Adult price from £3,015pp
All prices include: flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, guided activities and cold weather clothing; all as listed.
VISITING: Finland
BROCHURE CODE: 1049

Key facts

  • Duration:7 nights
  • Suitable for: Children aged 6 years and over (younger children may join the holiday, but may not be able to participate in all the activities). Please see terms for details
Download Holiday Overview Download Trip Notes

What's included?

  • Flights: Return flights from London to Ivalo (via Helsinki). Flight routes are subject to change.
  • Transfers: return group airport transfers
  • Accommodation: 7 nights' hotel accommodation
  • Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
  • The following activities are included: snowshoe hike, kick sleds, cross-country skiing, Aurora workshop and Northern Lights snowshoe, morning with a reindeer herder, wilderness skills, winter fishing by snowmobile, husky safari, visit to the Sámi Siida Museum* and Aurora kota dinner (the order of activities is subject to change)
  • Free use of snowshoes, skis, kick sleds and toboggans throughout your stay at Menesjärvi
  • Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
  • Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors
  • 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners

Save up to £300* per adult.
*Our holiday prices are based on the lowest available airline fares. These fares can sell out quickly and, as a result, prices may increase and supplements may be applicable. Saving amount based on 10 February 2024 departure.

For the Aurora hunting family, Menesjärvi’s location is ideal. You are far from any significant light pollution and deep in the Aurora Zone. Over your seven nights, you should stand a very good chance of catching a display of the Northern Lights should conditions be favourable.

Your hosts will do all they can to make sure you have an unforgettable holiday. The accommodation at Menesjärvi is warm and welcoming offering simple and cosy décor (some elements have been crafted from wood collected in the surrounding forest), and hearty home-cooked food; perfect for the winter climate.

By the end of your action-packed stay at Menesjärvi, you will have travelled by snowshoes, dog sled, kicksled, cross-country skis and snowmobile-pulled sleigh. Furthermore, you will have encountered reindeer and gained an insight into the remarkable culture of the Sámi people who make their home in this remote corner of the world.

As a family, you will learn about the Northern Lights during an Aurora Workshop with an expert guide. Each night you can all walk down to the frozen lake in front of the hotel to gaze at the sky in search of the Northern Lights and there are also optional Aurora activities you can add to your itinerary.

This is a wild location with a truly warm welcome and provides an ideal playground for any active family who wants an escape from the every day and enjoy some unforgettable shared experiences.

 

interreg nord 2016 eng color


Image credits: Timo Halonen & Ville Heimonen, Steve Williamson (client), Duncan Milne (client)

 

Show full agenda

Included in price

Personalise this tour


Our pick

  • Aurora Hunt via snowmobile

    This thrilling safari will take you out via snowmobile across the vast frozen expanse of Lake Menesjärvi. Your guide will lead the way to the most likely spot to witness the Aurora, far from any light pollution and where you can enjoy unobstructed views of the night sky.

    Adults will travel two per snowmobile (drivers must have a full driving licence and be 18 years or over) whilst children will travel in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile.

    Fingers crossed you are successful in your search and see the Aurora in all its glory!

    Duration: approximately 2 hours in total

    From £129 per adult
    From £58 per child

Other options

  • Aurora Hunt via snowshoe

    On this evening excursion, you will strap on snowshoes and set out into the surrounding frozen wilderness around Menesjärvi in search of the Northern Lights.

    Whilst the Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed, your chances are exceptionally high here with Menesjärvi having an excellent track record when it comes to the Aurora so hopefully, your family will enjoy a dazzling display! Whilst you wait patiently, the guide will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the Northern Lights and the beautiful surrounding nature here.

    Duration: approximately 2 hours in total

    From: £58 per adult
    From: £36 per child

We include more, no hidden costs

On each of our holidays you will see a clear outline of exactly what's included in the price of your holiday. We never use 'headline' or 'lead-in' prices like so many tour operators, as we prefer to include as much as we can, rather than see our clients incur considerable additional costs in our destinations.
Price guarantee

Adult (15+) price based on 2 sharing a twin or double room; child price based on sharing with 2 adults and using an extra bed

Departure day: Tuesday

Next season’s dates and prices

You can make a pre-reservation to secure your holiday at this stage by paying an initial deposit of only £50pp. The provisional departure dates, prices and itineraries remain subject to change. We will contact you when the final dates, prices and itineraries are confirmed, and you will have 14 days to decide if you would like to go ahead. You will then need to pay the remainder of your deposit to confirm your booking in full. If you decide not to travel, we will refund your initial £50pp payment. Our Travel Experts will happily provide you with full terms and a complete quotation.  Please note: where listed in the What’s Included section, pre-sales prices include return UK flights.Please note: the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply. Please note: our payment and cancellation terms will be unique to each booking – they will be confirmed with you at the time of quotation.

Departure dates between
Sat 08 Feb 2025 Adult price (per person): £3355.00
to £3765.00
Child (age 12-14): £2725.00
to £3055.00
Child (7-11): £2475.00
to £2775.00
Enquire
Sat 15 Feb 2025 Adult price (per person): £3015.00
to £3385.00
Child (age 12-14): £2385.00
to £2675.00
Child (7-11): £2135.00
to £2395.00
Enquire

Please note: our holiday prices are based on the lowest available airline fares. These fares can sell out quickly and, as a result, prices may increase and supplements may be applicable. We recommend booking at the earliest opportunity in order to secure the best possible fares and flight times. This only applies to holidays that include flights.

For our full booking terms and conditions please click here

The Specifics

Holiday group size (approximate)

This holiday requires a minimum of 4 people to run, however, we require a minimum of 8 people for our flight allocation. Maximum 20 people (approximately). Please speak to our travel experts for further information.

Group Size

We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.

Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.

Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate

Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.

Minimum and maximum age

The minimum age for this holiday can be found in the ‘Key Facts’ section of the holiday overview.

Younger family members may be able to participate but may not be able to take part in all activities. Please contact one of our Travel Experts if you have any questions.

Itinerary amendments

The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.

Medical History and Advice

We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.

In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.

In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.

Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.

It is vitally important that you advise us prior to departure of any medical or dietary condition relating to any member of your party so that we may notify our local staff before you arrive. We recommend only drinking bottled water from bottles with unbroken seals and be vigilant about the use of ice in drinks and ice cream.

Insurance

Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.

It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.

If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.

The UK Foreign Office Advice

Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice

We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.

The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/                                                   

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/                                                 

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/                                                                                                     

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html

If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.

If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.

If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.

If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.

Booking activities locally

Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).

When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.

In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are correctly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc.) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.

Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.

Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation

On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.

Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.

Booking your own flights cancellation disclaimer

If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.

If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.

Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.

Menesjarvi - cancellation terms

CANCELLATION TERMS:

Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede those mentioned in section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.

More than 84 days prior to departure - Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)

84 to 43 days prior to arrival – 50%

42 to 32 days prior to departure -  75%

31 days or less - 100%

Terms and Conditions

Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.activitiesabroad.com/booking-conditions

 

Please note: our payment and cancellation terms will be unique to each booking – they will be confirmed with you at the time of quotation. The terms listed above are noted as a guide only

Traveller Reviews

  • Menesjärvi - Half Term Northern Lights Adventure 17 February 2019 by The Ford Family

    The mix of activities really made the holiday. The activity guide at the hotel (James) was really knowledgeable and helpful. One of the highlights of the holiday was seeing the Northern Lights but also to get some good photo memories. The Aurora workshop run by James was extremely helpful. If we hadn't know how to set up the camera we would not have got such good photos.

  • Menesjärvi - Half Term Northern Lights Adventure 17 February 2019 by The Glister Family

    We fully enjoyed the entire experience - all well organised. Our activity guides, James and Rosie, were lovely and really good with the children. Reindeer herding and the spectacular Northern lights display we were lucky enough to see on our last night.

  • Menesjärvi - Half Term Northern Lights Adventure 17 February 2019 by The Winchester Family

    The local guides were all lovely. Very helpful and friendly. The hotel staff were also all really friendly. Food was great - no choice which was a good thing. All wholesome and hearty - just what was needed for such cold weather. Cold weather gear was really good. I loved the husky dog sledding but we did have a sunny day for that activity which really added to it's enjoyability and you can't
    Read more
    control that. When we were able to let them run it was amazing - it was harder when you had to keep breaking because your dogs wanted to go faster than the ones in front! Also, seeing the northern lights on the last night - we had a really good show - can't control that either! A perfect ending to the holiday.
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  • We had a fantastic holiday 11 February 2017 by Vera So, Andrew and James Bonsall

    We had a fantastic holiday. Everything we need to know is in the information pack. Very well organised. We loved it all. We think the arrangement is perfect. We really like the variety of activities and also enjoy the free time to explore on our own.

  • Every interaction with the company has been excellent 11 February 2017 by Duncan, Jane and Freya Milne

    This was the first holiday we have booked using Activities Abroad. I came across the company after an internet search for winter family holidays - after some research on company reviews, I gave Activities Abroad a call. From that moment - every interaction with the company has been excellent. I received really useful information and insight from the advisor (Barry Nolan) who guided me towards
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    Menesjärvi based on what kind of holidays my family enjoyed. We all (2 adults plus 12-year-old daughter) had an excellent time in Lapland. All of it was really enjoyable but the stand out was the husky sled safari and visiting the reindeer herder plus of course seeing the Northern Lights in this beautiful location. We all enjoyed everything we did and made the most of the "free" time to cross-country ski across the lake, snowshoe walk in the woods and sledging down the hill outside the hotel. No time was wasted. Great hosts and staff at the hotel and good quality provider of the other activities. Tanya at the husky dog safari was brilliant and very informative.
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  • No improvement needed, it was all first class... 11 February 2017 by Steve, Diane and Annabel Williamson

    Hard to pick a favourite, I would say the reindeer trip; my wife would say the husky sledge.

  • Menesjarvi at half term 14 February 2016 by Rosalind Cook

    Most enjoyable activity? Husky sledding, reindeer herder day. Seeing the Northern Lights and making pancakes over the open fire which the children loved.

  • This really was the holiday of a lifetime; everything was perfect 14 February 2016 by Anthony Moran

    It was excellent. This really was the holiday of a lifetime; everything was perfect. The activities were varied and offered enough to do without ever feeling rushed or that we were doing too much. The hotel was fantastic; the hosts and guides were all very welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable and the use of equipment and outerwear for the whole week was brilliant. We felt like we got to
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    experience the real Finland and get some sense of traditional life in the Arctic Circle in the most beautiful of surroundings. And to top it all, we were lucky enough to see a spectacular display of the Northern Lights! Just magical. Thank you so much for such a memorable holiday - it was a truly amazing experience. When Amy (in your office) said that Menesjarvi left a special place in your heart I didn't know quite what she meant - but now I do.....
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  • What a wonderful, magical place and the people we're so friendly and interesting 06 March 2014 by Colin McCaffrey

    What a wonderful, magical place and the people we're so friendly and interesting. The equipment provided was free to use all week and the warm weather clothing was so good we needn't have taken our own boots or mittens. We knew there would only be one option at meal times so we took noodles and rice to fill the kids up. Having said that they did enjoy the majority of the meals served.Seeing the
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    aurora tops the list, closely followed by the husky rides and sauna. Everything else was amazing too, total grin factor from start to finish.Thank you for providing us with a perfect family holiday, it can be tricky to accommodate a large family of 7 with a wide age range, but we can honestly say we all had the best time and didn't want to leave. Although we can say we've ticked that one off our bucket list, we just want to do it again!!
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  • Wow what a great time 24 February 2014 by Adrian Langford

    Wow what a great time.All of the activities arranged were excellent and our whole family had a wonderful trip.Our only gripe would be the accomodation size and lack of food choice, but the positives far out way this minor flaw.Having never been on a holiday like this before, we were pleasantly surprised by the activities on offer and the overall experience from booking to arriving home. We would
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    definitely recommend Activities Abroad and the overall holiday to friends.I have never visitied anywhere in the world quite so tranquil as the very northern part of Finland.If you are thinking of going, please do. Just make sure you take a few things for the kids to do and I guarantee they won't get bored, just very tired.
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  • FAMILY SPECIALISTS

    Created by families for families

    Experience real adventures enjoyed safely

    Family friendly destinations and accommodation

    Maximising your precious family time

  • SHARED EXPERIENCES

    Family time, not screen time

    Family memories to treasure

    For toddlers, young children, teenagers & adults alike

    Enjoy the company of like-minded families

  • INDEPENDENT

    Family owned and run

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    Personal, hands-on service

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    We research the holidays so you don’t have to

    ATOL and ABTA Financial protection available

    Customers rate us 4.8/5 Stars

    Award-Winning: Best Travel Company for Adventure Holidays 2023

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