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Recently returned from the Finnish Wilderness Week, staying at Basecamp Oulanka Jan 14-21st 2018 and it was without doubt one of the best holidays I have ever experienced. Firstly the staff, accomodation, facilities and food at Basecamp Oulanka are out of this world (special shout out to our tour leaders Martti and Tiia who were exceptional). The camp is located in the heart of the forest, surrounded by towering trees and a stones throw away from the lake!
The activities included in this tour are also fantastic and truly ‘once in a lifetime’ (the husky sledding being the stand out). Theres a wide range of optional activities too which are reasonably priced and allow you to experience a new adventure every day!
Husky sledding through a pristine forest!
Martti and Tiia were both fantastic, friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating leaders, and both should be extremely proud!
Dont take too many euros in cash as most (not all) of the optional activities are charged to your room (as are any drinks etc purchased from the bar) and the bill is settled at the end.
If you’re looking to get away from it all in unspoilt scenery, try out different winter activities, and generally have an experience you’ll never forget, then book this trip.
The location is beautiful, the staff are great, the food was absolutely delicious, and I didn’t want to leave!
The optional snowshoe hike in Riisitunturi National Park was fantastic. The scenery was something I'd never seen, and everything I wanted to see when I imagined Finnish Wilderness. Also the silence in the forest, and exploring on snowshoes with others, or practicing cross country skiing alone. It's a perfect escape bubble from the rest of the world.
Teddy/Bjorn was great - very laid back with a great sense of humour. All the staff at Basecamp were knowledgeable and really friendly. The whole place has a relaxed and cosy feel.
Just do it! If you like being outdoors, making new friends, and trying out new activities then you'll have a great time. You don't need any experience of the activities, just be willing to have a go. On a practical note: The afternoons are mostly free so you can be as active as you choose to be - either snowshoeing, cross country skiing, using the sauna and hot tub, or just taking a nap! Evenings were spent playing cards or boardgames, chatting, or reading by the fire. Drinks are available from reception - I recommend the cloudberry liqueur, or the peppermint in some hot chocolate! Optional activities can be quite pricey so do allow for that. You pay for everything on your tab at the end of the week. If you're not a downhill skier or boarder then Ruka doesn't have much to do, but I found the day spa and a nice coffee shop. A few others went snowmobiling. Wifi works in the dining room/reception (most of the time) and you can always use 4G in the rooms if you need to. Bring a spare power pack if you like taking photos on your phone. The cold will drain your battery quicker than at home. Basecamp really do provide everything you need to stay warm, and you don't need to pack much at all. Just a few sets of your own baselayers, hat and buff, and then jeans and jumper for the evening.
This trip is a fantastic way of exploring northern Finland. The activities throughout the week keep you physically active so it’s an ideal holiday for people who enjoy that! It’s a beautiful location and the scenery took our breath away on several occasions.
All the activities included are fantastic but our highlight was actually going on our own 10k snow trek with the snow-shoes. There's lots of information at Basecamp provided. The dogsledding included in the Exodus package was another highlight! We also chose the full day of dogsledding but the included option had better scenery.
Bjorn is fab - lots of knowledge and a great sense of humour.
Take a hairdryer if you use one...they have them at Basecamp but you have to keep returning it. Your own base-layers, hat and face buff are useful too. The wifi didn't work at Basecamp but it wasn't a problem for us as we used our 4G.
If you want to run away and have an adventure then this is the ideal escape for anyone looking
to be part of a small group and experience new things. I am not a fan of the snow but there’s not one moment that I would have changed.
Prepare to be challenged, Prepare to Laugh and Prepare to be full of glorious memories.
I paid extra for the Husky Dog sledding optional activity. I feel so blessed to have been able to be part of a fun, small group of people that helped make this day so Magical. The natural beauty of the surroundings felt like you are first people to touch the landscape. This will stay with me forever. We sledged over a lake and it was a pinch my self moment. It was perfectly stunning. If you do this, stop and do a 360 degree look around.The lunch by a open fire that was prepared for kindly by the leader. It tasted great and felt like luxury. The Dogs were well behaved. I didn't expect this day to make me smile as much as it does and it's nearly a year since I visited. The other moment that makes me smile and laugh was tree hugging. A small moment. Fat Biking in Ruka. You hire the bikes and it is a lot of fun!. There was no obvious bike trails in Ruka but that didn't stop the enjoyment and thrill of cycling in the snow.
Julia is an Angel. She is an outstanding group leader. She has a wonderful kindness and sincerity. She fun and attentive. She is serious. If you were to get lost in the Finnish wilderness then you would want her there by your side as she fills you with ease, excitement and wonder. There's nothing that she wouldn't do for a person in her group. Thanks is a small word but I'm not sure it would have been half as much fun with out her help guidance, enthusiasm and support.
I remember going to the travel agents and said that I'm looking for an adventure. I'd always wanted to go to Finland. I said to the travel agent that, if this Finnish wilderness week accepts a non skier than I will pay the deposit instantly. This holiday was booked once the reply came in that it was OK. It was worth the 20 year wait to visit a small part of Finland. There are times when you need to think about all options. This trip isn't one of them. Cease this wonderful moment because it does honestly stay with you and it becomes a travel highlight The only thing that you need is a passport and some spending money. Be open to the optional activities because the only thing that is difficult and challenging is working out how to spend your freed time and then trying to fit it all in.
The trip was recommended to me by previous travel buddies and lived up to all expectations. The scenery is beautiful, the accommodation great and very warm and the equipment provided is superb. Although you try lots of activities there is plenty of time to chill out and you aren’t expected to be up too early so definitely a holiday to recharge the batteries. There is lots of food and always tea, coffee and squash on the table if you are chilling in the lodge.
Many! But seeing the Northern Lights appear above the trees as we did the nighttime snowshoe walk in the forest was totally amazing. I also really loved the dog sledding.
Sonja was brilliant. Very knowledgable, fun and nothing was too much trouble. All the staff at base camp were excellent.
There is lots to do but also plenty of down time so time to chill. The optional activities are expensive but definitely worth choosing some. I have never been skiing so had a shared ski lesson in Ruka which was definitely worth the money. If you don't want to spend too much there are walks and fat bikes too. Make use of the sauna and hot tub and do roll in the snow after jumping out the sauna it's not that bad. Also pack very light you really don't need much for the evenings.
really great week with an interesting and varied group of people. The clean air, beautiful fresh snow, pristine scenery, great home made food and the daily exercise made for a really good healthy break from the stresses of work !
chillin with the group around an open fire and doing the midnight walk in total darkness through the forest !!
Juuli was absolutely fabulous, patient, informative and always smiling. Nothing was too much trouble and she works incredibly hard for very long hours to make sure everyone is fully looked after.
Pack light ! the lodge and accommodation is really warm and cosy so just t-shirts required ! extra base layers are a good idea as you will need to change after most activities, bring some cosy slippers for the lodge especially the evenings so there no wet boots being walked through and if you like a big mug of branded tea then bring our own cup and bags !!
Beautiful Oulanka National Park in March, got to see the Northern Lights and experience the basics of snow shoeing and cross country skiing. The activities were very good and the group leaders. Very remote location with just a few people at the Base Camp. Accommodation very basic which lets down the whole experience unfortunately. No comfy chairs or sofas to relax in after a day of activities. To relax you were either bolt upright at a wooden dining table on a hard wooden chair or laying down in a dark wooden lodge. First time an aeroplane seat looked so inviting at the end of the trip. No fresh fruit all week either. Go for an active break, definitely not for rest and relaxation as the accommodation is too basic in the winter to accomodate this.
Oulanka National Park is beautiful, great snow conditions and forest all around for snow shoeing and cross country skiing. Getting to see the Northern Lights was magical.
Group leader very nice.
As stated above, accommodation very basic. Take fruit with you and some alcohol as average bottle of wine was Eur 27 at the bar and there was no fruit all week. Also no food provided on both plane journeys so grab some food at the airport. Take your own thermal underwear and socks. Also your own hats. Everything else provided. Definitely do the Ruka trip as its a fun place and skiing is very good there.
This was very enjoyable holiday. It didn’t matter that I’d never done any type of skiing, dog sledding or snow mobiling. We were taught how to do each of these activities. See the Northern Lights was a bonus as there is no guarantee.
Seeing the Northern Lights and the dog sledding with huskies. Finishing the week with a campsite fire was a nice way to conclude the holiday.
All the leaders were friendly, accommodating and enthusiastic. This was true of all the staff at basecamp. Juuli was happy to spend time chatting with us and obviously enjoyed her job.
Make the most of the free time. There is quite a lot of free time but you are free to use the snowshoes, cross country skis and sledges whenever you like. You might want to bring a few travel games for the evenings. You really don't need to bring many cold weather clothes. I was provided with good quality inner and outer gloves, a hat, boots, 2 layers of thermals, waterproofs and a head torch. If you want to sleep in the quinzee a sleeping bag and mattress are also provided.
This holiday was a great opener for those who have little or no experience at previous winter sports. I really enjoyed the Husky sledging and snow shoeing was more fun than I anticipated.
Very cosy accommodation and although the food was not in anyway gourmet it was what I expected for a Nordic menu. (Would be nice actually if you could include a cookery lesson as a optional extra)
Would defiantly recommend as a winter holiday if you want to try a bit off everything and once you have had a lesson you can be as active or lazy as you like.
Defiantly the husky sledge, have always wanted to do this.
Teddy (Bjorn) was very informative and consciencious of the needs of the group.
Take lots of books, or games, helps especially during the dark evenings.
A beautiful journey of snow filled landscapes and frozen lakes. Looked after from arrival to departure. Delicious hot food every day and competent friendly and efficient staff
Storytelling in the dark by leader Henri. One seriously creative and skilled guy like a great teacher one never forgets the
Dedicated and hard working to ensure we were all looked after at all times. Incredible knowledge on all levels yet humble and funny. Someone I will never forget and use as an example of goodness and kindness yet strong and inspiring
Go! Experience the challenges and embrace the Finnish culture and hospitality