Wilderness Hotel Muotka, Saariselka, Finland / Lapland

Wilderness Hotel Muotka is a charming family-run property in a secluded location, 15 kilometres away from Saariselkä village. It has an idyllic setting on the fringes of the pristine Urho-Kekkonen National Park, which means there's minimal light pollution, creating the perfect conditions for the chance to see the awe-inspiring Northern Lights.

Unwind in the cosy Lodge

Prepare to be embraced by warmth and relaxation as you step into the Wilderness Hotel Muotka. The inviting reception building has a lovely restaurant complete with an open fireplace, a cosy small lounge, and a well-stocked bar where you can unwind after a day of adventures. You'll have all of your meals included on full board during your stay here. There is a great choice of accommodation types including wilderness rooms, suites and log cabins. There's even an optional upgrade to a glass roofed Aurora cabin for one night of your stay.

Unforgettable Arctic Adventures

A stay at Wilderness Hotel Muotka includes a full range of exciting daytime arctic activities, including thrilling husky, reindeer, and snowmobile safaris, allowing you to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes. For a slower pace, explore the magical scenery on snowshoes or cross-country skis and make the most of the extensive network of over 300 kilometres of prepared trails. In the evenings, embark on captivating aurora hunts, guided by Muotka's expert Guides, who will take you on a quest to find the Northern Lights.

Special Holiday Weeks

Christmas Week and New Year Week at Wilderness Hotel Muotka are especially magical. During Christmas Week, there are festive activities like gingerbread baking, tree decorating, and a visit from Santa, who brings small gifts for all the children on Christmas Eve. New Year Week celebrations include a bonfire, midnight fireworks, and a toast with sparkling wine on New Year's Eve. Festive dinners featuring Lappish specialties add to the holiday spirit on both occasions.

Aurora Cabin Overnight Upgrade

Optional upgrade to spend a memorable night in a semi-glass roof Aurora Cabin. Pre-book at a special price from just £99 per person. Upgrades take place on the first or last night of your stay (exact night confirmed on arrival in resort).

What's included

• Rep service
• Direct flights from Gatwick, Manchester or Bristol on Sundays to Kittilä
• Scenic airport transfers by coach
• 7-night stay at the Wilderness Hotel Muotka
• Full board meals at Muotka Lodge
• Warm winter thermal clothing and boots
• Aurora Alert until approx. 1am
• Safety briefing and instruction from experienced Muotka safari guides
• Third party snowmobile insurance (insurance excess approx €1000)
• Activities including snowmobiling to a reindeer farm, aurora snowmobile, husky safari, aurora camp, aurora hunt by car, gentle snowshoe and cross-country skiing

Sample Itinerary

Please note that you will receive your personal itinerary on arrival at Moutka, which may differ from the days and timings in the example below.

Sunday: Arrival & Welcome Orientation (Optional Aurora Cabin overnight upgrade)

Your representative will meet you at Kittilä Airport and take you to your transfer, ready for the scenic drive to Muotka. On arrival you'll meet your local guides and collect your thermal clothing and aurora alert buzzer.

Monday: Cross-Country, Snowshoe & Aurora Hunt

Enjoy the silence of the forest - first on a 2-hour cross-country skiing trip which includes instruction and a guided trek, and then after lunch, take a 2-hour guided snowshoe trip and learn about the Arctic landscape. In the evening, you’ll go in search of the Northern Lights by car. Driven by a guide, you'll head to the spots where you'll have the best chances of seeing the aurora borealis in all its beauty.

Tuesday: Snowmobile Safari to a Reindeer Farm

Today, you’ll take a scenic shared snowmobile safari (approx. 15 kilometres each way) to a Sámi reindeer farm. Try lassoing, hear about the reindeer herders’ way of life and enjoy a short sleigh ride. This evening is free to relax and perhaps enjoy a sauna and fireside chat.

Wednesday: Optional Activities & Aurora Snowmobiles

A free day at leisure to relax at the lodge or hire snowshoes or cross-country skis (payable locally) - the lodge adjoins over 300 kilometres of marked trails. In the evening, you’ll head out in search of the Northern Lights, driving your own shared snowmobile.

Thursday: Husky Farm Visit & Safari

A memorable husky farm visit, including a thrilling safari, sharing the driving of your own two person husky-sled. This evening is free to relax - take a short walk to admire the beautiful night sky.

Friday: Optional Activities & Aurora Hunt

A free day at leisure. Practice your cross-country skiing, go out on snowshoes (optional extras, payable locally) or just take time to relax. After dinner, you’ll visit Muotka’s Aurora Camp by snowmobile-pulled sled to look for the Northern Lights.

Saturday: Optional activities (Optional Aurora Cabin overnight upgrade)

Enjoy another day of winter activities with an optional excursion (pay locally).

Sunday: Scenic transfer & flight home

Depart after breakfast for your flight back to the UK.

• Sauna, available to book privately as a couple or group (pay locally)
• Free Wi-Fi
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Reception
• Aurora alerts (until 1am)
• Luggage storage
• Thermal winter clothing hire

• No. of rooms: 36

• No. of floors: 1

Annexes

Some of the accommodation is located in surrounding annexes, which are less than 100 metres from the main building.

Rooms

The accommodation choices in the Muotka Wilderness lodge include:

Wilderness Rooms sleep two people and are located in the main reception building or in a separate building just a few steps away. All are tastefully decorated in a cosy Nordic style and have shower, WC and hairdryer. Beds can be made up as either a double or twins. These rooms are also available for sole occupancy.

Superior Sauna Suites sleep two to four people and are located in a separate building. Spacious pine-clad one room suites with double bed, private sauna, and lounge area. Suites can accommodate 2 extra beds for children

Panorama Log Cabins sleep two to four people in highly recommended spacious detached log cabins with double bed, private sauna, fireplace, lounge area, kitchenette and panoramic windows. These Cabins can accommodate 2 extra beds for children

Aurora Cabins sleep two to four people. In a quiet location away from the main buildings these amazing one room cabins can be pre-booked for the first or last night during your stay. All have large panoramic north-facing semi-glass roofs with views of the night sky from your bed, private sauna, shower, WC, hairdryer, coffee/tea-maker. Some have a sofa bed that sleep two people. These rooms are available on request, as are single occupancy Aurora Cabins, please give us a call to book.

Facilities

• Wi-Fi
• Bathroom with shower
• Hairdryer
• Towels and linen

• Lift accessible: No
• Lift serves all floors: No
• Access ramp: No

The Muotka Wilderness Lodge is on a full board basis.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included in within the package. Breakfast is buffet style with a variety of hot and cold options. Lunch is either picnic style around an open fire on excursions, or served at the main Lodge. Dinner is a hearty buffet style three course meal. The menu is inspired by Lappish cuisine, the restaurant uses local ingredients following seasonal availability.

Board basis options available

• Full Board

This property caters for the following special dietary requirements

• Gluten Free
• Vegans
• Vegetarians

The Muotka Wilderness Lodge can cater for dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free) on request. Please note that all meals will be served from the buffet, including special dietary options. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking. Allergies and intolerances not listed above cannot be catered for. All allergies and intolerances, even if listed above, are subject to confirmation by the accommodation.