Christmas in Rukan Salonki

Descubre la Navidad como nunca antes la has vivido… en el corazón helado de Laponia Imagina una aldea nevada rodeada de bosques eternamente blancos, donde los renos cruzan senderos mágicos y las auroras bailan en el cielo. Así es Ruka Village, uno de los destinos más impresionantes de Finlandia, justo al borde del Círculo Polar Ártico. Una experiencia única pensada para familias y viajeros que sueñan con vivir una Navidad auténtica, emocionante e inolvidable. Aquí no solo visitarás a Santa Claus en su hogar secreto… conducirás tu propia moto de nieve por paisajes helados, te deslizarás en trineos tirados por huskies, pasearás entre renos y pescarás sobre un lago congelado. Y por las noches, la calidez de una cabaña, el encanto de una sauna tradicional y, tal vez, el regalo más especial: presenciar una aurora boreal.Vive la magia del invierno, vive #SantaClausInLapland: expertos en viajes a Laponia. Porque la Navidad merece vivirse así… de verdad.

Day 1: The Journey Begins – Welcome to the Arctic Wonderland

Your adventure to the heart of Lapland begins at the airport in Barcelona, where our Catai team will greet you and assist with the check-in process for your special direct flight to Kuusamo. Enjoy a light onboard snack as you fly over the white-capped landscapes of Northern Europe. Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to Rukan Salonki, just 20 minutes away. Nestled in a serene winter paradise, this cozy complex is where your Arctic dreams will come true. Thermal suits, prepared for each guest, will be waiting in your accommodation, ready to keep you warm throughout your stay. Settle in and enjoy a hearty buffet dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. The magic has only just begun.

Day 2: Arctic Friends – Huskies and Reindeer Adventure After breakfast, your real Lapland adventure kicks off with a visit to a husky farm. Upon arrival, the excited barking of the dogs welcomes you. In this peaceful natural setting, you’ll receive driving and safety instructions before beginning your thrilling sled ride—two per sled, switching roles between musher and passenger. The snowy forest will soon calm the adrenaline and reveal its breathtaking beauty. After your ride, warm up with a hot drink inside a traditional kota tent.

Next, journey through frozen forests and over icy lakes to a reindeer farm. These gentle creatures, deeply rooted in Sámi culture, will take you on a peaceful sleigh ride while the herders share stories about one of Lapland’s oldest traditions. After returning to Rukan Salonki, the fun continues! Try the lighted toboggan slope, the spinning Finnish carousel on the frozen lake, or the traditional kick-sledges. Tonight, celebrate Christmas Eve with a special dinner at Kultala restaurant. A truly magical night in the Arctic.

Day 3: Snowmobile Safari – Speed and Snow Under the Northern Sky

Fuel up with breakfast, then gear up in your thermal suit for one of the trip’s most exciting experiences—a snowmobile safari! After a safety briefing, adults will ride in pairs on snowmobiles (switching drivers), while children ride safely in a sled towed by the guide. This exhilarating ride through snowy trails offers unforgettable landscapes and moments. A light lunch will be served during the excursion. Afterwards, unwind with a relaxing sauna or explore Ruka’s ski resort, just 15 minutes away. With slopes lit into the evening and beginner-friendly terrain, it's a great place to enjoy Finland’s skiing culture—open from October to May! Your guide can help arrange lift passes and equipment rental by the hour. End your day with a buffet dinner at Kultala.

Day 4: Ice and Fire – Ice Fishing, Snowshoes & Lappish Lunch Start your day with breakfast before heading out for an experience loved by all ages: snowshoeing to the best ice fishing spots on Lake Veskajärvi. Your fishing guide awaits in a rustic laavu (shelter) by the lake. After a short lesson on the traditional tools—the small rod, bait, and ice drill (kaira)—it’s your turn to find a lucky spot and try your hand at catching perch or pike, native to the area. Warm up with a hot drink around the fire, then enjoy a light lunch in a traditional Sámi kota tent—teepee-style shelters used for centuries by Lapland’s indigenous people. Return to the hotel for some rest before dinner. The evening ends with another delicious buffet at Kultala.

Day 5: The Magic of Santa – A Visit to His Hidden Home

Today is the day children have been waiting for! After breakfast, set off to a secret location near Ruka—Santa’s special hideaway. In this picturesque winter village of cozy cottages, children can enjoy the sledding slopes while awaiting their turn to meet Santa himself. Inside his warm and welcoming home, Santa and Mrs. Claus await to share stories, decorate cookies, and spread Christmas joy. Every family gets personal time with Santa for photos and conversation, and each child under 11 receives a special gift straight from his hands. With hearts full of wonder, return to Rukan Salonki for a light lunch and a relaxing afternoon. Don’t miss out on more snow play before your buffet dinner at Kultala.

Day 6: Farewell Lapland – One Last Sauna Before Home

Enjoy your final breakfast buffet before taking some free time to soak up your last moments in Lapland. No trip to Finland is complete without a traditional sauna session—a sacred ritual in Finnish culture, with nearly one sauna for every two people in the country! Relax, reflect, and let the warmth embrace you one last time. Then, it’s time for your transfer to Kuusamo airport. After check-in, board your direct flight to Barcelona with a snack onboard. As the snowy forests disappear beneath the clouds, carry home the joy of an unforgettable Arctic Christmas adventure with #SantaClausInLapland.

Un viaje a Laponia que no se olvida... se queda en el corazón. Este recorrido navideño por Ruka no es solo una escapada: es una experiencia pensada para conectar a las familias con la magia, la naturaleza y entre sí. Cada actividad —desde los trineos con huskies hasta el encuentro con Santa Claus— ha sido diseñada para despertar emociones, crear recuerdos imborrables y vivir momentos auténticos lejos del ruido del mundo.  Con alojamiento exclusivo en plena naturaleza, aventuras seguras para todas las edades, paisajes de postal y tradiciones centenarias como la sauna finlandesa o la pesca en hielo, este viaje reúne lo mejor de Laponia para las familias españolas que buscan algo más que unas vacaciones: buscan compartir una Navidad real, inolvidable y profundamente especial. Vivid la emoción del invierno, cread recuerdos eternos, y dejad que la magia del norte os acompañe para siempre.  #SantaClausInLapland — Expertos en viajes a Laponia para familias

Sleep beneath snowy forests and wake up inside a fairytale — welcome to Rukan Salonki In the heart of white-blanketed Lapland, where the silence is only broken by the crunch of snow under your boots and the sky often bursts into auroras, lies one of Finland’s best-kept winter secrets: Rukan Salonki. This exclusive retreat, surrounded by pristine Arctic wilderness and just 20 minutes from Kuusamo Airport, is much more than a place to stay — it’s an experience in itself. A collection of cozy wooden chalets, designed in true Finnish style, offering the perfect balance of modern comfort and Lapland authenticity. Think crackling fireplaces, private saunas, and panoramic views of snowy forests… every detail is crafted so that families and travelers can feel the warmth and wonder of the Arctic, even in the heart of winter.

From here, every adventure begins: snowmobile safaris, husky rides, reindeer sleighs, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and even private visits to Santa Claus himself. And when the day ends, nothing compares to relaxing in your sauna or sharing a delicious Nordic dinner at Kultala Restaurant, where local flavors come to life in a charming and inviting atmosphere. Rukan Salonki isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s where Christmas dreams take shape. Where children build lifelong memories. Where adults reconnect with the joy of a true winter holiday. And where luxury is not measured by what you have, but by what you feel. Come live the real magic of Lapland. As a family. In peace. At Rukan Salonki. #SantaClausInLapland — The Lapland travel experts for families