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This is one of our most popular holidays for the simple reason that it includes a little bit of everything as well as some time to simply relax and enjoy your wintery surroundings.

Our Taster Week does exactly what it says on the tin – it allows you to experience all of the key activities you would expect on a winter holiday but with a healthy dose of free time thrown in so that you can tailor the trip to your own needs.

The activities included are mainly half day excursions so you can use your free time to explore independently, add in more activities or take to the downhill ski slopes or cross country tracks. Luosto offers loads of options including a fun sledging slope.

Luosto also happens to have a fabulous Northern Lights record and so you may even get to witness the Aurora Borealis at its very best.

Duration 6 or 7 nights

Day 1: Flights, arrivals and introduction
You will be greeted on arrival in Finland and transferred to your accommodation in Luosto.

Day 2: Ice fishing
This morning you have free time to explore Luosto. A short walk is enough for you to determine that you are in the heart of a spectacular fell and forest landscape that is just begging to be explored.

In the afternoon you will be taken in a snowmobile-drawn sleigh to a local ice fishing spot. Your guide will give you a few hints and tips and then it’s simply a case of waiting for the fish to bite.

Day 3: Snowmobile safari to the amethyst mine
There can be few better ways to explore the wilderness than by snowmobile. A snowmobile safari is thrilling and today you will be given full instruction before heading to the top of Lampivaara Fell. The views from the top are reason enough to visit this place but you are here to visit Europe’s only remaining amethyst mine.

You will be given details about how the gems are formed and then will visit the mine and have the chance to dig for your very own amethyst.

Day 4: Cross country skiing
You will probably have noticed that cross country skiing is a rather popular pastime in these parts and today it is your turn to try this most Lappish of activities. Your guide will give you full instruction and show you the techniques you will need before you join one of the many trails that wind their way around Luosto.

We assume that you have had no previous experience so please don’t worry if you’ve never tried any form of skiing in the past. The equipment is yours for the rest of the day so you can practise your new found skills. In general our guests find the whole sport rather addictive – you have been warned!

Day 5: Reindeer park and safari
There is no way you can visit Lapland and not meet some reindeer. You have free time this morning before being transferred by car to a local reindeer park. The guides will lead you in a reindeer caravan on a sleigh ride lasting around 30 minutes. There can be few more traditional and peaceful ways to explore and take in the beauty of the Lappish wilds.

Day 6: Huskies and Aurora snowshoe trek
Husky safaris are a “must do” in Lapland. You will transfer to the local sled dog centre and will have a chance to look around before meeting your team of willing huskies. You will be given full instruction on how to handle a sled before heading off onto the trail for a short husky safari. You will travel 2 people per sled and both of you will have the chance to drive.

Luosto’s reputation as a Northern Lights destination is cemented by the presence of Sodankyla Geophysical Observatory around 30km away. In many cases you can see a display by simply stepping outside but if the Lights have eluded you then hopefully this evening you will have more luck.

Tonight you’ll be guided on a snowshoe search for the Northern Lights. You will head to a spot either deep in the forest or on the fells above the village. Away from all artificial lights and deep in the wilderness you should have an incomparable view if an Aurora should appear.

Day 7: Free day or departure (6 nights duration)
For those people travelling on dates which are 6 nights in duration, it is time to say goodbye to Finland. For those staying 7 nights you can fill your free day with a range of additional activities (payable locally) or perhaps hit Luosto’s ski slopes.

Day 8: Departure, transfers and flights (7 nights duration)

Tourism in Finnish Lapland has become the main source of employment and income, replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Working within this growth industry in rural and remote areas means that we must take a great deal of responsibility; socially, environmentally and economically.

We fully appreciate the impact of tourist visits on local communities and their residents and strive to ensure that we are having a positive effect. We always encourage all of our clients to respect and embrace the lives and culture of local inhabitants by learning a few important words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you etc.

We have also included activities with a cultural base in our holiday. In addition, we always encourage our clients to get involved in local events and activities which help to sustain traditional values and customs.

In all of our destinations we ensure that we use local suppliers, enabling locally owned businesses and the economies in which they work to benefit directly.

Our suppliers in Luosto provide a vital source of employment throughout the whole region. The restaurant serves as much local produce as possible. Many of our safaris in Luosto also utilise other local enterprises such as the amethyst mine and the remote smoke sauna and restaurant we use in one of our activities is the primary income for a local couple.

Through the tourism multiplier effect, this all helps to generate incomes and employment where the drift might otherwise be towards larger employment areas such as towns and cities. In a small and remote village such as Luosto the effects of such a drift could be devastating.

The use of small businesses means that the tourism income, generated by our presence, stays where it should, in the local economy. We firmly believe in paying a fair price for all the services provided by our suppliers regardless of where they are in the world.

Our holidays rely on visiting beautiful and un-spoilt areas, and they don't come more un- spoilt than Luosto. Naturally we wish to maintain the natural settings in which we work, not just for the future of our company, but also for future generations. We always insist that our local providers are equally conscious of this. The wooden chalets that we use as accommodation are built using sustainable timbers and are all extremely well insulated to ensure maximum efficiency.

We do appreciate that some may feel that snowmobiles should not be included in such itineraries however in areas such as Luosto they are a way of life. They are the only means of keeping in contact with remote reindeer herders and communities as the road infrastructure is not extensive. All trails are well managed. The alternatives to snowmobiles would in most cases be large, gas-guzzling off road vehicles. All snowmobiles are regularly serviced and kept as fuel efficient as possible. Our suppliers also utilise new 4-stroke engines that are less polluting.

The snowmobile service industry is also another vital source of employment in these remote areas. We always ensure that all litter is removed from any of our activity sites, we strongly encourage group transfers to reduce traffic volumes and we make our clients aware of their obligation to the environment. We always offset our air travel emissions and would encourage you to do the same.