Special 8 Days in Ruka

Traveling to Finnish Lapland is probably the closest thing to discovering a true winter paradise, where you can find 56,789 inhabitants, 234,567 reindeer, 749 hills, possibly 6 or 9 elves and of course... 1 Santa Claus. Welcome to the country of Magic! Santa Claus in Lapland® offers you a wonderful trip to Lapland, a sensational experience that will awaken all your senses. Travel to Lapland, a magical destination where you can meet Santa Claus in person, stay in fantastic wooden cabins and enjoy incredible excursions.

Day 1. Spain / Kuusamo / Ruka

Arrive at the airport with enough time to check in for your flight. Lunch will be served on your flight. Once you arrive to Kuusamo, you will meet your guide and will set off by bus to Ruka (approx. 30 min).  Upon arrival at the accommodation you will collect the thermal clothing that you can use during the entire stay in Lapland. Once you have settled in, head over to a delicious dinner in the hotel restaurant. 

Day 2. Ruka. Ice fishing and Snowshoeing

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. You will start your adventure in Lapland with a fishing trip on a frozen lake. The experience begins once you arrive at the frozen lake, where a fisherman will teach you how to ice fish. Each participant will have time to try their luck at this activity. You will begin by making your own hole in the ice and you will be given a fishing rod to try and catch the fish below. In this lake you can find perch, pike and lake herring. After, you will carry out a fun activity, which both adults and children will enjoy; a snowshoe adventure through the snowy Lappish forest. Light lunch during the excursion.

Spend the afternoon at your leisure. You can take advantage of the nearby ski resort or do an optional activity. Dinner at the hotel restaurant

Optional excursion: Go-karting and Mini Snowmobiles

You will be transferred to the go-karting center, where you will enjoy an exciting new experience. Drive special made go-karts meant to move on snow or ice. In groups of 5 or 6 people, everyone will have a chance to drive their own kart. This fun and easy activity can be enjoyed by everyone. The minimum height requirement is 5 ft, the height at which the driver can reach the accelerator and brake pedals. Children who cannot drive the karts will be able to drive the mini-snowmobiles (ages 4 to 11 years old). Important: a minimum of 10 participants is required to carry out this excursion. 

Day 3. Ruka. Arctic Animal Safari: Huskies and Reindeer

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Be prepared to spend another amazing day in nature. You will begin today's adventure by heading to a husky farm. Our furry friends are anxiously waiting for you to arrive. After the dogs are placed in their harnesses and separated into different teams (4-6 dogs per sled), you will start your sled ride. The guide will teach you how to handle and drive the sled. These well-trained huskies can pull up to seven times their weight. Experience the wind on your face as the huskies go racing through the beautiful Lappish white landscapes. There will be a light lunch during the excursion. 

Then transfer to a reindeer farm where their Lappish herders will tell you about their way of life. You will take a sleigh ride and learn about the life of reindeer and their herders. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. You can take advantage of the nearby ski resort. In just a couple of hours you can enjoy the slopes as many times as you like, since there are usually no lines at the lifts. Ruka usually has its slopes open from October, to almost the end of May and the majority of them are illuminated. The little ones will find fun skiing at the Rosa & Rudolf Family Park playground located in Ruka Valley which can be accessed by a scenic gondola from the town of Ruka. Dinner at hotel's restaurant. 

Day 4. Ruka. Snowmobile Safari and Meeting with Santa Claus

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Today you are heading over to one of the most spectacular excursions of the trip, a snowmobile safari. To do this, you will be provided with helmets and gloves as well as instructions from the guides. The adults will drive the snowmobile (2 per snowmobile) and the children will be in a sled that is being pulled by the guide's snowmobile. Enjoy the amazing views that Lapland has to offer as you travel through the snowy forest and pass by frozen rivers. There will be a light lunch during the excursion.

In the afternoon, the moment that all the children have been waiting for is next. You will move to the village of Vuotunki where Santa Claus' house is located, next to a large frozen lake. When the snow falls on the slopes of the lake, large natural slides are formed, in which the young ones, and the not so young ones, can enjoy going down with the sleds that are provided. When the time comes, an elf will lead you through Santa’s house to a room where Santa Claus is waiting to meet you. He will receive you privately, family by family, and you will be able to spend a few very special moments with him. Take as many photographs and videos as you want. Mrs. Claus is an expert baker and today she will show us her famous recipe for Christmas cookies, which once made, you can bake in the house's large wood-burning oven. At the end of your visit, every child will receive their first gift of the season from Santa Claus himself. With the wonderful memory of this visit you will say goodbye to the Claus family and return to your accommodation. Dinner at hotel's restaurant.

Day 5. Ruka. Snowshoes in Oulanka National Park

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Today you will enjoy an unforgettable experience. You will take an excursion to the nearby Oulanka National Park, which is known for its impressive landscapes and waterfalls. The guide will tell you stories about the plants and animals of the area and visit the beautiful rapids of Myllykoski. You will then enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to a bonfire. You will also carry out one of the activities that both adults and children will enjoy. You will walk with snowshoes through the snowy landscape of the National Park. Return to your accommodation. In the afternoon you will have free time to take advantage of the ski resort. You can also learn to glide down the snowy roads of Lapland just as the locals have been doing for years with cross-country skis. Cross-country skiing is quite a common practice in all the Nordic countries. It is very simple and in a short time, with the advice of the instructors, you will be able to learn to slide through the beautiful snowy landscapes. Or if you prefer, in the nearby village, close to your accommodation, you can go shopping or enjoy a hot drink in one of the bars. Dinner at hotel's restaurant. 

Day 6. Ruka. Skiing in Ruka

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. At this ski resort there are 30 slopes, all of which are accessed by the chairlift or ski lift. Six of which are modern construction chairlifts, with a capacity of 6 passengers, detachable and with a bubble to protect us from the wind and cold. The snow on the slopes is like powder, some of the best you will ever see. The temperatures are usually low, which causes the snow to be better preserved. During the wintertime, Ruka experiences polar nights or like the Finns call it ‘kaamos’. Because of this, the slopes have the necessary lighting throughout the day and are open from 9am to 7 pm. It is quite the experience to ski under artificial light! Free for lunch. The resort is divided into several parts, and all of which are well equipped with restaurants and picnic areas. If you go with children, you can visit the Rosa & Rudolf Adventure Route. This is a small slope to enjoy with the little ones (and not so little ones), designed especially for kids. The will also be able to see Rosa & Rudolf, the station's mascots. In different areas you can find campfires already lit that invite you to take a break on the way to catch your breath and warm up. The Finns are very fond of Freestyle, proof of this is the recently built Superpipe, 130 meters long and at the top of the station. At the base of the station we have the necessary services so that the day is complete, bars, restaurants, shops, information office. Dinner at hotel's restaurant. 
 

Day 7. Ruka. Free day with the Possibility of Choosing Activities

Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

• Optional excursion: cross-country skiing. We propose that you learn to glide down the snowy roads of Lapland as the locals have been doing for a long time, with cross-country skis. Cross-country skiing is a very common practice in all the Nordic countries. It is very simple and in a short time, with the advice of the instructors, you will be able to learn to slide through the beautiful snowy landscapes. *A minimum of 10 people is required to carry out the excursion. Adult price: 90 EUR // Child price: 60 EUR
• Optional excursion: Ruka skiing, 2nd day. If you like to ski and you think that one day is not enough for you, we recommend you book this option to be able to ski for two days in Lapland. Undoubtedly a unique experience to be able to enjoy soft and virgin snow in every corner. *Reservation is required. Adult price: 80 EUR // Child price: 40 EUR
• Optional excursion: in search of Northern Lights on snowshoes. As night falls you will head to Pyhävaara hill and hike until you get a clearer view of the northern sky. The guide will share stories about the Northern Lights and the nature of the north. Hot drinks will be served while you sit on reindeer skins watching the sky. The walk is a total of 6 km on demanding terrain, which requires basic fitness. *A minimum of 10 people is required to carry out the excursion. Adult price: 90 EUR // Child price: 60 EUR

Free for lunch. Dinner at hotel's restaurant.
 

Day 8. Ruka / Kuusamo / Spain

Breakfast buffet. Free time until the indicated time for the transfer. You can make your last purchases in the Village or perhaps enjoy a moment of relaxation before returning. You cannot leave Lapland without enjoying a relaxing sauna. Saunas are extremely popular in Finland and is something the Finns have been doing for thousands of years. Although the Finns did not invent it, they are the country with the highest number of saunas per inhabitant; there is almost 1 sauna for every 2 inhabitants in the country. Depart for Kuusamo airport. Check-in procedures and direct flight departure to Spain. Snack on board included. Arrival and end of our adventure in Lapland.

Scandic Rukahovi

The Scandic Rukahovi is a traditional and elegant mountain hotel in Ruka, with all the comforts. The hotel has restaurants, a bar, a terrace with spectacular views, a nightclub and a sauna to enjoy moments of relaxation. All accommodations have free Wi-Fi.

• Superior Room: comfortable and spacious room, 30m², offers all the comforts. All of them have a balcony or terrace.
• Superior room with sauna: 45m² room with a double bed and extra beds. It has views of the ski slopes and its own sauna.
• Apartments (for 5 or 6 people): cozy and spacious apartments in a semi-detached house, located approximately 350/400 meters from the main building. They have two bedrooms, kitchen and sauna.