Booking Activities: Strategy & Expectations
Activity booking is the most stressful part of trip planning. Most popular safaris sell out months in advance, and the sheer number of options can be paralyzing.
When to Book
High Season (Dec - Jan)
Book 3-6 months in advance. Private tours and Christmas activities sell out by September — use the Resort Finder to choose your base and check local dining availability before committing.
Shoulder Season (Feb - Mar)
Book 1-2 months in advance. You can often find last-minute gaps, but group sizes are smaller.
Activity Price Ranges (Estimated)
Prices vary by location (Rovaniemi is usually 15-20% more expensive than smaller villages).
| Activity | Duration | Price / Person |
|---|---|---|
| Husky Safari (Brief) | 5-10km | €120 - €180 |
| Snowmobile Safari | 2 hours | €100 - €150 |
| Aurora Hunting (Bus) | 3-4 hours | €80 - €120 |
| Ice Fishing | 2-3 hours | €100 - €140 |
Avoiding Tourist Traps
Lapland has very few "scams," but many "overpriced" experiences.
- "Private" vs "Semi-Private": Many tours claim to be private but just mean a private bus to a crowded farm. Clarify if the actual activity is private.
- The "Santa" Markup: Any activity involving Santa Claus will have a significant price premium.
- Cancellation Policies: Arctic weather is unpredictable. Always choose operators with a clear refund policy for weather cancellations (especially for Aurora tours) — see our Booking Cancelled guidance for refunds and dispute steps.
Where to Book
- Directly with Operators: Usually the best price and best communication.
- Viator / GetYourGuide: Convenient, but check the "Operator" name and see if you can find their direct site.
- Hotel Concierges: High reliability, but usually limited to the 2-3 companies they have contracts with.
lightbulb Pro Tip: The Sunset Rule
In December, the sun sets at 2:00 PM. Book your photography-heavy activities (Husky/Reindeer) for the morning (10 AM - 12 PM) to avoid doing them in pitch blackness.