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...
A wonderful holiday. Well set up in an excellent location. The equipment was top class, and it was particuarly refreshing to be able to decide when and how we used the equipment. Basecamp was comfortable and the staff well organised and lovely.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The husky ride was a great experieance but seeing the Northern lights was quite breathtaking.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader, Hanna, was both very well organised and personable. She made everyone feel most welcome and capable even with the more difficult activities.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring a sense of fun and you won't be disappointed.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Despite the low temperatures and the fact that it snowed none stop for two days, we never felt cold - even though we were outside for most of the day.
Fantastic holiday - so unique and special. I will remember this holiday always as one of the finest I have ever taken! Beautiful location, everything perfectly organized, delicious food, lovely staff, and everyday an extremely fun activity. It was also a perfect balance between organized and free time, so I returend from the trip feeling relaxed yet energized - what I like to call "active rest". In the afternoons you are free to use any of the basecamp equipment and go cross-country skiing across a beautiful frozen lake, or snowshoeing through the snowy forest to a frozen waterfall. And did I mention, delicious food?
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the Aurora Borealis - how many people can see that in a lifetime? And the husky ride. It is a once in a lifetime experience! I highly recommend taking the additional day-long Husky trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Lovely people. I really like how they encouraged us to try everything, but always allowed for people's different activity level. They were fun, extremely kind and knowledgeable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
March is an excellent time to go. There is plenty of sunlight, so you can participate in all the activities, and it is already warm enough (hovering just below a balmy 0 Celsius), so you can enjoy the outside for hours at a time. I also recommend a "snow roll", which basically goes like this: Go in the sauna for 10-15 minutes, and when you are just hot enough, run outside, take a roll in the snow, and return to the sauna! It's a Finnish favorite, and a practice that I thoroughly enjoyed during my visit. I would also recommend bringing 2 - 3 pairs of thermal underwear of your own. Although the basecamp provides everything, it's good to have spares, as you will be active.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I highly recommend this trip! If you need some fresh air, a beautiful landscape, to try unique, fun activities that you've never tried before, and to relax but also get your body moving, then I can think of nothing better than the Finnish Wilderness Week. It was truly a special holiday.
Paul Milburn
FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK
Written
Very enjoyable holiday playing around in the snow. There were lots of activities to do and you could do as little or as much as you liked.
Teemu was excellent. From the very start he wanted us to have fun and not take things too seriously.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Honestly, don't take many clothes with you. I know that the trip notes state this but we took our own cold weather gear anyway because we just didn't know how good the kit supplied would be. But the kit supplied - 3 layers top and bottom plus two pairs of gloves, a hat and boots - were excellent. I would still take your own base layer and socks although they do supply the latter if you don't have them. You can even use the gear (apart from the cross country skis and snow shoes) on other trips too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The additional trips are pretty expensive so be prepared. Everything in Finland (and the other Scandinavian countries) just seems to be a lot more expensive than they would be here.
Sarah Rogers
FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK
Written
A fantastic trip that did exactly what it said on the tin: wilderness, northern Finland a variety of outdoor activities in a setting that seemed more than just a couple of flights away from the big city.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It was all good - even building quinzhees in a wind chill of -25C. Both times with the huskies were great, as was the ice climbing, the hot tub and the endless supply of rye bread at breakfast.
What did you think of your group leader?
Olli was a friendly, sociable and knowledgeable leader who looked after us well. As we were a big group we were also looked after at times by Teemu, Hanna, Sara and pretty much anyone else who was around at Basecamp - all keen on making sure we had as much fun as possible.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Another review I read recommended budgeting around £500 additional expenses which I'd say is about right, particularly if you're planning on doing the full day of husky driving. Booze from the bar wasn't bad value at €21 for a bottle of wine and €3.50 for a shot of whichever dodgy Finnish spirit takes your fancy.
The cold weather kit provided at Basecamp is more than enough for what you need, good boots and endless layers of thermals and waterproofs, you don't need to take anything of your own.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I didn't go on the day out to Ruka as I wasn't ready for the 'bright lights and coffee bars', preferring to stay around camp and do my own bit of cross country. which was a good choice for me.
Other than sitting around the table and chatting there is nothing to do in the evening - although we found the evenings quite short as we normally were too tired to stay up for long - but books and possibly games would be a good thing to take.
A really excellent trip though, I'd thoroughly recommend it - and it was possible to do more or less if the level of activity didn't suit.
Peter Beckett
FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK
Written
Loads of variety, lots to do, could not possibly get bored, scenery stunning (no, this is not anything like Britain in December), just do not expect too much from the Northern Lights.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Harrisuvanto, on the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail - frozen river, suspension bridge setting it all off perfectly, under a foot of snow, all in white, freezing cold, but no-one around. Complete solitude, gorgeous setting and a wonderful sense of peace.
What did you think of your group leader?
Olli was good - he knew his stuff and did all he could to make sure the activities went as smoothly as possible. Did not spend that much time getting to know us all, other than the usual "how did your day go" type stuff. However, always there when you needed him.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Manage your expectations re Northern Lights. When we went, all the activity was way too low down on the horizon to realy see anything, which was our only disappointment. Clothes provided really are well provided for and plentiful. All in good nick as well. Take your own base layers, and if you have some special socks you like wearing in cold weather, take those as well. However, you really can pack light.
Simon Ashwood
FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK
Written
A fantastic holiday. We had never been on an Exodus (or group) holiday before and its something I would heartily recommend. Base Camp Oulanka was a great place and the whole holiday was a wonderful experience, never a dull moment from snow shoe walking, cross country skiing, husky sleding to evenings chatting with the rest of our group.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The main reason for booking the holiday was to see the Northern Nights and we did. The first night we arrived there they were in all their glory - well at least in glory enough not to be disappointed. Husky sleding was also amazing. Having your own team of 6 dogs pulling you through a winter wonderland is quite something.
What did you think of your group leader?
As we were a party of 20 we were split into tow groups for the activities. Our group was led by Eki and the other by Teemu who also played host to the whole group. Both of them were great, cannot praise them highly enough. The same goes for all the staff at Base Camp.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Believe it when they say you do not need to bring any warm clothes. They really do provide everything. All you need are your clothes to travel in and a few changes for the evening.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There could be a more comfortable area for guests to sit and while a way the evenings - some sofas and comfortable chairs. Eki did tell us that they have plans to convert what is the clothing store into such a place which if that happens would be a real bonus.
A wonderful week of new activities in a fantastic winter environment. I chose this holiday because I wanted to see the Northern Lights but not to be disappointed if I didn't - it worked (sort of): we did see the aurora, and it was rubbish(!), but the week was so good that I didn't return disappointed. I'd do it all again.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Dog-sledding. Especially the sudden change from frenetic, howling excitement when stationary (the dogs, not me) to the calm serenity of silently sliding through unspoilt snow-covered wilderness. So good, most of us signed up for an extra whole day.
What did you think of your group leader?
Olli was great (although so were all the other Basecamp staff). He must take so many groups through the same week's routine each season, and yet at no point did we not feel special.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Basecamp provides all of the gear you'll need, although your own set of inner thermals may be a useful addition. A bottle of scotch was good for the hot-tub and for flambeing pancakes outside on the last night.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the snow-mobiling from Ruka, I wasn't convinced that it, or a day in an urban ski-resort setting, was entirely in keeping with the rest of the week. You may prefer to arrange a private expedition around Basecamp to stick to the wilderness feel of the trip.
from 86 reviews.
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