Northern Light adventure to northern Lapland, Vasatokka (20.11.2018-26.11.2018)
- Departure 20.11.2018
- End date 26.11.2018
- Availability over 8
- Price from 345€
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Trip overview
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!
Please, kindly note that some activities are not for sale yet. They will be added in May.
Highlights of the tour:
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Watching polar bears in Ranua Zoo
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Meet the real Santa Claus in Rovaniemi
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Stay 4 nights in Vasatokka, Inari - 300 km beyond the Arctic Circle
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Make a road trip to Norway and swim in the Arctic Ocean!
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Enjoy lakeside sauna and arctic swimming every day
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Feel the speed of huskies and snowmobiles
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Orienteer with snowshoes in the forest and learn to make a campfire without matches
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Build your own snow quinzee, try cross country skiing and ice-fishing
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Learn about Saami culture and get a reindeer driver’s license
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Experience the world’s longest sledding hill in ski resort Saariselkä
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Enjoy downhill skiing at cheap student prices!
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Customer reviews
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Guided activities
THE BEST PLACE TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
included in the basic fareVasatokka 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. This means you have an 80% chance of catching it. The only thing that may prevent you from seeing the Northern Lights is cloudy weather. However, the possibility of a cloudless night during your visit is pretty good.
TOUR OF THE ARCTIC OCEAN
included in the base fare // DAY TRIP TO NORWAYDuring 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 a possibility to taste a traditional fish soup in local restaurant. The tour is about 550 km in total and takes about 8 hrs.
ARCTIC SKILLS
from 45€ // DURATION 5hrs // VERY WARM CLOTHING RECOMMENDEDHow to survive in the extreme weather conditions? Professional wilderness guides will teach you how to make your own snow house, basics of cross-country skiing and in the end you will try to catch a fish in a frozen lake! The Arctic Skills includes all the following:
- Theory to survival about 40 minutes indoors
- Building snow houses
- Guided Cross-Country Skiing tour
- Rental of necessary gear during all the activities (warm clothes is not provided)
SAAMI DAY
from 35€ // DURATION 6hrs // WARM CLOTHING RECOMMENDEDSiida Saami Museum in Inari is devoted to Arctic nature and culture of the Saami people, the indigenous nation living in the Northernmost territories of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia. The museum has a souvenir shop and a restaurant offering traditional Lappish dishes. During the visit to the Reindeer Farm, you will get familiar with real Saami people and their reindeers, have a short reindeer sledge ride and learn how to use lasso - lappish style. After all the reindeers are fed, you will go to the cosy Kota to have a tea break and meet the real Saami people!
THE NIGHT SNOWMOBILE SAFARI (FOR BEGINNERS)
from 95€ // DURATION 3 hrs // WARM CLOTHES PROVIDEDThe snowmobiles are a convenient mean 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 45 minutes. The route takes you to hidden places out in the wilderness, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. If you are really lucky you might catch the northern lights in this great place! For people who have adventure in their mind! IMPORTANT: for the snowmobile safari you need a driver's licence, a copy or picture will not be accepted.
NIGHTTIME SNOWSHOE HIKE + BBQ
from 30€ // DURATION 3hrs // WARM CLOTHING RECOMMENDEDWe 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 intoduction 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.
THE HUSKY SAFARI
from 75€ // DURATION 2hrs // CLOTHING IS WEATHER DEPENDINGSiberian huskies and cheerful and strong dogs those really like to pull the sledge! After a short instruction lesson the huskies will take you for a tour through the snowy landscapes. The sledge is shared for two people, each can drive about 20 min. After the safari you will enjoy a warm soup and tea in the base camp.
Half Board
from 60€Vasatokka has a kitchen, which serves a half-board package. It consists of four dinners and four breakfasts. No lunches are included. Half board will not be organized, if less than 10 people order it. In this case money is refunded in full for this service.
*Kindly note that extra activities can only be booked online up to 8 days before the departure. They cannot be cancelled or changed after the booking.
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Preliminary trip program
Order of the activities may change in the final itinerary, You will receive a final itinerary prior 2-3 days the trip by email
DAY 1 DEPARTURE DAY
20.00 Departure from Helsinki railway station square (In front of the Casino)
21.00 Departure from Riihimäki (Matkakeskus)
21.30 Departure from Hämeenlinna bus station (Wetterhof tourist bus stop)
22.30 Departure from Tampere railway station squareDAY 2 THE RANUA ZOO – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE – ARRIVAL IN VASATOKKA
00.45 Departure from Jyväskylä Matkakeskus
06.30 Departure from Oulu bus station08.15 Visiting Ranua Zoo and enjoying breakfast buffet (breakfast available until 10.00)
11.00 Departure from Ranua Zoo towards Rovaniemi12.30 Time for grocery shopping and lunch at Rovaniemi Prisma (1,5h)
14:30 Visiting the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi.
Cross the Arctic circle and meet the Santa Claus, elves and reindeers! Here you can also find Santa’s post office and send your greetings to your friends! This place is full of magic and Christmas spirit!
16:30 Departure to Vasatokka
20:00 Arrival in Vasatokka (estimation). Briefing & lodging in apartments and cottages.
20:00-21:00 Dinner*Sauna & Arctic Swimming*
Vasatokka has a large lakeside sauna with a possibility to dip in the icy water of Lake Muddus. Sauna is on every evening until midnight!
DAY 3: ARCTIC SKILLS (45EUR) – NIGHT SNOWMOBILE SAFARI (95EUR)
This day is dedicated for Arctic survival skills in the wild nature. You will learn cross country skiing, the traditional Finnish winter sports. After sports you can relax with ice fishing and you can keep all the fish you will catch. Training is concluded with building a snow shelter (quinzee). If you wish, you may even overnight in it as long as you have a good sleeping bag.
09:30-10:00 Breakfast*
1 0:00-12:00 Guided Cross-Country Skiing*12:00-13:00 Lunch break
13:00-14:00 Ice Fishing*
14:00-15:00 Quinzee building*
18:00-19:00 Dinner*
21:30-23:30 Snow mobile Aurora Hunting.Snowmobile safari will take you deep in the national park to hunt auroras. Program is led by professional guide. Please mind the safety instructions!
Sauna & Arctic Swimming
DAY 4: TOUR OF THE ARCTIC OCEAN TO NORWAY - INCLUSIVE
07:30-08:00 Breakfast*
08:00 Bus departure for the fjord trip to Norway!During this tour you will see amazing Arctic scenery and discover how the forests and fells transfer to tundra and steep mountains the further North you travel. You will learn about the nature, indigenous Saami people and make photostops on most beautiful places. Eventually you will arrive to an idyllic fishermen village "Bygones" on the coast of Arctic Ocean. Here you will bath in the sauna and take a bath in a marvellous beach. After swimming you will enjoy a soup lunch, hosted by Norwegian fishermen, those will tell you about the life on the top of the world and about fishing king crabs. On the way back you will make a shopping break and arrive back to Vasatokka by 19.00.
1 9:00 Dinner*
Sauna & Arctic Swimming*DAY 5: SAAMI DAY (35EUR: Reindeer farm and Saami museum)
09.00-09:30 Breakfast*
09:30 Departure to the Reindeer Farm*
10:00-12:00 Visiting the reindeer farm hosted by a saami family. After having a reindeer safari you will have a coffee break in a Lappish hut*
12:30-14:00 After reindeer farm, possibility to stay in Inari village and visit the famous SIIDA saami museum.*
14:00-15:00 Visit of the K-Market & Souvenir Store*
16:00-18:00 Sports Hall opened for collective games - inclusive
18:00-19:00 Dinner*
21:30-23:30 Snow Shoe Aurora Hunting*During the snowshoe Aurora hunting you will orienteer in the forest by GPS devices in order to fill a special mission - make a campfire without matches! Yes, it is possible and everyone is guaranteed to learn it. Activity is completed by barbequeing sausages and waiting for the Northern lights to appear.
Sauna & Arctic Swimming*DAY 6: SAARISELKÄ DAY – HUSKY SAFARI (75EUR) and DEPARTURE HOME
07.30-08:00 Breakfast*
08:30 Checking Out – Bus Departure to Saariselkä
10:00-12:00 Husky Safari and lunch*
12:00-17:00 Free time in SaariselkäIn Saariselkä skiresort there are plenty of fun activities. You can go downhill skiing (1 h from 25 € inc. gear +ticket) or try the Europe's longest sledding hill (1,8 km). Beware - the speed can be quite furious!
16:00 Departure from Saariselkä Holiday Club
20:00 Rovaniemi Dinner StopDAY 7: ARRIVAL HOME
We do not recommend to book connecting train, bus, ferry or flight tickets from Helsinki earlier than 12.00 since weather and road conditions may delay arrival.
00:00 Arrival in Oulu
04:00 Arrival in Jyväskylä
06:00 Arrival in Tampere
07:00 Arrival in Hämeenlinna
07:30 Arrival in Riihimäki
10:00 Arrival in Helsinki*Please notice that extra activities and meals marked with* are for extra cost
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What is included
- Round Trip to Lapland by bus from chosen point of departure
- 4 nights in chosen accommodation (Dorm or Cabin)
- Day Trip by bus to the Arctic Ocean in Norway
- Visit to the Ranua zoo
- Visit of the Santa Claus Village
- Visit of the Saariselkä ski resort
- Services of Timetravels Tour Leader in Vasatokka
Package price does not include
- Catering, meals, breakfasts (Half Board can be booked for €60)
- Bed linen (can be rented in Vasatokka for €15/trip)
- Extra activities as described in the itinerary (can be booked online up to 7 days before departure)
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Accommodation
Cottages
- Capacity 6–10 people per cabin
- Electric heating
- Kitchen equipped with stove, fridge, microwave oven, coffee maker and basic tableware
- Fireplace + logs, TV
- Shower and toilet
- Drying cabinet
Dorms with shared facilities
- Rooms for 3–6 people with bunk beds
- Living room with TV
- Kitchenette with stove, fridge, microwave oven, coffee maker and basic tableware
- Showers and toilets
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Good to know
Q: ARE THERE ANY MEALS INCLUDED?
A: In order to get the trip price as low as possible, we stay in cottages with self-catering. Lunches or breakfasts are not inclusive. You can order a half-board in the Vasatokka cantina, which includes 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners.
For self-catering here 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. You can for instance decide with your cabin group what you are going to cook together and share the groceries and costs. There is no oven in the cottages though, so don’t buy any groceries such as frozen pizzas, chickens etc. In Kemi or Rovaniemi groceries can be way 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.
There is lunch included in the Arctic Ocean trip.
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: overall at 7€/trip, jacket and trouser eachone at 3€/day or 6€/trip, warm boots at 6€/trip, gloves and hat 2€/day)
Bed linen or sleeping bag (bed linen is not included, but it can be rented from the reception at €8/trip)
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.
GEAR RENTAL IN VASATOKKA
GPS: 7 euros /set / day
Snowshoes & poles: 10 euros / set / day
Cross-country skiing gear: 10 euros / set / day
Ice fishing set including rod, shovel, lure and bait: 5 euros / day, drill: 4 euros / day
Forehead flash light: 3 euros / night
Overall: 10 euros / day
Jacket 3 euros/ day, 6 euros/stay
Boots: 6 euros / day
Bed linen: 8 euros / set / stayOTHER 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. -
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