Lapland | Althams Travel

Visit Santa in Lapland

Make your children’s winter wonderland dreams a reality: enjoy a private family meeting with Father Christmas on your Lapland holiday. World-famous for being home to the festive icon and his gaggle of mischievous elves, Lapland will offer a festive holiday unlike no other. With a charming cabin amid snow-dusted trees and wild reindeer, the scene is set. Inside is richly decorated in a cosy, twinkling display, where Father Christmas awaits. Transun take you deep within the Arctic Circle to remote areas of Lapland

Images taken by Kirsten Holst, copyright: Kirsten Holst, www.kirstenholst.com

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Santa's On His Way

SANTA'S LAPLAND HOLIDAYS IN HETTA

Christmas never arrives quickly enough. The counting down of days, the anticipation, the peeling of advent calendar doors – it’s an exciting and busy time. But it’s still possible to swap the festive frenzy for festive bliss and relax in the peaceful surrounds of Lapland. When you first set foot in Lapland, on the edge of Europe’s last great wilderness, it really is like walking into a scene from a Christmas card; there are blankets of snow as far as you can see!

What's Included

Tour Details

Included Activities

The holiday begins with a morning flight to the very north of Finland, in ‘True Lapland’, so-called because of its authentic, picture-perfect landscapes, exactly as you imagined them: vast swathes of pristine snow stretching to the horizon and beyond.

In the midst of these wintry snowscapes lies Hetta, a quaint village home to just a few hundred people, which forms the setting for this festive holiday. A million miles away from the commercial mass-market resorts such as Rovaniemi or Saariselka, Hetta offers peace and tranquility amid the excitement of Lapland’s festivities.

Your stay at the Hetan Majatalo will be on a full-board basis, with breakfast, lunch and dinner being served buffet style. In its 100^th year of welcoming guests to Lapland, you’re assured of a warm reception at this family-run hotel.

Thermal suits and boots are included for the duration of your stay, but remember to bring hats, scarves, gloves, and many pairs of socks!

This special Christmas holiday includes the activities set out below, which ensure you’re simply having a wonderful Christmas time:

Snowmobile Safari

Duration: Full Length

A snowmobile safari is a must-do part of any Lapland trip. On our Snow is Falling tour, you follow a track through pristine forest under the canopy of towering, snow-clad pines. Children are pulled by a sled following behind.

Husky Sled Safari

Duration: Full Length

A team of eager huskies await the sign … and you’re off! What better way to see the wonders of Lapland than on this exciting journey across the Arctic tundra pulled by those who know it best: your newest four-legged friends.

Reindeer Sleigh Ride

Duration: Full Length

Santa’s faithful reindeer await to take you by sleigh ride through a wintry wonderland forest to find Santa’s hidden cabin. Gently ride through the snow, meandering through towering pines. Do you know the reindeer’s name?

Family Meeting With Santa

Duration: Variable

Of course, no visit to Lapland is complete without a visit to see the REAL Father Christmas in his homeland. Personally call in to visit Santa in his cabin in the woods and say 'thank you' for the gifts he brought whilst you were sleeping!

Dates & Prices

Hotel Details

At the Hetan Majatalo, you can be assured of a warm welcome!

This family-run hotel has been welcoming guests to the heart of True Lapland since 1924. Now in its fourth-generation, the hotel is an established staple in Arctic tourism and still offers a stay of peace and relaxation amongst the thrills and excitement of the snow activities which the area has to offer. The hotel backs on to a forest and is set away from the main road in the centre of the small and picturesque village of Hetta.

The Majatalo has 27 rooms, sleeping between 1-6 people. Many of the rooms have a loft (or mezzanine) level, with a skyline window additional to the one of the ground floor. All rooms have ensuite shower rooms, and are equipped with the necessities for a comfortable stay: television, radio, mini fridge, drying closet, kettle and hair dryer.

The restaurant serves original dishes from Lapland: home-made and tasty. The lounge lobby is a great place to unwind and reminisce about the day in Lapland with fellow guests; a great place to read, watch TV, or enjoy a drink. The hotel has saunas to warm you and your party after a long day of Arctic adventures. A small library and souvenir shop are also available. WiFi reaches all hotel rooms.

The Hetan Majatalo is an excellent choice for those searching for the Aurora Borealis. Situated in Hetta, at the edge of the Pallas-Yllas National Park, the vast open surrounds emit no light pollution, making this a prime Aurora viewing location along the Nordics’ Northern Lights Belt.

The hotel is currently rated the #1 hotel in Enontekio on Trip Advisor.

Transfer from Enontekio Airport: 15 minutes

Sleigh Bells Ringing

SANTA'S LAPLAND HOLIDAYS IN JERIS

How do you know where to look? He must be around here somewhere. At first, the task can seem daunting: searching for Santa in the snow-capped forests of True Lapland. The picture-perfect, wintry snowscapes stretch to the horizon and beyond; the possibilities are endless. It seems an improbable home for an 800-year-old man – especially one as busy as Santa. But Lapland is full of surprises.

What's Included

Tour Details

Situated in the Pallas-Yllas National Park, Lake Jeris is a jewel in Lapland’s crown. Surrounded by the pristine snowscapes of imagination, the breath-taking scenery perfectly compliment the activities included in the Sleigh Bells Ringing holiday.

Your Sleigh Bells Ringing holiday begins with a direct flight to Enontekio airport, far in the north of Finnish Lapland, saving valuable holiday time by avoiding rushed or lengthy connections in Helsinki. Upon arrival, there is a guided transfer to Jeris of approximately one hour and 15 minutes, after which you collect your thermal snow suits and boots that you can keep for the duration of your stay. Your accommodation is a traditional Finnish log cabin, which includes its own sauna and log burner. Based on a full-board basis, meals are served in the main hotel building (a short walk from the cabins) and are buffet style, with children’s options available.

This three or four-night holiday includes an array of exciting activities and excursions, on which you will make memories to last a lifetime. It is possible to add some optional experiences to make your time in Lapland extra special, but the activities below are already included in the holiday.

Places are strictly limited, however, to preserve the authenticity of this magical part of the world, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Husky Sled Safari

Duration: Full Length

A team of eager huskies await to transport you across the Arctic tundra on a 6km safari. On a guided tour of the husky camp, you will learn how your new best friends live and have the chance to cuddle a husky pup! Two adults share a husky sled and children follow on a guide’s sled.

Snowmobile Safari

Duration: Full Length

This staple Lapland activity is a must for all Lapland adventurers! Set off on a 20km exhilarating safari through the Lapland’s wintry wonderland, propelled by engine and excitement. Two adults share a snowmobile and children follow in a sled.

Reindeer Camp Visit

Duration: 2-3 hours

Santa’s four-legged friends can’t wait to meet you! On this tour of the Torassieppi reindeer camp, you’ll have the chance to feed the reindeer, practising lassoing, and enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride through the snow.

Family Meeting with Santa

Duration: Private Visit

No visit to Lapland is complete without a visit to see Santa – you’ve travelled a long way to see him! But where is he? Maybe some helpful elves could point you in the right direction as you are driven by snowmobile sled on your search!

Snow Fun

Duration: 2-3 hours

As if building a snowman and having a snowball fight isn’t fun already, there are a host of traditional Lapland snow activities to try your hand at: snowshoeing, ice fishing and cross-country skiing are all great fun – as is tobogganing!

Cookie Baking and Crafts

Duration: 1-2 hours

A festive family favourite! In a warm interval from the fun in the snow, families enjoy baking traditional Finnish gingerbread cookies and getting artistic with some Christmas-themes crafts.

Dates & Prices

Hotel Details

The cabins at Jeris are set in the Pallas-Yllas National Park – Finland’s third largest National Park and a true winter wonderland. Thick forest and glistening lakes blanketed in deep snow surround the cabins, offering picture-perfect views like no other.

The traditional-built timber cabins vary in size depending on occupancy, but each has the comforts which will make it a typically Finnish stay: a private sauna, a log burner, and a drying cupboard for snow suits.

Your transfer from the airport will take you to the main hotel building, from where help will be on hand to take you and your luggage to your cabin. A welcome pack of tea and coffee and firewood will be in your cabin, and further supplies of firewood can be purchased locally at the hotel if you wish. Meals are taken at the hotel’s restaurant, except one night when the dinner will be in the lakeside restaurant.

Cabins are roughly a 15-minute walk from the main hotel building and so may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. A shuttle bus to the main hotel building operates, though times are yet to be confirmed.

Dashing Through The Snow

SANTA'S LAPLAND HOLIDAYS IN KILPISJARVI

Lapland's pace of life is a relaxed one, and nowhere more so than in Kilpisjarvi, the northernmost resort in Finnish Lapland. But don’t be fooled by the hushed reverence of the glistening snowscapes and silent tundra – here, there is excitement in the air. Anticipation. Magic.

What's Included

Tour Details

Kilpisjarvi is a set around a large frozen lake which is encircled by a mountainous periphery that stretches to the horizon. The setting is perfect then, for hosting the enticing winter activities included in our Dashing Through the Snow holiday. The safaris are full-length safaris, not ‘taster sessions’, giving you the opportunity to enjoy longer trails and journeys on the experiences. Chances for play time in the snow are plentiful; zoom down the toboggan slope or challenge the family to a snowball fight!

Places are strictly limited, however, to preserve the authenticity of this magical part of the world, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Snowmobile Safari

Duration: Full length

Our snowmobile safari across Lake Kilpis is a family favourite and offers a real chance to explore the pristine snowscapes at speed. Grown-ups share a snowmobile, swapping drivers part-way through the tour, and children are pulled by a sled following behind.

Husky Sled Safari

Duration: Full length

If you’re keen to make some four-legged friends whilst on holiday, then your team of eager huskies await. Sledding across a frozen lake and through the Arctic tundra is exhilarating, thrilling, and a ‘must-do’ – an ideal photo opportunity!

Reindeer Sleigh Ride

Duration: Full length

Santa’s faithful reindeer await to take you by sleigh ride through the wintry wonderland to find Santa’s hidden cabin. Gently ride through the snow, meandering through crunched paths in pristine snow. Do you know the reindeer’s name?

Family Meeting with Santa

Duration: Variable

Of course, no visit to Lapland is complete without a visit to see the REAL Father Christmas in his homeland; you’ve travelled a long way to see him. But where is he? Hop on board a reindeer sleigh and be guided to his secret cabin. Is he there? Come in and find out…

Dates & Prices

Hotel Details

The Tundrea cabins and apartments offer a choice of timber-built accommodation which is quintessentially Lapland. Tundrea is tucked away at the foot of the Saana Fell – arguably the most iconic fell mountain in Lapland – and sits at the banks of Lake Kilpisjarvi, offering sweeping panoramic views of the Arctic tundra. Steeped in myths and legends, Kilpisjarvi is the last outpost of Finnish Lapland; located in the far north, just above the tree line - a real example of 'True Lapland' - ideal for the adventurous.

There are a number of family accommodation options available at Tundrea, depending on your budget and party size. Each cabin or apartment is inspired by the local surrounds and offers a quiet space in which to unwind and enjoy quality family time in the Arctic. All rooms or cabins come equipped with a traditional sauna and Wi-Fi access.

Tundrea also features a lakeside hot tub, for which reservaions and payment can be made locally. Meal times are often staggered during December to avoid congestion in the restaurant.

Snow Is Falling

SANTA'S LAPLAND HOLIDAYS IN KARESUANDO

The countdown to Christmas is always a time of great excitement and anticipation, and nowhere more so than in Santa’s very own homeland. From the moment Lapland receives its first dusting of snow, an annual wintry transformation begins: the glistening snow deepens, the starry nights draw darker, and once-flowing rivers and streams are frozen to a standstill.

What's Included

Tour Details

Places are strictly limited, however, to preserve the authenticity of this magical part of the world, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Snowmobile Safari

Duration: Full length

Husky Sled Safari

Duration: Full length

Reindeer Sleigh Ride

Duration: Full length

Family Meeting with Santa

Duration: Variable

Dates & Prices

Hotel Details

The Davvi Arctic Lodge is a charming, simple hotel set on a quiet, secluded hillside in the border-village of Karesuando. The beautiful restaurant, its circular design inspired by the shape of a Sami reindeer corral, is the hotel’s centrepiece and from here you can enjoy panoramic views over the snow-covered hillside to Swedish Lapland located just across the border.

Deep in the heart of True Lapland, and located on the official Northern Lights route, Karesuando offers once-in-life-time Arctic experiences without the crowds. For those looking to stay in the Swedish side of the village we also offer Northern Light stays at the Arctic Star hotel.

To Book Call 0800 917 9997 or Visit Your Local Althams Branch

Prices are per person based on 2 adults sharing with 1 or 2 children. Child age limits apply. Offers are subject to availability and can be changed or withdrawn without notice. Terms & conditions apply.

Althams Travel act as agents for Licensed tour operators who provide ATOL protection.This means air holidays and flights shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Althams Travel Services Ltd Registered Head Offices.Netherwood Road, Burnley.BB10 2AN. Registered No. 42478 England.

Date	Airport	Duration	Adult Price	Child Price
Sat 29th Nov '25	Humberside	3 nights	£1,199	£1,099
Tues 2nd Dec '25	Liverpool	3 nights	£1,199	£1,099

Date	Airport	Duration	Adult Price	Child Price
Sat 29th Nov '25	Humberside	3 nights	£1,399	£1,299

Date	Airport	Duration	Adult Price	Child Price
Tues 16th Dec '25	Leeds Bradford	3 nights	£1,419	£1,319
Mon 22nd Dec '25	Manchester	4 nights	£1,519	£1,419

Date	Airport	Duration	Adult Price	Child Price
Tues 16th Dec '25	Leeds Bradford	3 nights	£1,419	£1,319
Mon 22nd Dec '25	Manchester	4 nights	£1,519	£1,419