Wilderness Hotel Muotka

Lapland Finland , Saariselka

  • Couples Holidays
  • Activities
  • Northern Lights
3.5/5
Inghams rating

We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official rating.

Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka View
Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Restaurant 3
Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Main Building 3
Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Restaurant 2
Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Snowshoe
Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Campfire 2
Show all photos Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Aurora Cabins External
Wilderness Hotels Finland Husky Sledding
Husky Safari © Wilderness Hotels
Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Smoke Sauna
Wilderness Hotels Finland Reindeer
Reindeer © Wilderness Hotels
  • Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka View
  • Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Restaurant 3
  • Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Main Building 3
  • Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Restaurant 2
  • Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Snowshoe
  • Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Campfire 2
  • Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Aurora Cabins External
  • Wilderness Hotels Finland Husky Sledding
    Husky Safari © Wilderness Hotels
  • Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Smoke Sauna
  • Muotkantie 204, 99830 Sodankyla, Finland

Facilities

  • Sauna/Steam Room
  • Bar
  • Family Rooms
  • Single Rooms
  • Aurora Alerts
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Sauna in room

Saariselkä at a glance

  • Finnish
  • Euro (EUR)
  • London Gatwick (LGW), Bristol (BRS), Manchester Int. (MAN)

Included in your Lapland Adventure holiday to Saariselkä

  • Full board meals at Wilderness Hotel Muotka
  • Arctic thermal clothing (aged 4+) and snow boots to keep you cosy and warm in the snow
  • Aurora Alert until approx. 1 am
  • Arctic activities including snowmobiling to a reindeer farm, aurora snowmobile, husky safari, aurora camp, aurora hunt by car, gentle snowshoe safari (2hrs) and cross country skiing
  • Safety briefing and instruction from experienced Muotka Safari Guides
  • Third-party snowmobile insurance (insurance excess approx €1000)
  • On holiday, support and tailored advice from our Destination Experts based in Saariselkä
  • Access to Inghams Digital Resort Guide with useful information to enhance your holiday
  • Flights from the UK, transfers and accommodation

About Muotka Wilderness Lodge

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

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. During your stay, you'll have all of your meals included on a full board basis. 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. 

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.

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's Week celebrations include a bonfire, midnight fireworks, and a toast with sparkling wine on New Year's Eve. Festive dinners featuring Lappish specialities enhance the holiday spirit on both occasions.

  • 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
  • Remote wildernes location
  • 15 kilometres to the centre of Saariselka
  • 17 kilometres to the Saariselka ski centre

The Muotka Wilderness Lodge is on a full board basis.

Breakfast is served buffet style each morning, offering a generous selection of hot and cold dishes, including freshly baked breads, cereals, fruit, and cooked options to set you up for the day’s winter activities.

Lunch is provided daily and varies depending on your programme. On excursion days, you may enjoy a relaxed picnic-style lunch around an open fire, creating a memorable outdoor experience in the snowy surroundings. On other days, lunch is served at the main lodge.

Dinner is a hearty three course buffet served each evening. The menu is inspired by traditional Lappish cuisine, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce, reflecting the flavours of the region.

Your first included meal is dinner on your day of arrival, and your final included meal is breakfast on your day of departure.

This property caters for the following special dietary requirements

  • Vegetarians
  • Vegans (on request)
  • Gluten free (on request)
  • Dairy free (on request)

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.

Board basis available: Full Board

Wilderness rooms are around 20m2 sleeping 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 a shower, WC and hairdryer. Beds can be made up as either a double or twin. These rooms are also available for sole occupancy.

Superior sauna rooms are around 30m2 sleeping two to four people and are located in a separate building. Spacious pine-clad one-room suites with double bed, double sofa bed for two, private sauna, and lounge area. 

Panorama log cabins are around 42m2 sleeping two to four people in highly recommended spacious detached log cabins with a double bed, a double sofa bed for two, private sauna, fireplace, lounge area, kitchenette and panoramic windows. 

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

Annexes

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

Room facilities

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

General information

  • Check in: 3pm
  • Check out: 11am

Additional information

  • No. of rooms: 36
  • No. of floors: 1
  • Lift accessible: No
  • Lift serves all floors: No
  • Access ramp: No

Your exciting itinerary

You will receive your personal itinerary on arrival at Muotka.

Below you'll find a sample itinerary, days and timings may differ. 

Your Destination Expert will meet you at Kittilä Airport and take you to your transfer, ready for the scenic drive to Muotka. As you arrive at Muotka Wilderness Lodge, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your local guides who will introduce you to the lodge and the experiences ahead. You’ll then be fitted with your thermal winter clothing, ensuring you stay warm and comfortable throughout your stay. Before settling into your accommodation, you’ll also receive your personal aurora alert buzzer,  a handy device that will notify you if the Northern Lights make an appearance, so you won’t miss a moment if they dazzle the arctic night sky.

Enjoy the silence of the forest and the wilderness surroundings. 

Have you ever been curious about how people travelled across Finland’s snowy landscapes in years gone by? Cross country skiing was once the essential way to get from place to place and now it’s your turn to experience it for yourself. Your friendly guide will introduce you to the fundamentals, helping you find your balance and rhythm before setting off together on a gentle route through the pristine winter scenery. You will move at an easy pace, with plenty of opportunities to pause for photographs and simply take in the stillness around you. 

After lunch strap on your snowshoes and explore the stunning winter landscape surrounding Wilderness Hotel Muotka. As you head through the deep snow, your friendly guide will share fascinating stories about Finnish nature and wildlife.

In the evening you will head out in search of the Northern Lights by car, heading to the guides favorite camp spots in search of the aurora borealis. During the trip, your guide will serve warm drinks and snacks. 

Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Snowshoe

Today, you’ll take a scenic shared snowmobile safari (approx. 15 kilometres each way) to a Sámi reindeer farm. After a snowmobiling lesson and safety instructions,  set off on a serene trip filled with reindeer encounters and breathtaking scenery. 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.

Saariselka Finland Snowmobile Adobe

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.

A memorable husky farm visit, including a thrilling safari, sharing the driving of your own two person husky-sled. Feel the excitement of the huskies as they get ready, and then enjoy the serene silence as they pull your sled through the frozen forests. Each sled is set up for two guests, with one mushing and the other seated in the sleigh. Halfway through the journey, you'll switch, so both of you get to experience the thrill of mushing. 

This evening is yours to enjoy. Unwind with a warm drink as you watch the snow settle quietly outside, or take a gentle stroll around the resort. With little light pollution, the arctic night provides perfect conditions for stargazing. Look up to admire a canopy of countless stars, constellations and, on especially clear evenings, even the soft glow of the Milky Way stretching across the sky. With a little luck, you may also witness the Northern Lights dancing overhead, creating a truly unforgettable memory.

Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Huskies

Today is a free day to enjoy at your own pace If you’re feeling adventurous, you can hone your cross-country skiing skills on the gentle trails nearby, or strap on a pair of snowshoes to explore the frozen forests and open fells (both activities are optional extras, payable locally). For a more relaxed day, simply soak in the serene surroundings from the comfort of the lodge, perhaps with a warm drink in hand, or take a quiet walk through the snow covered scenery.

As evening falls, prepare for a magical experience. You’ll board a sled pulled by snowmobiles for a short ride to Muotka’s Aurora Camp. Nestled away from any artificial light, this secluded spot offers one of the best vantage points for witnessing the Northern Lights. On arrival, you can settle in with hot drinks and enjoy the warmth of good company while your eyes scan the northern sky.

Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Aurora Borealis 2

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

Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Aurora Cabin

Depart after breakfast for your flight back to the UK

Muotka Wilderness Lodge Saariselka Snowmobiles

Travel to Saariselkä

Depart on: Sundays, Tuesdays & Fridays

Fly into: Kittilä or Ivalo 

Transfer time: approx. 3 hours from Kittilä or 30 minutes - 1 hour from Ivalo by coach

Check availability

Travel by Air

Direct exclusive charter flights to Kittilä airport departing on Sundays for 7 or 14 nights from:

  • London Gatwick 
  • Bristol
  • Manchester 

Airport Transfer Time - approx. 3 hours by coach

Direct flights to Ivalo airport departing Tuesdays and Fridays for 3 or 4 nights from:

  • London Gatwick

Airport Transfer Time - approx. 30 mins - 1 hour by coach or minivan 

Please note that there may be a few minutes' walk to your accommodation due to access/regulations on where coaches can stop.

Discover Saariselkä

Located in the wild, mystical north of Lapland, 260 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, Saariselkä is an exceptionally friendly, uncommercialised resort with a unique frontier atmosphere. With magnificent Arctic wilderness scenery just on the doorstep, it makes an ideal resort for a winter wonderland adventure.

The skies are often a deep hue of pink and purple, the pine trees heavily laden with snow, and being so far north, there is a good possibility of seeing the Northern Lights too. In Saariselkä, you're deep in Sámi country, where many people from the indigenous community of Lapland live and work today.

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