Two days is all some visitors have in Rovaniemi, and they want everything: huskies, reindeer, a snowmobile and the aurora. It can be done, but only if you place the pieces carefully. The wrong order leaves you exhausted by lunchtime and shivering through the evening.

We live here, and we have helped friends build this exact sequence. This is our plan, written from local knowledge, with the prices and facts we can verify from the listings and honest notes on what to keep flexible.

The two-day idea in a nutshell

Day one is the big daytime adventure. Day two, or a later evening in your stay, is the aurora. You can do both on the same day if you are determined, but we do not recommend it; a six-hour outdoor day followed by a five-hour night is too much for most people and especially for children.

If you have only two days, we suggest the adventure on day one, a slow morning on day two, and the aurora on the evening of day two. That order gives the aurora tour the maximum chance of clear sky while letting you recover.

What the Bucketlist Adventure includes

The listing describes a small group of up to 16 participants, winter clothing provided for adults and children, about one hour total driving time on a snowmobile with helmet and balaclava, a 5 km self-driven husky ride, a 2–3 km reindeer sleigh ride and open-fire salmon soup lunch in a teepee with drinks. The tour is about six hours long, rated moderate, and the booking cut-off is four hours before the start. A photographer is mentioned in the title.

The price starts at €449 per adult. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the activity. Read the age notes on the live page if you are travelling with young children.

Check dates and prices for the Bucketlist Adventure →

Type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.

Which aurora tour to pair with it

The bus tour (from €109) is the budget choice and lists a 100% refund if no aurora photos are captured. The small group tour (from €199) offers 2–8 guests, a guide-photographer and the same photo guarantee. The private tour is €1,990 for your party.

For a first visit with a bounded budget, we would choose the bus tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 because it keeps the evening relaxed. For couples and friends who care about photos, choose the small group. We compared them in how to choose between group and private tours.

Check dates for the small group aurora tour →

A sample two-day schedule

Day one: breakfast, then pickup for the Bucketlist Adventure. Expect to be out for about six hours including the lunch stop. Return, shower, and eat a light dinner. Go to bed early.

Day two: sleep in, eat a long breakfast, and spend a gentle morning in town or at a sauna. Rest in the afternoon. Start times for aurora tours vary, so confirm the time by email and plan dinner around it.

If the forecast for day two is cloudy, ask whether you can swap days. Having a spare evening in your trip is the best protection against bad weather.

Costs for two adults

For two adults the Bucketlist Adventure is from €898 before discount. The bus aurora tour adds from €218, the small group tour from €398. Your total is between roughly €1,116 and €1,296, before the 5% reader discount, which you apply with HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout.

These are headline prices and each booking window will confirm the final amounts. Our cost breakdown for Rovaniemi puts those numbers in context.

Packing and comfort

Winter clothing is supplied on both tours, but bring your own base layers, wool socks, hat and liner gloves. Charge phones and bring a power bank. If you take medication or have mobility limits, read the notes on each listing before booking.

Eat well at breakfast on day one, because the day is long. Drink water, and use the lunch stop to warm up. Children may need a spare layer. Our snowmobile layering guide is a good reference.

What if the weather changes your plan?

Lapland weather is unpredictable. A snowstorm can shorten the adventure, and a cloudy night can make the aurora hard to see. Build slack into your plan by keeping an evening free, and book tours with clear cancellation terms.

The Bucketlist Adventure lists free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity. The aurora tours state a 100% refund if no aurora photos are captured, and the small group and private versions have their own cancellation terms; read each one in the booking window.

If you have only two days, accept that one of the two experiences may not go exactly to plan. Most travellers who keep flexible still come home happy, and the ones who plan every minute are the most disappointed when the sky refuses to cooperate.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do both on the same day?
You can, but it is a very long day. We recommend separate days.

How much is the Bucketlist Adventure?
From €449 per adult. Type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.

How long does it take?
About six hours.

Is there a driving licence requirement?
If you want to operate a snowmobile, a driver's licence is required; passengers do not need one.

What if the aurora does not appear?
Both hunting tours list a 100% refund if no aurora photos are captured. Check conditions at booking.

Can I cancel?
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the Bucketlist Adventure.

Our pick

If you have two days and want the full Lapland picture, the Bucketlist Adventure followed by an aurora evening is the plan we would give our own friends. It is not cheap, but it covers more ground than any other pairing.

Space the activities, keep a spare evening, and type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.

Check dates & book the Bucketlist Adventure →