Adventure to northern Lapland, Saariselkä (27.02.2021-05.03.2021)
- Departure 27.02.2021
- End date 05.03.2021
- Availability Sold out
- Price from 349€
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Trip overview
Explore and discover magical Saariselkä with your friends and Timetravels. Even better, find out new things about Lapland and about yourself. Visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi and meet the real Santa. Ride with huskies in the winter wonderland, practice your cross-country skills in UKK National park, drive with snowmobiles, and adventure into the Arctic landscapes. Swim in the Arctic Ocean, feel the nature around you - all these with student-friendly prices! You will sleep in cozy cottages located on the Kaunispää fell - the perfect place for watching the Northern Lights!
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Customer reviews
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Guided activities
NEW FROM AUTUMN 2020!!!
ICE-KART EXPERIENCE (with transportation)
Timetravels price per person: 39€ // 1 hour // difficulty level: beginner
Duration 1h, including driving time 15min.
Inc. Overalls, helmets, driving and safety instructions. No driver license needed!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!
ARKTIKUM MUSEUM VISIT
included in the base fareArktikum is a science center and museum that lets you experience northern nature, culture, and history up close. Housing the University of Lapland’s Arctic Centre and the Regional Museum of Lapland, we stimulate thoughts, encourage debate, and provide a deeper understanding of the Arctic.
Arktikum is a great place to start your visit to Lapland, as it gives you a lot of background information and after visiting Arktikum, you will understand more of the area where you will spend the next week.
In the museum you will get to know Lapland as an area, its history, culture, people, nature and a lot more. In the science center you will learn facts of the Arctic, how to define the Arctic area, what is happening there right now - why and what kind of impacts those changes have for the rest of the world.
THE SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
included in the base fareHave 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 post cards from Santa’s official post office.
THE REINDEER FARM
Timetravels price from 37,50€ / duration: 1,5hours / difficulty: easyThis 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 real Saami people and their reindeers, have a short reindeer sled ride, and learn how to use lasso - Lappish style. After all the reindeers are fed, you will go to the cozy Kota to have a tea break and listen to the Reindeer Stories!
THE ARCTIC OCEAN TOUR
Timetravels price from 59,00€ / duration: whole day / difficulty: easyThis activity is subject to international travel requirements. If the activity is not possible, we will propose an alternative activity or this activity refund.
This is our bucket list special. From early morning until late evening you will discover new things about Lapland. We will travel towards the fjords and end up in a small, picturesque village of Bugøynes in Northern Norway. Bugøynes is located at the edge of the world.
THE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Timetravels price from 25,00€ / duration: 3h / difficulty: moderateDare 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 the 4km track on your own. (distance depends on your skills) Only for beginners! Ski rental and a guide are included.
ARCTIC SURVIVAL DAY
TIMETRAVELS PRICE: from 35€ // 4hrs // Outdoor winter clothes Recommended // difficulty level: moderate
How to survive in 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 required and NOT included!
Activity or parts of it are subject to weather. Should your guide consider the conditions to be extreme, the activity will be rescheduled.
SNOWSHOE TREK TO THE WILDERNESS
TIMETRAVELS price: from 52€ - average price in Saariselkä: from 65€ // 3hrs // Warm clothing Recommended // difficulty level: moderateSnowshoeing 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 Northern Lights or even wild animals. Remember to bring a cheerful attitude and clothing that is suitable for having fun in deep snow. Try something new, you will love it!
THE SNOWMOBILE SAFARI
TIMETRAVELS price from 95€ - average price in Saariselkä: from 130€ // 3 hours // Clothes provided by service provider // difficulty level: easyThe 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. 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. For people who have an adventure in their mind!
THE HUSKY SAFARI (5km)
TIMETRAVELS price: from 75€ - average price in Saariselkä: from 130€ // 2hrs // Warm cloths RecommendedAlaskan 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. The sledges are shared by two people, each will drive for about 2,5km. After the safari you will enjoy a warm snack and tea in the base camp.
AURORA EXPLORATION BY BUS
TIMETRAVELS price: from 29 // 3hrs // Warm cloths Recommended // difficulty level: beginner
available at destination only
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 Saariselkä area. On this 3 hour tour, 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.
SAARISELKÄ SKI RESORT & DOWNHILL SKIING or TELEMARK or SNOWBOARD
from 25€ // 1-3hrs // Warm clothing RecommendedThis activity can not be booked in advance. Please ask your Guide for more information!
Nestling at the foot of Kaunispää fell and next to the Urho Kekkonen National Park, the village of Saariselkä is one of Finland’s most exotic and popular ski resorts. You can go downhill skiing/Telemarking or snowboarding on a choice of six slopes. The landscape is simply breathtaking! Timetravels students get discounted rates by mentioning our discount code at the entrance to the resort.
*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
This is a preliminary trip program. You will receive the itinerary with final departure times 3-5 days prior to departure by email
DAY 1 DEPARTURE DAY
20:00 Departure from Helsinki railway station square (In front of the Casino)
22:30 Departure from Tampere railway station squareDAY 2 SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE – ARRIVAL IN LAPLAND
00:45 Departure from Jyväskylä Matkakeskus
06:00 Departure from Oulu bus station09:00 Shopping break in Rovaniemi - 1,5horus
Possibility to buy groceries for the week and have breakfast and buy your grocery for the days in Saariselkä11:00 Visiting the Artktikum Museum (included) - 1,5 hours
13:00 Visiting the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi (included) - 2 hours
Cross the Arctic circle and meet Santa Claus, elves and reindeers! Here you can also find Santa’s post office and send your greetings to your friends with a special stamp! This place is full of magic and Christmas spirit!15:00 Departure
18:00 Arrival in Saariselkä
Meeting your Guide, 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.Hint! In the evening the best place to see Northern lights is the local fell of Kaunispää, from the top of it you can see 360-degree panorama all over. You can easily reach the fell of Kaunispää by foot from your cottage.
DAY 3 – ARCTIC SURVIVAL DAY* and SNOWSHOE TRECK*
09:00 Departure for Arctic Survival Day*
This activity teaches you the basics of different survival techniques that you need to know in the Arctic environment. Learn how to ski, how to make a fire without matches, and how to build an overnight shelter in the wilderness. Activities may vary due to current weather conditions.18:00 Departure for Snowshoe adventure *
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 yourself in picturesque Lappish scenery, something to reminisce even after years. It is not extraordinary to see the Northern Lights or even wild animals. Remember to bring a cheerful attitude and clothing that is suitable for having fun in deep snow. Try something new, you will love it!DAY 4 – ARCTIC OCEAN TOUR & REINDEER FARM
Subject to travel restrictions. An alternative activity will be proposed when the activity is not possible.
06:30 Departure for Arctic Ocean Tour*
This trip is our bucket list special. First stop of the day is in Näätämö Village, a place that looks like a film set from Quentin Tarantino movie. In Näätämö we will visit a small family-owned reindeer farm & coffeeshop. You can meet and feed the reindeers and make your friends jealous on Instagram. After the visit, we continue to Bugoynes through beautiful landscapes of northern Norway where is the sauna by the beach and chance to swim in the Arctic Ocean. Soup lunch in the village is included in the trip price. The lunch is hosted by the owner of the restaurant. The last stop of the day is in Inari on the way back, where you can buy souvenirs for your friends and family members. Remember to bring your swimsuit, towel and get ready for a day that you´ll never forget.
DAY 5 – HUSKY SAFARI*, SNOWMOBILE SAFARI* and AURORA EXPLORATION BY BUS*
09:00 Departure for Husky safari * (75 €)
After a brief instruction lesson huskies will take you for a Howling Arctic Race through the snowy landscapes. The sleds are shared by two persons, each of you will drive for about 2.5km. Remember to dress up according to the weather. Cuteness overload guaranteed.
15:30 Departure for Snowmobile safari*
Each snowmobile is shared between 2 persons, so both you can drive about 45 minutes. The route takes you to hidden places out in the wilderness, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. For people who have an adventure in their mind! Winter clothes are provided by the supplier.
Please, remember to bring:
- your credit card for self-liability (900€).
- your driving license; if you do not have one, you can join the activity using the back seat only.20:00 Departure for Aurora exploration by bus*
activity available only at destination
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is an amazing show put on by Mother Nature and only visible on the edges of the world. Our three-hour Aurora Hunt is called a "Hunt" for a reason as we will truly be hunting for the best spots to enjoy and photograph this unique light show. 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. Please note that we do not guarantee Northern Lights on this tour. However, we promise to do our best to find them. And chances do get better when we escape the artificial lights.
DAY 6 – DEPARTURE
10:00 CHECKOUT
Cabins have to be left on the same conditions as they were upon arrival.-
Separate cleaning check-list will be shared in your WhatsApp during your stay.
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Return the key to your group leader (they will perform the final check)
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IF anything gets broken during your stay, report it to your guide immediately.
11:00 Free time
You can go shopping, dining, sledding, SPA, downhill ski.
You can leave your luggage on the bus during the day!12:30 Departure to Ice-Karting Xperience* (from Holiday Club)
15:45 Departure back home with the bus from the Holiday Club parking lot.
19:00 Gas station stops in Rovaniemi
Overnight on the bus. Gas station breaks every 4-5hours.
Gas stations are well equipped: there are toilets, grocery stores, and cafes.
DAY 7 – ARRIVAL HOME
00:00 Estimated arrival in Oulu
03:45 Estimated arrival in Jyväskylä
06:00 Estimated arrival in Tampere
09:30 Estimated arrival in HelsinkiIf you need to book a transfer flight, train, bus, or ferry, from your arrival point, we recommend selecting only departures at least 4 hours after the estimated arrival time.
Important: In the final trip program, the activity order can change. Trip departure and arrival time in the final itinerary might differ by 1-2 hours (earlier or later) depending on the final schedule.
*activity price is available in the "guided activities" section of this page
Timetravels reserves the right to change the program.
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What is included
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A round trip by bus to Rovaniemi & Saariselkä from the chosen departure place
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Accommodation in 3-14 person cottage/apartment with sauna for 4 nights
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Visit of the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi
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Visit of the Arktikum museum in Rovaniemi
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Tour guide services in the destination
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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
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Catering, meals, breakfasts
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Bed linen (you can bring your own or rent at 15€/stay)
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Extra activities as described in the itinerary (can be booked online until 8 days before departure
*the health travel insurance does not apply to self-induced accidents/illness or when intoxicated with drugs (alcohol, etc.)
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Accommodation
Spend a week like a Finn! You will stay within walking distance from Saariselkä services (grocery stores, pistes, ski trails, restaurants, SPA, bars, etc.) 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/Apartments may vary in size and layout, in general, there are beds for 3-14 persons. WIFI is available in most of the cottages.
Q: WE ARE A GROUP OF FRIENDS. CAN WE STAY IN THE SAME APARTMENT/COTTAGE? SHOULD WE BOOK THE TRIP TOGETHER?
A: 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 you would like to stay in and the people you would like to share it with. If you don’t receive this email, check your spam folder, ask your friends to share it with you or contact our Customer Service Team.
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Good to know
Q: How is Covid-19 / Coronavirus affecting Timetravels trips?.
A: We are monitoring the situations constantly and you can safely join all the trips online. To read more about the possible effect on the trips and your reservation, you can visit our website page here.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I PREPARE FOR LAPLAND?
A: You should bring the following at least:
- Warm clothes and waterproof boots. You can also rent the full set per 15€/day.
- Bed linen set with pillowcase and towels; in case you prefer to travel light you can rent them from us at 15€ (it is possible to rent the full set only).
- Swimsuit 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: ARE MEALS INCLUDED?
A: In order to keep trip prices as low as possible, all cottages are self-catering – breakfast, lunch and evening meals are not included. Each cabin has good cooking facilities, and groceries are no more expensive than in Southern Finland. Kitchens are equipped with plates, glasses, mugs, 2-ring electric hob, microwave, water boiler, coffee machine, toaster. Meals are not included, but we stop at Rovaniemi Citymarket to buy groceries. You can, for instance, decide with your cabin group what you are going to cook together and share the groceries and costs. There are no ovens in the cottages though, so don’t buy things like frozen pizzas, chicken, etc. Grocery shopping: We recommend you do all your shopping on the way to Lapland. Your groceries won’t freeze in the bus’s luggage compartment unless the temperature drops to minus 35 C. In Kemi and Rovaniemi groceries can be way cheaper than in Southern Finland. In Saariselkä there is K-Market and Alko. If you’d like to buy drinks, please do it in Rovaniemi. You can save a lot of money if you and your roommates decide to cook together.
Q: IS WI-FI AVAILABLE IN THE APARTMENTS AND COTTAGES?
A: There is WI-FI in most of the apartments/cottages and restaurants in the area in Saariselkä.
Q: WHAT IF THERE IS NO SNOW?
A: 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!
Q: SHOULD I GO TO LAPLAND IN FALL OR SPRING SEMESTER?
A: Spring semester is, of course, more fun because there are more snow and sunlight. If you have the choice, we recommend you to travel in February or March. During the fall semester, there may be less snow, especially in November but longer nights.
Other information you might be looking for:
1. All mobile phones work normally in Lapland
2. Cabins have all the kitchen equipment you need (knives, forks, and plates) as well as other essentials such as toilet paper, soap and washing up liquid.
3. You ONLY need to buy things you are going to eat, plus salt, sugar, spices, etc. And don’t buy anything (like frozen pizza) that needs to be cooked in an oven!
4. The best place to shop is in Rovaniemi – In Saariselkä there is also a K-market and Alko for last-minute shopping.
5. If you drop out of a prepaid activity you are not entitled to a partial refund! You can, however, sell your place on certain activities to someone else on your same tour and bus if you inform the guide at least 24 hours in advance
6. If anything goes wrong, immediately contact the Timetravels Tour Representative(s). They will do everything they possibly can to resolve the matter!
7. Activities included in the trip price are not subject to a partial refund.
8. We recommend you take a travel pillow with you for the overnight bus trip from Helsinki to Lapland.Timetravels reserve the right to modify the program and adjust prices accordingly at any time. The itinerary is provisional. The final itinerary will be sent to you a few days before departure, as some activities are dependent on prevailing weather conditions.
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Gallery
Images taken on Timetravels tours in Autumn 2018
(click to view full gallery)