A Family Company
Why we started it?
We are a family-owned business with a long experience of offering accommodation to everyone who is coming to Utsjoki to enjoy our nature’s many treasures. Aurora Holidays is specialising in nature and outdoor holidays. Our accommodation and guided services are available all year round, but our main focus is winter and the Northern Lights. We offer you a once in a lifetime experience of Aurora chasing, outdoor activities & Sámi culture 450km (along the road, 380km as the crow flies) North of the Arctic Circle in Utsjoki, Finnish Lapland.
Although Aurora Holidays is founded 2016, we have years of experience in the tourist industry, local knowledge and lots of passion. Let us make sure that your holiday in Utsjoki will be magical from start to finish. Visit us & let us show you nature’s most spectacular gift: the Northern Lights.
A holiday with us could not be easier. Everything from the transportation to accommodation and guided services in one package, making it easy for you. All you have to do is book your holiday, pack your bags and arrive at the airport – we will take care of the rest.
Tiina & Mika
First one in our team is Tiina, who is more than just the owner of Aurora Holidays, she is the heart and soul of the company. She runs the business with strong background support from Mika, her partner who is Sámi reindeer herder and has been living here most of his life.
She treats both the company and the guests as if they were all part of her family. That´s the way she is, warm-hearted and welcoming. There is no question or situation she would leave unsolved, and she is full of creativity waiting to be unleashed.
Tiina has lived in Utsjoki for over 15 years now and has adapted & excelled in the way of life here. She has a passion for the Lappish lifestyle. And more importantly, she has a passion for the Northern Lights that is highly contagious. Tiina really lives and breathes Auroras. That´s why it was so natural to grow a business around it.
Need for a cozy accommodation? Questions about night photography? Want to taste traditional Sámi dishes? Interested to hear about local culture and reindeer herding? Maybe you need guidance to find the best spots for Aurora hunting? Or you simply want to experience fun winter activities? Tiina makes it all possible!
Language skills: Finnish, English, Norwegian
Our Team
Jonna - Business Development & Marketing Lead
Jonna is a responsible travel and marketing pro with a passion for photography and all things nature.
Since joining us in fall 2021, Jonna has helped us develop our holidays towards a more sustainable, inclusive and most importantly more magical and memorable experience for our guests.
With her vast international experience and eagerness to contribute towards a healthier and kinder planet, we hope to put our small family owned business at the edge of the world on the map big time…no pressure.
As a Finnish-American marketer, storyteller, business developer and photographer who works from around the world and on occasion from Utsjoki, you are likely to see Jonna’s handiwork in pretty much everything at Aurora Holidays from Social media to HR to the activities you participate in…but you’ll seldom see her.
Contact Jonna for marketing and business development collaboration at jonna@auroraholidays.net
Sonja - Guide
Sonja is an experienced Nature and Wilderness guide with a wide knowledge of the natural world and local culture.
This lady is so fit, capable and warm, that your adventures with her will always be filled with comfortable smiles and fun memories.
Before her career change to a guide, Sonja spent years at sea working in ocean conservation.
On her spare time she goes on these “quick” little 4hr runs in the Arctic wilderness, as there is always a trail run competition she is training for next.
Sonja is especially interested in the indigenous Sami culture and mythology and the Finnish coffee culture, along with all the flora and fauna surrounding us. If she doesn’t already have a story or an explanation ready for your inquiry; be prepared to learn all about it the next day.
Why Choose Aurora Holidays
Planning a visit to Finnish Lapland? Here is why you should choose Aurora Holidays for your stay!
Small groups – we only offer small group tours so it will never be too crowded and you get to enjoy everything the surrounding nature has to offer in peace.
We don’t charge extra – We don’t charge single people occupancy rates, we don’t charge extra for more than two people per cottage and we don’t charge you extra even if you’re the only guest that has booked a certain activity.
We are flexible – Our holidays & activities have no minimum bookings or set time limit. Aurora hunting can take time and may require driving which is why we don’t set a time limit. We plan our Northern Lights chases according to the weather & aurora activity so you have the best possible chances to see the Aurora Borealis.
We go the extra mile – Literally! Our Northern Lights chases are NOT limited by time or distance. We will always do our best to make sure you see the Northern Lights. Sometimes that means driving 200km in one night or going on a 6h road trip. We can’t guarantee that you will see the auroras (no one can), but we can promise to go the extra mile!
Enthusiastic & Passionate guides – We love what we do. We are passionate about nature, Northern Lights & Sami culture and we cannot wait to share it with you!
Professional & Approachable Staff – We are there for you. We offer professional guidance during all activities and can be reached 24/7 in case of an emergency or if you ever need help.
We care – traveling and dietary restrictions can be a difficult combination. Sometimes it feels too much, when trying to book a holiday, right? Do not worry about that, we truly want to make sure everyone can enjoy their holiday and eat well – delicious and safe food. If you are gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, dairy or egg allergic – do not worry – we will handle it all!
We are personal – Our holidays are not rehearsed and cold. We want to create the holiday of your dreams and make you feel right at home here at Aurora Holidays. We can share local knowledge, stories and our own experience of what it is like to live and work 450 km north of the Arctic Circle.
We are transparent – Everything we do is transparent. We will never promise you Northern Lights when the weather conditions are bad. If it isn’t safe to drive somewhere to chase the lights we will tell you and plan accordingly.