Lapland holiday by rail
Description of Lapland holiday by rail
Ah, Lapland the home of the Northern Lights, Sami communities and Santa Claus, allegedly. Where better to take an overnight train from Helsinki, in a cosy couple's cabin, for a week of winter activities surrounded by snow and ice? But there's something else that's beginning to build a bit of a reputation amidst the Arctic ambience of Pyha-Luosto National Park in Finland. Something that's silently taking the snow-bowed pine forests by storm.
Electric sleds – eSleds – run on rechargeable batteries and don't make a sound. This means that you can glide silently across the snow with minimal harm to the environment. So much more peaceful than riding on the back of something that sounds like a lumberjack's chainsaw. They're very easy to get the hang of too, and after a bit of practise and instruction from your local guide you'll be whizzing off into a world of white in absolutely no time at all.
Tailoring a tour to include an eSled safari as well as more traditional modes of transport, such as snowshoeing and husky drawn sledges, ensures you're respecting both the old ways and the new. There's just something about being outdoors in the snow that invites peace and quiet. Never more so than when exploring in Finland's snow-covered wilderness, far from the artificial lights further south.
Of course, after a day exploring outdoors it's time to turn your attention to lights of a more natural variety. A warming glass of glögi (mulled wine) on the steps of your log cabin or ice igloo usually does the trick before heading back out into the cold. And then what a feast for the eyes awaits: the Northern Lights. Pyha-Luosto, in Sept to Nov or Feb to April, is one of the best locations in Finland from where to observe the aurora. If you don't believe us, come and see for yourself. But shhhh, don't tell everyone.
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1 Reviews of Lapland holiday by rail
Reviewed on 04 Nov 2023 by Karen Rozembersky
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Finding Amethyst, seeing the Northern Lights, meeting Tuula-Maija, Kurulas Resort, saunas, berries, snow, overnight train, and Huskies
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do it, Lapland is awesome!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10 out of 10
Responsible Travel
Planet
First of all, you will travel by train through Finland from south to north and back from north to south. The activities selected are ecological.In summer your first destination close Kemi you will try river rafting on river Tornio and see how fishing takes place without any boat or hooks and will eat very local food. In winter you would continue first to Rovaniemi where we have includes ecological acticities such as e-snowmobiling or ice-floating.
In Pyhä you can choose out of many environmentally friendly activities within the Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Hiking, canoeing, fishing, photography or birdwatching are offered to you. In the Naava nature heritage centre, you can learn about the geology of Pyhä Luosto National Park. On guided tours and by visiting the Amethyst mine you will hear more about the geology. In summer we recommend choosing the hiking tour to Isokuru Ravine and Pyhäkasteenputous waterfall in order to see some of the unique natural formations of this region. In winter snowshoeing is the best wasy to see the National park.
During the outdoor activities, no garbage is thrown in nature and we make sure we keep the pristine environment, pristine.
Reducing transport emissions by using train and public buses. In winter we use the world's first electric snowmobiles.
People
Throughout this trip you will be guided by local guides with a lot of stories about the myths and beliefs of the local people.You will get an introduction to the traditional way of fishing on river Tornio. Each house in the village has to participate and the daily catch is shared between the houses. You will also taste the fish prepared in the traditional way. The river is cutting the region in two countries and two languages but culture dominated by the river is mainly the same.
In Rovaniemi, you will visit the Arktikum Museum and get a chance to learn more about life in the Arctic., past and present and the cultural history of the local Sámi people.
Your third destination Pyhä has both a breath-taking nature but also old villages which were saved in the war of Lapland after the II World War and now carry important cultural heritage as examples of old Lappish villages.
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