Traditional Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner in Rovaniemi

Traditional Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner in Rovaniemi

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Wilderness Warmth, Arctic Chill, Lappish Feast.

Overview

Immerse yourself in Finnish culture near Rovaniemi: traditional sauna, invigorating ice dip at an arctic lake, and a tasty dinner cooked over open fire. A 4-hour small-group tour in Lapland's nature.

Highlights

✔️ Enjoy a delicious smoked salmon for lunch or dinner

✔️ Finnish woodburned sauna

✔️ Arctic lake swimming

✔️ Enjoy the beauty of Lappish nature

✔️ No special skills required

✔️ Small group experience

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Availability

Year round

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Duration

4.5 hours

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DepartureS

11:30, 14:00, 16:30

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Pickup & Drop off

Yes

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Minimum age

10 years

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Price from

143.00

 EUR

ABOUT THIS TOUR

Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner - Rovaniemi: An Authentic Finnish Evening

This Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner tour is an immersive cultural evening that combines a traditional Finnish wood-fired sauna, invigorating ice swimming, and a delicious wilderness dinner by the fire. Set at a private lakeside property in Sonka, just 30km from Rovaniemi, this 4.5-hour experience invites you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy Lapland like a local.Whether you come for the sauna, the Arctic challenge, the food, or the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights — this is Finnish wellness at its finest.

What to Expect on Your Authentic Lappish Experience:

Your tour begins with a convenient hotel pick-up in Rovaniemi. You will be transported to our private lakeside venue in Sonka, approximately 30km from Rovaniemi.

Part 1: Traditional Finnish Sauna & Arctic Lake Swimming

Don’t worry if it’s your first time — your guide will walk you through the steps and you can enjoy the experience at your own pace.

  • Authentic Sauna: Enjoy the soothing heat and birch scent of a traditional wood-burning sauna, the heart of Finnish culture.
  • Ice Swimming or Snow Roll: Cool down with a dip in a frozen Arctic lake's ice hole in winter, or a refreshing swim in summer. This invigorating plunge offers an extreme yet unforgettable sensation that many consider a true bucket-list challenge. The powerful contrast with the sauna's heat is designed to awaken your senses and provide a unique Arctic thrill. Snow rolling is also an option in deep winter — invigorating and unforgettable!

Part 2: Delicious Dinner by Open Fire

After your sauna, gather inside a cozy wilderness cottage or around the outdoor fireplace.

  • Dinner by the fire features local Lappish delicacies, typically including smoked salmon, root vegetables, and other seasonal treats (vegetarian options available upon request).
  • Warm drinks and traditional touches complete this rustic Arctic meal.

Part 3: Potential Northern Lights Observation

The remote location offers ideal Aurora viewing conditions.

  • If the sky is clear and solar activity is right, you may be treated to Northern Lights dancing over the lake.
  • Your guide will help you spot and photograph the Aurora if it appears (not guaranteed, of course — it’s Mother Nature!).

Key Features of This Rovaniemi Authentic Tour:

  • Authentic Wood-Fired Sauna: Experience a traditional wood-burned sauna for relaxation and cultural immersion.
  • Ice Swimming / Snow Rolling: Invigorating Arctic experience with a cold plunge into an ice hole in an Arctic lake or a refreshing roll in snow – a true bucket-list challenge.
  • Private Lakeside Venue: Tour takes place at a secluded location in Sonka, 30km from Rovaniemi, ensuring a private and intimate atmosphere.
  • Delicious Open-Fire Dinner: Savor a tasty Lappish dinner (e.g., smoked salmon) cooked over an open fire in the wilderness.
  • Small Group Experience: Ensures a comfortable and personalized tour.
  • Northern Lights Opportunity: Offers a chance to see the Northern Lights under favorable conditions.
  • Inclusive Package: Includes hotel pick-up/drop-off, professional guidance, and all activities.

Practical Information for Your Lappish Cultural Evening:

  • Duration: Approximately 4.5 hours (total program duration).
  • Location: Rovaniemi, Lapland. Tour takes place in Sonka, a private lakeside property located approximately 30km from Rovaniemi. Includes hotel pick-up and drop-off in Rovaniemi.
  • Availability: Operates year-round.
  • Departure Times: Multiple daily departures available: 11:30, 14:00 and 16:30.
    • Northern Lights Opportunity: For the 16:30 evening departure during the winter season, there is a possibility to witness the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) at the end of the program, if weather conditions and solar activity are favorable. Please note, Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed.
  • Included: Hotel pick-up and drop-off from listed hotels in Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village, professional English-speaking guide, traditional Finnish wood-burned sauna experience, ice swimming (or snow roll), snacks, and hot drinks by the fireplace, towels and slippers.
  • What to Bring: Swimsuit (for sauna/swimming).

Experience the true warmth and magic of Lapland. Book your Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner - Rovaniemi tour today!

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Included

✔️ Main dish for lunch or dinner is a delicious smoked salmon fillet

✔️ Professional English speaking guide

✔️ Hot drinks and cookies

✔️ *Northern Lights (October - mid March), if lucky and weather is right, evening departure ONLY

✔️ Dinner cooked on the open fire

✔️ Towels, slippers for the sauna

✔️ Arctic Lake swimming (ice-swimming in Winter time)

✔️ Firewood sauna experience 2 hours

✔️ Hotel pickup & drop off

What to bring

⚡ Swimming suit

⚡ Camera and drinking water

Not included

❌ Swimming suit

Please Note

  • All tours listed are for a minimum of 2 persons paying a full (adult) price, unless mentioned otherwise
  • For lunch or dinner, our main dish today is a delicious smoked salmon fillet. Let us know if you have any questions or dietary restrictions, and we'll be happy to accommodate you
  • Northern Lights season October - March
  • Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and we are unable to guarantee activity, vibrancy or colour on the evening of the safari
  • Not recommended for kids under 10 years old
  • Tours include a pickup & drop off from listed hotels. The time for meeting point and place will be confirmed upon the reservation by email and/or text message.
  • Missing the pick-up does not entitle you to a refund of the price paid for the services. You are responsible to be ready for pick up at the assigned pick up point from the start of the pick up time in order to not miss our guides when they arrive to pick you up
  • Nordic Adventures reserves the right to make alterations to the programs, price, duration or form of transportation without prior warning. This is also applied  to changes in programs due to weather conditions

Cancellation terms 

(See all terms here)
  • More than 3 days notice – 90% refund. 10% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of booking and preparing your tour.
  • Less than 3 days or no show notice – no refund.

Frequently asked questions 

(See all questions and answers here)
A:

No, ice swimming is completely optional - but definitely a bucket list Arctic adventure for the bold! Many guests prefer to simply relax in the warm sauna and watch others take the plunge. You’re welcome to enjoy the experience at your own pace and comfort level.

And if you're not ready to dip in the icy lake, rolling in fresh snow is another exhilarating and traditional Finnish way to cool off - just as thrilling and unforgettable!

It’s all about embracing Lapland your way - no pressure, just pure Arctic magic.

A:

Yes, a delicious Lappish-style salmon dinner or lunch is included. The main dish is usually smoked salmon, prepared over an open fire in the traditional Finnish way. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, just let us know when booking — we’ll gladly accommodate you.

A:

The Northern Lights can only be seen on the 16:30 (evening) departure, and only from October to the end of March, when the nights are dark. The tour takes place in a secluded location away from light pollution, giving you a great chance to see them — but as a natural phenomenon, sightings are never guaranteed.

A:

This small-group tour is primarily designed for adults (minimum age: 14 years). In some cases, children aged 10+ may join if accompanied and supervised by parents. The tour is not recommended for pregnant individuals or those with heart conditions. Always consult your doctor if unsure. Otherwise, this experience is accessible to most guests and involves only light activity.

A:

Please bring your swimsuit and a positive attitude! We provide towels and slippers, as well as safety instructions. We recommend wearing warm layered clothing for time spent outdoors. No special skills are required. However, if you have any health conditions (especially heart-related issues or if you're pregnant), please consult your doctor before participating in the ice swimming.

A:

Please be on time! Our tours follow a strict schedule, and if you miss the hotel pick-up, you will not be able to join later. Arriving separately by taxi or private car is usually not possible, as it may disrupt the program and group safety. Plan ahead — we appreciate your understanding.

A:

Absolutely! This experience is designed for beginners — no prior experience with saunas or ice swimming is needed. Our guides will walk you through everything and make sure you feel safe, comfortable, and welcome.

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Nearby Experiences

See what people are saying about us

Based on 1 customer reviews

Tripadvisor reviews

Quiet and serene

January 25, 2020

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My wife and I had a great time with our hosts. The sauna they had was authentic and beautiful and we only shared it with 2 other people, so the environment was nice and not crowded but fun and friendly. They cooked a very nice salmon dinner with a delicious dill onion sauce that I need to find the recipe for.

The best experience we could have asked for!

January 17, 2020

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This was probably our favourite experience that we had in Rovaniemi. The cabin was in a secluded area and sat on a private lake with a pier that was lit up with fairy lights. We had the sauna to ourselves which was great and as recommended we went ice swimming and jumped into the lake which was a thrilling experience and one I would do again. We were then welcomed into the cabin where Tanya had our dinner ready. Because I don’t eat fish, Tanya had prepared a vegetarian meal for me which was great. My two friends said that the salmon was absolutely delicious and probably the best they have tried. We didn’t get to see the northern lights but honestly after such a good experience in the sauna, ice swimming and dinner, it didn’t really bother us. Tanya was such an amazing host and she
is so knowledgeable about Rovaniemi and the Finnish traditions and we learnt so much from her. Thank you so much to Alex and Tanya for an amazing experience :)

Perfect guide !

June 27, 2019

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Perfect guide !

The best experience ever!

June 7, 2019

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I’ve been there in April for vacation and Alex give me a wonderful vacay. At first he came to pick me and we talk a bit about general things Lapland. Then we arrived the wonderful private place. We enjoyed with Alex’s family. Alex’s wife was so nice like his husband. They cooked amazing Lappish meal for me. The sauna was so great, I’ve never had such a great experience before. I hope to go back again. Thank so much Alex.

A hidden aurora of Lappish experience

April 14, 2019

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On the April 14, 2019 my friend and I met Alex Rudyuk, our driver and owner of this extraordinary tour, at the lobby of our hotel.
- It takes roughly 30 min from the center of Rovaniemi to Alex's private estate.
- The traditional woodfire sauna room is situated next to a walkway that leads to the partially melted Lagonlampi lake.
- The whole place is clean and safe. You can walk barefoot without worries.
- Alex gave us a very thorough intruction on how the Finnish enjoy their thermal retreat. His encouragement for us to jump into the frozen cold is reassuring.
- After about 1.5 hour of sauna and cold bath, we were served with a marvelously grilled marinated local salmon. The dining room has a very cozy and homely atmosphere with and open fireplace.
- Alex is a very nice and informative Finnish nature lover local guide who can give you an authentic account of how living in the wild is like in the modern world.
- For me, this is a must if you are visiting Rovaniemi.

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