Same park, same snow-laden spruces. The listings differ in who walks with you, how many people share the day and what is included.
The short answer
The Riisitunturi day tours from Rovaniemi differ above all in one point: a guide walks with you, or a coach only drives you to the park. After that come group size, winter clothing, photos and minimum age. BookLapland and Experience Tours Lapland also sell a transport option without a hiking guide; the guided tours that give a group limit cap it at 8, and the stated minimum ages run from 5 to 14.
"Not stated" in the table means the listing does not say, not that the answer is no.
Pick one day, or the first and last day you are in Rovaniemi. We look up the booking calendar of each Riisitunturi day trip and list the ones with free seats.
Walk: about 4 km
Walk: about 4 km
Walk: about 4 km
Walk: 5 km
Walk: 4.3 km
Walk: 4–5 km
Duration: 8 h
Duration: 8 h
Walk: 5 km, snowshoes
Every tour on this page drives from Rovaniemi to the national park, two to two and a half hours each way by the operators' figures, and spends the middle of the day among the snow-covered spruces. The titles hardly differ. The table lines up the details from each listing: guide or driver-host, where you are collected, what you are lent to wear, any photos and the age from which children may join. Walking distance, group size and food follow in the fact sheet further down.
| Photo | Tour | Guide | Pickup | Gear | Photos | Min. age | Price p.p. | Reviews | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowy Giants Small-Group Trip Wild about Lapland | Yes | Outside centre only | Clothing, boots | By the guide | not stated | €190 | ★ 4.8 (338) | Book now |
| Snow Monsters by Coach or Small Group BookLapland | Guide or coach only | Selected hotels or office | Overalls, boots | not stated | not stated | €62 | ★ 4.8 (157) | Book now |
| Fell Hike with Edited Photos Beyond Arctic | Photographer | Hotel | Clothing, boots | 10–15 edited | 8+ | €140 | ★ 4.8 (134) | Book now |
| Hike with a Photographer Arctic Photo Experience | Photographer | Within 10 km | not stated | Edited photos | not stated | €190 | ★ 5.0 (117) | Book now |
| Guided Hike or Bus Only Experience Tours Lapland | Guide or bus only | Hotel | Not included | Guided option | not stated | €59 | ★ 4.7 (86) | Book now |
| Highlights or Premium Day Trip Arctic Safari Guides | Yes | Hotel or Scandic Pohjanhovi | Ice cleats | Your camera; edited on Premium | not stated | €100 | ★ 4.8 (24) | Book now |
| Park Walk with a Fireside Lunch My Lapland Travel | Yes | Within 10 km | not stated | not stated | 5+ | €189 | ★ 5.0 (6) | Book now |
| Tykky Trees Hike & BBQ Arctic GM | Yes | Accommodation | Thermal overalls | not stated | 8+ advised | €159 | ★ 3.0 (1) | Book now |
| Snowshoe Hike with a Three-Course Lunch Lapland Activities | Yes | Within 15 km | Snowshoes | not stated | 8+ | €162 | new, no reviews yet | Book now |
Prices are per adult as GetYourGuide shows them when this page loads, taxes included. Where a listing sells a coach seat and a guided hike, the price shown is its cheapest option, so open the listing to see what the guided day costs.
One tour for each kind of day, based on the details in the table above. Every tour on this page is listed further down.
At most 8 people with one guide all day, winter clothing, boots and equipment included, and a campfire snack. Hotel pickup applies only to accommodation outside the city centre.
The guide is a professional photographer and sends 10–15 edited photos after the day. Clothing and boots included, groups of at most 8, from age 8.
The bus option takes you to the park and back without a guide; winter clothes and shoes are not included. The guided option adds a 4.3 km hike, photos and sausages.
The top of each card shows guide or coach and the walking distance. Open it for the full list of inclusions and the operator's health and age limits.
A guide for the whole day, at most 8 people, winter clothing and boots included. Hotel pickup only for accommodation outside the city centre.
The operator places Riisitunturi about 150 km east of Rovaniemi and plans roughly two hours of driving each way. In the park the group walks about 4 km to the spots where the spruces carry the heaviest snow, and the guide may bring snowshoes if the snow calls for them.
Around the walk there is a campfire with a snack, biscuits and hot drinks. Pickup times are confirmed by e-mail at least a day before and can shift with the weather.
Guide or coach, pickup, walking distance and inclusions as the operator states them on the booking page.
Either a heated coach with a driver-host and the trail at your own pace, or a 4x4 small group with a guide and a campfire BBQ. Overalls and boots come with both.
On the coach option, the driver-host handles the winter roads, gives a briefing on the recommended route, viewpoints and timing when you arrive, and you walk the roughly 4 km on your own. No guide goes with you on the trail. The meeting and return point is the Book Lapland office in Rovaniemi.
The small-group option travels in a heated 4x4, adds a local guide on the trail and ends with a BBQ and a hot drink. The operator gives about two hours of driving each way.
Guide or coach, pickup, walking distance and inclusions as the operator states them on the booking page.
A photographer guide, 10–15 edited photos sent afterwards, warm clothing and boots, at most 8 people.
The group travels about two hours from Rovaniemi in a people carrier, then hikes roughly 4 km and climbs up the fell, with several stops for photos of the snow-covered forest.
Lunch is pastries and sausages grilled over a campfire. The operator describes the trail as demanding and does not take children under 8.
Guide or coach, pickup, walking distance and inclusions as the operator states them on the booking page.
A professional photographer leads the 5 km hike and helps with your own pictures. Edited photos afterwards; raw files are not handed out.
The guide is a professional photographer who leads a 5 km hike and helps you get better pictures of the snowy landscape along the way. Lunch is cooked over a campfire at a viewpoint.
After the tour you receive edited high-quality photos. Raw files are not handed out. Winter clothing is not part of the listing, so plan your own layers and boots.
Guide or coach, pickup, walking distance and inclusions as the operator states them on the booking page.
A guided hike on a 4.3 km trail with photos and a campfire break, or the bus ride alone and the park at your own pace. Winter clothes and shoes are not included.
The guided option drives about two hours to the park and walks a 4.3 km trail, with sausages and hot drinks at a campfire halfway. The guide takes photos during the day, and the whole trip runs about 8 to 9 hours.
The bus option takes you to the park and back, and you explore on your own. Bring a water bottle and snacks. If the weather is unsuitable, the operator lets you cancel one day before.
Guide or coach, pickup, walking distance and inclusions as the operator states them on the booking page.
A guide from Posio and ice cleats when the trail needs them. Highlights leaves from Scandic Pohjanhovi; Premium adds hotel pickup, a small group and a BBQ.
The founder of Arctic Safari Guides grew up in Posio, the municipality of Riisitunturi National Park, and designed the route. The hike runs through forest towards the fell, with stops for the view and for photos; the guide can take pictures with your own phone or camera.
The operator states plainly that the snow-covered tykky trees cannot be guaranteed and that the trail may be icy. The listing calls proper winter clothing and winter boots essential, with temperatures from -5 °C to -25 °C or colder.
Guide or coach, pickup, walking distance and inclusions as the operator states them on the booking page.
A relaxed pace with photo stops and a lunch cooked by the fire. Children are accepted from age 5.
After pickup in the Rovaniemi area, the guide introduces the route and leads the group through snow-covered forest up to open fell areas. There are regular stops for photos and for stories about local wildlife.
Halfway, everyone gathers around a fire for a freshly cooked outdoor lunch. The operator describes the hike as suitable for moderate fitness. Staying further than 10 km from the centre may cost extra.
Guide or coach, pickup, walking distance and inclusions as the operator states them on the booking page.
Pickup at your accommodation, a first-aid trained guide, thermal overalls and grilled sausages. Runs with at least 2 participants.
A day trip from your accommodation in Rovaniemi in new Ford Tourneo vans. The guide leads the group along the park trails towards viewpoints over the surrounding wilderness, past the snow-laden tykky trees.
Thermal overalls are handed out, and the break includes grilled sausages and hot drinks. The tour needs at least two participants; otherwise it may be moved or cancelled.
Guide or coach, pickup, walking distance and inclusions as the operator states them on the booking page.
About 5 km on snowshoes and a Lappish lunch of three courses cooked over an open fire. Snowshoes are included, winter clothing is not listed.
The minivan ride takes about 2.5 hours each way by the operator's count. In the park the group puts on snowshoes for about 5 km through forest and open fell, with stops at viewpoints.
Halfway, the guide cooks a three-course lunch over an open fire: a warm starter, a main course and a dessert. The operator notes that the weather decides how the snow-laden trees look on the day.
Guide or coach, pickup, walking distance and inclusions as the operator states them on the booking page.
Guide or coach, walking distance, length of the day, group limit, minimum age and food. "Not stated" means the listing gives no figure.
| Tour | Guide | Walk | Whole day | Max. group | Minimum age | Food |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-group day among the snowy giants, with clothing and boots | Yes | about 4 km | 8 h | 8 guests | Not stated | Campfire snack, biscuits, hot drinks |
| Snow monsters by heated coach, or with a guide in a small group | Guide or coach only | about 4 km | 8 h | Coach, or small group when guided | Not stated | Campfire BBQ and hot drink, guided option only |
| Fell hike with a photographer guide and edited photos | Photographer | about 4 km | 9 h | 8 guests | From 8 | Light lunch of pastries and grilled sausages, hot drinks |
| A 5 km hike led by a professional photographer | Photographer | 5 km | 8 h | 8 guests | Not stated | Campfire lunch |
| Guided hike with photos, or the bus ride on its own | Guide or bus only | 4.3 km | 9 h | Not stated | Not stated | Sausages and hot drinks, guided option only |
| Day trip with a guide who grew up in Posio | Yes | 4–5 km | 6.5–8 h | Max. 8, Premium only | Not stated | Warm drink and light snack, BBQ on Premium |
| Relaxed park walk with lunch by the fire, from age 5 | Yes | Not stated | 8 h | Not stated | From 5 | Lunch cooked by the fire, warm drinks |
| Tykky trees hike with campfire sausages, max 8 guests | Yes | Not stated | 8 h | 8 guests | From 8 | Grilled sausages, hot drinks |
| Snowshoe hike with a three-course lunch over the fire | Yes | 5 km, snowshoes | 8 h | 8 guests | From 8 | Three-course lunch over an open fire |
Pickup and clothing are in the table above.
This is the biggest difference between the listings, and the cheapest price on the page usually belongs to the coach. BookLapland sells a heated coach with an English-speaking driver-host: at the park you get a briefing on the recommended route, the viewpoints and the meeting time, and then walk about 4 km at your own pace. No guide comes along. The same listing has a guided small group in a 4x4 with a campfire BBQ. Experience Tours Lapland splits its listing the same way, into a self-guided bus tour and a guided hike on a 4.3 km trail.
All the other tours here are guided all day. Arctic Safari Guides adds a detail worth knowing: its founder grew up in Posio, the municipality the park belongs to.
Where a guided tour states a limit, it is 8: Wild about Lapland, Beyond Arctic, Arctic Photo Experience, Aurora Monkeys, Arctic GM and Lapland Activities all name it. Arctic Safari Guides gives the same limit for its Premium option only. The coach options of BookLapland and Experience Tours Lapland are a different kind of day, with a full vehicle and everyone walking at their own speed.
Wild about Lapland lists winter clothing, boots and equipment, Beyond Arctic warm clothing and winter boots, Arctic GM thermal overalls. BookLapland hands out overalls rated down to -40 °C and boots if needed on both options, while Experience Tours Lapland lists winter clothes and shoes as not included. Arctic Safari Guides gives out ice cleats when the trail is icy but calls proper winter clothing and boots essential. Arctic Photo Experience, Aurora Monkeys and My Lapland Travel list no clothing at all. Lapland Activities includes snowshoes and lists winter overalls and boots as not included. If nothing is listed, ask the operator or plan your own layers; the what-to-wear page covers what to bring.
Beyond Arctic and Arctic Photo Experience are built around photography. Beyond Arctic's guide is a professional photographer and sends 10–15 edited photos afterwards. Arctic Photo Experience has a photographer lead the 5 km hike, help with your own camera and send edited pictures; raw files are not handed out. On Wild about Lapland's tour the guide carries a camera and takes photos of the group, and the guided option of Experience Tours Lapland includes professional photos. On the Arctic Safari Guides tour, the guide can help with pictures on your own phone or camera. More on the tours with photos page.
Most guided tours stop at a campfire. The food ranges from a snack with biscuits and hot drinks (Wild about Lapland) and grilled sausages (Arctic GM, Experience Tours Lapland on the guided option) to a light lunch of pastries and sausages (Beyond Arctic), a lunch cooked by the fire (Arctic Photo Experience, My Lapland Travel) and a three-course Lappish lunch (Lapland Activities). Aurora Monkeys does not light a fire, because the parks have few fireplaces, and stops at a café for pancakes and a hot drink, which the listing marks as not included. On the coach and bus options no food is listed, so pack a lunch and a thermos.
The listings that state one set it at 5 (My Lapland Travel), 8 (Beyond Arctic, Lapland Activities) and 14 (the Korouoma combination with Aurora Monkeys). The others give no age, so ask before booking a family day. Read the page on children as well; much of the day is spent in a vehicle.
Wild about Lapland collects only from accommodation outside the city centre, so guests in the centre walk to the meeting point. BookLapland's coach leaves from its office in Rovaniemi, while its guided group picks up at selected hotels. Arctic Safari Guides starts its Highlights option at Scandic Pohjanhovi and collects from hotels on Premium. Arctic Photo Experience and My Lapland Travel pick up within 10 km of the centre, Lapland Activities within 15 km, and the rest at your hotel or accommodation.
Reviews of the guided groups mention the pace and the photos; the critical voices found the walk short for a guided day, or had a stand-in guide who explained little.
“It was very convenient being picked up right from our chalet for the day. The drive in the bus was nice. The hike itself was lovely a nice pace but plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the scenery. The snack and juice was excellent to cap off the excursion.”
“The trip was wonderful. Luca was friendly, humble, and very informative. He guided us safely through the national park and made sure everyone was comfortable. We especially appreciated that he brought vegetarian sausages for us …”
“Amazing trip, the place was beautiful, the drive to it was also very scenic! Matthias is a great guide, he prepared some snacks for us and also picked me up directly from my place. … We were small group of only 6 people, so it was great!”
“The tour was really a lift out somewhere for a short 4km circuit that does not require a guide at all. The forest is amazing and highly recommend … The guide speed ran the walk through the forest and wasn’t really educational nor allowed time to just enjoy and take photos …”
“I booked this tour to go with Timo, but unfortunately he was on holiday that week. Our guide was quite unprofessional and although friendly, we didn't learn really anything about the area/people at all. Was very disappointed.”
“Our trip to Riisitunturi Park today with our guide completely exceeded my expectations! There were only four of us, which made the experience feel very personal. … The van was clean and comfortable, and the drive there and back (about 2 hours each way) was smooth. We even stopped at a gas station along the way where you can buy snacks if you want. He also took photos of us with his camera and knew all the best spots to capture great shots. …”
Reviews of Riisitunturi day trips, quoted from GetYourGuide.
BookLapland and Experience Tours Lapland each sell a coach or bus option that takes you to the park and back without a hiking guide. BookLapland's driver-host briefs you on the route and timing before you set off. Both listings also have a guided option.
Wild about Lapland, Beyond Arctic and BookLapland list winter clothing and boots, and Arctic GM lists thermal overalls. Arctic Photo Experience, Aurora Monkeys, My Lapland Travel and Lapland Activities do not list clothing, and Arctic Safari Guides calls it essential. Check the listing or ask the operator.
It means the listing does not give that detail. It is not the same as "no". If a missing detail matters to you, for example the minimum age, ask the operator before booking.
Most listings give eight hours, Beyond Arctic and Experience Tours Lapland nine. Arctic Safari Guides offers a 6.5-hour Highlights option and an 8-hour Premium option. The operators plan about two hours of driving each way, Lapland Activities two and a half.
Guide, pickup, walk and clothing for each tour, sorted by number of reviews.
Open the tour table