Aikamatkat Oy

DURATION: 7 DAYS (5 days in Lapland)

ROUTE:  

Helsinki-Tampere-Jyväskylä-Oulu-Kemi

Rovaniemi-Inari-Vasatokka

PRICE:     275 €/person 

Vasatokka cabins

• Locate at Vasatokka center
• Equipped with WC, shower, fireplace, TV, microwaveoven, cooking plates, sink, furniture
• Room for 8-10 people.  
• Free use of the common lakeside sauna
  

The Wilderness cottage

• Locates 8 km from Vasatokka center (transportation organized)
• Own lakeside sauna, several fireplaces, a gas stove
• Room for up to 28 people in three rooms
• Beautiful location next to the Otsamo fell
• Thanks to its athmosphere, often voted as the best accommodation 
• Available only with groups larger than 50 people

 Vasatokka dorm rooms

• Locate at the Vasatokka center
• Spacious rooms for 3-6 people
• Several bathrooms
  
• Large kitchen, a common room with TV and a fireplaces 
• Available only with groups larger than 50 people
• Free use of the common lakeside sauna
  

VASATOKKA YOUTH CENTRE  -DISTANCE FROM Helsinki 1 100 KM!

Vasatokka is  youth centre 13 km from Inari, specialized on education and affordable arctic activities for international young people. It locates in the real Lappish wilderness, far beyond the civilization and hassle. In Vasatokka you can rent warm clothes, overalls, boots etc. There's also a cafeteria in the place, where you can have a breakfast, lunch or dinner at a reasonable price (6-10 €/meal) and you can prepare food in the cabin kitchens. All guides in Vasatokka are really friendly, helpful and they speak fluent in English.
You can prepare meals in the cabin kitchens. The closest grocery store locates in Inari, which can be visited couple of times during the programs. For more info, check: http://www.vasatokka.fi/

THE REAL WINTER WONDERLAND

Best thing about Inari is that deep snow and frozen lakes are guaranteed almost 100 % starting from mid-November. In any souther this is not for granted anymore. For instance in Rovaniemi, since two years there has been really few or  almost no snow at all even during the Christmas holidays (23-26.12). Snow will stay in Vasatokka until the beginning of May. For an up-to date weather and snow forecast in Inari, see pages of the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

THE BEST PLACE TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

If you want to see the mysterious and beautiful Northern Lights, Vasatokka provides you a lifetime possibility. Vasatokka locates in the polar zone, where Aurora Borealis is most active in Scandinavia. According to the it's visible 200 days during the active season, starting from September ending up by the end of April! This means at least a 90 % possibility for their appearence. Only thing which can prevent you from seeing the Northern lights are clouds. However, during the week a possibility of a cloudless night is pretty good. If you want to see a forecast for polar lights, you can have a look for instance The Space Weather Prediction Center websites. If you can't spot Finland on the map, see here an edited screen copy as of 9.1.2009. According to it, Northern lights were well shown in Inari.

THE SURVIVAL COURSE

How to survive in extreme weather conditions? Professional wilderness guides will teach you  the basics of cross country skiing , making a quinzee (sort of igloo) of snow, ice fishing, cooking on open fire, orienteering on snow shoes etc. The program is of great fun and included in the trip package. So far everyone has survived...

THE TOUR OF THE ARCTIC OCEAN (30 €)

During this guided day bus tour you will learn more abut  the arctic nature, three sámi cultures and Finnish kven culture located in the Bygoenes village on the shore of the Arctic Ocean. In addition, you will see breathtaking landscapes, have a chance to walk on the shore of the Arctic ocean and even swim there, if you are brave enough.  There's a good possibility for this, because the salty sea water needs to be at least -8 degrees in order to freeze. On the way back we visit the  idyllic  church houses of Utsjoki. The tour is about 550 km in total and takes about 8 hrs. See here the map, route and pictures!

THE REINDEER FARM

There's a reindeer farm 25 km from Vasatokka hosted by saami people. During the excursion you will learn more about reindeers and also feed them.  Afterwards you can have a ride on a reindeer sleigh.  Finally, you will have a pleasant coffee break in a Lappish hut with performance of traditional saami songs. On the way back to Vasatokka we can make a stop in Inari for buying groceries. http://www.reindeerfarm.fi/

THE SANTA'S VILLAGE

Have you ever dreamt of meeting the REAL Santa, which actually lives in Rovaniemi? It's possible in Santa's village or ”Joulupukin pajakylä” . Apart from the Santa's office, it houses all kinds of different attractions and shops. There's even a spot, where you can cross the magical Artic circle.
http://www.santaclausvillage.info/

THE SAARISELKÄ SKIRESORT

The Saariselkä village locates about one hour bus trip away from Vasatokka beside the Saariselkä fell region and Urho Kekkonen national park. It's one of the most popular and exotic skiresorts of  Finland . There are six slopes available for down hill skiing, but there are several other activities to be chosen from, such as husky and snowmobile safaris, SPA, restaurants, souvenier shops etc. And the landscapes, they are simply breathtaking!

• Ski gear +ski pass for 2 hrs = 30 €
• Ski gear +ski pass for 4 hrs = 40 €
  
• Ski gear +ski pass for 5 hrs = 50 e
  
• Ski gear = downhill skis or snowboard, poles, glasses. 

http://www.saariselka.fi/

THE SNOWMOBILE SAFARI 1 H (60 €)

The snomobile  safari is one of the most popular tourist activities in Lapland. The Safari takes 1 h and you will make a trip in picturesque landscapes to the top of the Kaunispää-fell. Each snowmobile takes 2 people, and you switch after 30 minute ride. So, everyone gets to drive to snowmobile for 30 min! Even though snowmobiles can almost compare to motorcycles in speed and horsepower, you don't need a driver's licence. There will be an instructor-guide responisble for the safety.  Gear (helmet+ overalls) are inclusive.

THE HUSKY SAFARI 1,5 HRS (60 €)

The Husky safari is organized in Saariselkä. Huskies are Siberian breed lovely and strong working dogs those are crazy for running and pulling the slegde! Total duration of the program is 1,5 hrs . First you will go through a short train lesson. The safari itself takes 35-45 min, the distance is about 5 km, however depending on weather conditions. The running speed is around 10-20 km/h.  At the end of the program you will enjoy a hot drink with pancake or traditional Finnish sausage.

THE KEMI SNOW CASTLE

The SnowCastle of Kemi by the Gulf of Bothnia is the source of great pride as well as a true showcase of architectonic snow-work of the local constructors. Every winter the world's biggest snow castle is built again, offering wonderful experiences for both children and adults alike. Great light-effects will add to the charm of the snow- and ice-sculpting as well as to the structures about the SnowCastle.  https://www.snowcastle.net/ 

THE SIIDA MUSEUM

SIIDA is the home of the Sámi Museum and the Northern Lapland Nature Centre, locating in Inari. SIIDA provides the visitor with new experiences and information on Sámi culture (the native people of Lapland) and nature of Northern Lapland. http://www.siida.fi/

THE ARKTIKUM MUSEUM

The exhibitions by the Provincial Museum of Lapland and the Arctic Centre lead you on a journey into the past and examine life today from the northern dimension. Human life in tune with nature, surrounded by the almost perpetual winter, snow and ice has given rise to many fates. The stories of the peoples of the Arctic regions, their means for survival and the rich cultural heritage they have created is safely stored in the Arktikum’s halls for all to see.  http://www.arktikum.fi/