Finland Winter Wilderness
Friday 02 December 2022 - Friday 09 December 2022
(7 nights)
From £2,231.00
Listed by Spice Escapes
Finland Winter Wilderness
With a beautiful base in Oulanka National Park, this trip lets you take in the wintry beauty of Finland through a range of activities. Stay in an award-winning self-sustained wooden complex overlooking the lake and be surrounded by nature as jays and eagles soar overhead and bears roam nearby. Try something new each day - whether it’s husky sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or simply unwinding in the sauna.
Includes
- International flights
- Accommodation on twin share basis at all hotels
- Meals as detailed in itinerary (one night vegan food, vegetarian daily - otherwise elk, reindeer, salmon, chicken)
- Transport
- English-speaking tour leader
- Equipment and clothing as detailed in packing list
Extras
- Drinks
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary e.g. snowscooter, ice karting, river floating, full day husky, making own shaman drum, FAT bikes, Little Bear Trail
Perfect for anyone looking to escape the crowds and get back to nature, Finland is home to some of the most sparsely populated areas of Europe. The snowy landscapes are magical, and you will feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairytale winter wonderland. The crisp climate and magnificent scenery make for an array of exhilarating adventures, from snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to dog sledding and building your own ‘quinzee’ to sleep in. When you’re not walking through snowy landscapes or getting to know the local reindeer, the sustainable lodge offers a relaxing retreat, complete with a sauna and cosy fire to sit by each evening after a sumptuous three-course dinner.
Location & Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Kuusamo and transfer to Basecamp Oulanka.
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your cosy sustainable lodge in the heart of the Oulanka National Park, overlooking the tranquil Juuma Lake. The property is a ‘positive footprint destination’ and embraces sustainable technology in every way possible, from the biomass-run heating to the hot tub which is run on excess heat from the sauna. All the food for the restaurant is sourced nearby, and tonight you will sit down to a delicious three-course meal involving elk, salmon or locally grown vegetables, washed down with a glass of wine.
Seven nights lodge accommodation. Meals included: Dinner
Day 2. Snowshoe hike in Oulanka National Park, walking through forests and along the Kitka River.
In the morning, get kitted out with all the necessary equipment for your first day in Finland, from insulated boots to woolly mittens and hats, plus a pair of snowshoes to make walking through the snowy forests less tiring and more fun. After a briefing, head out into the wilderness with your expert guide, trudging through the stunning forest and river landscapes of the national parks. The national park is home to some of the only Siberian flora and fauna in the EU, including Siberian jays, golden eagles, black grouses, bears and wolves. Walk past a historic flour mill then head back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, relax in the sauna or hot tub, or strap your snowshoes back on for further exploration of your magical surroundings.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3. Cross-country skiing in the morning to reach Juuma lake. Afternoon free.
After a night in your cosy lodge, arise for breakfast then head down to the lake where you will have a full briefing from your guide, setting you up for an exhilarating morning of cross-country skiing. Once you’ve learnt the ropes, start your journey through the forest and glide across the pristine lake on untouched snow. In the afternoon, curl up with a good book by the fire, dip your toes in the hot tub or venture out for more activities of your choice.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4. Half day dog sledding in Riisitunturi National Park. Afternoon free.
In the morning, take the bus to a local husky farm, situated in Riisintunturi National Park. Upon arrival, an expert guide will teach you everything you need to know about dog sledding, including how to care for the huskies properly. When you’re an expert in how to mush, head to the forest where the huskies are waiting for their riders. Climb aboard for an exhilarating yet serene adventure, on a ten kilometre trail through spectacular wild landscapes where you can take in wide open spaces and Mother Nature at its best. Sit down for lunch at the husky farm, then head back to the lodge for a free afternoon to try out activities of your choice - perhaps have a go at ice climbing. In the evening, if you’re lucky, one of the world’s most unforgettable experiences awaits: the iconic Northern Lights.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5. Morning visit to a reindeer farm and museum with a ride on a reindeer sleigh. Afternoon free in Ruka (ski resort) for optional activities.
This morning, visit a local reindeer farm where you get to meet the beautiful creatures and have a go at riding a sleigh. All the guides are from the local village of Juuma, which suffers from being underpopulated and largely unemployed. The afternoon is free for you to have a go at some of the optional activities on offer, including downhill skiing and snowmobile safaris. Alternatively you can simply relax around the lodge and explore your surroundings on foot.
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6. Wilderness skills including quinzee building and fire-making; optional night in the quinzee.
Today is an opportunity to learn key skills used in the wild, including fire-making and building a ‘quinzee’; a kind of snow shelter made from a large pile of powdery snow which is hollowed out, as opposed to an igloo which is built on the ground with blocks of hard snow. Each quinzee has room for two to three people, and you can spend the night there if you wish!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7. Free day for optional activities.
For your final opportunity to take in the fantastic Finnish wilderness, spend the day at your leisure. Choose one of your favourite activities from the week, whether it’s snowshoeing, husky sledding or cross-country skiing, or simply spend some time absorbing the mystical snowy landscapes that surround you. You can support the local community by buying a pair of woolen socks, a reindeer skin drums or a souvenir of your choice from the shop.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8. Transfer to Kuusamo for flight to London.
You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
This trip includes 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners. Locally sourced and freshly prepared, the cuisine at Basecamp is hearty and excellent quality. Three-course dinners consist of a salad buffet to start, wild game, fish or vegetarian options for main and a delicious variety of hand-picked berries served with cream, ice cream, cakes and pancakes for dessert. Lunch is usually a hot soup, often with elk, salmon or vegetables.
Travel & Stay
Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis in hotels unless you have already requested a single room at a supplementary cost. Basecamp Oulanka is an award-winning self-sustaining wooden complex that blends into the wilderness that surrounds it. There 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.
Provisional flight Information
02/12/22 London Heathrow to Helsinki Dep: 0730 Arr: 1225
02/12/22 Helsinki to Kuusamo Dep: 1550 Arr: 1705
09/12/22 Kuusamo to Helsinki Dep: 0925 Arr: 1110
09/12/22 Helsinki to London Heathrow Dep: 1400 Arr: 1515
Finland Winter Wilderness
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | £2231.00 | Available |
| Manchester | £2231.00 | Sold Out |
Finland Winter Wilderness - accommodation
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Place in a twin share room | £0.00 | Sold Out |
| Place in a twin share room (female only) | £0.00 | Available |
| Place in a single room | £270.00 | Available |
Not enough spaces left for you? Join the waitlist
Passport validity
You should have at least 6 months remaining on your passport from the start date of your holiday and your passport must be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left).
Travel Insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.
Health
Make sure you visit your local health centre at least 2 months before departure, to be advised on any vaccinations needed. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. We recommend bringing a personal first-aid kit containing the following: high factor sun cream, lip salve, moisturiser, plasters, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, cold/flu tablets, throat lozenges, electrolyte powder, aspirin or equivalent, muscle rub, nail scissors, 100mm elastic bandage, knee/ankle supports if needed, and wet wipes. For more information we recommend visiting fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
Money
The currency in Finland is the Euro. We recommend that you change some money before your departure or at the airport. Please refer to www.xe.com for up to date rates.
Tips
Tipping is the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ to your leader and the local team. Tipping is entirely voluntary and should be dependent on good service. We advise you to tip as a group.
Electricity
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Host & Everything Else
Gallery
