8 days tour

Finnish Wilderness Week

Finnish Wilderness Week

This tour includes:

Guide

Local tour leaders throughout

Others

All specialist equipment 5 days mixed activities All Arctic winter equipment and clothing provided

Transport

A minibus is used for transfers.

Accommodation

Overlooking Lake Juuma and the national park after which it was named, Basecamp Oulanka is our welcoming home in the remote Finnish wilderness. The magical complex comprises a series of wooden structures: the twin rooms are split across two separate buildings, while a third building houses a restaurant and bar with a log fire, plus a sauna and outdoor hot tub. Built in 1998 with sustainability in mind, the complex is heated using special wood pellets for fuel. It is also a member of The Long Run Foundation, which comes with a commitment to building a โ€˜sustainable future through a balance of conservation, community, culture and commerceโ€™. Worth knowing Multiple Exodus trips run at Basecamp Oulanka concurrently and you might share the room with a member of a different group. There are Exodus family groups at Basecamp during school holidays

Meals

All breakfasts, five lunches and seven evening meals are included. The food at Basecamp is a delicious range of locally sourced (Finnish food) prepared by the in-house chef. Starters consist of a salad buffet with three to four different choices. The main courses consist of wild game such as elk, chicken and salmon. Vegetarian options are also available. Dessert consists of lingonberries, blueberries and cloudberries, which have often been picked by the chefs. These berries are served with a selection of quark kurd, cream, ice cream, cakes and pancakes. Lunch is normally a hot soup with elk, salmon or a vegetarian option. If you have any dietary requirements (including the ones mentioned below), please inform your customer operations executive at the time of booking, so Basecamp can prepare for this. Vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diets are easily catered for on this trip.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

Flights not included.

Others

โ€” Travel Insurance โ€” Single accommodation (available on request) โ€” Visas or vaccinations

Insurance

Insurance not included.

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Finnish Wilderness Week

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start Basecamp Oulanka (Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start Basecamp Oulanka (Dinner)

      Our trip starts at Basecamp Oulanka, a complex of cosy wooden buildings in a remote, unspoiled location overlooking Juuma Lake and backing into Oulanka National Park. There will be a welcome briefing this evening, in which you can meet the group and ask any questions you might have.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Snowshoe Hike In Oulanka National Park Walking Through Snow-Caked Trees And By The Kitka River (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Snowshoe Hike In Oulanka National Park Walking Through Snow-Caked Trees And By The Kitka River (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      In the morning, we are provided with all the equipment needed for a week of activities in Arctic conditions. Strapping on a pair of snowshoes, we head straight into Oulanka National Park where we are taught the necessary skills for this activity. Our route (approximately 2hr 30min) takes us through forests and along the Kitka River, passing an old flour mill adjacent to the dramatic Myllykoski rapids. After lunch, we can do some further exploration on snowshoes (self-guided) of the surrounding area or relax in the sauna or hot tub.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Cross-Country Skiing In The Morning Heading Down To Juuma Lake; Free Afternoon (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Cross-Country Skiing In The Morning Heading Down To Juuma Lake; Free Afternoon (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today we experience the Scandinavian-born sport of cross-country skiing. By the lake, our instructor will literally walk us through the basics. There may be a few tumbles to begin, but this is half the fun in the soft snow. After becoming more confident, we head 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.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Dogsledding Instruction And Tour In Riisitunturi National Park; Evening Northern Lights Snowshoe Excursion (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Dogsledding Instruction And Tour In Riisitunturi National Park; Evening Northern Lights Snowshoe Excursion (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      After breakfast, we take a bus transfer to a husky farm on the edge of Riisitunturi National Park, where we meet our dogsledding guide. The day begins with learning how to ride the sled and the importance of caring for the huskies correctly. We then head into the woods where our dog teams are ready to take us on our 6mi (10km) mushing adventure. Our route follows a gently undulating forest trail into the wilderness. Travelling two per sled, you can really appreciate the serenity of this snow-laden landscape. We have lunch at the husky farm and the afternoon is free to experience some of the optional activities Basecamp has to offer. This evening, we head out for nighttime snowshoeing, in search of the Northern Lights.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Free Day In Ruka For Optional Activities (Breakfast,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Free Day In Ruka For Optional Activities (Breakfast,Dinner)

      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 โ€™Optional excursionsโ€™ for more. Due to operational reasons, the bookings for activities in Ruka need to be made by Tuesday.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Wilderness Skills Including Quinzee Building And Fire-Making; Optional Night In The Quinzee (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Wilderness Skills Including Quinzee Building And Fire-Making; Optional Night In The Quinzee (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today we are taught the ancient art of quinzee building. Provided shovels and spades, we create a mound of snow, which is later hollowed out to make sleeping quarters (two to three 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.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Optional Activities Including Cross-Country Skiing And Dogsledding; Farewell Dinner (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Optional Activities Including Cross-Country Skiing And Dogsledding; Farewell Dinner (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today we have a free day with several options to make the most of the magical wilderness of Finland. Available activities include unguided cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, dogsledding or snowmobile safaris. As a farewell celebration, we have a wonderful four-course dinner back at Basecamp.

  • Day 8 Day 8: End Basecamp Oulanka (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: End Basecamp Oulanka (Breakfast)

      The trip ends after breakfast and we begin our return journey home.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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