Finnish Wilderness Holiday - Winter Activities: X-Country Skiing, Dogsledding, Snowshoeing And More

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 86 reviews.

Steven Headon

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written February 2012
Wow what a week, we had a fantastic time, Eki was an excellent guide, the food was great, scenery stunning and the activities were brilliant. Only downside was no Northern Lights but still a great week to remember and the weather can't be helped.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The trip highlights were the snowshoe trip to Castle Rocks and Dog Sledding.
What did you think of your group leader?
Eki was a great group leader and made the week go very smoothly and we always felt informed as where we needed to be and when.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take your own baselayers, hat and gloves - essential to keep warm. Be ready for an active week!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The equipment provided was excellent so other than your own baselayers and evening clothes there is very little travellers need to take with them.
Frankie McAllister

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written January 2012
A great week in a beautiful place and a great opportuity to have a go at a number of different new activities, snow-shoeing, cross-country, husky sledding, ice climbing etc.etc.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I think just the scenery - I was worried about the short days and low light but it was actually quite magical. Soft snowy hazy days, everything coated in a thick layer of super soft powdery snow and sparkling ice
What did you think of your group leader?
Eki was a great group leader - very cool, assured and capable. He looked after everyone in a very easy-going way, he knows everything about the area and dealt with a large group seemingly effortlessly.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Rest assured that all the equipment and absolutely everything but your thermal underwear can genuinely be provided there so don't bother loading up your bags with stuff that you can borrow there (and certainly don't bother buying anything specially). Stuff for evenings and travelling is really all you need. If you're keen on photography, a good camera and tripod are recommended to make the most of the beautiful light. Oh, and bring lots of heavy-duty moisturiser (yes, both girls and boys) as being outdoors all day in that weather is tough on your skin.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Have a go at everything, be prepared to spend a bit of extra money on the additional activities, and enjoy. The food is great, rooms comfortable and the location, just fantastic.
Becky Good

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written January 2012
I booked this trip as I would be celebrating a special birthday whilst away. I wanted to go somewhere that I would always remember. I can honestly say that this trip did not disappoint, it far exceeded any expectations. Oulanka National Park was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and in the snow it was truly magical. I enjoyed every moment I was there. The trip was well organised and the staff were brilliant. I would highly recommend a visit to Oulanka in the winter or summer.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Snowshoeing to Castle Rocks on my birthday. Just amazing and unforgettable.
What did you think of your group leader?
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and obviously loved the environment in which he was lucky enough to work and wanted to share that with the people visiting. The perfect host.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take the time to go out and explore on your own and experience the quiet forests.
Gary Bourne

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written January 2012
Without doubt 1 of the best holidays I've been on, the activities, the accommodation, the surroundings and the instructors and food where first class
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Everything was so good it's hard to pick, but husky sledding through the national park was truly spectacular, the scenery the silence and the dogs were brilliant, something I will never forget
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader henri was brilliant, he had a wealth of knowledge on all activities, was a great instructor, and so informative about the area and it's environment, very sociable great to be around, a great friend.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you like outdoor winter activities DO THIS!! You will have a truely awesome time
Is there anything else you would like to add?
In your free time pop along to ruka if you like snowboarding or skiing, excellent resort and excellent runs for all from beginners to pros, and hardly any1 on the runs, brilliant. All in all this holiday far exceeded my expectations in all ways, i genuinely thoroughly enjoyed this holiday and highly recommend it :)
Tracy Buckland

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written January 2012
A totally incredible experience that will stay with me for a long long time. One of the best holidays i have EVER had! Oulanka is a magical place that will change the way you think and feel about life!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many moments i will never forget.....Snoe shoeing, forest frisbee in snow shoes for the first time, tree hugging!, Husky sledging through wilderness that can only be described as indescribable, and coming off head first into a snow filled ditch, ice climbing, cross country skiing and learning to go uphill on skis, snowmobiling and hitting 95kpm accross a frozen lake, The ice bar in Ruka, sledging, tobogganing, kick sledge races, downhill skiing lessons, walking the little bear trail without getting lost, rolling in the snow in nothing but a swimsuit, building an igloo and nearly staying the whole night! Watching an amazing arctic sunset at 2 in the afternoon, and..... the icing on the cake.....Nearly 2 hours of The Aurora Borealis on the flight home...SPECTACULAR!
What did you think of your group leader?
Henri was amazing, so friendly and knowledgable. Henri and Hanna made the trip, and basecamp became a place that i never wanted to leave (except to have more fun of course)!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
BOOK IT NOW!
There isnt anything about this trip that i would change or complain about...it was PERFECT!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a trip of a lifetime and should not be missed by anyone who has a spirit of adventure, a love of the great outdoors and doesnt mind the cold!
Natasha Perryman

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written January 2012
The best holiday I have ever been on! The trip was perfectly organised from start to "Finnish", Basecamp Oulanka is a wonderful place to stay, our leaders at Basecamp were super, and we had a great group of Exodus travellers.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved the husky sledding, it was a great experience. The owners of the husky farm, Marika and Lauri without a doubt love their dogs and look after them so well. The trip out through the wilderness was fantastic, all you could hear was the dogs panting and the "pad pad pad" of the dogs feet on the deep snow. The scenery was beautiful, so much so that I had to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure I really was there - it felt like being in a David Attenborough programme!
What did you think of your group leader?
Henri and Hanna were both superb - great leaders, always happy to help out with questions, extra clothing, advice on activities. They both have a great sense of humour and did everything they could to make us all feel at home.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take your own base layers (I used merino wool and didn't have to change them all week - it's miracle stuff!). When you go out for the husky sled it might be a good idea to take a slightly warmer jacket as you will not be moving around as much as during the other activities.
It is very quiet at Oulanka Basecamp - no TV, no music, no wireless, no internet, which I think is great as it is billed as a get-away holiday and that's exactly what it is - perfect!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was just wonderful! I loved it so much at Oulanka that I didn't want to come home.
Exodus, if there might be an option to extend by a few days to make a 10 day trip I think that might be even better than five stars!
Elaine Weldon

FINNISH WINTER ACTIVITIES

Written January 2012
This was simply one of the most magical and memorable holidays I have been on! Every element from the guides/leaders, the lessons, the food, the scenery, accommodation and the activities was superb - I could fault nothing and hope to return in the future. I really didn't want to come home!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Basecamp Oulanka was so beautiful and as such, this provided a setting which made each of the activities inspirational. The snowshoeing allowed us to reach so many unspoilt parts, the cross country skiing was exhilarating and the husky sledding in the park was simply incredible! The area is so peaceful, the air is probably the cleanest I have breathed and the food was glorious so that I felt refreshed, relaxed and revived when I returned and many colleagues commented on how well I appeared. This felt like a week of playtime and I haven't thrown myself around in the snow so much since I was a child.
What did you think of your group leader?
Henry and Hanna were incredible. They were generous with their time, their patience knew no bounds, their knowledge of their environment and the skills they taught were admirable and their sense of humour and kindnesses made the holiday particularly special. I could not thank them enough for what they did for us.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just go. Book it now if you can, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you so much for such a memorable experience. I have raved about this holiday to anyone who'd listen and so many friends and colleagues have said they would like to go and I cannot encourage people enough to go for it.

And exodus, yet again you have cracked it with picking the location, the employees, the organization. I would not book a winter holiday with anyone else. I'm trying the Tatras this year and cannot wait....