Finland Winter Wilderness

Saturday 02 December - Saturday 09 December

(7 nights)

From £2535

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.

Finland winter BasecampStarsLake

Your holiday 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

Your holiday 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.

Finland 1 2022

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 the UK.

You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Finland winter scenic
Finland winter dogsled 1
Finland 2 2022
Finland winter BasecampOulanka1
finland winter group cross country ski
finland winter group snowshoe

Travel & Stay

Finland winter Base AuroraOivukka

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

02/12/23 London Heathrow to Kuusamo Dep: 0730 Arr: 1515

09/12/23 Kuusamo to London Heathrow Dep: 1625 Arr: 2045


02/12/23 Birmingham to Kuusamo Dep: 0605 Arr: 1515

09/12/23 Kuusamo to Birmingham Dep: 1625 Arr: 2230


02/12/23 Manchester to Kuusamo Dep: 0635 Arr: 1515

09/12/23 Kuusamo to Manchester Dep: 1625 Arr: 2235


02/12/23 Glasgow to Kuusamo Dep: 0600 Arr: 1515

09/12/23 Kuusamo to Edinburgh Dep: 1625 Arr: 2255

Flights are not direct.


Availability & Pricing

Build Your Quote
FlightsPrice
Birmingham£2535.00Available
London Heathrow£2535.00Available
Manchester£2535.00Available
Glasgow out/ Edinburgh rtn£2565.00Available
AccommodationPrice
Place in a twin share room£0.00Sold Out
Place in a twin share room (female only)£0.00Available
Place in a single room£280.00Available

Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist

Passport validity

You should have at least 3 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’ 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/

Finland winter ColdSmall
Finland winter bascamp
Finland winter room

Host & Everything Else

It is of course impossible to predict exact weather conditions, and you should be prepared for inclement weather due to seasonal variations and localised weather conditions. Near the Arctic Circle, temperatures can range from as low as -30ºC around Christmas time to a maximum of 5ºC around April. The climate here is dry with almost no wind, and once you are wrapped up in plenty of layers, wooly hats, insulated boots and large mittens, these temperatures are fine. Given the extreme latitude, hours of daylight are very different to the UK. In winter, the sun sits just below the horizon, although there is still plenty of light reflected off the snowy surface. By April, hours of daylight are much longer. If you’re lucky, the world-famous Northern Lights can be spotted from September to April on clear nights.

Please find below a non-exhaustive list of what to bring on your trip. Please note that the weight limit on most airlines is 20 kilos, although several long haul airlines offer up to 30kg.

  • Copies of passport
  • Sunscreen 
  • Several base layers 
  • Clothing for day-to-day activities and evening meals 
  • Several pairs of thick socks 
  • Swimwear and flip flops for sauna
  • Toiletries 

The following clothing is issued on arrival in Finland and is yours for the week: 

  • Full winter outfit including jacket and trousers
  • Fleece jacket and trousers x2 (one thin, one thick)
  • Woollen hat and mittens
  • Gloves
  • Boots
  • Thermos flask
  • A backpack and head torch are provided during the time at basecamp
  • For the optional snowmobile excursion, a more insulated snowmobiling overall and helmet will be provided
  • Snowshoe through a winter wonderland in Oulanka National Park
  • Go cross-country skiing to reach the beautiful Juuma Lake
  • Learn to dogsled with the experts in Riisitunturi National Park
  • Meet friendly reindeer at a local farm and ride on a sleigh
  • Learn essential wilderness skills including quinzee-building and fire-making
  • Unwind in a beautiful sustainable lodge with a sauna

Richard Coulter

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.

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