The 13 Best Saariselka Tours & Safaris

1.Aurora Hunting Photography Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 325 reviews · 3 hours · from $163Our pick

Spend three hours chasing clear skies around Saariselkä in a heated minivan with guides such as Ivan, Mikke, or Eugene. The route changes with the forecast, and stops may include frozen lakes and dark roadside viewpoints. Your guide explains the Aurora, serves warm drinks and snacks, and takes professional photographs to share afterward.

“Best northern lights we’ve seen in our time here. Mario picked a great spot. We waited and the whole sky lit up. The northern lights were so bright it was almost like day light. A once in a lifetime experience. Can’t wait to see the photos.”

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2.10KM Husky Safari with kennel visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 313 reviews · 4 hours · from $234

Drive your own husky team on a 10-kilometer route from Veskoniemi, then meet the dogs and puppies at a small kennel. English-speaking guides such as Elena and Janna explain training and daily care. Two people share each sled, with time split between driving and riding. Warm clothing is provided, but bring extra foot and hand warmers.

“Very knowledgeable host, dogs are happy and well looked after. Great length for experience of different terrains. Thoroughly enjoyed!”

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3.Snowmobile Ride with Hot Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 196 reviews · 2 hours · from $152

Start with hotel pickup, winter gear, a safety briefing, and simple driving lessons. Then follow your English-speaking Safartica guide through Saariselkä’s snowy forests and hills, stopping for hot berry juice, cookies, and photos. The pace suits beginners, with two people per snowmobile and warm overalls, boots, gloves, and helmets provided.

“It was an amazing experience, we enjoyed every minutes of this activity. And we would like to thank our amazing guides Mariana and David !”

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4.Northern Lights Hunt Snowmobile Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 195 reviews · 5 hours · from $199

Drive a snowmobile through Inari’s silent forest at night, then stop at a tepee or hut for sausages, snacks, and hot drinks by the fire. Guides such as David, Sam, Marco, and Arvid are known for patient instruction and careful cold-weather checks. Aurora is possible but never guaranteed.

“I have no words! It was breathtaking. The guides were fantastic, so kind and attentive. We had sausages in an amazing place, but the most impressive was the magnificent red aurora we saw in the middle of the forest, thanks to them! I have no doubt I'll repeat the experience with them if I return to Saariselka!”

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5.Auroras Northern Lights in Saariselka

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 176 reviews · 5 hours · from $175

Spend five hours hunting the aurora around Ivalo and Saariselkä with an English-speaking guide such as Christina, Linda, or Franzi. You’ll travel beyond town lights, warm up in a hut, enjoy barbecue snacks and hot drinks, hear Lappish stories, and get help with night photography. Aurora sightings and shared photos are not guaranteed.

“The tour was great. The guides were very enthusiastic about the whole experience. Friendly helpful and knowledgeable. We had a lot of cloud cover so was not really expecting to see much. But the guys didn’t give up and still managed to get us see the lights and get some good photos despite the bad weather and bad aurora conditions. Can’t really expect much more than that. No complaints at all. Thanks !!!”

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6.Snowmobile Safari on Tundra with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 151 reviews · 3 hours · from $175

You’ll learn to handle a Lynx snowmobile on marked tracks before riding through Finnish Lapland’s forests and open fields. The three-hour trip includes winter clothing, boots, hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and a fire-hut stop with warm drinks and simple BBQ-style snacks. A valid driver’s license is required to drive.

“We had an amazing time! As the only two people on the tour, we enjoyed a private experience at a lower cost. We could really rev the engine and drive as fast as we pleased most of the time which made it even more enjoyable. Plus, the road was freshly flattened and we were the first to drive on it – a bonus! We had some extra time thanks to our speedy driving and we also managed to drive up the mountain. The sun was rising and the views were breathtaking. Overall, I highly recommend this tour!”

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7.Northern Lights & Reindeer Sledding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 140 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $222

Meet at Lapponia Tours in Saariselkä, dress in thermal layers, and take a short transfer to a reindeer farm. You’ll ride through a dark forest, feed the reindeer, and warm up with a hot drink by the fire while guides such as Visa, Nilla, and Eemeli share local stories. The Aurora is possible but never promised.

“Appositely awesome . Magical experience. Everything is perfect and Aurora lights were bonus.”

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8.Evening Snowmobile Tour with Fire & picnic

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 127 reviews · 3 hours · from $183

Drive a heated, well-maintained snowmobile through Saariselkä’s snowy forests, swamps, and hills after dark. You’ll share one machine between two adults, stop at a fire for sausages, pastry, and hot drinks, and keep watch for the aurora. Warm clothing, guide, transfers, and about 1.5 to 2 hours of driving are included.

“The snowmobiles were super fun and easy to drive with great handbar heating. We got warm polar jumpsuits and gloves and tasty food by the fire in the kotta. The views were amazing, real arctic experience!”

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9.Aurora Photo Tour by Car with Transfer & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 116 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

Leave Saariselkä by minibus with an English-speaking guide and search for clear skies around Lapland’s best aurora areas. The three-hour outing includes hotel pickup, warm clothing, hot drinks, gingerbread cookies, photography advice, and a link to tour photos. Your guide may change locations, but the aurora itself cannot be guaranteed.

“Unfortunately, the tour was disappointing. We did see the aurora; however, the driver didn’t show much enthusiasm, only driving for a while and stopping in a lay-by next to the road. There was some aurora activity, but the high tension cables above spoiled the occasion (as they would interfere with the view and -of course- with the pictures). The driver commented that “we don’t need to go elsewhere: we’ll see the same lights” (i’m paraphrasing, but that was the message). We knew that, but a search for a picturesque scenario (eg, the frozen lake Ukonjarvi ) would have made for a much better experience than stopping at the side of…”

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10.Arctic Trail Horse Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 105 reviews · 2 hours · from $170

At Polaris Point Horses, meet gentle Finnish horses, learn the basics, and ride for at least 60 minutes through quiet forest trails. Maria and the local guides keep the pace slow and friendly, making this a good first ride. Finish with hot drinks. Transport is not included.

“Discover the forests and snowy trails on the back of magnificent Finnish horses. Impeccable welcome and management. Maria is truly passionate and gives wonderful explanations about the forest, the animals, and of course, the horses. Don't forget to book a taxi in advance.”

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11.Snowshoeing Tour in Urho Kekkonen National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 91 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $88Best value

Meet guides such as Alessa or Rita near the park border, choose a 2-hour, 4-hour, or evening outing, and follow snowshoes into quiet forest. You will adjust the route to snow and group pace, look for arctic animal tracks, and finish with a warm drink. English and Finnish guidance is available.

“Wonderful 2hr walking tour through the nationalpark incl. hot berry juice.”

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12.Aurora Photography Tour 3 HOURS

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $167Top rated

Join an English-speaking guide from Arctic Timetravels for a three-hour Northern Lights hunt from Saariselkä. You’ll ride to at least three dark-sky locations, follow changing weather forecasts, learn about the aurora, and warm up with hot drinks. Guides such as Ivan, Walter, Karoliina, Nico, and Centti are praised for persistence and personal help with photos.

“It was excellent!! We had a great time with Nico!! He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic throughout!! He was persistent to show us northern lights despite overcast conditions and drove all the way up to a place where the sky was clearing. Once we waited a little we got to see beautiful northern lights. Ot was an amazing experience! Thank you Nico!!”

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13.Kakslauttanen: Aurora Hunting & Photography Tour.

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 58 reviews · from $154

Join ArcticTours for a 3 to 3.5-hour Northern Lights hunt from Saariselkä or Kakslauttanen. English or Finnish-speaking guides, including Henry and Jen, drive a small Mercedes minibus beyond village cloud and light pollution, stopping at promising photo spots. Pickup and drop-off are included within 20 kilometers.

“It was amazing experience and the guide was too good we really enjoyed his company”

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