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Evening gathering
Warm clothes recommended
4.9 out of 5· Timetravels rating on Facebook · 3 000+ reviews (opens in a new tab)'%3e%3ccircle%20cx='8'%20cy='8'%20r='8'%20stroke='%23A4A7C5'/%3e%3crect%20width='1.6'%20height='7.2'%20x='7.2'%20y='5.6'%20fill='%23A4A7C5'%20rx='.8'/%3e%3ccircle%20cx='8'%20cy='4'%20r='1'%20fill='%23A4A7C5'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
This is the overall Timetravels rating on Facebook, across all our trips, not a rating of this tour. The score and the number of reviews are entered by hand and are not updated automatically, so the figures on Facebook may differ a little.
This is the overall Timetravels rating on Facebook, across all our trips, not a rating of this tour. The score and the number of reviews are entered by hand and are not updated automatically, so the figures on Facebook may differ a little.Christmas Adventure to Northern Lapland, Saariselkä from Oulu and Rovaniemi
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Saariselkä, FinlandDuration
4 nights
The number of nights during the trip.
If the number of total night differs from information in "accommodation" area, under what's included, the extra nights are transfer nights.
Activities
up to 10
The total amount of extras you can add to enrich your trip.
Availability
5 places left
MORE SPOTS PENDING: trip not on sale. We are reviewing if we can add more spots.
NOT ON SALE YET: the trip sale has not started. The sales opening time is not confirmed yet.
OVER 10 PLACES: the sales is open, at the moment there are more than 10 spots on sale
SALES STARTS SOON: The trip sale will start in less than 7 days.
Tour starts
22.12.2026
Trip overview
Welcome to Saariselkä - an authentic village and a splendid ski resort in Finnish Lapland. Timetravels invites you to join the adventure of a lifetime - meet the real Santa Claus in his Village in Rovaniemi, or take a joyful husky ride through the winter wonderland. Saariselkä is a perfect place to try outdoor activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. And of course the high possibility of seeing the Northern Lights is the cherry on top! Are you ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with us?!
Extras and guided activities
Extra activities can be bought through your user account until 9 days before the trip departure or until they are sold out.
Activities "not available now" are expected to be on sale online or upon arrival at the destination.
At the destination the activities cost +5€ except for the activities not on sale online.
Warm clothes recommended
Join your travelling companions and guide for a relaxed evening - a perfect moment to connect, share stories and to know each other!
Ice fishing and fire making
Duration: 2 hours · Warm outdoor clothes and boots are required but not included · Weather dependent activity
Duration: 2 hours
Warm outdoor clothes and boots are required but not included
Weather dependent activity
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, as well as practice some ice-fishing. These are useful skills crucial for surviving in the areas above the Arctic Circle!
Important:
- Warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are required and not included!
- Activity is subject to weather. Should your guide consider the conditions to be extreme, the activity will be rescheduled.
Cross-country skiing for beginners
Duration: 3 hours including transportation · Warm clothes required and not included · Ski rental and guide included · Difficulty level: moderate
Duration: 3 hours including transportation
Warm clothes required and not included
Ski rental and guide included
Difficulty level: 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 the 2km track on your own. (distance depends on your skills)
Ski rental and a guide are included.
Ice skating
Duration: 4h including transfers (activity time: 2h) · Level: Beginner · Included: Ice hockey skates (sizes 40.5-48) // Figure skates (sizes 36-42)
- Duration: 4h including transfers (activity time: 2h)
Level: Beginner
Included: Ice hockey skates (sizes 40.5-48) // Figure skates (sizes 36-42)
Ice skating on the frozen Inari Lake!
It is an extraordinary activity that offers a unique and unforgettable experience. We say it is unique because our track is the ONLY ONE on natural ice in the whole Lapland!
As you glide over the 1 km-long ice track, you'll be surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the third biggest lake in Finland, creating a truly magical experience.
Don't worry if you're new to ice skating or haven't skated in a while, we will make sure you have a fantastic time, helping you with some technique tips. We also have kicksleds that can be used and are the perfect option to enjoy the track if you cannot skate at all, or to have fun at the end of the session anyway.
Lace up your skates, embrace the adventure, and let the beauty of the wilderness and the thrill of ice skating take your breath away!
Included:
- Ice hockey skates (sizes 40.5-48)
- Figure skates (sizes 36-42)
Snowshoe trek to the wilderness
Duration: 2.5 hours including transportation · Warm clothing required · Difficulty level: moderate
- Duration: 2.5 hours including transportation
- Warm clothing required
- Difficulty level: moderate
Snowshoeing is one of our most enjoyable activities! Our guides make sure you conquer the steepest hills and have a great time exploring unique landscape of Lapland. You get a spectacular chance to both make new life-long friendships and challenge yourself in the arctic wilderness, something to reminisce years after. If you are lucky, even see the Northern Lights dance. Remember to bring your cheerful attitude and proper clothing suitable for having fun in deep snow. Try something new, you will love it!
Important! Should the guide consider the snow conditions not suitable for the participants to use snowshoes, an alternative activity will be organised. The replacement activity may be for example a hike. Duration 2.5 hrs.
Snowshoe rental included
Reindeer herder experience
Duration: 1,5 hours · Warm clothing required (1,5 hours outside) · Difficulty level: easy
- Duration: 1,5 hours
- Warm clothing required (1,5 hours outside)
Difficulty level: easy
During the visit to the reindeer farm you'll get a chance to feed the reindeer, listen to the reindeer stories inside a cosy kota.
Husky safari
Duration: 2 hours (ride is approximately 10-15 min long) · Warm clothes required (2 hours outside) · Difficulty level: easy
Adventurous' choice!- Duration: 2 hours (ride is approximately 10-15 min long)
- Warm clothes required (2 hours outside)
- Difficulty level: easy
Alaskan Huskies are cheerful and strong dogs who truly love to pull the sled! After a briefing on your dog team, the huskies will take you on an unforgettable journey through the wild!
During the activity, you will:
- Visit the Husky Farm near Inari Lake, grounded in sustainable values and home to happy huskies!
- Embark on an approximately 10-15 minutes husky safari! (Sled is shared between four people).
- Enjoy husky cuddling, pet the huskies, and take photos with them.
Important! Warm outdoor clothes and snow boots are required and are not included.
Important! Should the husky team consider the weather or snow conditions unsafe for participants or the huskies, the mushers may have to make changes to the original plan.
Curious to learn more? Check out our husky farm here
Tour to the Arctic Ocean
Duration: 12-14 hours (including transportation by BUS) · Warm clothes required · Difficulty level: easy · Weather dependent activity
Top rated activity
Duration: 12-14 hours (including transportation by BUS)- Warm clothes required
- Difficulty level: easy
- Weather dependent activity
This is our bucket list special. From early morning until late evening, you will discover new things about Lapland travelling by bus up to the European edge: the Arctic Ocean. 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. You'll get a chance to go swimming in the Arctic Ocean, or just have a walk along the sandy beach and take photos of the spectacular landscape. Soon after, a warm sauna will be waiting for you! After all the energy bursts, you will taste traditional fish soup in a local restaurant where you will hear interesting facts about the village and the people.
Saariselkä activities bundle
Includes: Reindeer herder experience, Snowshoe trek, Cross-country skiing, Ice skating, Ice fishing and fire making.
Best saver!- Includes: Reindeer herder experience, Snowshoe trek, Cross-country skiing, Ice skating, Ice fishing and fire making.
This is a combo deal!
One spot on the following activities: reindeer herder experience, snowshoe trek to the wilderness, cross-country skiing for beginners, ice skating, ice fishing and fire making.
Bedlinen and towels
Bed linen and towels for the duration of your stay in Saariselkä.
- Bed linen and towels for the duration of your stay in Saariselkä.
Why take bed linen when you can rent in on the spot? Our special bed linen package includes a towel and all the needed bedsheets.
Accommodation
Saariselkä cabins/apartments
free/ per person
Bathroom
Own sauna
Mattresses, pillows and duvet
Tableware
Fridge
Freezer
TV
Cleaning tools provided
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 own sauna, bathroom, TV, self-catering kitchenette with tableware and cooking equipment, fridge, freezer, mattresses, and pillows.
Cottages/apartments include the same amenities but the style and cottage size can change according to the availability.
Wi-Fi is available in most cottages but is not a standard feature.
Please note that according to availability:
- the accommodation size can vary from 4 to 14 people;
- the apartments have different standard beds according to availability: double beds, bunk beds, pull-out sofas and loft beds.
Sleeping bag is not allowed!
The final cleaning or damage repair is not included. In case the accommodation is not in the same conditions as when you arrived, a 250€ fee will be charged.
We understand that it is important to stay with your friends and we will try our best to consider all requests.
You can have a group or individual bookings.
Please, ensure you have booked the same trip and accommodation category.
10-14 days before departure, you will receive the accommodation sign-up link by email.
The first of your group to open the email can assign all of you to the same accommodation(s); per your friends' permission and availability.
Same accommodation guests share the same bus and the same activities schedule!
In case your travel group size is more than 1 bus big, please, select accommodation options on the same bus. If we are obliged to split the group or there is a last-minute bus change, we will keep travellers from the same accommodation together.
If you did not receive the email
If you join the trip after the email was sent, an accommodation spot will be automatically assigned to you. If you don’t receive the email, please check your spam folder, ask your friends to share it with you, or contact our Customer Service Team.
We understand that it is important to share your accommodation with same gender passengers and we will try our best to consider all requests.
10-14 days before departure, you will receive the accommodation sign-up link by email.
Every passenger can sign-up in the accommodation they want. You could choose a room first or add your name to the one you prefer with people of your gender.
In case you are in an accommodation shared also with other gender travellers, no worries, the accomodations usually are divided in rooms for 2-3 guests.
If you join the trip after the email was sent, an accommodation spot will be automatically assigned to you. If you don’t receive the email, please check your spam folder, ask your friends to share it with you, or contact our Customer Service Team.
The accommodations are within 2.5km walking distance from the Saariselkä center and nearby the Saariselkä fell.
Most of the accommodations are for 4-14 people with rooms for 2-3 people. Some accommodations may differ in size.
What is included
Transportation
A round bus trip to Saariselkä from your chosen departure place.
Accommodation
A stop at Santa Claus Village
Visiting the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi
**Be the explorer! This is a non-guided activity!
Leisure time
Enjoy Saariselkä ski resort area!
Please ask your Guide for more information on sledging, ski-pass purchase, gear rental and the other fun activities!
Tour guide
Tour guide services in English at the destination
Local knowledge
Learn about local culture and spend a week like a Finn!
An evening gathering
Spend time together with your mates.
Luggage
You can travel with:
-
1× 15 kg luggage (stored in the bus trunk – size doesn’t matter!)
-
1× small backpack (kept with you on the bus)
Need more? Add extra 15 kg luggage when booking (if available) for just 5€/piece.
Package price does not include
Catering, meals, breakfasts
In order to keep trip prices as low as possible, all cottages are self-catering – breakfast, lunch, and evening meals are not included.
Each accommodation has good cooking facilities. Kitchens are equipped with plates, glasses, mugs, a 2-ring electric hob, microwave, water boiler, coffee machine, toaster.
Meals are not included, but we make stop on the way to your destination to buy groceries. You can, for instance, decide with your accommodation group what you are going to cook together and share the groceries and costs. Ovens are not present in every accommodation, so don’t buy things like frozen pizzas, chicken, etc.
Grocery shopping: We recommend you to do all your shopping on the way to the destination. Your groceries won’t freeze in the bus luggage compartment unless the temperature drops to minus 35°C. You can save quite some money if you and your roommates decide to cook together.
Bedlinen
Extra activities which are not included in the trip package
Travel health insurance
Clothes rental
Accommodation cleaning
The final cleaning is not included.
In case the accommodation is not in the same conditions as when you arrived, a 250€ fee will be charged.
Firewood
Your accommodation has a fireplace area.
The wood can be bought from the local shop.
Departure points
Pick one at checkout. Changes afterwards are handled by our customer service.
- 06:30 Oulu, bus station
- 09:00 Rovaniemi, railway station
- 14:30 Rovaniemi, airport
Example itinerary
Please note: the final trip program will be shared 5-7 days before the trip departure.
The activities schedule might change.
Same accommodation guests share the same activities schedule. More info about accommodation in the accommodation section below.
Day 1Tue 22.12
Departure
The departure time might change +/- 2 hours.
You will select the exact departure place from the available one, when booking the trip.
06:30 Departure from Oulu bus station
09:00 Departure from Rovaniemi railway station
Groceries shopping time.
Afternoon - Santa Claus Village stop
14:00 Departure from Rovaniemi airport
14:30 Departure to Saariselkä (260 km)
Evening - Arrival in Saariselkä
A brief tour around the resort and lodging in the cottage. After lodging, guides will visit each cottage and show you how to use the sauna and fireplace and answer all your questions according to their best experience. This is the last chance to book extra activities if there is any vacancy.
Hint! In the evening the best place to see the Northern lights is the local fell of Kaunispää, from the top of it you can see a 360-degree panorama all over. You can easily reach Kaunispää on foot from your cottage.
Day 2Wed 23.12
Snowshoe adventure (optional), Get-together evening (included)
Day 3Thu 24.12
Arctic Ocean tour (optional)
Day 4Fri 25.12
Husky safari (optional), Ice skating (Optional), Cross-country skiing (optional)
Day 5Sat 26.12
Check out day, Ice fishing and fire making (optional)
19:00 Estimated arrival in Rovaniemi. End of the trip if your departure point was Rovaniemi.
22:30 Estimated arrival in Oulu. End of the trip if your departure point was Oulu.
Should you need to book a transfer after the trip, please, consider only departure
- 4 hours after the expected arrival time for train/ferry/bus ticket;
- 6 hours after the expected arrival time for flight tickets
NOTE! Your default arrival place is the same as the departure place!
Timetravels reserves the right to changes in the itinerary.
Customer photos
Pictures taken on Timetravels tours to Lapland.
Good to know
With the Flexible package (+15€), you can cancel from your account until 07.11.2026 and receive the amount as store credit towards another trip, with no cancellation fee. Store credit is not paid back to your card. After that the fee schedule in our cancellation policy applies.
Wi-Fi is available in some of the cottages but is not a standard feature.
Spring semester is, of course, more fun because there is more snow and sunlight. If you have the choice, we recommend you to travel in February or March.
During the autumn semester, there may be less snow, especially in November, and less daylight.
Most of our busses are from 50 to 65 seaters with bathroom.
Wi-Fi is available in most of the busses but is not a standard feature.
from 439€Klarna.instalmentsFree trip change until 07.11 with Flexible (+15€)