Explore Lapland
Explore Lapland
5
19:00 - 23:00
Monday
19:00 - 23:00
Tuesday
19:00 - 23:00
Wednesday
19:00 - 23:00
Thursday
19:00 - 23:00
Friday
19:00 - 23:00
Saturday
19:00 - 23:00
Sunday
19:00 - 23:00
Full view

About
Explore Lapland provides quality family, small or private northern light tours. We focus on ensuring that tours go ahead when the weather is optimal in order to provide you value for money. We provide warm, comfortable locations in the arctic coldness for tours where we can cook food and enjoy warm drinks. We look forward to hosting you here in Rovaniemi.
Rovaniemi, Finland
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5.0
116 reviews
Excellent
110
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5
Average
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Pradyp_fun
Amsterdam, The Netherlands10 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
I had made the booking for the Northern Lights Photographic Tour, and Ben was graceful to continue with the tour despite no other bookings for the evening. Ben arrived before time to pick me up at my Hostel, and waited for me to join him. We then went to his office, where he provided me with Warm Clothes. We then went to a frozen lake around 50 Kms from the city, where I was treated to out of the world views of the Northern Lights. He took some spectacular pics of the Northernlights, which he later shared over email.
We had the traditional Bonfire at the lake shore, where he made sausage barbecue and hot chocolate which was delicious given the cold night.
Overall, a highly recommended tour when you are travelling to Rovaneimi, check the chances of Nothern light sighting too, we were lucky to have the best night to see the lights.
We had the traditional Bonfire at the lake shore, where he made sausage barbecue and hot chocolate which was delicious given the cold night.
Overall, a highly recommended tour when you are travelling to Rovaneimi, check the chances of Nothern light sighting too, we were lucky to have the best night to see the lights.
Written 10 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Federica M
Italy54 contributions
Our guide, Benny, was very charming and friendly. Even if it was cloudy and we unfortunately didn't see the northern lights, we spent a very pleasant night. Our guide explained us a lot of things about northern lights, helped us to understand how to take photos of N.L., made a fire and cooked for us.
We glad also Benjamin for the organization. We had booked for Saturday night, but it was snowing and he promptly changed the date with another one.
Thumbs up for both!
We glad also Benjamin for the organization. We had booked for Saturday night, but it was snowing and he promptly changed the date with another one.
Thumbs up for both!
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rt&eb
9 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We booked with Ben last minute, but he was there at our door on time to pick us up for the excursion; and we got to have a private northern lights hunt as his only clients for the night! Ben is incredibly warm and kind, easy to talk to and he made the whole evening so fun! He took us to a frozen lake which was gorgeous with a fire going in the laavu, and we watched for the lights. They were dim but visible that night, and Ben took our picture with the lights behind us and we got to see how visible they are to the camera, and we came away with some lovely pictures as well. We had sausages over the fire and some hot drinks, and came away feeling so glad we chose to go with him, even if the lights weren't very strong.
Written 12 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vacation310753
San Diego, CA6 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
We had several tours that we booked via Viator for our trip to Rovaniemi Lapland. The best so far was Explore Lapland Owned by Ben Taylor. Initial encounter was with email communications that he responded quickly for all our inquiries that I found so helpful in planning our trip. We had a wonderful time exploring Lapland with several activities like Huskies safari, Reindeer rides added more activities on the next day Snowshoeing and ice fishing. He was very patient and accommodating. flexible with time and gauges our level of energy for the activities that we were able to do and enjoy. It was surely a trip to remember. Well recommended company.
Written 15 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy B
1 contribution
Mar 2019 • Couples
This trip was exactly what I was hoping for. Ben was a great guide who really cares about his customers. After making sure we were all prepared for the cold, we started driving, and he stopped before we even arrived at our destination to point out a faint Aurora and whet our appetites. The lights were waiting for us when we got to the lake, and even though they were fairly weak (Ben told us they were about a 3-4 kp), they were gorgeous. The frozen lake we were on was very scenic and overall a great place to see this phenomenon. I was having trouble with my camera, but Ben was happy to help me get the settings right and later use his camera to take some photos of my boyfriend and me in different poses. Later, we had as much food and hot chocolate as we wanted. Ben's pictures turned out fantastic and he sent them all the next day. Overall I really enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend it!
Written 15 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil
1 contribution
Mar 2019 • Couples
We did the Northern Lights Hunting tour and it was amazing. Ben is the best guide you can imagine. He picked us up at our hotel, gave us some warm clothes, drove with us to a frozen lake with stunning views to the clear sky full of bright stars and served us hot chocolate and snacks. Luckily we were able to see the northern lights and Ben took some breathtaking photos of us and the northern lights. Highly recommended!
Written 9 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SWTHOMAS
Grapevine, TX52 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
We decided to go on a northern light hunt and used Viator to find a tour operator. This led is to use finding Explore Lapland and Ben. No, not a Finnish name, but an excellent tour operator and guide. We were the only ones on this tour. He took us back to his office to get warmer coats and overalls. We then drove about 50 km outside of Rovaniemi to a spot on a frozen lake.
The northern lights were already active when we arrived and what an awesome view!
The hotels will generally recommend other tour operators, but we recommend Explore Lapland and Ben. We enjoyed the hot chocolate, we had already had dinner and the offer of snacks was appreciated.
Ben is graciously providing copies of his photos as well.
Hope you get to see the northern lights and go with Explore Lapland!
The northern lights were already active when we arrived and what an awesome view!
The hotels will generally recommend other tour operators, but we recommend Explore Lapland and Ben. We enjoyed the hot chocolate, we had already had dinner and the offer of snacks was appreciated.
Ben is graciously providing copies of his photos as well.
Hope you get to see the northern lights and go with Explore Lapland!
Written 28 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sir_Pork
Hong Kong, China82 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
We are on a family tour with 2 young kids. We joined the northern lights hunting tour with Ben from Explore Lapland for 2 nights, which turn out to be a wonderful experience.
We chose Explore Lapland since we do not want to be in a big tour with 20+ people, which may make it difficult to take photos. As previously mentioned by other travellers, Ben is a friendly guide who truly wants us to have a wonderful experience. He drove us to places >50 km away from Rovaniemi, hoping to find us a good spot to maximise the chance of seeing the lights.
We initially worry that our 2 kids may not be able to stand the cold weather (it was -22 degree C in one night!) while waiting for the Aurora. Ben is kind enough to keep them warm inside the car, setting up a fire and make them sausages / hot drinks to keep them warm. We do managed to see some lights, though not strong, in the 2 nights and take some nice photos during the tour.
Seeing Aurora Borealis is more of a random process and is total unpredictable. Ben made the tour an enjoyable experience and seeing the lights is a bonus for us!
We chose Explore Lapland since we do not want to be in a big tour with 20+ people, which may make it difficult to take photos. As previously mentioned by other travellers, Ben is a friendly guide who truly wants us to have a wonderful experience. He drove us to places >50 km away from Rovaniemi, hoping to find us a good spot to maximise the chance of seeing the lights.
We initially worry that our 2 kids may not be able to stand the cold weather (it was -22 degree C in one night!) while waiting for the Aurora. Ben is kind enough to keep them warm inside the car, setting up a fire and make them sausages / hot drinks to keep them warm. We do managed to see some lights, though not strong, in the 2 nights and take some nice photos during the tour.
Seeing Aurora Borealis is more of a random process and is total unpredictable. Ben made the tour an enjoyable experience and seeing the lights is a bonus for us!
Written 31 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yuro K
Malacky, Slovakia5 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We had the best stay in Rovaniemi thanks to Ben and his family! We got to see a reindeer farm, huski farm, the Northern lights (which is a thing that needs to be on your list ASAP!!!), experienced the traditional Finnish sauna, had a barbecue in the snow on a hill close to Rovaniemi and went to see Santa's House.
Ben was able to meet our wishes and all of it in a closed circle of people away from all the other tourists, which we loved.
Wish we had stayed there a bit longer to try all the other activities that this beautiful city offers. :-)
Thank you and hope to see you soon!
Ben was able to meet our wishes and all of it in a closed circle of people away from all the other tourists, which we loved.
Wish we had stayed there a bit longer to try all the other activities that this beautiful city offers. :-)
Thank you and hope to see you soon!
Written 23 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer Ng
Singapore, Singapore8 contributions
Jan 2020
We looked through many reviews and tour groups before deciding to book our northern lights tour with Ben.
From the first time we met Ben till the end of our tour, he is really friendly and approachable. Always asking if we are cold, if we needed more hot drinks and even offer for me to rest in his hut as I was under-dressed that night.
We managed to see the aurora lights that night and it was an one of a kind experience for us. The photos taken by Ben would justify everything.
If you are planning to do an aurora tour, we strongly recommend you choose Ben to be your guide as he is an amazing person inside and outside. We are truly grateful and thankful for everything he did for us.
From the first time we met Ben till the end of our tour, he is really friendly and approachable. Always asking if we are cold, if we needed more hot drinks and even offer for me to rest in his hut as I was under-dressed that night.
We managed to see the aurora lights that night and it was an one of a kind experience for us. The photos taken by Ben would justify everything.
If you are planning to do an aurora tour, we strongly recommend you choose Ben to be your guide as he is an amazing person inside and outside. We are truly grateful and thankful for everything he did for us.
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi I’m heading to Lapland Friday and have two trips booked on 30 November - husky safari at 12.30 and reindeer safari to explore northern lights at 7pm - my question is should I stay around santa park from 2.30 to 7pm or go back and come back at 6.30? Is there enough good things to do at Santa park and places for dinner? Thanks
Written 23 November 2019
No need to hang around for that long=there is not much to do.
Visit the shops, pick up a souvenir of your visit, grab a snack, take plenty of photos and head back to the warmth of your hotel !
Written 9 December 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.