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Lapland and the Arctic ocean, Saariselkä, Small Group


Small group - Maximum experience! Discover magical Lapland and the magnificent Arctic Ocean in Norway! Visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, check out a reindeer farm run by Sami people, explore the beautiful Arctic landscape and, if you are lucky, see the Northern lights! Try your hand at a variety of Winter sports: snowshoe trekking, cross-country skiing, husky sledding, snowmobile driving and swimming in the Arctic Ocean – and all this at affordable prices! The group will be staying in atmospheric cottages/apartments nearby Kaunispää-fell – a perfect place for spotting the Aurora Borealis!



What is included

key

Return overnight train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and back*

* Two train class options available- seat or berth in sleeping compartment
breakfast

A minibus(max. 7 pax) round trip to Saariselkä from Rovaniemi

breakfast

4 nights accommodation in a shared cottage/apartment with sauna.

Apartments/Cottages size can accommodate from 4 to 6 beds travelers (2pax per room) according to availability
bed-linen

Bed linen and towels

tour-guide

Visit of the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

excursion

Visit of Arktikum museum

ticket

The Arctic Ocean swimming and Sauna at the tour to Norway

tour

Professional guide service throughout the trip

tour

All transportation at the destination in a small group

For extra cost

travel

Catering, meals, breakfasts

bus

Extra activities as described in the itinerary

(can be booked online until 8 days before departure)
 

Sample itinerary

DAY 1 – DEPARTURE DAY

PLEASE NOTE! THIS ITINERARY IS PRELIMINARY, FINAL ITINERARY WILL BE SENT TO THE PARTICIPANTS 2-3 DAYS BEFORE THE DEPARTURE BY EMAIL!
18:45 Departure by overnight train from Helsinki railway station

DAY 2 - Arrival in Lapland -Arktikum museum visit- Santa claus Village

*first day of the itinerary if the booked departure place is Rovaniemi
07:38 Arrival to Rovaniemi
07:40 Minibus departure from Rovaniemi railway station
08:00 Arktikum museum Visit (included in the base package)
11:45 Visiting the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. In Santa Claus village you can take pictures with the SANTA, cross the magical Arctic circle, have lunch in one of the restaurants, buy souvenirs, send postcards from the Santa’s official post office and have a lunch (we recommend buffet restaurant at Santa-Claus Holiday Village). Duration 2,5 h. (activity included in the base package)
13:15 departure from Rovaniemi airport
18:30 Arrival in Saariselkä, briefing, and lodging in apartments. Free time for saunas etc. Hint! In the evening the best place to see Northern lights is the local mountain, from the top of it you can see 360-degree panorama all over. You can easily reach the mountain by foot from your cottage.
The day finishes in Laugarvatn, a village surrounded by magical misty fells where we stay two nights.

DAY 3 – Husky and Snowshoe Aurora safari*

08:45 Meeting at the cabins, transportation to the Husky Safari
09:00 Husky Safari (5km). Overall duration with briefing, kennel tour, etc. 2 hours. (**OPTIONAL ACTIVITY**)
18:30 HDeparture for the Snowshoe Aurora Safari. Duration 3-4h. (**OPTIONAL ACTIVITY**)

DAY 4 - Cross-country skiing*, snowmobile*, aurora hunt by bus*

10:00 Cross-country skiing. Departure from the cottages by bus to the starting point. The program includes a two-hour trek by skiing. Duration about 2,5h (**OPTIONAL ACTIVITY**)
18:00 Departure for the Snowmobile Safari. Duration of 3 hours. Departure from meeting points (**OPTIONAL ACTIVITY**)
22:00 Departure for the Aurora hunt by bus. (**OPTIONAL ACTIVITY**)

DAY 5 – Tour of the Arctic Ocean and sauna In Norway

06:45 Day trip to Norway. Departure from the cottages. (activity included in the base fare)
Crossing the border to Norway. Near the ocean coast, we continue to village Bugoynes (60 min break, possibility to swim in the ocean). A soup lunch inclusive in a local cafeteria. Swim in the Arctic ocean! Back to Finland, last break in Näätämö village (shopping).
20:00 Arrival back to Saariselkä. Free time.

DAY 6 – Free time in Saariselkä + Departure to Helsinki

*last day of the itinerary if the booked departure place is Rovaniemi
12:00 Check-out.
12:15 Departure from the meeting point for home journey.
15:45 Estimated arrival in Rovaniemi. Free time or end of tour.
21:00 Train departure from Rovaniemi

DAY 7 – Arrival back to Helsinki

08:47 Estimated arrival in Helsinki

 

*Extra activities description and prices are visible on the ''Guided activity'' section of this website page

Timetravels reserves the right to changes in the itinerary.

Extra activities

 

EXCELLENT PLACE TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Saariselkä is located in the polar zone where, according to the statistics, the Northern Lights are visible 200 days of the year in the active season (September to April). This means they are highly likely to appear during your visit. The only thing that might prevent you from seeing them is cloudy weather. However, the chances of a cloudless night within the week are pretty good.
THE SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
Included in the base fare

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.

REINDEER FARM
Price per person 45€ // Activity duration 1.5hours + transportation time // Difficulty level: beginner

The visit includes a reindeer safari (about 500m). The trail goes partly through the forest. You will also have an opportunity to feed the reindeer and of course to take photos. What’s more, you will hear stories about what it’s like to be a reindeer in Lapland. Then back to the house to enjoy a warming hot drink.
Transportation is included.

SNOWMOBILE SAFARI
Price per person 99€ // Activity duration 2 hours + transportation // Difficulty Level: moderate 

The 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. For the snowmobile safari a driver's licence is required. 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!

*NB! Remember to take your credit card for deposit (only in the case of accident up to 900€).

THE HUSKY SAFARI
Price per person 85€ // Activity duration 1.5 hours + transportation // Difficulty Level: moderate 

Siberian huskies are 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 between two people, each can drive about 20 min.

Transportation included.

Important:

  • warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are required and not included.

 
 
SNOWSHOEING HIKE BY NIGHT
Price per person 45€ // Activity duration 2-3hours + transportation // Difficulty level: moderate/hard

Snowshoeing is one of our most enjoyable activities. Our guides make sure you conquer even the steepest of hills and enjoy what the National Park has to offer. You get a spectacular chance to both make new life long friendships and challenge your self in picturesque Lappish scenery, something to reminisce even after years. It is not extraordinary to see the Norhern Lights or even wild animals. Remember to bring a cheerfull attitude and clothing that is suitable for having fun in deep snow. Try something new, you will love it!

Transportation included.

Important:

  • warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are required and not included

CROSS COUNTRY + SAUNA
Price per person 55€// Activity duration 2 hours + transportation // Difficulty level: beginner

Cross-country skiing is a Finnish national sport that is a lot of fun to participate in. Our guides will show you the techniques of skiing and will take you for a tour on the same tracks the professional world famous skiers also come and practice on. After a couple of hours on skis it is time for sauna and ice swimming. Amazing landscapes, new experinces. Feel like a true Finn!

Important:

  • warm outdoor clothes are required and not included. Ski equipment is included.
  • activity is subject to weather. Should your guide consider the conditions to be extreme, the activity will be rescheduled.

TOUR OF THE ARCTIC OCEAN
Included in the base fare

"This is our bucket list special. From early in the morning until late evening you will discover new things about Lapland. The journey continues towards the fjords and ends up to a small, picturesque village of Bugøynes in Northern Norway. Bugøoynes is located at the edge of the world. After the Sauna you have a chance to go swimming in the Arctic Ocean or just have a walk on sandy beaches and take photos of beautiful landscapes. The tour will include traditional fish soup in a local restaurant where you will hear interesting facts about the village and the people. Don’t forget your wallet, on the way back we will stop at the biggest souvenir shop in Northern Lapland. What a perfect way to end the day."

Important:

  • warm outdoor clothes are required and not included.

ARCTIC SURVIVAL SKILLS
Price per person 55€ // activity duration 2 hours // difficulty level: beginner

Want to push your limits in the Arctic environment of Finnish Lapland? We offer an exciting learning-by-doing opportunity for you. During this adventurous activity, you will gain not only once-in-a-lifetime experience but also plenty of knowledge from our experienced guides. Learn how to build a teepee, make a fire without matches and basics of Ice fishing. Previous outdoor experience not required.

Important:

  • warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are required

AURORA HUNT BY BUS
Price per person 65€ // Activity duration 3 hours // Difficulty level: beginner

Aurora Borealis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. On this 3 hour tour, our guide will find the best locations where Auroras might appear and you will be taken there by bus. The success rate to find Auroras on those tours is close to 80%, so let's keep fingers crossed :)

Accommodation

Spend a week like a Finn! You will stay in the cabins/apartments surrounded by beautiful Lappish nature. All cottages and apartments have a fireplace, own sauna, bathroom, TV, self-catering kitchenette with tableware and cooking equipment, fridge, freezer, mattresses, and pillows. Cottages may vary by size and layout, in general, you will stay 2 pax/per room with shared bathroom. WIFI is available in most of the cottages.
There is a possibility to switch for hotel accommodation, supplement cost 120 EUR/pax in twin

Timetravels - Aikamatkat