Finland’s Secret Island

Fly into and out of Rovaniemi Airport (RVN).

Before 5pm ideally. You’ll be able to check in at the hotel from 3pm. The welcome meeting and dinner will be from 7pm onwards at the hotel, which is located approximately 20 minutes from Rovaniemi airport.

Check-out time is before 12 pm but you can leave any time that suits you.

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.

Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.

Departure transfers are also included in the cost of this trip.

You do not normally need a visa if you’re visiting as a tourist from the EU, UK, USA, Australia or Canada.

Please check with your local consulate/embassy if the country you are travelling from requires a visa or visit the Finland government website: https://um.fi/visa-requirement-and-travel-documents-accepted-by-finland.

From 2024, ETIAS travel authorization will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to European countries https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/what-etias_en.

We recommend that you have at least six months validity remaining on your passport and can show a return ticket.

Due to the changeable nature of Covid-19 entry requirements, we strongly advise Flashpackers to consult the travel advice issued by your local consular services well in advance of your departure date. Some countries do still require travelers to comply with pre-arrival testing and/or vaccination requirements. Links to the key consular services can be found on our Safety page.

The Northern Lights are best viewed on clear nights between late August and early April.

Please be aware that the Northern Lights are weather-dependent and not guaranteed to appear on every trip.

This trip is nearly fully inclusive so you won’t need much. Activity guide tips are included in the cost – but you’ll need to allow for any drinks at the hotel. As a guide, a beer costs 6.5 Euros and a bottle of wine is from 42 Euros upwards.

On Day 2, we will kit you out with cold weather kit including a thermal snowsuit, boots and gloves, to keep you warm during outdoor activities.

However, it’s best to bring your own winter clothing too as it will be very cold when you exit the airport terminal.

Make sure you have good boots, thick socks and gloves/mittens, as well as a winter hat, scarf/buff and insulated wind-resistant winter jacket and pants.  You’ll also want a long-sleeved thermal base layers and a fleece.

This adventure is fast-paced and it will challenge you during the ski trek especially. However, no specific level of fitness is required, we just want to ensure you are happy partaking in the activities like snowmobiling across the Arctic. The trek itself will vary between 2-5 kilometers depending on the weather and the fitness of the group. We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.

Food allergies and special diets can of course be catered for on this trip, for example, if you are a vegan you will receive a vegan version of the same menu. However extreme allergies like an extreme nut allergy cannot be catered for on this adventure, as all food is prepared in the same kitchen. Please bear this in mind when booking, and reach out to us if you think you will be affected.

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to test new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting. We’ll always try to let you know in advance.

You need to have a driver’s license from your home country in order to drive a snowmobile. Otherwise, you can still take part but you’ll need to ride a pillion.

Before going on the snowmobiling safari, you will be asked to sign a liability form to confirm you consider yourself to be able to take part in the activity. Snowmobiles are expensive machines and the form also explains that in the unlikely event you damage a snowmobile, you will be required to pay for repairs up to a value of 900€ (euros). An insurance policy at a cost of 15€ is available to purchase locally which will decrease your liability for any damage to 150€. Your activity guide will talk you through everything before the safari to ensure you are comfortable, but if you would like to see a copy of the liability form prior to travel, please do feel free to get in touch with us.

To keep you warm in the frosty Finnish winter, you’ll be provided with a thermal overcoat, boots and gloves. However, please prepare for extreme weather and bring your own warm and waterproof clothes for day-to-day wear. Temperatures can reach -4F in this region.

What you pack is personal to you and our list is certainly not exhaustive. If you have any questions about what to pack for your trip to Finland, please get in touch with one of our friendly Trip Experts.

Baggage

• A large backpack or suitcase – it’s up to you whether you bring a backpack or a suitcase.

• A day bag – this needs to be around 20-25 liters to fit your daily essentials in, such as water and your camera.

Clothing

• Activewear – breathable and light materials are best as a base layer for most activities. Hiking tops are best as they have wicking properties that remove sweat, keeping you dry and warm.

• Outdoor pants that are warm and waterproof

• You will need a warm and waterproof jacket for general wear in Finland

• Fleeces/jumpers/a jacket – substantial, warm layers will be required

• Thermal vests/base layers – if the weather gets cold, you may want to wear a thermal vest during the day and at night

• Scarf/hat/gloves

• Swimwear – you will have the chance to cold-water-swim and use the sauna

• What you wear in the evenings is up to you, but you may want some nicer clothes for the evenings

Shoes

• Waterproof shoes and socks – you’ll be provided with snow boots during outdoor activities, but warm and waterproof shoes will be useful for everyday wear in Finland

Accessories/Personal

• Driving licence for snowmobile driving

• Electricals and chargers, such as your phone, camera, chargers, etc

• Plug socket adaptors – the standard plug socket in Finland is type C which has 2 round prongs. This is the same as most of Europe.

• Refillable water bottle – refilling a bottle instead of buying single-use bottles will help to reduce our plastic footprint

• Eye mask and earplugs – if you’re a light sleeper, you may feel more comfortable bringing an eye mask and earplugs

• Any personal medication you require

• Personal toiletries, including a toothbrush, deodorant, razors, hairbrush, etc

• Shampoo and conditioner

• Painkillers

• Anti-bacterial gel

• Lip balm with SPF

• Moisturiser

• High SPF factor sun cream – this will help to protect your skin from the cold