Aurora Nights is a magical family winter escape to Finnish Lapland, designed to immerse adults and children alike in Arctic nature festive traditions and unforgettable experiences. Staying in a private luxury villa at the secluded Jänkä Resort near Ylläs, this journey combines comfort adventure and authentic Lapland culture. Days are filled with reindeer sleigh rides husky dog sledding and hands on ranch visits while evenings offer peaceful moments beneath vast northern skies with opportunities to witness the Northern Lights. A private Christmas themed day brings snow activities festive fun and a personal meeting with Santa Claus creating memories to last a lifetime. The adventure continues with an enchanting visit to Santa Park and a scenic overnight train journey to Helsinki. Perfect for families seeking a premium Lapland holiday Aurora Nights blends wilderness serenity festive magic and once in a lifetime Arctic experiences.
Magical Winter Escape at Jänkä Resort
Aurora Nights offers a carefully curated mix of gentle adventure and festive wonder. Families explore snowy forests by reindeer sleigh and private husky sled before visiting the Jänkä Ranch to meet horses huskies and reindeer.
Children delight in Christmas themed snow activities including ice fishing and mini snow rides. A private meeting with Santa adds a truly personal festive highlight. The journey concludes with a full day at Santa Park featuring elf training gingerbread decorating and Arctic Circle experiences. Every activity is designed to be engaging and deeply rooted in Lapland traditions.
Overview
What’s included
- Private transfers throughout the journey
- Luxury private villa accommodation at Jänkä Resort
- Daily breakfast and selected lunches and dinners
- Reindeer sleigh ride and ranch visit
- Private husky dog sledding experience
- Christmas themed family snow activities
- Private meeting with Santa Claus
- Santa Park Very Elfish Person experience with lunch
- Overnight sleeper train to Helsinki with private cabins
- Local expert guides and winter equipment for activities
- Support when travelling 8am-9pm 7 days a week
- Flights not included
A note on flights
While flights are not included in the holiday price, our team will happily provide a quote and arrange them for you. Simply ask one of our Travel Experts for details of the available options.
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrival at Jänkä Resort
Arrive in Rovaniemi and enjoy a private scenic transfer through Arctic landscapes to Jänkä Resort near Ylläs. Settle into your beautifully designed private villa surrounded by pristine wilderness and towering forests. The evening begins with a three course dinner at the resort restaurant showcasing Nordic flavours. Afterwards relax by the fire or step outside into the crisp Arctic night where clear skies offer the chance to spot the Northern Lights dancing above the treetops. This gentle first day allows the family to unwind acclimatise and begin their Lapland adventure at a relaxed pace.
Arctic Wildlife and Dog Sledding at Jänkä Ranch
After breakfast at the resort restaurant the day begins with a visit to Jänkä Ranch where the family meets friendly horses huskies and reindeer while learning about life in the Arctic. Continue with a traditional reindeer sleigh ride through snow covered forests followed by warm drinks by the fire. Lunch is served back at the resort before an exhilarating private dog sledding experience gliding across frozen landscapes. The day concludes with another delicious three course dinner and a cosy evening in your villa with more chances to admire the Northern Lights.
Christmas Magic and Santa Encounter
Today is dedicated to festive family fun. After breakfast enjoy private Christmas themed winter activities including snow play sleigh rides ice fishing, tailored to all ages. Lunch is served back at the resort before a truly magical highlight a private meeting with Santa Claus in a cosy woodland setting. Children can share wishes while adults savour the joy of a personal and magical encounter. The evening ends with a final three course dinner at the resort and time to reflect on a day filled with wonder laughter and unforgettable family moments.
Santa Park and Overnight Train
Following breakfast depart Jänkä Resort by private transfer to Rovaniemi. Spend the day at Santa Park with (VEP) Very Elfish Person access enjoying gingerbread decorating elf school festive attractions and lunch included. Skip queues and enjoy a smooth immersive experience beneath the Arctic Circle. In the evening dine at leisure in Rovaniemi before boarding the overnight sleeper train to Helsinki. Settle into private ensuite cabins and drift south through snowy landscapes enjoying a unique and comfortable overnight journey.
Helsinki Departure
Wake on board the train as it arrives in Helsinki. Breakfast can be ordered on the train before disembarking at Helsinki Central Station. A private transfer takes you directly to the airport for onward departure marking the end of an extraordinary Aurora Nights family adventure filled with Arctic magic festive joy and lifelong memories.
Where You'll Stay
Jänkä Resort
A setting for stillness
Nestled above the Arctic Circle in the pristine wilderness of Finnish Lapland, Jänkä Resort offers a unique blend of luxury, tranquillity and immersive nature for guests seeking both comfort and solitude. Located in Ylläs, close to the village of Äkäslompolo, the resort feels worlds away yet remains accessible, making it an ideal destination for aurora-hunting and mindful retreats.
At Jänkä Resort the signature phrase “Sense the stillness” captures the ethos of the place. The architecture and interiors are designed to invite a slower rhythm of living, to encourage presence and connection to the surrounding Lapland landscapes. Each villa is crafted with floor-to-ceiling windows, private hot tubs and thoughtful finishes that echo the forest, lake and sky beyond. This design not only affords spectacular views of the wilderness but invites you to appreciate the subtle shifts of season, light and quiet.
The resort comprises a selection of premium villas set amid the untouched terrain of Ylläs. Designed for travellers who seek high-end comfort without compromising authenticity, the lodging provides both privacy and connection to nature. Large, heated windows make it possible to watch the northern lights dance overhead from the warmth of your suite, no need to venture out after dark, geothermal energy for heating reflects the resort’s commitment to harmony with the Arctic environment.
Unforgettable experiences
While the setting invites calm, Jänkä Resort also offers opportunities for memorable adventures. From husky or reindeer sledding to guided excursions under the aurora, the location is ideal for both winter and summer guests looking to explore or to simply watch the light shift across snow or moorland.
The resort’s message emphasises mindfulness and presence, so whether you’re drawn by ski lifts, snow-covered pines or midnight skies dyed green, you’ll find a place designed to support deeper connection: to nature, to loved-ones, and to yourself.
Sustainable and respectful travel
Jänkä Resort is grounded in a strong sense of place. The owners are locals from the Äkäslompolo area and operate on land that has been in the family for generations.
The resort clearly states its commitment to preserving Arctic integrity, with design and operations that respect the natural surroundings and traditional reindeer herding in the region. Geothermal heating is one example of environmentally thoughtful infrastructure.
By striving to prevent over-tourism and ensuring guests can enjoy nature without overwhelming it, the resort offers a stay that is both luxurious and sustainable.
Practical highlights
Jänkä Resort is located about a 45-minute drive from Kittilä airport for the Ylläs site.
The region’s remoteness does not mean isolation from comfort: you have refined accommodation, quality service and the magical possibility of witnessing the aurora borealis from your villa. For travellers visiting the UK, this destination offers a truly “away from the crowds” Arctic experience, while remaining within an accessible flight schedule from major hubs.
Why it works for Aurora Nights
For those visiting on an aurora-hunting itinerary, Jänkä Resort delivers on several key fronts:
- Accommodation optimised for northern lights viewing from inside your suite.
- A setting deep in Lapland where light pollution is minimal and nature’s rhythms dominate.
- Premium comfort that allows you to savour the experience rather than just endure it.
- A philosophy aligned with mindful travel, enhancing the sense of wonder rather than simply ticking a bucket-list item.
If you are looking for a destination that combines luxurious stays, authentic Lapland experiences and an atmosphere that encourages pause and presence, Jänkä Resort is a standout choice. It is less about spectacle and more about immersion — in snow, sky, silence and meaning. Whether you are drawn by the aurora, the huskies, the forest or simply the idea of stillness, this resort invites you in and asks only that you slow down, look up and let the Arctic world work it’s quiet magic.
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Northern lights tour reviews
We booked with Aurora for a short winter break to celebrate an event. We wanted something special and that’s what we got. Clear information was backed up with straightforward booking detail, and we had a super, holiday with no complications.
The holiday exceeded my expectations and I will use Aurora in the future. Thank you!
My wife and I had an awesome and memorable trip to Iceland thanks to Alex at Aurora Nights. Alex tailored the itinerary to exactly what we wanted to see and chose excellent hotels to stay at. We totally enjoyed the city of Reykjavik and the many beautiful waterfalls. He went above and beyond to not only recommend sights to see around the Golden Circle and Ring Road, but also mapped it out so we were prepared to drive through the country during unpredictable weather and road conditions. And we were especially pleased to see the Northern Lights on our visit. Alex was very flexible to make changes to our plans and choosing the wonderful Sky Lagoon to replace our tickets for the Blue Lagoon due to the closure from the volcanic activity. We highly recommend Alex and Aurora Nights.
An amazing trip and excellent service provided by all involved. Great value for money too. Food was excellent. Accommodation was wonderful and the trips booked were outstanding. An amazing trip
Cannot thank this company enough. Our break to Iceland was the second time we’ve let them organise everything for us and once again they didn’t disappoint. Everything ran seamlessly and the organised tours were wonderful. This company knows what they are doing. If you want to experience the geysers, the volcano, the northern lights and all the other exciting things that Iceland has to offer then this is the company to use.