ESN Latvia Adventure to Northern Lapland, Saariselkä, 2nd departure

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?!

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.

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

You can rent clothes such as gloves, boots and overalls for one or multiple days.

How to rent:

Rent them in advance via your user account (option available until 9 days before your trip departure),
Clothes rental at the destination is not guaranteed. If we have unrented items, your guide will inform about the availability. Since we cannot confirm availability, we suggest to travel with your best set of winterclothes. Rent from your guide once in Lapland. Watchout! The prices might differ.

Prices:

You can find November-December 2025 prices on our dedicated FAQ here!

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.

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, which were not on sale online.

Evening gathering

Warm clothes recommended

Ice fishing and fire making

Duration: 2 hours
Warm outdoor clothes and boots are required but not included
Weather dependent activity

Cross-country skiing for beginners

Duration: 3 hours including transportation
Warm clothes required and not included
Ski rental and guide included
Difficulty level: moderate

Ice skating

Duration: 4h including transfers (activity time: 2h)
Level: Beginner
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

Reindeer herder experience

Duration: 1,5 hours
Warm clothing required (1,5 hours outside)
Difficulty level: easy

Husky safari

Adventurous' choice!

Duration: 2 hours (ride is approximately 10-15 min long)
Warm clothes required (2 hours outside)
Difficulty level: easy

Tour to the Arctic Ocean

Top rated activity

Duration: 12-14 hours (including transportation by BUS)
Warm clothes required
Difficulty level: easy
Weather dependent activity

Saariselkä activities bundle

Best saver!

Includes: Reindeer herder experience, Snowshoe trek, Cross-country skiing, Ice skating, Ice fishing and fire making.

Bedlinen and towels

Bed linen and towels for the duration of your stay in Saariselkä.

Day 1 - Departure

The departure time might change +/- 2 hours.

You will select the exact departure place from the available one, when booking the trip.

12:00 Departure from Riga, bus parking lot near Riga port (Eksporta iela 2, crossing with Citadeles iela, near Circle K)

Ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki

Overnight on the bus. Gas station breaks every 4-5hours.
Gas stations are well equipped: there are toilets, grocery stores, and cafes.

Day 2 - Arrival in Lapland!

Grocery shopping time.

Afternoon - Santa Claus Village stop

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 3 - Snowshoe adventure (optional), Get-together evening (included)

Afternoon activity - Snowshoe Trek to the Wilderness (optional)

Snowshoeing is one of our most enjoyable activities. Our guides make sure you conquer even the steepest of hills and enjoy what Lapland has to offer. You get a spectacular chance both to make new lifelong friendships and challenge yourself in picturesque Lappish scenery, something to reminisce about even after years. If you are lucky, maybe you will see the Northern Lights. Remember to bring a cheerful attitude and clothing that is suitable for having fun in deep snow. Try something new, you will love it!

Evening activity - Get-together evening

Day 4 - Arctic Ocean tour (optional)

Day activity - Arctic Ocean Tour - (optional)

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 the small, picturesque village of Bugøynes in Northern Norway. Bugøynes is located at the edge of the world.
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 and then a warm sauna is waiting for you!
After all the energy bursts, you will taste traditional soup in a local restaurant where you will hear interesting facts about the village and the people.

Day 5 - Husky safari (optional), Ice skating (Optional), Cross-country skiing (optional)

Morning activity - Husky Safari - (optional)

Alaskan huskies are cheerful and strong dogs who really love to pull the sled! After an introduction about the farm life, the huskies will take you for a tour through the snowy wonderland.

Afternoon Activity - Ice skating (optional)

The exclusive Arctic glide! 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.

Evening activity - Cross-country skiing (optional)

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 4km track on your own. (distance depends on your skills) Only for beginners! Ski rental and a guide are included.

Day 6 - Check out day, Ice fishing and fire making (optional)

10:00 CHECK OUT

Cabins have to be left in the same conditions as they were upon your arrival.

Please go through the following check-list:
__________________________________________________________________________

-Make the beds

-Clean the floors with the vacuum cleaner and mop.

-Wash the dishes (do not use hand washing liquid e.g. Fairy for the dishwasher! It will cause a malfunction!)

-Take the trash out.

-Return the key to your group leader (they will perform the final check)

__________________________________________________________________________

10:00-14:00 Ice Fishing and fire making (optional)

OR

10:00-15:00 Free time: you can go shopping, dining, sledding, downhill skiing.

Return the rental clothes.

You can leave your luggage on the bus!

15:45 Departure back home with the bus

Day 7 - Arrival home

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!

Arrival in Helsinki.

Ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn.

19:00 Estimated arrival in Riga.

Amenities

Bathroom
Own sauna
Mattresses, pillows and duvet
Tableware
Fridge
Freezer
TV
Cleaning tools provided

Show all (8)

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 are a group, can we stay in the same room/accommodation? Should we book the trip together?

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.

Can I stay in a same gender room/accommodation?

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 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.

Where are the cottages? How big are the cottage?

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.

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What should I prepare for Lapland?

Can I rent clothes?

You can rent clothes such as gloves, boots and overalls for one or multiple days.

How to rent:

Rent them in advance via your user account (option available until 9 days before your trip departure),
Clothes rental at the destination is not guaranteed. If we have unrented items, your guide will inform about the availability. Since we cannot confirm availability, we suggest to travel with your best set of winterclothes. Rent from your guide once in Lapland. Watchout! The prices might differ.

Prices:

You can find November-December 2025 prices on our dedicated FAQ here!

Is wi-fi available in the apartments and cottages?

Wi-Fi is available in some of the cottages but is not a standard feature.

What if there is no snow?

Should I go to Lapland in the autumn or spring semester?

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.

Is there a luggage size limit?

What is the bus like?

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.

What happens if I am found drunk during the journey and activities?

Is the trip suitable for travellers with disabilities?

As much as we would like to welcome everyone, to ensure the trip is suitable for you, please, take into account the following conditions:

The transportation is by bus. You should be able to board and get off the bus on your own;
Due to the variety of accommodation we use, we cannot ensure accommodation with a lift. You should be able to go up and down the stairs on your own;
Some activities might require walking or standing for a prolonged time. You should be able to walk at an average speed (1km in 15min ~5km/h) and stand for 3-4 hours;
You are able to walk on snowy and icy surfaces*;
You don’t need third party's support during the trip. If you need third party support, another traveller is your travel companion who will assist you for the whole trip duration. Before booking the trip, please, contact our customer service team.

In case of doubts, we recommend contacting our customer service team at [email protected]

*snowy and icy conditions are expected in Lapland and possible from mid-October to mid-April in the other destinations.

Is there an age limit for the trip?

Almost everyone can join the trip. If you are travelling with someone very young or senior, you might wish to consider the following factors:

every traveller must be able to use a standard bus seat for a few hours, without seat support;
the accommodation's common areas (bathroom, kitchen, living room) are shared with other travellers and some accommodation rooms might be shared with other travellers too;
the activities are tuned-up for young adults full of energy.

If you wish more details about some activities, please, contact us at customerservice[at]timetravels.com