We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

cheaper excursion/activity deals?

Level Contributor
17 posts
cheaper excursion/activity deals?
Save

Hi, I'm going to saariselka early in december with thomson. Thomsons optional excursions for our family of 4 would be almost £350 per day trip so I was wondering if anyone knew if I could do anything a bit cheaper? Or if the taster sessions you do during the trip actually make up a good holiday? My kids are only 7 and 4 so it limits what we can do anyway, but I wondered if there was anywhere in lapland where you can book things cheaper through another operator?

Arsy, France
Level Contributor
3,328 posts
88 reviews
212 helpful votes
1. Re: cheaper excursion/activity deals?
Save

there are plenty of other options - look at saariselka.fi and they will list all of the activity companies - the trips are not cheap though

I would suggest you to the taster and then decide if you want more, then you can book locally

given your children's ages, they are not going to like the big long trips on the snowmobiles, the reindeers are nice but the taster maybe enough - the huskies are fast so they may like those

just playing in the snow and going down the taboggon run will keep all of you happy for days :)

also, do check with the inghams reps if you can book with them, they are cheaper than the other tour companies and they base themselves mainly in the holiday club, check the notice board for their visit times

liverpool
Level Contributor
580 posts
9 reviews
14 helpful votes
2. Re: cheaper excursion/activity deals?
Save

Hi we went with thomsons to saariselka last December and they were fab! (Ive written lots of reviews on them). The tasters are about 7 mins long. The reindeer taster is enough as they are gentle and go fairly slow. I would have been bored I think on a full excursion!

The snowmobiles were great and we really enjoyed them. However, on the taster, the adults sit in pairs and drive the snowmobiles whereas the kids go in a sleigh driven by a guide. The excursion is similar so we didnt bother as I'm not sure the kids would have enjoyed it for that long being without us. Plus we'd done snow mobiles years ago on a ski trip. So we opted for the huskys which were the highlight of the trip. The kids didnt enjoy it as much as they were so cold but for me and my husband it was the best part of the whole holiday. Like Narnia, so amazing!! I'll remember it my whole life it was so good!

We booked with top safaris in resort and did their 2.5 hour trip (they weren't running the 4 hour one when we were there though its the same driving time only you get lunch instead of snack). It was €420 for 2 adults and 2 kids aged 5&7 and worth every penny! The thomsons trip was similar price but their 2 hour trip had only 40 mins driving time (rest of the time was learning about the animals etc) whereas ours had almost 2 hour driving so it depends what you're after. It was only -9 when we did this and I have to say the kids were crying with the cold and mine are not that young really so I'd avoid any excursion if low temps (wind chill etc). We had hand warmers etc and everything!

Lapland safaris refused to take us on any trips as we were with thomsons and said we had to go through them!

The elf adventure went down ok with families we spoke to but said its very cold for the adults as the kids move between all the activities etc but there's nothing for adults to do so stand around being cold!

We went for 3 nights and the one excursion was enough to be honest.

Day 1 travel, welcome meeting and getting gear etc takes til about 3pm

Day 2 is the activity day so out from 8-3pm so we just sledged after that

Day 3 was our excursion 10;30 til 2 ish by time we got back to hotel then sledging. The gala meal started early too at 7pm

Day 4 you leave after breakfast

So unless you are four nights, one trip would be enough at most. 2 in one day would be hard work... My kids refused to sledge for 2 hours after the huskies as they were just too cold!we had to take then for a swim in the end !

It's fab you'll love it. Any questions just ask.

Helsinki, Finland
Destination Expert
for Helsinki, Oulu, Lapland
Level Contributor
6,762 posts
96 reviews
52 helpful votes
3. Re: cheaper excursion/activity deals?
Save

Excellent info from Kittykatty. My only comment is for being cold that if you're feeling cold, you simply don't have the right kind of clothing on. Having been with lots of foreigners to Lapland, most of them simply put too few clothes on their kids (and sometimes on themselves, too). What people tend to forget is the layered clothing from feet and hands. Also the head has to be properly covered. These "small" parts get easily cold resulting in general feel of coldness.

liverpool
Level Contributor
580 posts
9 reviews
14 helpful votes
4. Re: cheaper excursion/activity deals?
Save

I agree zam72, at the time I put tons on us all but I think we generally feel the cold! My kids wore the following which I thought was enough but in hindsight, not in their case!

Thermal top and leggings

Polo top

Fleece jog bottoms

Fleece jumper

2 thin socks and one ski type sock provided.

Thin wool gloves, hand warmers and provided gloves

Snood, balaclava and hat

Outer suit provided.

I think my kids feel the cold generally though :)

Arsy, France
Level Contributor
3,328 posts
88 reviews
212 helpful votes
5. Re: cheaper excursion/activity deals?
Save

we have always prepped well and the only time we have had issues is on the faster trips like huskies and snowmobiles, all down to the wind getting in - when we did the huskies our kids had their ski helmets on and goggles so this helped a lot - their toes were getting cold after a while but nothing an additional blanket didnt sort out - its all about prep but if its really cold then dont do the faster trips with kids unless you have them really layered up

6. Re: cheaper excursion/activity deals?

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

What are forum guidelines?
© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.