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6 nights adventure
Best value for ESNcard ownersBook before Sept. 1 and enter a raffle to win your money back!

ESN Lahti Adventure to Northern Lapland, Vasatokka

Vasatokka, Finland
Duration6 nights
Activityup to ... items
Availabilitysale starts soon
Sale starts on24.08.2026 at 10:00
Fri, 27.11.2026 – Thu, 03.12.2026
from 409€sale will start on 24.08sale will start on 24.08 at 10 :00
Fri, 27.11.2026 – Thu, 03.12.2026
ESN Lahti Adventure to Northern Lapland, Vasatokka
from 409€sale will start on 24.08sale will start on 24.08 at 10 :00

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!

What is included

TransportationTransportation

Round bus trip to Vasatokka from your chosen departure point

Accommodation choiceAccommodation 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 VillageA stop at Santa Claus Village

Visiting the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

**Be the explorer! This is a non-guided activity!

 

Arctic skills activityArctic skills activity

Arctic Skills activity including quinzee/teepee building, fire making, ice-fishing (weather permitting)

Visit the Saariselkä Ski ResortVisit 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 guideTour guide

Tour guide services in Vasatokka

Local knowledgeLocal knowledge

Learn about local culture and spend a week like a Finn!

LuggageLuggage

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

Extra activities can be bought through your user account on www.timetravels.com 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.

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

We recommend travellers to have insurance that covers cancellations due to sickness and accidents.

If you do not have one, from your user account you can add Health Insurance until 9 days before the trip departure.
For more details, please check our FAQ here.


NOTE! this product is not available for residents in Finland.

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.

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.

Arctic Skills

  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Warm clothing recommended - we stay outside!
  • Difficulty level: moderate
  • Weather dependent activity
free

Snowshoe trek to the wilderness

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Warm clothing recommended (2h outside)
  • Difficulty level: moderate
39€

Cross-Country Skiing for beginners

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Ski rental and guide included
  • Warm clothes required and not included
  • Difficulty level: moderate
39€

Ice skating

  • Duration: 4h including transfers (activity time: 2h)
  • Level: Beginner
  • Included: Ice hockey skates (sizes 40.5-48) // Figure skates (sizes 36-42)
39€

Reindeer herder experience

  • Duration: 1,5 hour
  • Warm clothing recommended (1,5h outside)
49€

Husky Safari

  • Duration: 2 hours (ride is approximately 10-15 min long)
  • Difficulty level: easy
  • Warm clothing recommended (2h outside)
95€

Half-board in Vasatokka (4 breakfasts & 4 dinners)

  • Buffet style
  • Vegetarian option available
100€

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
79€

Vasatokka activities bundle

  • Includes: snowshoes trek, cross-country skiing, ice skating and reindeer herder experience
156€

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 1 – Departure

The departure time might change +/- 2 hours.

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

22:30 Departure from Lahti, Mukkulankatu 19

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

Day 2 – Arrival in Lapland

Groceries shopping time upon arrival in Rovaniemi

Morning/Afternoon - Santa Claus Village stop

14:30 Departure to Vasatokka (260 km)

Evening - Arrival at Vasatokka

Briefing and Lodging.

Dinner (half-board package, not included)

Day 3 – Arctic skills (included), Cross Country Skiing (optional), Snowshoe Trek to Wilderness (optional)

Breakfast (half-board package, not included)

Morning activity - Arctic Skills - Included 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 will learn basic skills of making a fire without matches, building a shelter, and get to practice some ice-fishing. All these are essential skills to have living above the Arctic Circle!

Afternoon 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 2km track on your own (distance depends on your skills). This activity is suitable for beginners! Ski rental and a guide are included.

Evening activity - Snowshoe Trek to Wilderness (optional)

We will gather in the evening to experience snowshoeing - one of the oldest ways to explore the snowy forest 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 next to Vasatokka, you can spot animal tracks and even the Northern Lights, if you are lucky!

Dinner (half-board package, not included)

Day 4 – Husky Safari (optional), Reindeer herder experience (optional)

Breakfast (half-board package, not included)

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 - Reindeer herder experience (optional)

This 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 reindeer, and visit a local handicraft store. After feeding the reindeer, you will be invited inside a cozy Kota to have a tea break and listen to the Reindeer Stories.

Dinner (4 dinners package, not included)

Day 5 – Trip to Arctic Ocean (optional)

Breakfast (half-board package, not included)

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 by bus 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 have a chance to go swimming in the Arctic Ocean or just have a walk on sandy beaches and take photos of beautiful landscapes, then a warm sauna is waiting for you!

After all the energy bursts, you will taste traditional fish/vegetarian soup in a local restaurant where you will hear interesting facts about the village and the people.

Dinner (half-board package, not included)

Day 6 – Check out, Ice skating (Optional) and Departure!

Breakfast (half-board package, not included)

08:30 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)

- Return the rental clothes. 

__________________________________________________________________________

10:00 Arrival to Saariselkä, Free time: you can go shopping, dining, sledding, visit the SPA, or go downhill skiing.

You can leave your luggage on the bus!

Day Activity: Ice skating (Optional, not included)

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.

15:45 Departure back home.

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

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

06:00 Estimated arrival in Lahti. End of your trip.

Accommodation

Accommodation in cabin for 6-10 persons with own kitchen, bathroom and living room
Accommodation in dorm room for 3-6 friends with shared bathroom and kitchen

Our clients say

Customer photos

See more on Instagram

Good to know

How can I win a free trip?

By purchasing a trip from us before September 1, you participate in a raffle to win back the value of your purchase. The full refund includes also the activities associated with the trip order, even if they have been booked separately.

Twenty winners will be contacted by email by September 15 and refunds will be processed within 2-3 weeks. 

More information in terms and conditions.

Are there any meals included?

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. 

Is it possible to travel by train or plane?

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!

What should I prepare for Lapland?

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!

Can I rent clothes?
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.
 
What if there is no snow?

The reason we use North Lapland as the location of our main destinations is that it experiences snowfalls since October. However, we cannot control the weather. So, in the unlikely event that the snow is not deep enough for snow-requiring activities, we will offer an alternative or pay full refund for the cancelled activites. Activities not snow-dependent are usually always possible.

Should I go to Lapland in autumn or spring semester?

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.

Is there a wi-fi in the cottages?

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.

Is there a luggage size limit?

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. 

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

During the trip the participants are required to be physically and mentally fit.

If the guide considers that a traveller is endangering or harming the tour staff or the other travellers with their behaviour due to intoxication, the traveller's trip will be terminated as per Terms and Conditions point 5 here.

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