[Nordic 15-Day Free Independent Trip] Day 5: Rovaniemi — Husky Sledding, Rovaniemi Downtown & Aurora Night 2

Table of Contents Trip Overview Trip Preparation A Day Trip to Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi City Husky Sledding Experience Santa Claus Post Office & Sending Postcards Rovaniemi City & Accommodation Aurora Chasing, Night Two Trip Summary & Other Nordic Travel Notes 1. Trip Overview We successfully caught the aurora last night, and this morning we're still immersed in that magnificent, breathtaking sight. After breakfast, we headed back to Santa Claus Village to experience husky sledding and send postcards from the Santa Claus Post Office. In the afternoon, we returned to Rovaniemi city center, checked into the new apartment and rested for a while, then explored the city center in the afternoon. In the evening, we headed to Kemijoki Riverside, an aurora viewing spot recommended by locals, hoping to once again witness the magical moment of the Northern Lights. 2. Itinerary Preparation Transportation Santa Claus Village ⇄ Rovaniemi city center: Express bus, one-way €4 Aurora viewing spot: Walk to Kemijoki Riverside, about 20 minutes Accommodation House of Saana Apartment (Booking) Well-equipped, and just a 10-minute walk from the train station, so transportation is very convenient. The downside is that it lacks the cozy, homey feel of a log cabin. €280 per night (about NT$10,780) — pretty good value for money.

Aurora Viewing When the KP index is 2 or above and the weather is clear, there is a very high chance of seeing the aurora. Best viewing spot: along the banks of the Kemijoki River behind the Arktikum (Aurora) Museum, away from light pollution, with an open view. View Larger Map 3. Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi City Day Tour Husky Sledding Experience Reluctantly saying goodbye to the cozy cabin, we head back to Santa Claus Village and on to the Husky Sled Camp, where free baggage storage is provided.

While waiting, our team of seven husky sled dogs was already fired up and ready to sprint! Interestingly, one of the huskies clearly wasn't in the mood to work and had to be soothed by the musher — it was a really funny scene.

With one command from the musher, the dogs immediately dash off at full speed — much faster than a reindeer sleigh! Facing the biting Arctic wind, you weave your way through snow-covered forests, and it's absolutely thrilling. The only downside is that huskies tend to relieve themselves while running, so it's hard to avoid catching a not-so-pleasant smell along the way 😂.

Experience Duration: About 10 minutes Refreshments After the Activity: Return to the rest cabin, where you can enjoy hot tea and cinnamon cookies Experience Impressions Husky sledding is more dynamic than reindeer sledding, making it perfect for travelers who love speed and thrills. That said, the reindeer sleigh, which holds such symbolic significance in Santa Claus Village, is still well worth experiencing — after all, coming all this way without riding a reindeer just wouldn't feel complete. Santa Claus Post Office & Postcard Mailing After finishing the sledding experience, we headed to the Santa Claus Post Office to send off the postcards we had carefully prepared the day before. 📬 There are two ways to mail them: Regular Mailbox: Sent immediately Christmas Mailbox: Sent on Christmas Day We chose the Christmas Mailbox, looking forward to receiving blessings from the Arctic Circle a few months from now!

Rovaniemi City Center & Accommodation After taking the bus back to the city center, we tried to contact tonight's host to ask if we could drop off our luggage early. Most accommodations in the Nordics have a 16:00 check-in time, and the host originally replied that early check-in wasn't possible, but later let us know we could check in at 13:00, allowing us to rest indoors for a while. Compared to last night's cabin, tonight's apartment felt a bit less cozy, but it was spacious and fully equipped, which was more than enough for a short stay. We had originally planned to visit the Aurora Museum, but since everyone seemed uninterested, we changed the plan to a walk around the city center and grocery shopping instead. There aren't many attractions in downtown Rovaniemi, but the supermarket here had a much wider selection than yesterday's!

There's also a Santa Claus meet-and-greet spot in the city, but there were no visitors — when he saw us watching him, Santa actually came out to draw us in 😂 Aurora Chasing Night 2 At 20:00 we checked the aurora forecast and saw the KP index rising, so we decided to head out! This time we went to Kaimi Riverside, recommended by a friend — a hidden local spot for aurora watching. When we arrived, quite a few people had already gathered, and many locals were even sledding/snowboarding across the frozen river, giving off a relaxed, easygoing vibe. Why is this place so popular? ✅ Wide open views with no light pollution ✅ The river is frozen solid, so you can pass the time snowboarding on it

Aurora appears! 21:00: The aurora stretched from east to west, slightly dimmer than last night, but lasting longer

21:30: The second wave of aurora eruption! It grows like a fern plant, finally forming a swirling, curling dynamic aurora.

This time was different from yesterday, when we could easily admire the aurora right at the cabin door — the low outdoor temperature numbed our hands and feet, so at 10 o'clock everyone decided to head back. After returning to the apartment, we happily celebrated successfully capturing the aurora again tonight! Some people went off to use the sauna, while I chose to go to bed early to save up energy for tomorrow's exploration of Inari. Trip Summary & Other Nordic Travel Notes Today's itinerary kicked off with the speed and thrill of husky sledding, followed by leaving behind precious memories at Santa Claus's Post Office.Although the second night's aurora chase was cold, we once again successfully witnessed this magnificent dance of light. Explore more travel diaries of the Nordic four-country trip The Nordics aren't just about auroras and snow — there's also the elegance of the cities, the mystery of the polar regions, and rich cultural depth. This journey spanning Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden will take you to discover the charm of Europe's purest corner! 🇩🇰 Denmark Free Travel 📍Day 2: Copenhagen Day Trip｜📍Day 3: Exploring the Free City, Flying to Finland 🇫🇮 Finland Polar Journey 📍Day 4: Helsinki City Tour & Night Train｜📍Day 5: Santa Claus Village and First Encounter with the Northern Lights 📍Day 6: Rovaniemi Husky Sledding & City Exploration｜📍Day 7: Lake Inari and the Secret Realm of the Aurora 🇳🇴 Norwegian Cruise Voyage & Northern Lights Exploration 📍Day 8: Crossing the Border from Inari to Kirkenes to Board the Cruise Ship｜📍Day 9: Stopping at Hammerfest and Life Onboard 📍Day 10: Tromsø Museum and Cable Car Snow Scenery｜📍Day 11: Transport Disrupted, Stranded in Tromsø 🇸🇪 A Stroll Through Swedish Culture and a Perfect Finale 📍Day 12: Flying to Stockholm, Spotting the Aurora from the Sky｜📍Day 13: City Hall & the Vasa Ship Museum 📍Day 14: In-Depth Old Town Wandering and Swedish Culture