You probably knew, that the best place to spot the Aurora Borealis in Finland is in the Northernmost Lapland! The ultimate one-week road trip will take you to the legendary youth center Vasatokka, 300 km beyond the Arctic Circle and up to the shores of the Arctic Ocean! 

Highlights of the tour:

• Experience the Artic Challenge activity and find out how to survive in the north.

• Meet the real Santa Claus in Rovaniemi

• Stay 4 nights in Vasatokka, Inari - 300 km beyond the Arctic Circle

• Make a road trip to Norway and swim in the Arctic Ocean!

• Enjoy lakeside sauna and arctic swimming every day

• Feel the speed of huskies and snowmobiles

• Travel in the wood like real Finnish people with cross country skiing

• Learn about Saami culture and get a reindeer driver’s license

• Experience the world’s longest sledding hill in ski resort Saariselkä

• Enjoy downhill skiing at cheap student prices!

	NORTHERN LAPLAND - THE BEST PLACE TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Vasatokka is located in the polar region of Scandinavia where the Aurora Borealis is most active. According to the statistics, it is visible 200 days during the active season, from September to April. The chance to see it depends by the Northern light intensity and the cloudiness weather. However, the possibility of a cloudless night during your visit is pretty good.
	THE SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE included in the base fare // DURATION 2hrs Have you ever dreamt of meeting the REAL Santa? Well, dream no more! Now’s your chance to meet him in person in Santa’s Village (Joulupukin Pajakylä), in Rovaniemi, right on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Cross the magical Arctic Circle, take a selfie with SANTA, enjoy a drink or a meal in a local café or restaurant, buy souvenirs and send postcards from Santa’s official post office IMPORTANT: Activities included in the base fare are not subject to any partial/activity refund
	ICE KARTING TIMETRAVELS price: from 39€ // DURATION 1h // clothes included When was the last time you did something for the first time? Take your winter driving skills to the next level with your friends. Ice karting is an easy and safe way to learn the basics of ice driving and have some fun. The Circuit is 570m long and they have more than 10m level difference and LED lighting. Start your engines!
	ARCTIC SURVIVAL DAY included in the base fare How to survive in the extreme weather conditions? What happens when all of a sudden you need to stay outdoors overnight? During this activity you learn basic skills of making a fire without matches, how to build a cover overnight and practice some Ice-Fishing. Useful skills that are needed here above the Arctic Circle! Important: warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are recommended (3h outside)
	CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING TIMETRAVELS price: from 30€ - average price in Inari region: from 40€ // DURATION 3hrs // difficulty: moderate Dare to try one of the oldest ways to travel in Lapland! Our guides will show you the Cross-Country Skiing technique so you will be ready to try 2km track on your own. (distance depends on your skills) Only for beginners! Ski rental and a guide are included. Important: Moisture-wicking, quick-drying clothes recommended.
	AURORA EXPLORATION BY BUS Timetravels price: from 29€ // Duration 3hrs //Warm clothing recommended // difficulty: easy Life is about maximizing chances, right? Aurora Borealis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many and it is not unusual to see Auroras in the Vasatokaa Area. In this 3 hour tour, you will learn about Northern Lights and our guide will take you to the best locations where Auroras might appear and you will be taken there by bus. The Auroras, Northern lights, are something that nature creates. There is no one place where you can be sure to see them - sometimes you really need to hunt them. Even when the solar activity is right and the timing is perfect, we still need to be lucky enough to see the lights. Please note, that Aurora sights are NOT GUARANTEED during this activity, but they are highly possible.
	SNOWSHOE TREK TO THE WILDERNESS + BBQ TIMETRAVELS price: from 35€ - average price in Inari region: from 65€ // DURATION 3hrs // difficulty: moderate We will gather in the evening to experience snowshoeing - one of the oldest ways to explore the snowy forest of the Arctic region. After a short introduction, you will get to use a GPS device to navigate through the nightly forest. During the short 2-3 km hike in the forest next to Vasatokka, you can spot animal tracks and even Northern Lights if you are lucky! In the end, you will learn how to make your own fire without matches and celebrate it with a nice BBQ. Important: warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are recommended(2h outside)
	THE NIGHT SNOWMOBILE SAFARI TIMETRAVELS price: from 95€ - average price in Inari region: from 130€ // DURATION 3hrs // Driving time:40min/per person // difficulty: easy The snowmobiles are a convenient means of transport beyond the Arctic Circle. Locals use them anywhere from going to a grocery store to paying a visit to a friend who lives behind the hill. Each snowmobile is shared between 2 persons, so both can drive about 40 minutes. The route takes you to hidden places out in the wilderness. For people who have an adventure in their mind! Important: warm outdoor clothes are required and not included. Overall, boots, gloves and helmets are provided.
	TOUR TO THE ARCTIC OCEAN TIMETRAVELS price: from 59€- activity average price in Inari region: from 130€ // Duration: whole day // difficulty: easy   This activity is subject to international travel requirements. If the activity is not possible, we will propose an alternative activity or this activity refund. During this guided day bus tour you will learn more about the arctic nature, three sámi cultures and Finnish kven culture located in the Bugoynes village on the shore of the Arctic Ocean. In addition, you will see breathtaking landscapes have a chance to walk on the shore of the Arctic ocean and even swim there. You have also the possibility to taste a traditional fish soup in a local restaurant. The tour is about 550 km in total and takes about 11 hrs. Important: warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are recommended
	REINDEER FARM TIMETRAVELS price: from 37.5€ - average price in Inari region: from 65€ // DURATION 6hrs with transportation// Driving time: 5min/per person // difficulty: easy Reindeer farm activity is temporarly not for sale online. The activity will be on sale at destination. This activity is devoted to the culture of the Saami people, the indigenous nation living in the Northernmost territories of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia. During the visit to the Reindeer Farm, you will meet with real Saami people and their reindeers, have a short reindeer sledge ride and visit a local handicraft store. After all the reindeers are fed, you will go to the cozy Kota to have a tea break and listen to the Reindeer Stories! Important: warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are recommended(1,5h outside)
	THE HUSKY SAFARI TIMETRAVELS price: from 75€ - average price in Inari region: from 130€// DURATION 2hrs // Driving time: 10min/per person // difficulty: easy Alaskan huskies are cheerful and strong dogs who really love to pull the sledge! After a brief instruction lesson, the huskies will take you for a tour through the snowy landscapes. There are 2-4 persons in the sleighs driven by a professional guide. After the safari, you will enjoy a warm snack and tea in the base camp. Important: warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are recommended(2h outside)
	DINNER PACKAGE (4 Dinners) from 45€ Why cook when you can buy dinners on the spot? Our special dinner package includes 4 dinners cooked in a local canteen. Should you have allergies or other alimentary problems, you will be able to inform us in advance!
	CO2 COMPENSATION

*Kindly note that extra activities can only be booked online up to 8 days before departure. They cannot be canceled or changed after the booking.

• Round Trip to Rovaniemi&Vasatokka by bus from the chosen point of departure
• 4 nights in chosen accommodation (Dorm or Cabin)
• 4 Breakfasts in Vasatokka canteen
• Visit of the Santa Claus Village
• Arctic Survival Day
• Visit of the Saariselkä ski resort
• Services of Timetravels Tour Leader in Vasatokka
• The health travel insurance* valid for cancellation due to sickness (with doctor's certificate) and accidents as well as falling ill during the tour

Package price does not include

• Catering, other meals
• Bed linen (can be rented in Vasatokka)
• Extra activities as described in the itinerary (can be booked online up to 8 days before departure)

Q: ARE THERE ANY MEALS INCLUDED?

A:  Breakfast is included during your stay in Vasatokka (from check-in to check-out).

For self-catering there are basic kitchen facilities in the living room of the cottages and dorms. Kitchens are equipped with plates, glasses, mugs, knives, stove, and fridge.

We recommend doing all the grocery shopping on the way to Lapland, there will be a grocery store stop on the way. You can for instance decide with your cabin mates what you are going to cook together and share the groceries and costs. Please consider, that there are many people who want to cook in the dorms, so please choose something fast to cook. There are no ovens in the accommodation, so don’t buy any groceries such as frozen pizzas, chickens etc. In Kemi or Rovaniemi groceries can be cheaper than in the Southern Finland. In Inari there is also a SIWA and K-market but no ALKO. If you would like to purchase beverages, please do it in Rovaniemi.

Q: IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN OR PLANE?

A: The night train option is convenient only if you can afford to book a sleeping compartment, which is quite expensive. Travelling in a seat on the train is less comfortable and less convenient than travelling by overnight bus, because lights are on all the time and every station is called in the loudspeakers. If you want to travel by train or plane individually, our bus can pick you up (according to the itinerary) from Oulu, Rovaniemi and Ivalo airports.

Q: WE ARE A GROUP OF 8 PEOPLE. CAN WE STAY IN THE SAME APARTMENT/COTTAGE? SHOULD WE BOOK THE TRIP TOGETHER?

A: We understand perfectly, that it is important to stay with your friends and all rooming preferences will be taken into consideration. It is not necessary to book a trip together, but you need to book the same accommodation category in order to stay in the same apartment or cottage. About a week before departure, everyone who has signed up for the trip will receive an email containing a cabin sign-up document where you can choose the cabin / apartment and the room mates. If you don’t receive this email, please check your spam folder, ask your friends to share it with you or contact our Customer Service Team.

Q: DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING WITH ME?

A: You should bring the following at least:

Warm clothes (clothes can also be rented)
Swim suit and towel (unless you want to do it the Finnish way)
Anything else you may need during the trip: cash, credit card, medicine, etc.
Student card for discounts
A small pillow or a special neck cushion for the bus trip
Flip flops for Arctic swimming and jumping in the snow after sauna
Q: What if there is no snow?

A: The reason we use North Lapland as the location of our main destinations is that plenty of snow is virtually guaranteed from the beginning of November. However, we cannot control the weather. So, in the unlikely event that the snow is not deep enough for certain activities, we will offer an alternative or a full refund for the cancelled activities.

Q: WHY DO WE HAVE TO HAND IN OUR CREDIT CARDS AT THE START OF THE SNOW MOBILE SAFARI?

A: The company that organises the snowmobile safaris now requires participants to leave their credit card as a deposit. They kindly remind you that crashing a snowmobile into a tree is not only dangerous but also expensive and can result in the organisers having to pay a minimum of 900 €. If you follow your guide’s instructions and stick with the group, these accidents are easily avoided. The safari organiser will collect credit cards at the start of the activity and return them as soon as the tour is over.

Q: SHOULD I GO TO LAPLAND IN FALL OR SPRING SEMESTER?

A: Spring semester is of course more fun because there is more snow and more sunlight. Due to its popularity, the spring semester is slightly more expensive. If you have the choice, we recommend you travel in February, March or early April. During the fall semester there may be less snow. Additionally, the shorter periods of daylight impose certain restrictions on the schedule such as having to get up early in the morning.

Q: IS THERE A WIFI IN THE COTTAGES?

A: There is a Wi-Fi connection and one free client computer in the Vasatokka main building. Please note, however, that although there is no Wi-Fi or Internet in the cottages, some of the closer dorm rooms may catch the Wi-Fi signal from the main building.

Q: Can I rent warm clothing, skis and other equipment in Vasatokka?

A: Sure you can! Please find the price list below – fees payable to Vasatokka reception.

OTHER INFORMATION

1. All mobile phones work normally in Lapland
2. There is all kitchen equipment, forks, knives etc. in the cabins as well as toilet paper, soap, dishing liquids etc.
3. Buy ONLY groceries, salt, sugar, spices, but not frozen pizzas or anything which requires an oven!
4. Best place to do shopping is in Rovaniemi or Kemi (on outward journey) - There will be City Market and Alko. In Vasatokka there are no shops around, the closest shop is in Inari about 10km away from the Vasatokka youth center.
5. Prepaid activities are considered as tour package so there are no partial refunds, if you have changed your mind! You can still sell your place for some of the activities to someone else.
6. If something goes wrong, immediately contact the Timetravels Tour Leader(s). They will do all their best to solve your matter!
7. The bus trip will be overnight from Helsinki to Lapland, so we recommend taking a sleeping pillow with you.

Thanks to its northerly location on high ground, Saariselkä is the most snow-secure of all Finnish ski resorts. The snow often starts falling here as early as October. Despite this, local snowfall and global climate change are beyond our control, which is why we cannot give a 100% snow guarantee. A complete lack of snow is highly unlikely (it hasn’t happened in recorded history), but on rare occasions the snow may not be deep enough for certain activities to take place. In such cases, you will have the option of an alternative activity or a full refunded for the one that is cancelled. Whatever the snow situation, Lapland is always well-worth the trip!

Timetravels reserve the right to changes. The itinerary is provisional. The final itinerary will be sent to you a few days before departure, as some activities dependent on prevailing weather conditions.