Terms & Conditions

Definitions

• "We" / "us" / "our" means Ruka Northern Lights Tours, Ouluntaival, Ruka, 93600 Kuusamo, Finland.
• "You" / "guest" means the person making the booking and any members of their party participating in a tour.
• "Tour" means any guided experience operated by us, including but not limited to Aurora Hunting, Husky Safari, Snowmobile Expedition and Reindeer Safari.
• "Booking" means a confirmed reservation for a tour, acknowledged by us in writing (email confirmation).
• "Booking date" means the date on which a booking is confirmed by us.
• "Tour date" means the date on which a tour is scheduled to operate.
• "Deposit" means the non-transferable advance payment required to secure a booking.

Booking & Payment

Payment Methods

Payments are processed securely via Stripe. We accept all major credit and debit cards. All prices are quoted in Euros (EUR) and include applicable Finnish VAT. Card data is processed directly by Stripe on their PCI-DSS-certified platform — we do not store, see or have access to your full card details at any point.

Booking Confirmation

A booking is only confirmed once you have received a written confirmation email from us. We reserve the right to decline bookings at our absolute discretion — in such cases any payment made will be refunded in full.

Group Bookings

For private group bookings of five or more guests, bespoke pricing and payment terms may apply. Please contact us directly to discuss your requirements.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to bookings@rukanorthernlightstours.com. Cancellations are effective from the date we receive your written notification.

Cancellation by You (the Guest)

• More than 48 hours before the tour start time: You will receive a full refund of any balance payment made. The deposit (50%) is non-refundable but may, at our sole discretion, be applied as a credit toward a future booking within 12 months.
• Within 48 hours of the tour start time: The tour is non-refundable. We will make every reasonable effort to rebook you onto an alternative tour date within the same season, subject to availability, at no additional charge. Rescheduling is not guaranteed.
• No-show: A guest who fails to appear at the designated meeting point at the agreed time without prior written notice is not entitled to any refund or rescheduling.

Cancellation by Us

We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a tour if we determine, in our sole professional judgement, that operating the tour would be unsafe due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control. In such cases:

• We will offer you an alternative tour date within the same season at no additional charge, or
• A full refund of all amounts paid (including the deposit) if no suitable alternative date is available or acceptable to you.

We are not liable for any travel, accommodation, or other costs incurred by you as a result of a tour cancellation by us.

Aurora Guarantee

Terms of the Guarantee

• The Aurora Guarantee applies exclusively to the Aurora Hunting tour product. It does not apply to Husky Safari, Snowmobile Expedition or Reindeer Safari.
• The guarantee is a free rebook — it is not a cash refund.
• A rebook is subject to availability. We will make every effort to accommodate your preferred date within the same aurora season.
• The guarantee applies only where cloud cover or solar inactivity prevents any aurora sighting. Where the aurora was present but faint, or seen only partially, the standard booking terms apply.
• Guests who leave early voluntarily, who are late to the meeting point, or whose behaviour prevents participation in the full tour are not eligible for the guarantee.
• If you are unable to return for a rebook within the same season, a credit note valid for 12 months from your original tour date will be issued.

Weather & Force Majeure

Ruka and Kuusamo experience genuine Arctic weather. Temperatures can reach −35°C and conditions can change rapidly. Operating safely in this environment is our primary obligation and we reserve the right to modify tour routes, timing or activities at any time to ensure guest safety.

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where such failure or delay results from events outside our reasonable control ("Force Majeure"), including but not limited to:

• Extreme or exceptional weather events (storms, blizzards, ice roads closed by authorities)
• Acts of God, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics
• Government orders, travel restrictions or border closures
• Industrial action, civil unrest or terrorism
• Failure of essential third-party services (roads, ferries, utilities)

In Force Majeure events we will endeavour to offer an alternative date or, where this is not possible, a credit note. Cash refunds in Force Majeure situations are at our discretion.

Age Requirements

For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, the following minimum age requirements apply:

Age requirements are subject to change and our guides may apply stricter limits based on conditions on the night. Their decision is final and is made in the interests of safety.

Health, Safety & Conduct

By booking you confirm that all members of your party are in good general health and physically capable of participating in your chosen tour. Please notify us of any relevant medical conditions, disabilities or accessibility requirements at the time of booking so that we can advise accordingly.

Alcohol Policy

Guests must not be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances at the time of a tour. Our guides reserve the right to exclude any guest whose behaviour endangers themselves, other guests or our staff. No refund will be given in such circumstances.

Clothing and Equipment

You are responsible for wearing suitable warm winter clothing — insulated overalls, boots and gloves rated for arctic conditions (to around −40°C) — for the duration of outdoor activities. Such clothing can be hired locally in Ruka, and we are happy to advise. We are not liable for cold-related discomfort arising from inadequate or incorrectly worn clothing.

Photography and Drones

Personal photography is encouraged and one of the highlights of our tours. Drone use requires prior written authorisation from us and must comply with Finnish aviation regulations (Traficom).

Liability

We take every reasonable precaution to ensure the safety of our guests. However, outdoor wilderness activities in Arctic conditions carry inherent risks. By booking you acknowledge and accept these inherent risks.

To the fullest extent permitted by Finnish law:

• We are not liable for personal injury, loss or damage arising from natural hazards, weather conditions or the inherent risks of Arctic outdoor activities, where we have taken all reasonable precautions.
• We are not liable for the loss, theft or damage of personal belongings during a tour.
• We are not liable for any indirect or consequential losses, including lost travel or accommodation costs, arising from tour cancellation or modification.
• Our maximum liability to any guest in connection with a booking shall not exceed the total amount paid by that guest for the tour in question.

Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under Finnish or EU law.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that all guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and personal liability before travelling to Finland. We do not provide travel insurance and cannot be held responsible for costs that would otherwise be covered by insurance.

Intellectual Property

All content on this website — including text, photographs, videos, design and branding — is the property of Ruka Northern Lights Tours and is protected by copyright. You may not reproduce, distribute or use our content for commercial purposes without prior written permission.

Where our guides photograph or film guests during tours, images may be used by us for marketing purposes unless you notify us in writing prior to your tour that you do not consent to such use.

Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Finland. The courts of Finland shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms.

If you are a consumer resident in another EU member state, you may also be entitled to rely on mandatory provisions of consumer protection law in your country of residence.

For disputes, you may also use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.