Journey

Summer tour in arctic wilderness

Credits: Harri Tarvainen

Starting Point: Inari

3-4 days

Journey: Summer tour in arctic wilderness

This journey takes you on a tour in the arctic wilderness of Lapland. During this journey, you will experience arctic summer like never before from nightless nights to nature activities. We start the journey in Inari, known for its majestic and beautiful nature as well as Sámi history and culture. The easiest way to take this journey is by car.

Sámi Museum Siida stores, researches and showcases Finland’s Sámi culture. Siida's Open-Air Museum has much to view. The museum area’s trail is approximately 800-metres-long and in the shape of a reindeer herder’s lasso. Along the trail visitors can view around 50 buildings and structures, which are grouped by their cultural area and their intended use.

Inari

Lake Inari

The beautifully rugged wilderness lake of Inari, or Inarijärvi in Finnish, is the third largest and the second deepest lake in Finland. During the summer season that kicks off in June, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy Lake Inari via a boat cruise – also under the Midnight Sun!

Travel tip:

From Inari, we suggest continuing this journey south to Saariselkä. The car ride takes about an hour. Saariselkä is Europe’s northernmost outdoor resort, located 250 kilometres North of the Arctic Circle.

Take a guided bike tour to explore Saariselkä on bike. Start the day with your local guide, who will introduce you the secrets of fatbiking. After riding for a while, the guide will give you the best tips to explore the beautiful nature by yourself. Around Saariselkä many rideable trails await you in some of Finland’s most majestic landscapes.

Tankavaara

Gold Panning in Tankavaara Gold Village

Gold prospectors have been searching for gold in Lapland for 150 years and near Saariselkä in Tankavaara Gold Village, this unique culture is still continued by teaching the secrets of gold panning to visitors every summer. If you find any gold, it's yours to keep!

1 hour

Travel tip:

After you are done searching for gold, continue the journey further down south to Luosto. This area is known for outdoor activities and the Pyhä-Luosto National Park..

Rovaniemi

Visit to the Amethyst Mine in Pyhä-Luosto

The Lampivaara Amethyst Mine is a fascinating travel destination all year round. During the guided tour you will learn about the geology that created amethysts, their properties, and the history of the mine. After the tour, each visitor will be able to try their hand at digging for their own personal lucky amethyst!

5 hours

Travel tip:

With an amethyst (hopefully!) in your pocket, it's time to head to our final destination on this journey: Ruka-Kuusamo. Ruka is the home to one of the most popular ski resorts in Finland and a year-round destination for lovers of the outdoors. Near Kuusamo, you will find two national parks to explore: Hossa and Oulanka.