NORTHERN SISTERS
AUTUMN COLOURS
& NORTHERN LIGHTS
8-Day Women’s Hiking Tour through Pyhä-Luosto National Park in Finnish Lapland to Reindeer and the First Northern Lights of the Year.
NORTHERN SISTERS - AUTUMN COLOURS & NORTHERN LIGHTS
8 Days of Women’s Hiking in Lapland’s Golden Autumn
There are few better times to discover Finnish Lapland than in early autumn. As the tundra transforms into brilliant shades of red, gold and orange, the nights gradually become dark enough once again to offer a chance of witnessing the Northern Lights dancing across the sky.
Together with Rebecca, you'll explore Pyhä–Luosto National Park on foot, hiking across fells, through ancient taiga forests and vast open mires. Along the way, you'll encounter reindeer, experience Finland's unique sauna culture, spend a day at our own wilderness cabin (mökki) surrounded by nature, and discover Lapland in the company of a small group of women who share a love of the outdoors.
This journey combines unforgettable hikes with genuine connection and the distinctive way of life in the far north. Personally guided, far from mass tourism, and with plenty of time to experience the quiet beauty of Lapland with all your senses.
HIGHLIGHTS
*Finnish "mökki" = summer cottage in the forest. Finnish mökki life means slowing down, having time to find yourself, and taking in the nature around you.
What makes this Journey special
The Most Beautiful Time for Northern Lights
At the end of August and beginning of September, two natural phenomena come together: the vibrant colors of "Ruska" (autumn foliage) and the first dark nights that make the Northern Lights visible again. This is one of the most beautiful times to travel to Lapland.
Experiencing Lapland on Foot
Four diverse hikes will lead you through Pyhä-Luosto National Park – across fjelds, through ancient taiga forests, bogs, and into Finland's deepest gorge. Exploring on foot allows you to experience the landscape intensely and with all your senses.
Amethysts from the Heart of Lapland
Deep within the national park, you will visit the sustainable Lampivaara Amethyst Mine. During a guided tour, you will learn how these million-year-old gemstones were formed and get to dig for your own amethyst – a unique experience combining nature, geology, and history.
Sámi Culture & Reindeer
At a local reindeer farm, you will learn more about life in the North, the history of Lapland, and the responsible interaction with this extraordinary landscape.
Guests for a Day – Our Mökki Day in Lapland
For one full day, we open the doors to our Suviranta Nature Camp, our private "mökki" (wilderness cottage) on the Kitinen River. A wood-fired sauna, campfire, forest bathing, and time in nature will show you why the mökki is the most important place for many Finns to unwind and breathe. A personal insight into the Finnish way of life – far away from everyday tourism.
Traveling Together
In a small group of nature-loving women, conversations, meaningful encounters, and shared experiences come to life. Between hiking, sauna sessions, and the campfire, there is plenty of time for exchange, tranquility, and building new friendships.
Through Lapland with Rebecca
Rebecca personally accompanies this journey and shares a side of Lapland that goes far beyond the famous sights. With her passion for the sauna, the Finnish way of life, and the nature of the North, she opens doors to a Lapland that many independent travelers never get to experience.
The Journey
(WT = Approximate walking time)
Day 1 – Welcome to Lapland
Arrival in Rovaniemi & Transfer to Pyhä–Luosto National Park
Rebecca will meet you on arrival at Rovaniemi Airport at 6:00 pm (or at 5:00 pm at Rovaniemi Bus Station). From there, you'll travel together to Luosto (approx. 120 km), a peaceful village on the edge of Pyhä–Luosto National Park.
After settling into your cosy cabin accommodation, you'll gather around the campfire to get to know one another, talk about the days ahead and unwind with your first traditional Finnish sauna.
Meals: Evening campfire picnic.
Day 2 – Following the Fells
Your First Hike: Around Luosto & Up Ukko-Luosto Fell
After breakfast in your own cabin, we'll meet at 10:00 am to explore the village of Luosto together. We'll stroll through the village, visit the local shop and restaurants, and keep an eye out for the reindeer that often gather nearby before heading into Pyhä–Luosto National Park.
Our hike leads up to Ukko-Luosto Fell, following scenic forest trails with plenty of opportunities to stop, take photographs and enjoy the surrounding landscape. We'll pause for a campfire lunch before reaching one of the area's finest viewpoints—a favourite spot for photographing the Northern Lights later in the season.
After a rewarding hike with panoramic views (WT: approx. 3 hours, 6 km, ascent/descent ±212 m), we'll return to the village in the afternoon, leaving time to browse the local shop or simply relax.
Meals: Breakfast basket (provided on arrival for your first morning); campfire lunch.
Day 3 – Ruska: When Lapland Bursts into Colour
Pyhä Visitor Centre, Finland's Deepest Gorge & the Sacred Waterfall
In the morning, we'll travel together to the Naava Visitor Centre in Pyhä, around 30 km away (approximately 25 minutes by car). Here, we'll explore the permanent exhibition, offering fascinating insights into the landscapes, wildlife and biodiversity of Pyhä–Luosto National Park. Around midday, you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Finnish lounas (lunch menu) at the visitor centre (approx. €10–15, optional).
Afterwards, we'll set off on one of the most spectacular hikes of the journey (WT: approx. 5 hours, 13.5 km, ascent/descent ±346 m). The trail leads into Isokuru, Finland's deepest gorge, where we'll visit Pyhänkasteenputous, a beautiful waterfall once regarded as a sacred place by the Forest Sámi.
From there, we'll continue to Noitatunturi Fell—the legendary Shaman's Fell—one of the most remarkable viewpoints in the national park and a place deeply rooted in Sámi history and tradition.
In the late afternoon, we'll pause at a campfire in the forest for coffee and freshly baked korvapuusti, Finland's famous cinnamon buns. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try coffee the traditional Sámi way, accompanied by dried reindeer meat.
We'll return to Luosto in the early evening.
Meals: Afternoon campfire coffee with cinnamon buns.
Day 4 – Sauna, Mökki & the Finnish Way of Life
A Traditional Mökki Day at Our Suviranta Wilderness Camp
Today is all about slowing down and experiencing Finnish nature the local way. In the morning, we'll make our way to Suviranta Wilderness Camp, our own traditional mökki (wilderness cabin), located around 8 km from Luosto.
The camp lies on the banks of the Kitinen River and can only be reached by boat, with a crossing of around 10 minutes. Surrounded by the Taiga forest, it consists of a simple log cabin and a traditional lakeside sauna—an ideal place to experience the peace of Lapland.
Together, we'll spend the day outdoors, preparing lunch over the campfire, practising forest bathing, and, if you wish, exploring the river by kayak or canoe. In the afternoon, we'll prepare everything for a relaxing Finnish sauna experience beside the river.
As evening falls, we'll gather around the campfire once again to cook dinner together, discovering the flavours of Lapland's wilderness cuisine and learning how to prepare traditional recipes using local ingredients.
Later in the evening, we'll return to Luosto.
Meals: Lunch; campfire dinner.
Destination & Route
PRICE
8 Days · From €1,890 per person
From Rovaniemi · Finnish Lapland
(final amount depends on exchange rate at payment)
✔ 8-day women's hiking journey · ✔ Small group · ✔ Guided hikes in Pyhä–Luosto National Park · ✔ Optional Northern Lights walks · ✔ Visit to a Sámi reindeer farm · ✔ Amethyst mining · ✔ Traditional mökki day · ✔ Finnish sauna · ✔ Forest bathing · ✔ Personally guided by Rebecca
TRAVEL DATES
2026
29 August – 5 September 2026
2027
11 September – 18 September 2027
GROUP SIZE
Minimum 3 · Maximum 7 guests
An intentionally small group for a more personal experience.
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the journey.
This journey is not wheelchair accessible.
What's Included
INCLUDED
The price for the NORTHERN SISTERS – AUTUMN COLOUR & NORTHERN LIGHTS Women's Hiking Journey starts from €1,890 per person, based on 2 people sharing a double room in the communal log cabin, and includes: journey includes:
Experiences
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Guided hike to the summit of Ukko-Luosto Fell (Day 2 · WT: approx. 3 hours · 6 km · ascent/descent ±212 m)
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Guided hike through Finland's deepest gorge, Isokuru, to the Sacred Waterfall and the summit of Noitatunturi (Shaman's Fell) (Day 3 · WT: approx. 5 hours · 13.5 km · ascent/descent ±346 m)
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Guided hike around Lampivaara Fell (Day 5 · WT: approx. 3.5 hours · 11 km · ascent/descent ±172 m)
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Full-day hike through ancient forests and aapa mires around Ukko-Luosto Fell (Day 6 · WT: approx. 7 hours · 15 km · ascent/descent ±369 m)
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Visit to the sustainable Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, including an English-language guided tour and the opportunity to dig for your own amethyst (Day 5)
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Visit to a traditional Sámi reindeer farm (Day 5)
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Traditional Finnish mökki & sauna evening at Suviranta Wilderness Camp, including the opportunity to explore the river by canoe or kayak (Day 4)
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Guided forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) experience (Day 4)
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Optional evening Northern Lights walks, whenever weather conditions and the forecast offer a good chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
Accommodation & Meals
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7 nights’ accommodation in a twin room in a communal log cabin with a sauna in Luosto
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Meals as per the itinerary (2 campfire lunches, 3 campfire coffee breaks, 1 campfire picnic, 1 lunch and 1 campfire dinner at the wilderness camp, 1 reindeer or vegetable soup at the reindeer farm, 1 breakfast on the day after arrival)
Transport
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Return transfers between Rovaniemi and Luosto on the arrival and departure days: Arrival: Pick-up at 5:00 pm from Rovaniemi Bus Station or 6:00 pm from Rovaniemi Airport; Departure: Transfer from Luosto at 10:00 am to Rovaniemi Airport or Bus Station
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All local transfers required for the included hikes and excursions, as outlined in the itinerary.
Also Included
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National park fees
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Personal guidance and local expertise from Rebecca Lang throughout the journey, in German or English
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FINNSPIRIT is funding a climate protection contribution via atmosfair equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions calculated for this trip.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
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Einzelbelegung Hüttendoppelzimmer + 480 €
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Zusatznächte in Rovaniemi auf Anfrage
NOT INCLUDED
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Travel to and from Rovaniemi (We're happy to help you plan or book your flights, train journeys or ferry crossings.)
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Travel cancellation and travel medical insurance
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Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary. The cabin in Luosto has a fully equipped kitchen, there is a well-stocked village shop, and several excellent restaurants are within easy walking distance.
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Optional excursions and activities not included in the programme
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Gratuities
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Personal expenses
Journey Style & Requirements
This journey is based in the peaceful village of Luosto, on the edge of Pyhä–Luosto National Park. Around two billion years ago, this landscape was home to mountains as high as today's Alps. Now, the highest summit is Noitatunturi Fell, rising to 540 metres. Luosto is an ideal destination for travellers looking to experience the authentic side of Finnish Lapland—far from crowds and surrounded by pristine Arctic wilderness.
During your stay, you'll share a traditional Finnish log cabin with fellow travellers. Built in the local style, the cabins each have a private Finnish sauna, a cosy living area with a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen and two twin bedrooms. Bathrooms, the sauna and living spaces are shared between guests staying in the same cabin. Fresh bed linen and towels are provided. If you prefer more privacy, a single occupancy of a twin room is available for an additional supplement.
The focus of this journey is spending time in Lapland's extraordinary natural landscapes while embracing the Finnish outdoor way of life. Together we'll explore ancient forests, open fells and vast wetlands, learning about the region's flora, fauna, Finnish culture and the traditions of the Sámi people. Along the way, we'll prepare simple meals over open fires and experience the unhurried rhythm of life in the north. One of the highlights of the week is a day at our Suviranta Wilderness Camp, reached by a short boat ride across the Kitinen River. Here you'll experience a traditional Finnish mökki day, including forest bathing, campfire cooking, a wood-fired riverside sauna and, if you wish, canoeing or kayaking. The camp is intentionally simple and close to nature, with no mains electricity or running water. Water comes from a well and the river, the sauna is heated with firewood, and facilities include a traditional outdoor dry toilet. As in a real Finnish wilderness cabin, everyone helps with the small daily tasks that make the experience special.
Fitness & Walking Requirements
This journey is suitable for anyone with a normal to good level of fitness, a sense of adventure and confident footing on uneven terrain. The included hikes range from 3 to 7 hours and are generally classified as easy to moderate. We'll walk on forest trails, fell paths, wooden boardwalks across wetlands and occasional rocky sections with both ascents and descents. Boardwalks can become slippery in wet weather, and some trails include loose stones and uneven ground.
Walking times may vary depending on weather conditions and the pace of the group. During each hike you'll carry only a daypack with essentials such as extra clothing, water, lunch, a thermos and your camera.
We recommend waterproof hiking boots (Category A/B or B) with good grip. A detailed packing list will be provided before departure.
The Carbon Footprint of Your Journey
0,17 t CO2e
(Example journey: Denmark – Stockholm – Turku – Luosto (via Viking Line Grace)
0,52 t CO2e
(Example route: Denmark – Stockholm – Turku – Luosto (via the Viking Line Grace ferry)
0,85 t CO2e
(Example route: Berlin – Helsinki – Rovaniemi – Luosto (via Finnair A321 & Embraer 190)
The CO₂e estimates include return travel, local transfers, accommodation, meals and all included activities (such as the Finnish sauna experience). All figures are calculated per person for the complete return journey.
