From Helsinki to the sacred shores of Lake Inari, this three-week journey unveils the most iconic sights and hidden gems of Finland—one private experience at a time.
Designed for travelers seeking depth, variety, and authentic connections, this tour offers a seamless blend of urban culture, quiet forests, Indigenous wisdom, and Arctic magic. You’ll walk medieval streets in Porvoo, trace the lines of Alvar Aalto’s architecture in Jyväskylä, learn Sámi crafts in Inari, and cross the Arctic Circle beneath the northern lights.
Each day is privately guided and personally paced, combining scenic drives, exclusive access to local hosts, and rare cultural insights. From foraging in the forest to gliding across frozen lakes, from smoke saunas to fine Lappish dining, this is Finland in its most immersive, elemental form.
Destinations on Your 21-Day Grand Finland Tour
Day 1: Helsinki – City walking tour, architectural highlights & Finnish welcome dinner
Day 2: Helsinki – Private Design District tour & sauna culture experience
Day 3: Porvoo – Old Town walking tour & artisan food tasting
Day 4: Nuuksio National Park – Forest hiking, foraging & nature center visit
Day 5: Hämeenlinna – Castle visit & Sibelius music experience
Day 6: Tampere – Moomin Museum & industrial heritage tour
Day 7: Lake Pyhäjärvi – Private boat charter & smoke sauna experience
Day 8: Jyväskylä – Alvar Aalto architecture tour & craft beer tasting
Day 9: Lake Saimaa – Kayaking tour & wild food cooking workshop
Day 10: Savonlinna – Olavinlinna Castle tour & lake cruise
Day 11: Koli National Park – Guided hike & photography workshop
Day 12: Kuopio – Market hall tour & Puijo forest trails
Day 13: Kajaani – Reindeer farm visit & berry foraging session
Day 14: Oulu – Guided bike tour & Finnish tango or cultural workshop
Day 15: Rovaniemi – Arctic Circle ceremony & Arktikum Museum visit
Day 16: Rovaniemi – Taiga forest safari & glass igloo introduction
Day 17: Luosto – Amethyst mine visit & Sámi folklore evening
Day 18: Inari – Siida Museum tour & Lake Inari boat trip
Day 19: Inari Region – Sámi handicrafts workshop & wilderness fishing
Day 20: Rovaniemi or Oulu – Aurora photography or Arctic wildlife & fine dining
Day 21: Departure – Private airport transfer with closing reflections
Day 1 – Helsinki Arrival & Architectural Impressions
Upon arrival in Finland’s stylish capital, your private guide welcomes you for a walking tour through Helsinki’s architectural storybook.
Strolling from neoclassical Senate Square to sleek modernist landmarks, you’ll discover how the city blends Eastern and Western influences into a distinctly Finnish style.
As the sun begins to dip, you’ll join a local host or chef for a private welcome dinner. Over seasonal dishes—perhaps cured fish, forest mushrooms, or rye bread fresh from the oven—you’ll be introduced to Finnish hospitality, customs, and the flavors that define this northern land.
Day 2 – Helsinki Design & Sauna Rituals
Today invites you to explore Finland’s creative soul.
With your private guide, you’ll explore Helsinki’s Design District, a vibrant patchwork of fashion studios, and contemporary galleries that showcase modern Finnish design.
In the afternoon, you’ll take a deeper dive into one of Finland’s most beloved traditions: the sauna. On this private cultural tour, you’ll visit a classic local sauna, learn the etiquette behind this centuries-old ritual, and understand why it’s so central to Finnish well-being, reflection, and community life.
Day 3 – Porvoo Old Town & Artisan Flavors
Departing Helsinki by car, you’ll journey to the storybook riverside town of Porvoo.
With cobblestone streets and painted wooden houses, this medieval gem has inspired poets, painters, and chefs alike.
Your private walking tour takes you past historic churches, quaint courtyards, and artisan workshops tucked away in alleyways. Then, with a local guide, you’ll indulge in a flavorful tasting experience—sampling handmade chocolates, cardamom pastries, local cheeses, and regional delicacies that capture the culinary heritage of Finland’s second-oldest town.
Day 4 – Nuuksio National Park
Just outside the capital lies a tranquil wilderness of mossy boulders, pine forests, and still lakes—your destination for today’s nature immersion.
Accompanied by a private wilderness guide, you’ll hike through Nuuksio National Park at a relaxed pace, learning to identify edible plants, animal tracks, and forest lore as you go.
Depending on the season, you may forage berries or wild herbs to enjoy later with tea brewed over a campfire. Afterward, continue to the Haltia Nature Centre, where a private guide will introduce you to Finland’s national parks and biodiversity through innovative exhibits and panoramic views over the treetops.
Day 5 – Castles & Jean Sibelius Birthplace in Hämeenlinna
Heading northwest to Hämeenlinna, you’ll step into Finland’s medieval past with a private tour of Häme Castle.
This red-brick fortress once guarded trade routes and royal prisoners, and your guide brings its stories to life as you explore ramparts and hidden chambers.
Later, you’ll visit the birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius for a private experience connecting music, memory, and place. Listen to selections of his work in the very rooms where he spent his early years and gain a richer understanding of how Finnish landscapes and national identity shaped his timeless compositions.
Day 6 – Moomins, Mills & Tampere’s Cultural Blend
Arriving in the vibrant lakeside city of Tampere, you’ll begin your day with a private visit to the Moomin Museum—an immersive tribute to Tove Jansson’s beloved characters and the philosophical world they inhabit.
With your guide, you’ll explore original illustrations, whimsical dioramas, and the deeper meanings behind these Nordic tales. Afterward, discover a different side of the city on a walking tour through its industrial heritage. As you pass old cotton mills transformed into art spaces and cafés, your guide shares stories of Finland’s working-class roots, social movements, and how Tampere became the cultural heart of inland Finland.
Day 7 – Lake Pyhäjärvi Boat Trip & Smoke Sauna
Set out on a private boat charter across the tranquil waters of Lake Pyhäjärvi, one of Finland’s most picturesque lake regions.
Glide past forested islands and reed-fringed shorelines, listening to local legends from your skipper while enjoying a freshly prepared lakeside lunch in peaceful seclusion.
Later, indulge in a truly Finnish wellness ritual with a visit to a traditional smoke sauna nestled beside the water. After learning the art of löyly—the infusion of steam over hot stones—you’ll alternate between sauna warmth and invigorating lake swims, emerging renewed and relaxed.
Day 8 – Jyväskylä Modernist Architecture & Nordic Flavors
Travel to Jyväskylä, the architectural capital of central Finland and home to the most extensive collection of works by Alvar Aalto.
On a private architecture tour, your guide reveals Aalto’s creative evolution, from sleek university buildings to intimate civic spaces, offering insight into the man who shaped Finnish modernism.
As evening falls, shift from visual to culinary creativity with a guided craft beer and food pairing experience. Sample small-batch brews alongside regional dishes, learning how Finnish ingredients, from spruce tips to smoked fish, harmonize with artisanal flavors.
Day 9 – Lakeland Kayaking & Wild Cooking Workshop
The journey continues deeper into the Finnish Lakeland, where shimmering blue waters stretch between forested ridges.
Today’s experience begins with a private kayaking tour across the glassy expanse of Lake Saimaa, paddling past silent coves, nesting birds, and wooded islets.
It’s a moment of meditative rhythm and natural wonder. Back on shore, you’ll join a local chef for a hands-on wild food workshop. Guided by the seasons, you’ll prepare a rustic meal using foraged herbs, local fish, or mushrooms and gather to eat beside the lake—where Finnish cuisine finds its most authentic expression.
Day 10 – Medieval Castle & Island Scenery in Savonlinna
Your morning begins with a private tour of Olavinlinna Castle, a fairytale-like fortress perched on its island and surrounded by water.
As you explore towers and stone passageways, your guide shares tales of medieval warfare, Swedish-Russian rivalry, and the castle’s rebirth as an iconic opera venue.
Afterward, board a small lake cruiser with a nature guide for an intimate journey through the surrounding archipelago. Learn about local ecology, spot birdlife along the rocky shores, and experience Savonlinna’s dramatic beauty from the shifting perspective of the water.
Day 11 – Guided Hike & Photography in Koli National Park
Today takes you to Koli National Park, one of Finland’s most iconic natural landmarks and a place revered by artists and poets for generations.
Begin with a guided hike to the famed Ukko-Koli viewpoints, where panoramic vistas stretch across misty pine forests and Lake Pielinen’s island-studded expanse. Along the way, your guide shares stories of folklore and geology that bring the ancient cliffs to life.
Later, with a professional photographer as your private instructor, you’ll participate in a landscape photography workshop, learning how to frame the soft Arctic light and capture the spirit of Finland’s natural beauty through your lens.
Day 12 – Market Culture, Forest Vistas, & Puijo Tower in Kuopio
In the lake city of Kuopio, begin your day with a private tour of the lively Market Hall, where vendors sell everything from fresh fish to wild berries and rye pastries.
Your guide introduces you to the region’s food culture, stopping to sample local delicacies and explaining the deep connection between Finnish cuisine and the forested land.
After lunch, ascend Puijo Tower for a sweeping view over the lakes and hills, then continue with a walk through nearby forest trails, where wooden duckboards and birdsong accompany you through serene woodland paths once used by Finnish naturalists and athletes alike.
Day 13 – Reindeer Farm & Wild Berries in Kajaani
Head into the countryside of the Kajaani region for a day shaped by rural rhythm and seasonal flavors.
Visit a local reindeer farm where your guide introduces you to the herd and the traditions surrounding their care, feeding, and cultural symbolism in the north.
Afterwards, enjoy a slow-paced experience in the forest as you pick berries by hand—blueberries, lingonberries, or cloudberries, depending on the season. With your host, you’ll transform the fruits of your labor into homemade jam, learning preservation techniques that have flavored Finnish kitchens for generations.
Day 14 – Bicycles, Tango & River Trails in Oulu
Arriving in the coastal city of Oulu, explore its urban charm and natural beauty on a private guided bike tour.
Glide through leafy parks, over pedestrian bridges, and along the river delta that shapes the city’s geography and lifestyle. Discover Oulu’s role as a tech hub, former tar-trade capital, and a haven for active living.
In the afternoon, try something uniquely Finnish with a private cultural session—perhaps a beginner’s lesson in Finnish tango, a passionate and introspective dance still beloved in the north, or an interactive workshop on northern crafts and social rituals.
Day 15 – Crossing the Arctic Circle & Stories of the North in Rovaniemi
Return to Rovaniemi and step back into the Arctic north, beginning with a private Arctic Circle ceremony to commemorate your crossing into the polar zone.
Your guide shares the folklore and scientific meaning behind the latitude, followed by a visit to Santa Claus Village, where you’ll enjoy a warm and personal welcome, free from the tourist crowds.
Later, dive deeper into the story of Lapland with a curator-led tour of the Arktikum Museum. From glacial formations to Sámi traditions and the impact of climate change on Arctic life, this immersive experience provides a powerful context for the days ahead.
Day 16 – Forest Trails & Aurora Igloo Magic in Rovaniemi
Venture beyond the city into the untouched wilderness on a guided e-bike or hiking safari through the taiga forest.
With wide tires and sturdy footing, you’ll travel through dense pine groves and snow-blanketed meadows, your guide pointing out animal tracks and forest ecology along the way.
As dusk settles, you’ll receive a private introduction to your overnight experience in a glass igloo or aurora dome. Learn how these architectural wonders were designed to frame the sky, then settle in for a peaceful night beneath the stars—or dancing auroras, if luck allows.
Day 17 – Amethyst Mine & Lapland Legends in Luosto
Travel to the fell village of Luosto, where the earth hides one of Lapland’s rarest treasures.
On a private visit to the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, you’ll descend into the open-pit site with a guide, learn about the geology of this ancient mountain, and even dig for your own amethyst.
Following that, craft a small gem keepsake in a gem-cutting workshop. As evening falls, gather for an atmospheric folklore night featuring Sámi stories, songs, and oral traditions passed down through generations—an unforgettable fireside immersion into the spiritual heart of Lapland.
Day 18 – Sacred Waters & Sámi Heritage in Inari
Today, you’ll arrive in Inari, the cultural capital of Sámi, Finland. Begin with a private guided tour of the Siida Sámi Museum, where interactive exhibits and traditional structures trace the rhythms of seasonal life, Indigenous history, and Arctic survival.
In the afternoon, join your guide for a boat trip across Lake Inari, one of Finland’s largest and most revered lakes. Visit Ukonkivi, a sacred island once used for Sámi ceremonial offerings, where stories of the land are interwoven with still waters and deep silence.
Day 19 – Sámi Craft & Arctic Fishing in the Inari Region
Spend today deepening your hands-on connection to Sámi traditions and wilderness life.
Begin with a private workshop in traditional Sámi handicrafts—duodji—where you’ll work with antler, leather, or natural fibers to create a meaningful piece guided by an artisan.
Next, head into the wild for a private fishing excursion with a local expert. Learn to read the waters, cast beneath the ice or from the shore, and experience the quiet patience and reward of Arctic fishing—a practice tied closely to Sámi survival and self-sufficiency.
Day 20 – Aurora Photography & Arctic Moments
As your northern journey winds down, return south with an overnight in either Rovaniemi or Oulu.
Depending on the season, enjoy one last private experience: an autumn aurora photography workshop with a professional guide, or a wildlife safari in search of moose, foxes, or even elusive lynx.
In the evening, gather for a farewell private dining experience featuring Lapland’s finest ingredients—perhaps reindeer tenderloin, foraged mushrooms, and cloudberry desserts—prepared just for you by a private chef. It’s a perfect note on which to reflect, celebrate, and savor your time in the far north.
Day 21 – Departure Day
Your guide escorts you to the airport for your onward journey.
If time permits, a short nature stop or artisan visit can be included along the way—one last touch of Finland before you part.
