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Arctic Skills
Duration: 4 hours · Warm clothing recommended - we stay outside! · Difficulty level: moderate · Weather dependent activity
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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, Vasatokka
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Vasatokka, FinlandDuration
6 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 9
The total amount of extras you can add to enrich your trip.
Availability
more spots pending
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
21.12.2025
Trip overview
You probably know 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!
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.
Duration: 4 hours
Warm clothing recommended - we stay outside!
Difficulty level: moderate
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, building a shelter, as well as practice some ice-fishing. All these are useful skills crucial for surviving in the areas above the Arctic Circle!
Snowshoe trek to the wilderness
Duration: 3 hours · Warm clothing recommended (2h outside) · Difficulty level: moderate
- Duration: 3 hours
- Warm clothing recommended (2h outside)
- Difficulty level: moderate
We will gather in the evening to experience snowshoeing - one of the oldest ways to explore the wild landscape of the Arctic region. After a short introduction, you will get to use a GPS device to navigate through the nightly forest. During the short 2-3 km hike in the forest, you can spot animal tracks and even see the Northern Lights, if you are lucky!
At the end of the hike, we will get warm with a bonfire.
Cross-Country Skiing for beginners
Duration: 3 hours · Ski rental and guide included · Warm clothes required and not included · Difficulty level: moderate
- Duration: 3 hours
Ski rental and guide included
Warm clothes required and not 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)
Suitable for beginners! 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)
Reindeer herder experience
Duration: 1,5 hour · Warm clothing recommended (1,5h outside)
- Duration: 1,5 hour
- Warm clothing recommended (1,5h outside)
This activity is devoted to the culture of the Lappish people, living in the Northernmost territories of Finland, Norway and Sweden.
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 and learn essential Lappish tricks: lasso throwing and fire making.
Husky Safari
Duration: 2 hours (ride is approximately 10-15 min long) · Difficulty level: easy · Warm clothing recommended (2h outside)
- Duration: 2 hours (ride is approximately 10-15 min long)
Difficulty level: easy- Warm clothing recommended (2h outside)
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).
- 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 sled is driven by a professional musher (the sled is shared by 3-4 people). The duration of the safari in this case would be 10-15 min).
Curious to learn more? Check out our husky farm here
Half-board in Vasatokka (4 breakfasts & 4 dinners)
Buffet style · Vegetarian option available
Buffet style
Vegetarian option available
Why cook yourself, when you can get the half-board on the spot? Our special package includes 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts served in a local canteen.
IMPORTANT! Min.15 bookings are required for the Half-board option. If we have fewer bookings, we will make a refund.
Vasatokka activities bundle
Includes: snowshoes trek, cross-country skiing, ice skating and reindeer herder experience
Includes: snowshoes trek, cross-country skiing, ice skating and reindeer herder experience
This is a combo deal!
One spot on the following activities: snowshoes trek, cross-country skiing, ice skating and reindeer herder experience.
Tour to the Arctic Ocean with Fish soup
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.
Accommodation
Mattresses, pillows and duvet
Private kitchen
Private bathroom and toilet
Cleaning tools included
Fireplace
- 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
Please note that the apartments have different standard beds according to availability: double beds, bunk beds, pull-out sofas and loft beds.
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.
- mattresses, pillows and duvet
- Rooms for 3–6 people with bunk beds
All 10-12 rooms share the same:
- Living room with TV
- Electric heating
- Kitchenette with stove, fridge, microwave oven, coffee maker and basic tableware
- Showers and toilets
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.
What is included
Transportation
Round bus trip to Vasatokka from your chosen departure point
Accommodation choice
4 nights in Dorm (for base trip price) or Cabin (upgrade for an extra cost), according to availability and your choice.
A stop at Santa Claus Village
Visiting the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi
**Be the explorer! This is a non-guided activity!
Arctic skills activity
Arctic Skills activity including quinzee/teepee building, fire making, ice-fishing (weather permitting)
Visit the Saariselkä Ski Resort
Enjoy the Saariselkä ski resort area!
Please ask your Guide for more information on sledging, ski-pass purchase, gear rental, and other fun activities!
Tour guide
Tour guide services in Vasatokka
Local knowledge
Learn about local culture and spend a week like a Finn!
Luggage
You can travel with:
- 1x 15kg luggage to store in the bus trunk (size is not important!) and
- 1x small backpack to take with you during the bus ride
...and add more luggage if you need: 15kg Extra luggage can be added when booking the trip and according to availability - at 5€/luggage.
Package price does not include
Extra activities which are not included in the trip package
Meals which are not included in the trip package
In order to keep the trip budget-friendly, all accommodations are self-catering - meals are not included.
Each dorm has a shared kitchen equipped with plates, glasses, mugs, a 2-ring electric hob, microwave, water boiler, coffee machine and toaster. Ovens are not available, so avoid items like frozen pizzas.
We will make a stop for groceries 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.
Want meals included? You can book an optional half-board (4 breakfasts + 4 dinners) with your activities for 100€/person.
Travel health insurance
Clothes/bedlinen rental
You can rent towels, bedlinen and clothes such as overalls, jackets, trousers and boots for 1 or multiple days.
No pre-booking is needed. Your guides will share all the details when you arrive in Vasatokka.
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.
Departure points
Pick one at checkout. Changes afterwards are handled by our customer service.
- Departure from Helsinki Railway station square (in front of Casino on Mikonkatu 19) at 21:00
- Departure from Helsinki Harbour West Terminal at 21:30
- Departure from Tampere railway station square at 23:30
- Departure from Jyväskylä Matkakeskus at 01:30 (DAY 2)
- Departure from Oulu bus station at 06:30 (DAY 2)
- Departure from Rovaniemi railway station at 09:30 (DAY2)
- Departure from Rovaniemi airport at 14:30 (DAY 2)
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 1Sun 21.12
Departure
The departure time might change +/- 2 hours.
You will select the exact departure place from the available one, when booking the trip.
21:00 Departure from Helsinki railway station square (In front of the Casino)
21:30 Departure from Helsinki harbour West Terminal
23:30 Departure from Tampere railway station
Overnight on the bus. Gas station breaks every 4-5 hours.
Gas stations are well equipped: there are toilets, grocery stores and cafes.
Day 2Mon 22.12
Arrival in Lapland
01:30 Departure from Jyväskylä Matkakeskus
06:30 Departure from Oulu bus station
09:30 Departure from Rovaniemi Railway station
Groceries shopping time.
Morning/Afternoon - Santa Claus Village stop
14:30 Departure from Rovaniemi Airport
14:30 Departure to Vasatokka (260 km)
Evening - Arrival at Vasatokka
Briefing and Lodging.
Dinner (half-board package, not included)
Day 3Tue 23.12
Arctic skills (included), Cross Country Skiing (optional), Snowshoe Trek to Wilderness (optional)
Day 4Wed 24.12
Husky Safari (optional), Reindeer herder experience (optional)
Day 5Thu 25.12
Trip to Arctic Ocean (optional)
Day 6Fri 26.12
Check out, Ice skating (Optional) and Departure!
22:30 Estimated arrival in Oulu. End of the trip if your departure point was Oulu.
Day 7Sat 27.12
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
04:00 Estimated arrival in Jyväskylä. End of the trip if your departure point was Jyväskylä.
06:00 Estimated arrival in Tampere. End of the trip if your departure point was Tampere.
08:30 Estimated arrival in Helsinki. End of the trip if your departure point was Helsinki.
Timetravels reserves the right to changes in the itinerary.
Customer photos
Good to know
In order to keep the trip budget-friendly, all accommodations are self-catering - meals are not included.
Each dorm has a shared kitchen equipped with plates, glasses, mugs, a 2-ring electric hob, microwave, water boiler, coffee machine and toaster. Ovens are not available, so avoid items like frozen pizzas.
We will make a stop for groceries 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.
Want meals included? You can book an optional half-board (4 breakfasts + 4 dinners) with your activities for 100€/person.
The night train option is convenient only if you can afford to book a sleeping compartment, which is quite expensive. Traveling in a seat on the train is less comfortable and less convenient than traveling by overnight bus because the lights are on all the time and every station is announced 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. Kindly inform us about your individual travel plans beforehand!
You should bring, at least, the following:
- Valid to travel ID and/or passport
- Student card/ESNcard
- Towel
- Bedlinen (for single bed, approx 90x200) - unless you have booked it
To keep you warm and comfortable throughout your trip, a complete list is available on our dedicated FAQ page here!
You can rent towels, bedlinen and clothes such as overalls, jackets, trousers and boots for 1 or multiple days.
No pre-booking is needed. Your guides will share all the details when you arrive in Vasatokka.
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 even early April.
During the autumn 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.
There is a Wi-Fi connection and one free customer 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.
from 439€more spots pending