Finland: Northern Lights and Lapland




Group info
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group info
Coordinator
Graeme
Itinerary
A Winter Escape Like No Other
Forget the ordinary and dive into a world of snow-covered forests, glowing skies, and Arctic adventures. This is Finnish Lapland - more than just Santa Claus, and Christmas trees - it's where nature sets the pace and every moment feels a little more magical.
We’ve designed a short but intense itinerary that lets you fully immerse yourself in Finnish culture (and snow!). Our journey starts in Helsinki, Europe’s northernmost capital, offering a first taste of Finland’s unique vibe. Then it’s off to Rovaniemi, right on the Arctic Circle, where we’ll trade roads for snowmobiles and dive into a truly northern way of life.
From writing a letter at Santa’s official post office to floating beneath the aurora in a thermal suit, this adventure promises unforgettable moments—one snowy thrill at a time.


Welcome to Finland
Helsinki
Roundtrip flights or transportation to reach the destination are not included in the package, so you can decide from where and when you want to leave! This gives you complete freedom of choice to adjust your travel itinerary to your needs.
We arrive in Finland’s capital, and already the atmosphere feels distinctly northern. Let’s make the most of our first evening by sampling some local specialties together—perhaps a warm bowl of hernekeitto, traditional pea soup, or lohikeitto, a creamy salmon soup that’s a Finnish favorite.

On board the Santa Express!
Northbound
This morning, we explore the heart of Helsinki with a stroll through Kauppatori, the city’s lively market square by the sea. From there, we continue to one of Helsinki’s most striking landmarks: Temppeliaukio Church, a stunning structure carved entirely into solid rock.
In the late afternoon, we head to the station to board the iconic Santa Express—the overnight train that travels 700 km north to Rovaniemi, the gateway to the Arctic and home to the man who shaped our childhood dreams: Santa Claus.

Arctic Activities
Adventures in the Arctic Circle
We wake up in Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. Just 6 kilometers from the Arctic Circle, the air already feels crisper—welcome to the far north!
Today is all about choosing our own adventure. Options include getting up close with reindeer or huskies, learning how these iconic animals thrive in such an extreme climate. Or maybe we go for something a bit more daring—floating in a frozen lake (don’t worry, we’ll be suited up!) or snowshoeing through snowy pine forests.
There’s no shortage of local experiences to dive into: we can visit a hotel made entirely of ice, or explore Arktikum, a museum and science centre that sheds light on northern nature, culture, and history. The exhibitions also offer insight into how the Arctic is evolving, especially in the face of climate change.
In the evening, we gather for dinner—but we’re keeping one eye on the sky... could this be the night the Northern Lights make their appearance?

Adrenaline on a snowmobile
Frozen lake on snowmobiles
Today brings the most adrenaline-fueled experience of the trip - we hop on snowmobiles! By now, we’ve probably realized that up here, snowmobiles are as common as scooters back home. But this time, we’re the ones behind the handlebars, gliding along snowy trails through the forest until we reach an endless stretch of white: a frozen lake.
This excursion takes up most of the morning and part of the afternoon, but what about lunch? We go straight to the source - with drill in hand, we try our luck at ice fishing. Whether we catch something or not, we won’t go hungry - our guide treats us to a steaming bowl of fresh fish soup, the perfect remedy for frosty fingers and toes.
Later in the afternoon, we wind down with some well-deserved relaxation time in Rovaniemi, soaking in the slow rhythm of Arctic life. And when night falls, we gear up once again—for a walk under the stars, eyes to the sky, hoping to catch another glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights.

Santa's house
Do you believe in Santa?
It’s official—it’s always Christmas here! We kick off the day at the magical Santa Claus Village, where we visit the famous Arctic Circle post office to send postcards stamped from the top of the world. And of course, no visit is complete without meeting Santa Claus himself!
Depending on the season, we continue to the ice hotel, about 30 kilometers away, where we explore intricately carved rooms, sculptures, and even a bar—all made entirely of ice and snow.
As always, after dinner, our eyes turn skyward. The hunt continues... aurora, we’re ready!

Check Out and Goodbyes
Check out and goodbyes!
Time to say goodbye ): Until our next WeRoad Adventure!
What's included
- 4 nights in a shared room with private bathroom and 1 night on the night train 
- Night train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi 
- Car rental from day 3 to day 6 
- Snowmobile excursion with lunch included 
- Ice fishing experience 
- Medical and baggage insurance - (coverage limits by destination country/region - €10,000 Italy, €20,000 Europe, €30,000 World, €50,000 USA/Canada) 
What's not included
Roundtrip flight to/from destination
- Food and beverages when not specified 
 
- All extras you want to fit in your backpack 
 
- Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section
Money pot
- Fuel 
- The activities and extras that all participants agree to do 
- The Travel Coordinator's money pot share 
Additional info
- Private room option is not available for this trip 
- Seasonal variationThe dog sledding excursion (day 4) and the snowmobile adventure (day 3) can only be done in favourable weather conditions. For departures in October and November, they may be replaced with alternative activities at the Travel Coordinator's suggestion if the snow conditions make them unsafe. 
- Multi-destination TripYou've already noticed, right? 
 This is a multi-destination trip: we will depart from Helsinki but return from Rovaniemi, so keep that in mind when booking your flight!
- Private Room Option Show all details
Why WeRoad
-  Small groups, on average 11 people 
-  Free cancellation included (deposit refunded as a gift card) 
-  Book with a £/€100 deposit 
The travel coordinators
Find your flight
For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
About this trip
This journey begins at Helsinki. On the first day, we meet at 18:30.
This journey ends at Rovaniemi. On the last day, you are free to leave at any time, so whether you need to book a flight, a train, or wish to continue the journey on your own, you can organize your return as you prefer
For this itinerary, you can choose the type of luggage you prefer – we always recommend a backpack, but you can also travel with a duffel bag, a holdall, or (it breaks our heart to say it) a cabin trolley case or a checked suitcase, as long as it’s moderate in size. Our Travel Coordinator will suggest the ideal luggage before departure in the WhatsApp group!
About WeRoad
Round-trip flights are not included in any of our trips because we like to give you autonomy and flexibility: you can choose the airline you want to fly with, the departure airport that suits you best, and how many and which stops you want to make.
Since flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: if possible, you can arrive at your destination a few days earlier or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!
This is the question of all questions, and here’s the answer, broken down into points!
The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator.
It is used to streamline paymentsfor extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure.
You’ll find the amount of the money pot on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the money pot’ – how do you get there? Look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money pot? Click here’, and you’ll find the details.
The amount varies depending on the destination chosen.
It is used exclusively for group expenses that ALL participants decide to take part in.
It is estimated based on the experiences of other groups but can vary depending on the needs of the group itself. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip.
If not all of the money pot is used, the difference will be returned to all participants at the end of the trip in equal amounts.
The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the money pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator.
If you pay in advance part of the money pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded in case of trip cancellation.
We offer several payment methods to fit every need:
1. Credit or prepaid card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Scalapay up to €4,999 (only available with the “Full trip payment” option – not available with the “Deposit and balance” option; pay in 3 instalments up to €1,200 or in 4 instalments over €1,200);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account;
5. Welfare credit – BEFORE BOOKING, reach out to us at [email protected].
If you choose the deposit and balance option, you’ll also be able to pay the balance via bank transfer from your Personal Area.
Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. (Deposits will be refunded in the form of a gift card valid for 365 days from issue date.) If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.
If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option. Deposits will be refunded in the form of a gift card valid for 365 days from issue date.
How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at [email protected] or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.
In general, we always choose local accommodations, avoiding large hotel chains, because we love to experience the culture of the place and, whenever possible, contribute to the local economy. Typically, our accommodations are hotels, apartments, guesthouses, and hostels run by local entrepreneurs, with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.
For our Collection trips, which are our premium category, the accommodations are always 4 or 5-star or carefully selected boutique hotels.
The list of accommodations for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator between 5 and 3 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!
If you're wondering why WeRoad trips have a money pot, we’re assuming you already know what it is. If not, or if you have any doubts, we invite you to read all the information here!
Let’s quickly recap: The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all tour participants and managed by your Travel Coordinator. It’s used to speed up payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do and to guarantee flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group.
But let’s get to the point: why the money pot? First of all: it gives us a lot of flexibility. In all WeRoad trips you will have a bunch of Must See/Must Do activities already included - these are experiences, places or activities that simply cannot be missed! Any extra activities is decided by the group, why? Because each group is unique and may have particular wants or desires and the Money Pot allows each group to customise their trip to make it perfect for their requirements!
It also helps us speed up payments – imagine being in the subway in New York City, one by one purchasing the ticket...a nightmare right? Thanks to the Money Pot, the Travel Coordinator can simply purchase the tickets for everyone making the entire processes smoother! Any leftover money will be returned at the end of the trip and split equally amongst all participants.
In some destinations, buying goods or services on site is more economical as you are able to negotiate the price - places like Morocco, or South East Asia, bargaining is part of the culture. As such, our Travel Coordinators will be able to secure the best deal for all participants.
The amount of the money pot is specified in each trip – look for this button
which will take you to a detailed breakdown for each trip, like this:
Even if we don't know the flights of all WeRoaders, there are several ways to find out which flights your travel companions have purchased.
1. Each WeRoader has the ability to communicate their flight details after booking within their personal area so that other travel companions can see the details anonymously. Enter your booking and you will find this section:
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2. If you want to find out before booking, instead, you can contact us and we will support you in your search or you can ask your travel companions for direct information by joining our Facebook group 'WeRoad... let's get to know each other before leaving! (official)' – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weroadit) look for a post associated with your trip, or ask the group administrators for help in getting in touch with your future adventure companions!
If the coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you are interested in, you can easily find his/her presentation post in the group through the site: in the shift list click on 'Ask the coordinator', or in the trip tab, in the coordinator section, click on 'Ask [coordinator name] about this shift in our Facebook group'. For both cases, see the screenshots below!
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On our group trips, the Travel Coordinator and participants speak English – knowing how to speak and understand English is therefore a fundamental requirement to participate in WeRoad.com trips.
On average, groups consist of 12 people, with a minimum of 3-4 participants and a maximum of 18-20 in exceptional cases.
The average age varies depending on the age range indicated for each trip: for 25-35 year-olds, it's usually in their 30s, and for 35+ year-olds, it's around 40. However, if you'd like to know the average age of a group, contact us via WhatsApp at 3484231163.
Regarding the gender mix, there's no guarantee that the group will be balanced, as it all depends on you and on when and what you book! We can, however, reveal a detail: many women book well in advance, while many men often arrive a bit last minute!
Want to know the specific composition of your group? Find out how here.
Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking – although, in our opinion, that kind of spoils the surprise! You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!
The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller and will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will be available for any eventuality and will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary (transports, timings, accommodations, meeting points, etc.), so you can enjoy the trip without any worries!
You will have the chance to get to know them when the WhatsApp group is created approximately 2 weeks before departure - this will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking – their details will be specified in the schedule or on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your Personal Area, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.
Yes, in all our trips you will share a room with other same-sex travellers, and the bathroom will either be private or shared only with fellow participants of the trip. The rooms we select can be doubles, triples, quadruples, or multi-bed (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.
There are never dorms with people outside the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodations like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.
During the booking process, you can also choose to opt for a mixed room: in this case, if needed, only those who have agreed to this option may share a room with travellers of a different sex. If you are booking for multiple people together and select this option, the room will not be exclusive to your group but may be shared with other travellers in the group.
When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'Once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you, even if you no longer travel with us.
But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. We can also meet up for a dinner or a trek together at one of the events organised by our coordinators around the world!






















