Rovaniemi Long Weekend From the UK: A December Plan Built Around One Big Day
Three nights, one proper animal day, one aurora evening. How we would plan a short Lapland break from Britain, with prices.
British readers write to us every November asking whether a long weekend in Lapland is silly. It is not, if you plan it as three nights with two anchors rather than ten things. Santa Claus Village, a quiet restaurant dinner and some wandering in town fill the gaps.
We cannot tell you flight times because schedules change, so check your airline. What we can do is show you how to use the days on the ground. More ideas are in {HUB}.
Build the weekend around one big day: the Kuoksa Husky & Reindeer Adventure5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 (from €349, five hours) plus an aurora evening such as the bus hunting tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 (from €109). Use HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off both.
Our pick · 5% off with code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5
Kuoksa Husky & Reindeer Adventure
Live dates and prices open right here on this page — you book directly with StayLapland and stay on hungrytravelfamily.com. From €349 per adult.
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The shape of a three-night weekend
Day one is for arriving, getting kitted out for the cold and a gentle evening. Day two is the big animal day. Day three is the aurora night and a slow morning. If your return flight is early on day four, keep the last evening free.
The key rule is no early starts after late nights. Place the aurora evening on a night when you can sleep in the next day, and place the big daytime tour on a day when you slept well.
The big day: huskies and reindeer together
Kuoksa Husky & Reindeer Adventure5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is five hours, rated easy, from €349 per adult. The product details list a 5 km self-driving husky ride, a 2–3 km reindeer sleigh ride, an open-fire salmon soup in a teepee, instructions on how to mush safely, and photos on your own device. It has a one-day booking cut-off, so book before you fly.
For a short break it is our favourite single tour, because you meet both classic Lapland animals in one go and the day ends with a warm meal.
Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.
The aurora night
Choose the aurora evening according to the forecast and how tired you are. The bus hunting tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is about five hours, from €109, with weather-based routing and professional photos included. If you would rather keep it short and cosy, the campfire tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is three hours from €99.
If you have a spare night, book two attempts. If you have only one, choose the tour that moves. We explain more in our Thursday-to-Sunday aurora plan.
What the weekend costs on the ground
For two adults, the husky and reindeer day is about €698 and the bus aurora tour about €218 before the 5% reader discount, so roughly €916 for the two highlights. Add food and your accommodation. If that is too much, drop to a single reindeer adventure at €159 or the campfire tour at €99, and keep the rest free.
See is Rovaniemi expensive for a full breakdown.
What to do between the tours
Santa Claus Village is the obvious free-time visit. Add a long lunch in town, a stroll along the river, and a sauna if your hotel has one. Resist the urge to book a third paid tour; a weekend works better with space in it.
Our three-day December plan has more ideas for filling the gaps.
Packing for a short trip
Tour operators provide overalls, boots and gloves on most tours, which means you can travel light. Bring thermal base layers, wool socks, a warm hat, and a spare pair of gloves. Pack your phone charger in your hand luggage.
Read what to pack for a winter trip to Rovaniemi for the full list.
Upgrades if the budget allows
If you want a bigger day, swap in the Lapland Bucketlist Adventure5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at €449 for six hours of huskies, reindeer and snowmobiles with lunch and a photographer. If you want a faster adrenaline day, the Arctic Snowmobile Tour on Private Trails5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 starts at €99.
Frequently asked questions
Is a long weekend in Rovaniemi worth it?
Yes, if you plan around two anchors: one big daytime tour and one aurora evening, with free time between.
How far ahead do I need to book?
The husky and reindeer day has a one-day cut-off, but December dates fill up, so book as soon as your flights are fixed.
Can I do the aurora tour and the animal day on the same day?
We would not, because the day would be too long and tiring. Spread them over two days.
What does the husky and reindeer day cost?
From €349 per adult; check the live calendar for current pricing.
Do I need to bring winter clothing?
Overalls, boots and gloves are listed as included on most tours. Bring thermal layers, a hat and spare gloves.
Is there a discount?
Yes. Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off any StayLapland tour booked through our links.
Our pick
Book the husky and reindeer day5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 and one aurora evening, keep a free evening spare, and use HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off. See our Rovaniemi activities hub for the full list.
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