Top things to do in Rovaniemi

Feel the rush of Arctic air as eager huskies pull you through snow-dusted forests beneath a starlit sky. These evening tours combine the thrill of sledding with the magic of chasing the Northern Lights, a truly unforgettable Lapland experience.

Overview

  • Distance covered: 500m to 5km, depending on tour type
  • Cost range: €179 to €259 per person, depending on inclusions and duration
  • Best time to visit: November to March, for clear skies and strong Aurora activity
  • Meeting/drop-off point: Rovaniemi City Center or hotel pick-up within 12km
  • Key attractions: Husky farm visit, evening sleigh ride through snowy forests, guided Aurora chase at secluded viewing spots, photography tips from local experts
  • Recommended tour: Rovaniemi: Northern Lights hunting with husky

What to expect on a Northern Lights husky safari in Rovaniemi

Van under Northern Lights on photography tour with hotel transfers.
Dog sledding team pulling a sled across snowy landscape.
Husky sleigh ride under Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Finland.
Aurora borealis over snowy mountain at night.
Campfire gathering under Northern Lights in snowy Rovaniemi forest, Finland with warm beverages.
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Effortless transfers from the City Center

All Northern Lights husky tours include round-trip transfers from Rovaniemi City Center or Santa Claus Village, so you don’t have to worry about late-night transport or icy roads. Your guide ensures a smooth, stress-free journey from start to finish.

Meet your husky companions

At the husky farm, you’ll be welcomed by excited dogs ready for their nighttime run. Guides introduce you to the team, share safety basics, and explain how the dogs are trained to navigate snowy terrain.

Ride through the Arctic wilderness

Once harnessed, the huskies lead your sleigh into the stillness of the Lappish night. The journey takes you through forests and open snowfields illuminated by moonlight, with nothing but the rhythm of paws and the whisper of the sled beneath you.

Rovaniemi husky sledding tours

Searching for the Northern Lights

After the ride, your guide drives you to prime Aurora-viewing locations, often by frozen lakes or forest clearings far from city lights. They’ll share insight into the science and legends behind the aurora and help you with tips for photographing the Northern Lights when they appear.

Warmth and comfort throughout

To keep you cozy, tours provide thermal overalls, boots, and gloves, and most end with a comforting cup of hot blueberry juice or a fireside chat under the stars. Small-group settings ensure space, quiet, and personal attention throughout the evening.

Things to know before booking your Northern Lights husky ride

  • The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, influenced by solar activity, weather conditions, and cloud cover. While sightings aren’t guaranteed, Rovaniemi’s location just below the Arctic Circle offers great chances on clear nights, and expert guides track forecasts and pick low-light spots for the best views.
  • The Aurora has no fixed schedule; sometimes it appears within minutes, other times after an hour or more. Quality tours, especially Aurora hunts by car, visit several viewing spots like lakesides or forest clearings to boost your chances.
  • If you’re after a relaxed evening under the Northern Lights, pick a shorter husky ride. For a longer, more immersive experience, choose a combo adventure that includes daytime activities like visiting reindeer or Santa’s Village, followed by an evening Aurora hunt, a great way to make the most of winter’s limited daylight.
  • Most Northern Lights husky tours in Rovaniemi are guide-driven for safety in low visibility and extreme cold. You can also join self-driven tours that let you steer your own husky team, taking turns between mushing and riding.
  • Night safaris usually run in small groups of under ten guests, allowing guides to tailor the pace, assist with camera settings, and ensure each sled has time for photos and questions.
  • All safaris follow strict animal welfare standards; huskies run short distances (usually under 5km) with frequent rests, while guides avoid stressful routes and monitor weather and trail conditions for safety.

Find your perfect husky adventure

ExperienceBest forDurationInclusionsTransfersAdd-onsStarts from
Day & evening tour

Experiencing Lapland’s highlights in one day with huskies, reindeer, Santa’s Village, & a Northern Lights hunt

7 hours, 500m husky ride

500m husky ride, 400m reindeer ride, Santa’s Pets visit, Aurora hunt (2 stops), English-speaking driver-guide, Fazer chocolate, hot fruit/berry tea, winter clothing

Hotel pick-up in premium vehicles

All taxes & service fees

€259

Husky ride & Aurora chase

Combining a nighttime husky ride with a guided Aurora search for the best viewing chances

3.5 hours, 5km husky ride (guide-driven)

Husky ride, Aurora chase, English-speaking guide, winter clothing, hot blueberry juice

Pick-up/drop-off from Santa Claus Village or office

Available in German, French, Italian, Spanish, & Chinese

€179

Ethical, heartfelt, & husky-approved

The huskies you meet are working athletes, well cared for and genuinely eager to run. Balanced training, regular vet checks, and proper rest ensure the experience is safe and joyful for both dogs and guests.

Highlights of your Northern Lights husky safari

Sled dog resting in snowy landscape under Northern Lights, Rovaniemi.

Husky meet and greet

Meet the dogs and handlers at the kennel, learn how they work together as a team, and see firsthand the passion that fuels Lapland’s sledding tradition.

Sled dog resting in snowy landscape under Northern Lights, Rovaniemi.
Sled dog resting in snowy landscape under Northern Lights, Rovaniemi.
Sled dog resting in snowy landscape under Northern Lights, Rovaniemi.
Sled dog resting in snowy landscape under Northern Lights, Rovaniemi.
Husky sledding through snowy landscape in Rovaniemi.
Husky sledding through snowy landscape in Rovaniemi.
Husky sledding through snowy landscape in Rovaniemi.
Husky sledding through snowy landscape in Rovaniemi.
Santa Claus with reindeer in snowy Rovaniemi forest.
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Husky farms and kennels

Visit authentic Arctic kennels outside Rovaniemi, where you’ll meet the dogs, learn how sled teams are trained, and see the behind-the-scenes of Lapland’s most beloved tradition.

  • Time required: 30 to 45 minutes
  • Activities: Meet the huskies, learn mushing basics, explore the kennels, take photos with the team

Aurora viewing locations

Your guide leads you to secluded forest or lakeside areas chosen for clear skies and minimal light, the perfect settings to watch the Northern Lights come alive.

  • Time required: 1 to 1.5 hours (evening tours)
  • Activities: Aurora photography, stargazing, guided legends of the lights

Snow-covered Arctic forests

Travel through Lapland’s untouched wilderness, where frosted trees, frozen rivers, and moonlit snowfields create an unforgettable backdrop for your husky ride.

  • Time required: 30 to 60 minutes (en route)
  • Activities: Scenic forest trail ride, night photography, wildlife spotting

Local wilderness camps

Stop at a traditional wooden kota or open fire site, where you can sip hot berry juice and warm up as your guide shares stories about life in the Arctic.

  • Time required: 20 to 30 minutes
  • Activities: Fireside rest, hot drinks, Arctic storytelling

Santa Claus Village

Some Northern Lights husky tours, like the day & evening tour, include a visit to Santa Claus Village, where you can meet Santa, cross the Arctic Circle, and explore festive shops before your evening safari.

  • Time required: 1 to 2 hours (combo tours)
  • Activities: Meet and greet with Santa Claus, Arctic Circle certificate, souvenir shopping
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

A typical evening timeline

  • 6pm: Begin your evening with convenient transfers from Rovaniemi City Center or Santa Claus Village. Meet your English-speaking guide, gear up with warm overalls, boots, and gloves, and get a quick safety briefing before heading out.
  • 6:30pm: At the husky farm, the air fills with excited barks as your guide introduces you to the sled dogs. Learn how teams are trained and cared for, and take a moment to connect with your huskies before the ride begins.
  • 7pm: Hop aboard your sled for a thrilling journey through snow-covered forests and open fields.
  • 7:45pm: After the ride, gather by a fire for hot blueberry juice and snacks. You’ll have more time to pet the dogs, take photos, and ask your guide about life with huskies in Lapland.
  • 8:15pm: Travel with your guide to two remote viewing locations chosen for their clear skies and minimal light pollution. Learn how to photograph the Aurora Borealis as you wait for nature’s show to begin.
  • 9:30pm: After a final stop beneath the Arctic sky, relax on the return journey to your hotel, warmed by the fire, the silence, and a memory of the Northern Lights above.

Plan your Northern Lights husky ride

  • Day & evening tour: Santa's pets, sledding & Aurora hunt: 9am
  • Rovaniemi: Northern Lights hunting with husky: 6pm

Note:

  • The day and evening tour lasts about 7 hours, blending daytime animal encounters with a guided Northern Lights chase at night.
  • The evening husky safari runs for roughly 3.5 hours, starting after sunset when the chances of seeing the Aurora are highest.
  • Keep in mind that return times may vary slightly based on weather, snow conditions, and Aurora visibility.

The best time to join a Northern Lights husky safari in Rovaniemi is from December to March, when the snow is thick enough for smooth sledding and the nights are long and dark for the best chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

Time of night:

  • Tours usually start between 6pm and 9pm, aligning with the darkest hours of the evening when the Aurora is most visible. The most active window for Northern Lights sightings is typically between 9pm and 11pm.

Good to know:

  • If your priority is the husky experience, mid-January to early March offers the best snow conditions, while late February to March is ideal for Aurora viewing with slightly milder weather.

Most Northern Lights husky safaris include round-trip transfers from the Nordic Unique Travels Office in central Rovaniemi, making the start of your evening completely hassle-free.

  • From Rovaniemi hotels: Many city hotels are within walking distance of the City Center meeting point. For those staying farther away, local taxis can get you there in under 10 minutes.
  • From Rovaniemi Airport: The airport is around 8km from the City Center, and the drive takes roughly 15 minutes by taxi or airport shuttle.
  • From Rovaniemi Railway Station: Located just 2km away, the station is a quick 5-minute taxi ride or an easy 20-minute walk.

Transfers are included with all tours, so once you’ve been picked up, your guide takes care of all transport between activities throughout the evening.

  • Round-trip transfers from Rovaniemi City Center, with select tours including convenient hotel pick-up.
  • Professional English-speaking guides trained in Arctic safety and wildlife interaction.
  • Heated rest huts or campfire shelters where guests can warm up between activities.
  • Thermal winter gear provided on-site, including overalls, boots, gloves, helmets, and balaclavas.
  • Light refreshments such as hot berry juice and cookies served after the ride, with some tours including a light meal.
  • Small-group setup to ensure a personalized and comfortable experience during the night safari.
  • Warm base layers such as thermals, fleece, or wool to wear under the provided overalls.
  • Thick socks, scarf, and inner gloves for extra insulation in Arctic temperatures.
  • A hat or beanie that fits under your helmet or hood comfortably.
  • A camera or smartphone with a tripod or stabilizer for Northern Lights photography.
  • Power bank or spare batteries, as cold weather drains devices quickly.
  • Personal medication or small essentials (lip balm, tissues, hand warmers) for outdoor comfort.

Visitor tips & guidelines

  • Carry a microfiber lens cloth to wipe frost or condensation off your camera and phone lens during aurora viewing.
  • Avoid using your phone’s flashlight around huskies during night tours, as sudden light can startle the dogs.
  • Bring a small fabric bag or strap pouch to keep gloves, a camera, and small items handy while wearing snow overalls.
  • Lower your camera’s brightness before the ride to preserve night vision for better aurora spotting.
  • Slip reusable hand warmers into your inner gloves before heading out; the handle of a sled or snowmobile gets cold fast.
  • Ask your guide where to stand near the husky sled for the best photo angles when the dogs start running.

Frequently asked questions about Northern Lights husky tours

Do the huskies run too fast for beginners?

The huskies are well-trained and guided by experienced mushers, ensuring a steady pace suitable for first-timers and families.

Are there age or weight limits for husky safaris?

Children above 4 years old can usually join, and adults up to around 120 kg can safely ride. Specific age or weight limits vary slightly by tour.

Will I definitely see the Northern Lights?

The aurora depends on weather and solar activity, so sightings are not guaranteed, but local guides choose the most promising viewing areas each night.

How cold does it get during a Northern Lights husky safari?

Evening temperatures in winter can drop to -20°C or lower, but with the provided thermal overalls and layers, you’ll stay comfortably warm throughout the ride.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If heavy snow or storms make it unsafe to ride, the tour may be rescheduled or refunded, depending on conditions and availability.

Is the tour suitable for solo travelers?

Absolutely. Solo guests can lead their own husky team, pair up with other participants, or ride with a guide for a comfortable shared experience.

Can I take photos during the sled ride?

Yes, though it’s best to secure your camera or phone with a strap. You’ll also have photo breaks before and after the ride when the huskies rest.

Do huskies enjoy pulling sleds?

Yes, huskies are working dogs bred for Arctic travel. They are happiest when running and well cared for by their handlers.

Top Things to do in Rovaniemi
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