Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Fly to Kuusamo; transfer to Basecamp Oulanka (approx. 45mins). Fly from Gatwick to Kuusamo, transfer to Basecamp Oulanka (approx 45 mins). Lunch is included for clients booked on the group flights for departures from Dec. 15th to Feb. 16th (included) due to a lunchtime arrival inbound flight. Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Snowshoe hike in Oulanka National park walking through snow-caked trees and the Kitka River In the morning we are provided with all of the equipment needed for a week of activities in arctic conditions. Strapping on a pair of snowshoes we head straight out into Oulanka National Park where we are taught the necessary skills for this activity. Our route today will take us through forests and along the Kitka River, passing an old flour mill that sits adjacent to the dramatic Myllykoski rapids (approx 2½ hours). After lunch, there will be a chance to do some further exploration on snowshoes (self-guided) of the surrounding area or relax in the sauna or hot tub. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Cross-country skiing in the morning heading down to the Juuma lake; free afternoon. Today we experience the Scandinavian-born sport of cross-country skiing. Heading down to the nearby JuumaLake, our instructor will literally walk us through the basics of how to cross-country ski. There may be a few tumbles to start with, but in the soft snow, this is half the fun! After becoming more confident on the skis we then head out onto the lake, gliding through the untouched snow. During your stay at Basecamp, there is the option of further unguided skiing in the area during your free time. Alternatively, you might wish to try kick sledging; a metal frame sled you can use on your own and venture out around Basecamp. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 Half day dogsledding instruction and tour (about 10km) in Riisitunturi National Park; optional ice climbing. After breakfast, we take a bus transfer to the husky farm on the edge of the Riisintunturi National Park where we meet up with our dogsledding guide. The day begins with tuition on how to ride on the sled and the importance of caring for the huskies correctly. We then head off into the woods where our teams of dogs eagerly await our arrival, ready to take us on our 10km mushing adventure. Our route follows a gently undulating forested trail into the wilderness. Travelling two per sled, you are able to really appreciate the serenity of this snow-laden landscape. Today we will have lunch at the husky farm. The afternoon is free to experience some of the optional activities that Basecamp has to offer such as ice climbing (min 4 persons). This evening we head out for nighttime snowshoeing, in search of the Northern Lights. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Morning visit reindeer farm and museum with a ride on a reindeer sleigh; free afternoon in Ruka for optional activities. We spend the day at the popular ski resort of Ruka. Your guide will take care of transfers and can book activities for you. Group transfers are included only to the designated areas and are scheduled at specific times, it is advisable to check at reception before making your activities booking. Downhill skiing and snowmobile safaris are available. See the 'Optional excursions' section below. Please note that due to operational reasons, the bookings for activities in Ruka need to be made by Tuesday. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 6 Wilderness skills including quinzee building and fire-making; optional night in the quinzee. Today we are taught the ancient art of quinzee building. Provided shovels and spades and in groups of four, we create a mound of snow, which is later hollowed out to make sleeping quarters (2-3 persons per quinzee). You have the option of sleeping in your construction, but the lodge is just a short walk away if you prefer the warmth of your room. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Optional activities including ice climbing and dogsledding; dinner around a campfire. Today we have a free day with several options on offer to make the most of the magical Finland Wilderness. Some of the activities available include unguided cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, dogsledding or snowmobile safaris. As a farewell celebration, we have the option of eating dinner around a campfire on the edge of the National Park. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 8 End Basecamp Oulanka. The trip ends at Basecamp Oulanka. Those on the group flight transfer to Kuusamo and fly to London. Meals included: Breakfast
Finland No visa required for UK passport holders visiting Finland. For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Basecamp Oulanka Basecamp Oulanka is a superb self-sustaining wooden complex that takes immediate inspiration from its wilderness location. Twin rooms are in two separate buildings. The third building is a cosy restaurant and bar, with a log fire, sauna, and outdoor hot tub. The heating system used throughout the complex relies totally on nature using special wood pellets for fuel. Winners for outstanding accommodation in the VESTAS 2011 awards is proof of Basecamp's dedication towards quality. Please be aware that multiple Exodus trips are running at Basecamp at the same time and you might share the room with a member of a different group. Please note that there are Exodus family groups at Basecamp during the school holidays.
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Reviewed November 2019 Alice Nimmo Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week What a week! Highly recommended and couldn't stress how much effort the guides put in on making you feel welcome to this amazing country and how supportive they were in making the trip perfect for each individual. Head guide Elina is a fantastic overall lovely person. The food was to die for (all traditional Finnish), don't be expecting burgers unless it's an Elk one! The drink was expensive, but I had budgeted for this prior to the trip as I knew this would be the case. It's good idea to purchase alcohol at a UK airport or lack some in your case before hand. All of the activities were perfect to gain a taster of each, and once equipped with your gear, you were free to use them as you please in your free time. I took a hike up a local hill on our free day, using the snowshoes provided, Elina showed me a map in which I took with me, and an easy to follow, well marked trail. What a fabulous day to get a view of the Russian border from the top. The owners of the Huskies were so caring and knew a of the dogs inside out, what a lovely life they lead and the dogs really enjoy their work, this is obvious when you meet them, due to the excitement and noise they make when they know they're going on a trip. The reindeer are well looked after, and the herdsmen explained that they are trained to pull the sleighs in the winter when they are brought back to the farm, but released again to roam during the summer months. I can't tell you enough how much I love this country, the lovely people and how close they are to nature. If your after a really laid back holiday and an escaped from the rush of day to day life, this is for you! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The way of life the Finnish lead is to die for, they really are the most lovely people with an amazing connection to nature and their wildlife What did you think of your group leader? The group leader Elina couldn't have been any better, she couldn't have tried to please everyone anymore if she tried Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't expect restaurant quality food, expect a more rustic and traditional Finnish cuisine such as reindeer, elk and fish Is there anything else you would like to add? Worth every penny
Reviewed July 2019 Paul Viollis Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week Fantastic Finland For me its was a amazing trip. Although my staying arrangements was not that good as expected but other things made my trip awesome. I enjoyed range of outdoor activities such as snowshoeing,downhill skiing and dog sledding. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Riisitunturi National Park
Reviewed May 2019 Pamela Marshall Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week Finnish Wilderness Week Hi - as a single female traveller over 60 years of age I really enjoyed this holiday. Accommodation was quite basic, but this was too be expected and food showed much creativity but the company was enjoyable and activities varied and very interesting. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? My favourite activity was the husky sledge rides and seeing all the dogs in their natural surrounding. What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader was great - she couldn't do enough for us. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Just be wary of your own capabilities. On my free day off I chose to do a 6KM hike with a younger and fitter member of the group ; I think I would have been okay had we not cover the distance up to the highest point of the resort in 2 hours - however I've since suffered a repetitive calf injury and am still suffering 5 weeks later. Great views though and wouldn't have missed the trip! Is there anything else you would like to add? If booking this holiday think about the weather - winter months means cold weather, shorter days and a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights. April is early spring, the snows are melting, lighter, longer days but probably no Northern lights.
Reviewed May 2019 Jo Grant Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week Fantastic Fun in Finland We had the most amazing week at the logging lodge with Elina. What a huge variety of activities to try out. Our 16 and 18 year old daughters loved it too, particularly the dog sledding day and the downhill skiing in Ruka. Cooking pancakes and sausages over a fire was also a highlight. Elina was knowledgable, friendly and inclusive. Would really recommend to families with a sense of adventure. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Dig sledding What did you think of your group leader? Fantastic! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Try everything. Take your sense of adventure. All equipment provided was more than adequate.,
Reviewed May 2019 Jo Grant Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week Fantastic Fun in Finland We had the most amazing week at the logging lodge with Elina. What a huge variety of activities to try out. Our 16 and 18 year old daughters loved it too, particularly the dog sledding day and the downhill skiing in Ruka. Cooking pancakes and sausages over a fire was also a highlight. Elina was knowledgable, friendly and inclusive. Would really recommend to families with a sense of adventure. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Dig sledding What did you think of your group leader? Fantastic! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Try everything. Take your sense of adventure. All equipment provided was more than adequate.,
Reviewed May 2019 Alice Nimmo Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week Finnish Wilderness Week 14th-28th I really enjoyed the trip and it was Greta to see the transition from winter to spring as we were the last trip of the season. The most enjoyable part was the husky ride, so much I went twice. But also, Elina and Ismo really took care to make sure we enjoyed Finnish traditions, and we cooked pancakes and bread on an open fire as well as quinzee building and first aid in the wildness. I would definitely recommend this trip of you want a jam packed holiday and to tick off a few things from your bucket list. The guides are fantastic and you really feel a sense of being in the wilderness, especially of you are staying in the loggers lodge What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Do selling and baking bread on the fire What did you think of your group leader? Elina was fantastic, so friendly and knowledgeable, she loves the first and nature and is so open minded. Ismo who helped her was also fantastic and he had a lot of knowledge about Finnish traditions and nature Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't expect 5 star accomodation as one of the people did when I went, she was shocked, bit I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting mountain hut standard Is there anything else you would like to add? The food was spectacular and it was fantastic to experience delicious traditional Finnish food and drink
Reviewed April 2019 Matthew Handford Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week Finnish Wilderness Week I loved this trip. It was a chance to head to the frozen north (Finland/Lapland) in April and take part in a range of outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, x country skiing, downhill skiing and dog sledding. It was also great to go out in the wilderness and have a chance to see wildlife and perhaps the Northern Lights. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? What was special was a combination of things - a social group, feeling I could at least begin to get the hang of activities such as skiing and dogsledding, generally travelling around the Oulanka National Park area by road whilst seeing all of it covered in snow and getting to meet the huskies and reindeer. I also had the chance to take off on my own in the afternoon into the wilderness which gave me a sense of exploration! What did you think of your group leader? Elina is a very good leader and had us clearly organised everyday. She took us out snowshoeing and showed us cross country skiing. Else kept us well fed from the kitchen and took us out on a night walk with the snowshoes. Both have a lot of local knowledge and were very social, as part of the group. Elina also organised us with the most outdoor kit I have ever been given on a trip! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is a week where there is a lot of choice as to what one can do. Hence, perhaps, it helps to have some preconceived ideas as to what one would like to experience from the week. Is there anything else you would like to add? This is a rare trip in that I would really like to do it again. There is always the argument that there are too many places in the world to visit and hence it is not worth returning to the same one. However, this trip takes place in different locations in the National Park and it is possible to do different activities over the course of the week.
Reviewed February 2019 Steven Toon Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week Wonderful wilderness week My friends suggested this trip to me and although it sounded amazing I was a little cautious but went for it and I am so glad I did! The whole trip is just one fantastic experience after another. The weather was incdredible especially the -32 that warmed up to only -7! The scenery is stunning without exception and thats just the start. Ignore the neigh sayers about the accomodation and food. The chalets are lovely, cosy, comfortable and very warm. It's so serene in the morning its wonderful, I woke up to that amazing woodland view, peace and quiet and the occasional squirrel coming for food. The food is great and plentiful and filling just with a big grpup like ours (32 people) you sometimes have to queue to get it. Try not to be too British expecting a hot cup of tea each morning. I took my own kettle and onlu used it twice. The kit is great and does the job perfectly and the room floor dries things out very well. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Too many to name just one but the husky experience is unforgettable. Being driven by those beautiful dogs across the amazing landscape under an epic clear blue sky was just jaw dropping especially when they turn around and look at you if you dare apply the brake to slow them down. Actually getting to see the northern lights was truly memorable. Standing on that frozen lake in the middle of the night just watching the display in awe inspiring. What did you think of your group leader? Elina was wonderful. She explained everything well and really encouraged you to want to try that bit harder to get the hang of things. She mixed with us and seemed to really enjoy her time with us as much as we did with her. Special mention to Andrea who came to Riisilntunturi National Park with us. It was her day off and she had never been so came as back stop guide and was lumbered with the daft set messing about, she laughed so much I hope she enjoyyed it. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Throw yourself into it, and you really should give the sleeping out in the quinzee a try its crazy but fun. As with other advice you don't need much so dont overpack. If you wear glasses and want to keep your face warm, try to find something tight fitting over your nose becasue as you breath the moisture in your breath feezes on your lenses. If you like a drink perhaps pick up a bottle or two up before you get there it is quite expensive at the camp. Is there anything else you would like to add? Go and enjoy it, we went as 3 friends but made great ones when we got there, we even had people wishing they were in our group we had that much fun. Falling over is fantastic, getting back up again is hilarious!
Reviewed February 2019 Iain Maclean Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week A real doze of Fresh Air ! What a great week, despite the unusual cold for late January (reaching below -30), the still fresh air was envigorating. Great mix of activities, in a stunning landscape, especially under the sun with its relative low point in the sky. And to top it off, we saw the aurora, never guaranteed, but on a clear night, a genuinely spectacular show of colour. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Really enjoyed the dog-sledding, a 10km spin through the forests and over the lakes. Even on a cloudy day, spectacular scenery, under deep powder snow, with hot soup in a teepee around a roaring fire to finish (ahem) it off, hosted by Lauri, whose sharp wit had us all at ease and in great humour. And of course, seeing the aurora, never guaranteed, but on a clear night, a genuinely spectacular show of colour. What did you think of your group leader? The team were first rate, whether out on activities or at base camp in the kitchen, helpful, friendly and informative. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Except for skin layer thermals, all the winter gear is provided, from hats to socks and base, mid and outer layers, and worked for us even in temperatures just under -30, so no need to overpack, though hand and foot warmers might be welcome ! And sensible to have some shampoo with you too. Accommodation is as you would expect for base camp, simple and functional, with underfloor heating and plenty hot water. The communal area is large, and on really cold nights (there that means below -30) a warm jumper or fleece is needed despite the roaring fire. If you don't fancy the free day, the Little Bear snow trail (12km/5hrs) is very worthwhile. Is there anything else you would like to add? Thursday was the least satisfying day for us. The reindeer trip was interesting, but the one short circuit we did on the sleigh was well short of the fun we had had with the dogs the day before. And Ruka, while an impressive winter resort, was such a contrast to the wilderness feel at Base Camp we so enjoyed. We hiked the Little Bear on Friday, it was a great day out, it would be a good addition/alternative to the programme if it could be fitted in, but it is a full 5hr outing ...
Reviewed February 2019 Jo Luckhurst Trip: Finnish Wilderness Week Magical week in a snowy wonderland Thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic week at base camp. Scenery is absolutely stunning and activities are varied and fun. At the end of January/ early Feb there was plenty of daylight to make the most of everything on offer. There are superb snowshoe walks right from the front door, the little bear trail in particular. Accommodation is comfortable with plentiful tasty food and good variety. All staff work hard to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. Although the clothes provided are perfectly acceptable, if you already own your own cold weather gear ( ski jacket / fleeces) you can wear these too. Lucky to share our holiday with a friendly bunch of fellow travellers who helped make it extra memorable. We would highly recommend this holiday to anyone thinking of going. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Difficult to say - so many but the scenery and tranquility was splendid. What did you think of your group leader? All base camp staff were friendly and helpful. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you live near Birmingham airport do enquire about the Birmingham flight (we found out about it after we arrived) Take plenty of warm woolen socks, not necessarily all thick ones you will probably need to wear 2 or 3 pairs at a time. If you like downhill skiing the slopes in Ruka looked very quiet. Is there anything else you would like to add? As others have said before if you are thinking of booking this trip then do......you will not regret it.
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