel in ROVANIEMI.

5 Levi - Ivalo - Snowmobiling - Aurora Village

Travel to Ivalo (IVALO) (220 kilometers) to take you to the Aurora Village (AURORA VILLAGE), located above the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland. Nestled amidst the crisp winter chill that blankets the entire area, you can take in the stunning views of snow-covered forests and mountains that will leave an unforgettable impression. This glass village features accommodations built with special heated glass that keeps the room comfortably warm at all times, complete with a private en-suite bathroom and shower. Arrive in Ivalo.

Check in to your hotel at AURORA VILLAGE, a new glass igloo-style hotel officially opened in December 2016 for travelers captivated by the charm of the northern lights (room upgrade fee required).

Snowmobiling (SNOWMOBILE) is the most agile way to travel across snow and ice. You will receive guidance on safe, correct, and fun riding from expert staff familiar with the snowmobile safari routes.

If desired, we will take you riding snowmobiles (SNOWMOBILE) winding across the vast snowfields until the appropriate time.

Check in to your hotel in AURORA.

6 Ivalo - Helsinki - City Tour - Shopping

Transfer to the airport to depart for Helsinki by flight. Upon arrival at Helsinki Airport, we will meet and pick you up at Helsinki Airport.

Take a tour of Helsinki, Finland's capital, known for its unique character. You will be impressed by the Russian-style architecture at Senate Square, which served as a filming location for the Oscar-winning movie “Reds,” using Helsinki's grand backdrops to stand in for Leningrad in the Soviet Union.

Take photos with Helsinki Cathedral (HELSINKI CATHEDRAL), formerly known as St. Nicholas Church. This stunning, pure white cathedral stands majestically as a prime landmark of Helsinki, drawing many visitors to take photos, and is a wonderfully classic example of European architecture.

In the afternoon, visit TEMPPELIAUKIO CHURCH or ROCK CHURCH, a church with architecture unlike anywhere else. Originally a rocky hill, the designers used an intriguing construction method by blasting out the rock hill in the center to build the church inside. Known as the Church of Love, it is believed that anyone who lights a candle and prays for love here will have their wish granted. Finns believe this because the church began construction on February 14, 2511 (1968) and was completed on February 14 of the following year, which is why young couples in Helsinki love choosing this church for their weddings. It is also one of “HELSINKI’S MOST POPULAT TOURIST ATTRACTIONS.”

Visit the park where the Jean Sibelius Monument (SIBELIUS MONUMENT) is located, honoring the nation's key figure and composer of patriotic music.

Afterward, enjoy free time shopping along Esplanadi, a must-visit pedestrian street for shoppers in the heart of the city featuring local goods and Stockmann, the largest department store in Scandinavia.

Check in to your hotel in Helsinki.

7 Helsinki - Suomenlinna Island

If desired, take a ferry to explore Suomenlinna Island. Visit the Fortress of Suomenlinna, a World Heritage Site and the world's largest sea fortress. Enjoy walking around the island with great photo spots everywhere.

Locals love to picnic and relax here in the pleasant, shady atmosphere, and there are museums open for visits. After taking photos to your heart's content, return to stay overnight in Helsinki before returning to Bangkok.

Check in to your hotel in Helsinki for night 2.

8 Helsinki

Enjoy a full day of private touring in Helsinki. Helsinki is a vibrant city set between Western and Eastern cultures, reflected throughout Finland's capital.

We will take you around the harbor, Senate Square with its Lutheran Cathedral, up along Mannerheim Street, the Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Monument, and visit the famous Church-in-the-Rock.

Visit Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, an oasis of nature and history, followed by free time for shopping at your leisure.

Then transfer to the airport according to the scheduled appointment.