17 independent reviews for Lapland holiday, husky safari & log cottage
Reviews for Lapland holiday, husky safari & log cottage
Joseph Lin review 12 Mar 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Just in time to see the Northen Lights on the first night due to flight schedule change. All other arrangement and activities were great.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
All activities planned were very enjoyable. Just keep yourself warm by wearing layered clothes as advised. Outdoor activities such as husky driving and snowmobiling can be a bit tiring under cold weather. The only tip is not to have a morning outdoor activity following a late night activity such as Aurora Camp the night before. It is a bit tiring with less sleep.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Bringing economic value should be beneficial to local. I am also happy to see that due to the ”warm” weather of -2 degree C, husky ride was reduced in time for both duration and difficulty in order to allow more rest to the huskies that need very cold temperature during their hard work. Owner was very responsible.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Nearly perfect experience. Well organized, planned and all activities were punctual, except for the final day airport bus was late that might be caused by other late customers in earlier hotels.caroline michell review 7 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Husky sledging2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you have warm clothing! Keep looking out for the lights but accept you may not see them3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We had a good guide for three of our activities and a local Sami snowmobile driver. However we also noted a lot of non Finnish staff in the accommodation.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really good. Itinerary well thought out. Good value when you compare to other options and more authentic. Husky experience was superb - go for the longer session if possible.Isabel Ireland review 17 Jan 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The magical location - we wouldn’t have found it without Riitta. The location, experiences and staff at the hotel were amazing.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We were lucky enough to see the northern lights but be warned; they are far more visible in photos than to the naked eye. Don’t skip the husky safari! We had a great time on all of the activities and this was definitely a highlight.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The staff at the hotel where we stayed (Tankavaara) were so helpful with all of our questions. Whilst on holiday we felt that we were supporting rather than being a detriment.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Riitta Kiukas couldn’t have done a better job creating our dream holiday and we will always be very thankful.Lodewikus Hanekom review 13 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The 3 day dog sledding2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get the "guide " to be more tourist and user friendly. They hardly did much to allow time for photos and to stop and relax between runs. Obviously they will argue it was very cold. However we ended up with a trip and very few photos of us and the dogs and our teams efforts. We now have few memories to look back on except what we can remember! Yes more accent on the tourist and the memories to be retained> Even a portfolio after a 3 day trek prepared by them as an album could be a valuable and nice add on for the money we spent?! Same goes for the outrun we did on Rheindeer sledges.!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All of the above, without Tourism there is very little other activities as far as we could gather. They can gain and they can do more for the tourist experience.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
8.5 out of 10, There is always options for improvement. We enjoyed it and achieved our Bucket list goals!Stefania Ricciardi review 3 Dec 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The husky safari2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Ask hotel receptionist if sauna is included. In my case it was included with the aurora bubble night (and only that night) but I was not informed.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly it benefited economically local people4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
ExcellentOliver Tilling review 17 Dec 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Husky Safari2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go for it. We fitted a lot in which was tiring but worth it3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We flew to Finland - that’s never going to reduce environmental impacts. However, tourism is hugely important to the area we visited so we were supporting local people and businesses that way. We also visited the local Sami people to gain an understanding of the indigenous people and their culture. This was very enjoyable and will have benefitted local people further.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was an amazing experience for my son and I. We would rate this holiday very highly, and it has created some long-lasting memories for us both.Erin Murphy review 9 Mar 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The entire trip was amazing, from the accommodations, the friendly staff, the beautiful scenery, and activities including snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and a reindeer safari. The most memorable part of our trip was without a doubt the 3 day husky safari. We travelled a total of 160 km via a 6 team husky sled over the course of 3 days. We stayed on a small island in a log cabin on a frozen lake. The views were breathtaking. The meals over an open fire were delicious and the whole experience was magical. I debated whether to do the 2 or 3 night husky trip but am so happy we chose the extra night. HIGHLY Recommend !!!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you listen to the operator and pack appropriate base layers. For most activities you are provided an outer snow suit which keeps you warm. Cross country skiing is hard! We planned to do it two days but changed the second day to a reindeer safari because we were too tired to do it again.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The operator booked us all local hotels and accommodations so I believe we supported small business. Not only that but the small privately owned locations have each destination a personal touch.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazing!!! I don’t know too many Americans who travel to Finland, especially in the winter. But I can’t recommend this trip and the operator enough.Helen Tolley review 8 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most exciting was the overnight Husky Dog safari into the Wilderness, an experience not to be missed! The most memorable was seeing the Northern lights and Snow-shoeing in the forests around lake Inari, spotting Siberian Jays and Tits and Snow grouse trails , climbing up through the forest to wonderful views of the vast frozen lake & rolling hills surrounding!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you get in touch with Riitta you will get a tailor made holiday that will be memorable, so decide what you want to do - I read a lot of reviews and travel guides and knew exactly what we wanted and Riitta made it happen! If you decide to move around like we did, pack light with plenty of warm thin layers, hat and gloves...even at the most luxurious lodges there was no need to dress up as there are night time activities - snowmobiles/walking etc to spot the aurora or simply gaze at the beautiful night time sky - really not enough hours in the day or night to fit it all in!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes definitely, tourism is one of the main sources of income, care & knowledge of nature and recycling of products is very evident.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a fabulous holiday, Riita choose some lovely hotels for us, all super well equipped and extremely warm and comfortable... they also made a big effort to produce some really good vegetarian food. The activities were very well organised and the equipment, overalls and boots were all super to use and wear. Flying up to the Arctic circle added another layer of adventure! Riita also organised an Art session for us with a Sami artist and a trip to the Siida museum which was fab and added to our understanding of the country, as did our first day in Helsinki where we were able to see and learn about the history of the country and the Russian influence and connection through the many museums, architecture and layout of the city -particularly around Senate square etc. Definitely recommended!!Srikanth Murthi review 15 Apr 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The husky safari was amazing2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Plan well ahead, and make sure you pack enough warm clothes.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Truly memorable with a lifetime full of memories.Mark Harris review 15 Apr 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the snow and ice activities - husky sledding, ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile driving - were great. So different from what you can do in London! Would have been even better if the Northern lights had appeared while we were there but that's not under anyone's control.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do husky sledding for at least two days with an overnight stay in the wilderness so you get to look after the dogs in the evening.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
For most of the activities it's difficult to believe they could have any material negative impact on the environment.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good. The organisation was excellent and I would highly recommend arranging your trip through Riitta.Michelle Adonis review 11 Jan 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The husky tour, the tipi warm up snack times & quite simply, the amount of snow everywhere!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't be scared of the cold! If you wear layers it's surprising how easy it is to be out in -19 degrees.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
People yes, as it clearly creates job opportunities and income for all ages and skills. Unfortunately, I don't believe tourism can do either of the latter - by it's nature, additional housing, running water, amenities of all kinds are required, which draws on resources, space and land that otherwise could be left for nature.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
9/10Marian Martinez review 7 Jan 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The husky safari2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The log cabin was not suitable for 11 people although the place was very nice. The way it was chosen could be improved.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not too much4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was really good, but we felt that the Provider could had given us more transparent information before we travelled. One of the things that could improve the service is a detailed list of prices for each activity. Instead of that, we had a overall price with no enough details.Geraldine Lee review 10 Dec 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Without a doubt, the husky safari. The Finnish hospitality and at Wilderness Hotel Muotka was as well.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Finland's nature is breathtaking, look for accommodation that are surrounded by the incredible beautiful wilderness instead of the commercialized hotels filled with tour groups. I strongly recommend Wilderness Hotel Muotka in Ivalo.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Supporting tourism in the less commercialized areas of Finland, learning about the Sami way of life, ice fishing with the locals, husky sledding.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Five stars, without a doubt.Lucy Perry review 16 Mar 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Husky trek in Ivalo and staying in the glass igloo were highlights for us.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We would have skipped the Ice Breaker and spent another night in an Igloo. Otherwise this trip was GREAT!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was a fantastic trip - action packed with so many wonderful experiences. All the details were handled so well.Read the operator's response here:
Point 3) All the service providers used were local entrepreneurs. Public bus and train were used for transportation whenever possible.
Louise Robertson review 2 Jan 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all good. We particularly enjoyed the snowshoeing in the evening.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take a lot of socks.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It benefited local people as the activities in Pyha were organized by local businesses.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Super.Jerry Teo review 29 Dec 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The husky ride in Inari is simply fantastic!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Keep your safaris to inari, snowmobiling, reindeer ride, snowshoeing if you really want a taste of real Finnish outdoor adventures.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There is minimal wastage and we get to experience nature with the locals who love their country.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Well planned, tailored made and little details were well looked into.Lara Pletcher review 23 Feb 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all brilliant, but I would say the most memorable bit was the husky safari, it was so peaceful once the dogs got started. The rest of the trip was amazing too from the hotel Vuokkati, to cross country skiing, ice skating, visiting the spa at Katinkulta and Angry Birds park and going out on cross country ski trails and tobagonning from the hotel. Brilliant!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book through Responsible travel, every detail was planned3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We used the ski bus and went out from the hotel4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Superb, the service from the operator was top notchHoliday Reviews
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