Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on 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.

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on 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.

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on 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.

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. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teemu was excellent.  From the very start he wanted us to have fun and not take things too seriously.

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

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.

Thoughts on 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.

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

The husky ride was a great experieance but seeing the Northern lights was quite breathtaking.

Thoughts on 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.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a sense of fun and you won't be disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many inspirational moments, but the Northern Lights topped them all.  We had two hours (2!!!) of Northern Lights on the second night at the camp.  Staff at Basecamp don't remember the last time that it lasted that long and were that bright, so I guess we have been incredibly lucky.  I will never forget 7 circles of Aurora Borealis shining and dancing in the sky with reflections of green, blue and white watched from the middle of the frozen lake.  Absolutely memorable and I am so thankful for Exodus and Basecamp Oulanka to facilitate this experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guides were fantastic and so the entire staff at Basecamp Oulanka.  Our guide Hanna was a natural Winter Elf, expert in anything from teaching you how to walk for the first time on snow shoes or cross country (and how to get up) to play snow frisbey in deep snow, funfilled with a very good sense of humour.  She knew everything of the area and going along her weekly plan was as easy as a breathe of fresh air.  However I have good words for the all staff at Basecamp: they are truly an amazing group of young men and women and I will always remember them for as long as I live.  Leaving Basecamp has been really hard and missing all of that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!  What are you waiting for?!  This week is absolutely a must do, you will never forget it.  Just follow the instructions that come from Exodus, go with the flow, embrace the experiences and you will have the time of your life.

Most Inspirational Moment

My husband and me tunnelling into opposite ends of the quinsi and meeting in the middle both covered in snow but still grinning.  The Huskies on the dog sledding trip leaping up and down in their sheer enthusiasm.  Snow that stays glisteningly white and doesn’t fall off trees.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ollie was great.  Well organised, always willing to help and answer questions.  Always taking us into deep snow which is much more fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

They really do provide you with enough gear apart from a neck scarf.  Don't be lulled by the cosy dining room, always take warm stuff with you in case there is a Northern Lights call because once you go out and look you daren't go back for warm clothing in case you miss them.  Careful not to slip on the ice when climbing out of the hot tub (it was my only injury of the week).  The hot chocolate isn't free.  You don't need much cash at all - you can put everything on a tab at the basecamp and pay by card at the end of the week.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many moments where I stood back and thought 'Wow, life can't get much better than this'.  But one of these moments that I will never forget was during the full day husky trip.  After a couple of kilometres my team of huskies settled into a steady pace (I didnt have to hold on so tight at this point!!), I took a look at the breath taking scenary, breathed in the fresh air (was minus 32 that day!) and thought 'I am truely the luckiest person alive!'.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader(s) I had (Hannah and Ollie) were AMAZING.  Absolutely second to none.  I cannot fault them in anyway.  They worked so incredibly hard, yet made it all look so easy - and constantly made me feel like I was part of their family!  I cannot credit them enough - if there were an award, it should, without a shadow of doubt be awarded to them.  They helped make my adventure truely amazing - I will never forget them or all the new skills they have taught me!

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be to take plenty of layers.  The kit provided wasnt warm enough for me, but I took my own gear anyway - so was fine.  I advise 2 pairs of gloves at all times, wool socks (2 pairs at a time) and those hand warmers that you shake and keep your fingers warm for up to 10 hours.  They were worth their weight in gold, because it could get extremely chilly over there during some of the activities.

Most Inspirational Moment

 I loved it all but personal thrills were ski-ing for the first time on fresh snow and spending a day on snowmobiles going up to a spectacular viewpoint and homely cafe enroute.After a day of wilderness skills and the creation of a cosy igloo we ate and cooked pancakes over a fire in the forest - perfect!  Not forgetting that roll in the snow after the sauna and hot tub....

Thoughts on Group Leader

No Exodus leader for this trip. The local guides were exceptional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your own thermal underwear and socks and something to cover your face and neck. Also you might find a large towel useful. Games for the evenings are good too. The only seating is around tables on hard dining chairs.