Lapland Wilderness Adventure

Nellim Wilderness Lodge

Nellim Wilderness Lodge

Aurora over Nellim Wilderness Lodge

Meet the real Father Christmas

Meet the real Father Christmas

Enjoy a snowmobile & sleigh ride to Santa's Cabin

Wilderness Adventures

Wilderness Adventures

Family Snowmobile Adventure

Snow Fun

Snow Fun

Learn The Skill Of Cross-Country Skiing

Cosy Cabin Accommodation

Cosy Cabin Accommodation

Stay In A Traditional Rustic Cabin

Lapland Wilderness Adventure

Enchanting and charming, Nellim is the definition of a hidden gem. Located on the shores of Lake Inari, this wilderness lodge is as quiet and beautifully remote a spot as you will find anywhere in Finnish Lapland. The owners, Jouko and Mari Lappalainen, have painstakingly converted what was once the local school into an authentically crafted home. Adding to the magical atmosphere is the chance of spotting the Northern Lights in this Aurora hot spot and discovering the secrets of Father Christmas.

 

Don't take our word for it. Here's some short reviews of some happy clients who have met Father Christmas in Lapland (Nellim)

We were so impressed by everything... from all the liaisons with your office beforehand, to the wonderful organisation at Nellim, and all the incredible activities that were put on. What we most appreciated was that everything felt very personal, authentic, and very high quality which all combined made this a real trip of a lifetime. I am so glad we chose to travel with you and to Nellim - surely the only way to do Lapland! (Clare Butler)

We travelled to Lapland with our 6 year old son on the 11th December with Nordic Experience and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in Nellim on the Father Christmas Experience package. The whole trip was amazing from start to finish. The correspondence and information from Nordic Experience was very comprehensive and the flights and transfers, accompanied by 2 people from Nordic Experience were seamless. The Wilderness Lodge is fantastic and the surrounding areas are breathtaking. We stayed in a Nangu Log Cabin which was clean, cosy and really added to the experience. The restaurant, food and staff were all brilliant too. The activities were pitched just right with a mixture of things for adults and children and were really well organised. It was an amazing experience that we would recommend to anyone and we'll definitely go again with our younger son. Thank you to everyone at Nordic Experience and the Wilderness Lodge! (Louise and Adam Pinnell, Hereford)

What an adventure and oh so many memories! We were lucky enough to travel with Nordic Experience last year on our magical trip to Nellim in Finnish Lapland. At every stage of the journey and throughout our 3 day break the staff were exemplary, the service warm and inviting and nothing was too much trouble. It is a long journey to your destination but on arrival you were welcomed as though you had arrived home; the lodge was beautiful, the fire was roaring and the meals hearty. Our children (5 and 12) were completely memorised by the setting and slept very soundly that night and every night in a very comfortable family room. On the first morning we were fitted out with warm thermal suits and boots which made the whole experience much easier to manage, - 25 degrees is not something we ere used to! During our time we met the huskies, raced through the wilderness on dog sleds and snowmobiles. We visited the reindeer farm, decorated Christmas trees, baked cookies and made life long friends. Each day the scenery got better and the sledding got quicker – it was a challenge to get the children off the slope! Naturally one of the highlights of the trip was the magical adventure to visit Santa in his cottage by the lake. We were whisked off on a surprise sleigh ride, ending up outside a candle lit path leading to the big man in red on the steps waiting. Luckily for my children they were both on the good list and left armed with a present directly from Santa! It was a once in a lifetime adventure and one that has created lifelong memories for us all.(Melissa Beadsworth)

DAY 1: Finnish Lapland

Fly from London Heathrow for Ivalo (via Helsinki). On arrival you will meet your local guide and transfer by coach to the magical Nellim by Lake Inari. At the hotel make straight for your accommodation. Collect your thermal clothing. Enjoy a welcoming buffet supper before heading straight out into the powdery pristine snow-covered playground surrounding the lodge.

 

DAY 2: Reindeer & Father Christmas Surprise 

After breakfast, your wilderness adventure will begin with a short snowmobile ride to see a local reindeer herder and experience a short reindeer ride through the fresh snow.

It's back to Nellim for a hearty lunch and an afternoon of Christmas crafting during which each family is given a secret undertaking.  You will board a snowmobile sleigh, which will transport you and your family to a destination known only by your guide. Once you've arrived at this enchanted place, a friendly elf will reveal a sensational secret - Father Christmas is waiting for you! Father Christmas will listen to everyone's wishes, which he will try to make come true.  Spend the rest of the afternoon on the frozen lake with tobogganing, ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

A buffet dinner will be served in the restaurant.

DAY 3: Husky Safari & Snowmobiling

After breakfast it is time to embark on a husky safari. After greeting the excited howling hounds, adults mush in pairs whilst children have their own special ride. Lunch is served back in the hotel, before your wilderness adventure continues with a snowmobile safari.  Follow your guide along a forest trail amongst the pine and spruce bordering the shoreline of Lake Inari..

On your return to Nellim there will be time for gingerbread decorating and some time to unwind in the Kammi.

Supper is a traditional buffet supper.

DAY 4: Return to the UK

After breakfast, there is time at leisure for last minute snow games at the lake's shore before transferring to Ivalo for your return flight to London Heathrow.

 

Temperatures can vary at this time between 0°c and -30°c. as such local conditions can mean that the itinerary, location, duration and order of excursions may change. Any decision to do this is to ensure your comfort, enjoyment and safety at the resort.

 
Nellim Wilderness Lodge
Nellim Wilderness Lodge
This former school house has been lovingly converted into an authentically crafted hotel that reflects the local culture. Located in an Aurora hot spot, this warm and cosy property captures the essence of rural life in Finnish Lapland, which is enthusiastically shared by its owners, Mari and Jouko. Although small, Nellim offers adaptable accommodation including hotel rooms, apartments, and cabins that are flexible enough to lodge couples, groups of friends and differing family sizes. Nellim is also home to the Aurora Bubble. Each individual and romantic pod has heating, private eco WC and a comfortable double bed from where you can view the star-lit sky. Located on the water's edge, the north facing pods have specially formulated curved glass ceilings, which allow you to watch nature unfold. In addition to the hotel’s restaurant there is a welcoming lounge and a bar handcrafted by Jouko himself.