Ultimate Luxury Arctic Escape at Aino Private Island, Finnish Lapland

Your journey begins as you arrive in Rovaniemi, the gateway to Finnish Lapland, where your private guide is waiting to welcome you. From the moment you step into your luxury Mercedes V Class vehicle, every detail has been carefully arranged, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy the spectacular winter scenery as you travel towards one of the region’s most exclusive retreats.

Crossing onto Aino Private Island feels like entering another world. Surrounded by the peaceful waters of the Kemijoki River and blanketed in snow throughout the winter months, the adults only island offers complete tranquillity while remaining just a short drive from Rovaniemi. It is a place where contemporary Nordic design meets untouched Arctic nature, creating an atmosphere that immediately encourages you to slow down and embrace the rhythm of Lapland.

After a warm welcome from the island team, settle into your elegant River Suite at Aino Private Island Resort, your home for the next three nights. Beautifully designed with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the river, soaring ceilings and handcrafted Nordic furnishings, the suite is filled with natural light and offers a wonderful sense of space. Every detail has been carefully considered, from luxurious bedding and bespoke textiles to thoughtful touches that make your stay effortlessly comfortable.

As evening approaches, enjoy your first dinner at Vuo Restaurant, where seasonal Nordic ingredients are transformed into beautifully presented dishes inspired by the landscapes surrounding the island. The intimate setting and attentive service perfectly introduce the relaxed luxury that defines your stay.

Later, your guide leads you on your first Northern Lights experience. Depending on the weather and aurora forecast, you may travel to a carefully selected viewing location or settle beside a peaceful lakeside shelter where the darkness of the Arctic sky offers excellent viewing conditions. Wrapped up warm with a comforting hot berry drink in hand, listen to stories and local folklore surrounding this extraordinary natural phenomenon while waiting for nature to perform its greatest spectacle.

Whether the Northern Lights appear in vivid green ribbons or simply leave behind a sky filled with thousands of stars, your first evening captures the magic of Lapland perfectly. Returning to Aino Private Island Resort, you can drift off to sleep in your River Suite, surrounded by the silence of the Arctic wilderness and ready for the adventures that await tomorrow.

Wake to the peaceful stillness of your private island sanctuary and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Vuo Restaurant. Large windows frame the frozen river beyond while the morning light gently filters through the surrounding forest. There is no rush here. The slower pace is all part of the Aino experience, allowing you to savour every moment before another unforgettable day in Finnish Lapland begins.

Accompanied by your private guide, travel to a local husky kennel where a lively welcome awaits. The eager chorus of barking huskies quickly reveals just how excited the dogs are to run. Spend time meeting the team behind the kennel and learn about the care, training and unique personalities of these incredible working dogs, whose enthusiasm for life in the Arctic is infectious.

Wrapped up in your premium winter clothing, climb aboard your sled and set off through the snowy wilderness. As your team pulls you across frozen trails and beneath snow laden pine trees, the only sounds are the soft runners gliding across the snow and the determined rhythm of the huskies leading the way. It is an exhilarating experience that perfectly captures the freedom and beauty of Lapland’s vast winter landscapes.

After your adventure, return to Aino Private Island Resort for lunch at Vuo Restaurant before enjoying some well deserved time at leisure. This is the perfect opportunity to experience more of what makes the island so special. Relax in the traditional Finnish sauna, browse the books within the beautiful Library Pavilion overlooking the river, or simply retreat to your elegant River Suite with a coffee and admire the peaceful Arctic scenery outside. You may also wish to spend time in the resort’s unique Soul Pharmacy, where mindful rituals and the innovative Neurosonic bed encourage complete relaxation and a deeper sense of wellbeing.

Later in the afternoon, your guide accompanies you to one of Lapland’s most remarkable attractions, the Ice and Snow Hotel. Rebuilt entirely from snow and crystal clear ice every winter, this frozen masterpiece showcases beautifully sculpted rooms, intricate carvings and stunning illuminated artwork. During your guided tour, you’ll discover the craftsmanship involved in creating this extraordinary seasonal hotel and learn how each structure is carefully rebuilt every year.

The evening becomes even more memorable with a three course dinner served inside the famous Ice Restaurant. Dining surrounded by sparkling ice walls is an experience unlike any other, combining exceptional local cuisine with one of the most unique dining settings in the Arctic.

Returning to Aino Private Island Resort, another peaceful evening awaits. If the skies are clear, step outside beside the river or relax around the island’s Northern Lights fire pits, where the darkness and tranquillity once again provide wonderful opportunities to witness the Aurora dancing overhead before retiring to your comfortable River Suite for the night

Begin your day with another leisurely breakfast at Vuo Restaurant, where locally sourced ingredients and beautiful views across the frozen Kemijoki River provide the perfect start to your morning. As always, your private guide is ready to tailor the day around your pace, ensuring every experience feels relaxed, personal and completely effortless.

Today’s adventure showcases Lapland’s spectacular winter wilderness in an entirely new way. After breakfast, set out on a private electric snowmobile excursion, offering a quieter and more environmentally conscious way to explore the Arctic landscape. Unlike traditional snowmobiles, these innovative vehicles allow you to glide silently through the forests, making it easier to appreciate the natural sounds of the wilderness and the remarkable stillness that defines this part of Finland.

Following your guide along private forest trails, you’ll travel across frozen landscapes, winding between towering pine trees draped in fresh snow. The absence of engine noise creates an almost surreal experience, allowing you to feel completely immersed in your surroundings. Along the route, stop at a traditional Lappish hut where a welcoming fire crackles inside. Warm up with hot berry juice while your guide shares stories of Arctic life, local traditions and the wildlife that calls these forests home. It is a wonderfully authentic moment that perfectly balances adventure with quiet reflection.

Returning to Aino Private Island Resort, lunch is served at Vuo Restaurant before you enjoy another opportunity to embrace the slower pace of island life. Perhaps spend time in the Finnish sauna, overlooking the snow covered landscape before cooling off in the crisp Arctic air. You may choose to relax once more in the Soul Pharmacy, enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the Library Pavilion, or simply unwind in the comfort of your beautifully designed River Suite, watching the winter world drift quietly by.

As the afternoon light begins to soften, head back into the wilderness for a guided sunset snowshoe walk. Snowshoes have long been one of the traditional ways to travel across deep winter landscapes, and they allow you to venture into places that remain untouched by vehicles. Walking at a gentle pace through silent forests, you’ll discover the beauty of Lapland in its simplest form. Snow sparkles beneath your feet, the air is wonderfully fresh and the changing colours of the Arctic sky create an unforgettable backdrop as the sun disappears below the horizon.

Returning to Aino Private Island Resort, enjoy your final dinner at Vuo Restaurant, celebrating another remarkable day with exceptional Nordic cuisine inspired by the surrounding landscape. Afterwards, spend one last evening watching the Arctic sky. Whether gathered around one of the Northern Lights fire pits or admiring the stars from beside the river, this peaceful final night on the island offers another chance to witness the magical Aurora before settling into your River Suite for your final night in Finnish Lapland.

Wake to your final morning on Aino Private Island and enjoy one last leisurely breakfast at Vuo Restaurant, taking time to appreciate the peaceful surroundings that have made this exclusive retreat feel like a true home in the Arctic. As the early morning light reflects across the frozen Kemijoki River, there is a final opportunity to soak up the tranquillity of the island before beginning your journey home.

After breakfast, check out of your River Suite, where contemporary Nordic design and exceptional comfort have provided the perfect base for your Lapland adventure. Although your stay on the island comes to an end, one final authentic Arctic experience awaits before your departure.

Accompanied by your private guide, travel into the countryside to visit a traditional family run reindeer farm. Here, you’ll discover the importance of reindeer to life in the Arctic and gain a fascinating insight into centuries old traditions that continue to shape Sámi culture today. Meeting the gentle animals up close offers a deeper appreciation for the close relationship between the people of Lapland and the natural environment that surrounds them.

The experience continues with a peaceful reindeer sleigh ride through the snow covered forest. Unlike the excitement of husky sledding, travelling by reindeer offers a slower, quieter journey that encourages you to absorb the stillness of the landscape. Wrapped up beneath warm blankets, you’ll glide gently through the woodland exactly as Arctic communities have done for generations, creating one final unforgettable memory of your time in Finnish Lapland.

After your sleigh ride, step inside a traditional kota, a cosy wooden shelter where a crackling fire provides welcome warmth. Here, enjoy a rustic two course lunch inspired by local ingredients and regional flavours while your hosts share stories of life in the far north. It is a fitting finale to your journey, celebrating both the culture and hospitality that make Lapland such a remarkable destination.

Following lunch, your private transfer takes you back to Rovaniemi Airport for your onward journey. As you leave behind the snow covered forests and frozen rivers, you’ll take with you far more than wonderful photographs. From exhilarating husky adventures and silent electric snowmobiling to unforgettable Northern Lights evenings, exceptional dining and the peaceful luxury of Aino Private Island Resort, this short escape perfectly captures the very best of Finnish Lapland. It is a journey defined by authenticity, comfort and meaningful experiences that will remain with you long after you’ve returned home.