Join award winning photographer and international tour leader, Denise Ippolito for a Finland photo tour in January. During this tour we will visit some of the best locations in the world for winter wonderland photos. See the description below for more information on this incredible trip. This will be the first time I am visiting, so I am going to be well armed with drivers, helpers, award winning photo guides and photo instructors (that have been to these locations before). I have worked with them all in the past and they are a great team. I am also hiring two specialized local guides to join us on one of our excursions so that we can make the most of our time there. I am really looking forward to this adventure. I hope you can join me.

Day 1 (January 4)

Arrival at Rovaniemi Airport (RVN). Drive to Rukajärvi where we will be based for the next 6 nights.

Check in at our hotel Hotel (Scandic Rukahoviand) and get settled in . The hotel is located in a in a ski resort area. There are a lot of restaurant options and just about everything you might need.

Day 2 – 6 (January 5-9)

We will be photographing in several amazing winter locations during our stay in Finland. We will visit the Riisitunturin National Park. This magical wonderland is world famous for its spruce trees that have a thick coating of condensed frost. In January, when we visit the crown snow will have had time to take shape, and the trees will be slightly bent, creating a truly spectacular winter white forest. In addition to the widely sought after trees of Lapland we will also have some other amazing winter landscapes to photograph. One of those is the Myllykoski Old Mill at the Myllykoski rapids. It is absolutely one of the most famous and beautiful locations in Finland. A frozen landscape with a suspended bridge and black river with rocky shores; this place will offer endless creative compositions.

During our trip we will take a snowmobile sled excursion to Kuntivaara (see photo of open air sleds in the photo gallery section). We will spend an entire day at perhaps the very best winter forest location in the world. We will be accompanied by two local professional guides that will provide warm drinks and cookies to brighten our expedition.

Day 7 (January 10)

We will say our goodbyes and return to Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) for flights back home.

Dates: January 4-10, 2026

Price per person: US$4700. based on double occupancy, Single supplement: US$750

Limit: 8 – 10 participants, Exact times and details will be provided to all via an additional information sheet once we get our entire group together.

All locations require a fair bit of walking. There are trails that are easy to follow. Everyone can move around and decide for themselves how much walking they want to do. There will be plenty of assistants to help if needed. At Kuntivaara no walking is required, but if you choose to explore the options are endless. All locations are huge! So we can spread out across several kilometers if we want.

If a geomagnetic storm is in progress, aurora photography will be possible. Its a bit south of the aurora oval, but it is still possible from our locations and our guides have photographed the aurora there several times.

Temperatures range from -5 to -35 degrees Celsius. So, basically you need thick down jackets, snow pants, warm boots (I’ll wear my Arctic Muck boots), basically everything you need for cold weather photography. If you have been to Norway or Japan in the winter this trip will be similar but slightly colder. It will not be wet or windy, and that is a plus for photography.

Snowshoes are available for rent if needed.

Included:

Ground transportation

Hotel Accommodations

Entrance fees to all sites

Snow mobile transport to Kuntivaara

Two professional local guides to Kuntivaara

Award winning photography instruction

Snacks and warm drinks at Kuntivaara

Not included:

Airfare to and from Rovaniemi Airport (RVN)

Meals and drinks