- Discover Finland’s remote winter wonderland from the comfort of Basecamp Oulanka
- Snowshoe through the Oulanka landscape under the guidance of our local tour leader
- Master the basics of cross-country skiing – the soft snow cushioning our gentle tumbles
- Make friends with a pack of huskies on a dog-sledding adventure in Riisitunturi National Park
- Learn the art of quinzee-building and other wilderness skills from an expert
- Snowshoe at night with a chance of catching the Northern Lights
Finnish Wilderness Week
8 Days
Excluding Flights From
8 Days
from
Winter
Activity Level
Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
Comfort Level
Classic
Highlights
Key Information
- Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (Basecamp Oulanka)
- Five days of mixed activities
- Group normally starting from 4, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
- All Arctic winter equipment and clothing provided
- Countries visited: Finland
What's Included
- All breakfasts, five lunches and seven dinners
- All accommodation
- All transport and listed activities
- Local tour leaders throughout
- All specialist equipment
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.
Itinerary
Basecamp Oulanka Basecamp Oulanka
Fly to Kuusamo; transfer to Basecamp Oulanka (approximately 45 minutes)
Fly from Gatwick to Kuusamo, transfer to Basecamp Oulanka (approximately 45 minutes).
Start Basecamp Oulanka
Our trip starts at Basecamp Oulanka, a welcoming complex of wooden buildings in a remote location overlooking Juuma Lake and backing onto Oulanka National Park. There is a welcome briefing this evening, in which you can meet the group and ask any questions you might have.
Snowshoe hike in Oulanka National Park
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, 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, you can choose to do further self-guided snowshoeing in the surrounding area or relax in Basecamp’s sauna or hot tub.
Cross-country skiing on Juuma Lake; free afternoon
Experience the Scandinavian-born sport of cross-country skiing. By the lake, our instructor literally walks 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.
Dogsledding in Riisitunturi National Park; Northern Lights snowshoe excursion
After breakfast, 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 rolling 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 offers. This evening, we head out for nighttime snowshoeing, in search of the Northern Lights.
Free day in Ruka for optional activities
Spend the day at the popular ski resort of Ruka. Your guide takes care of transfers and can book activities for you. Group transfers are included only to the designated areas and are scheduled at specific times, we advise checking at reception before making your activities booking. Downhill skiing and snowmobile safaris are available. See ‘Optional excursions’ in the Trip Notes for more. Due to operational reasons, the bookings for activities in Ruka need to be made by Tuesday.
Wilderness skills, including quinzee-building and fire-making; optional night in the quinzee
Learn the ancient art of quinzee building. Provided shovels and spades, we create a mound of snow, which is 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.
Optional activities including guided snowshoeing trip; farewell dinner
Enjoy a free day with several options to make the most of the magical wilderness. Available activities include a guided snowshoeing trip to Riisitunturi National Park with its snow-covered trees creating a photogenic white forest, unguided cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, dogsledding or snowmobile safaris. As a farewell celebration, we have a wonderful four-course dinner back at Basecamp.
End Basecamp Oulanka
The trip ends after breakfast and we begin our return journey home.
Basecamp Oulanka
Overlooking Juuma Lake 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 ‘sustainable future through a balance of conservation, community, culture and commerce’.
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
Trip Experts
Joonas Pohjalainen
Expert Leader: Finland
Timo Lampila
Expert Leader: Finland
Elina Juhani
Expert Leader: Finland
Tuomas Törmänen
Expert Leader: Finland
Reviews
Add your own reviewWhat an adventure!
A whole week’s worth of “things I’ve never done before” experiences! A wide variety of winter-oriented activities, each of them special in their own right. Basecamp provided some great accomodations (both food and lodging) and the guides were first class. Strongly recommend for anyone who is looking for a winter getaway. I have been on six adventure-oriented trips with a travel group and this was my favorite one.
Most Inspirational Moment
Touring the dog kennel and going dog sledding.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Top notch
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you like winter-oriented activities, you're missing out if you don't consider this trip.
Maybe the best so far?
A fantastic trip, where I became bored with hearing myself use the word magical.
Great setting, fabulous activities, super guides and instruction, wonderful company, good food and accommodation and the Aurora to boot. What was not to like?
Most Inspirational Moment
Had these daily, started with the thick, hoar frost covered trees, on day 2, the snow-shoe walking experience, cross country skiing on day 3, husky sledding on day 4, followed by the night time snow shoe walking experience, when the Aurora appeared - which was stunning, and so it went on, with a free day downhill skiing, quinzie building and our attempt to sleep in it - again, the northern lights put in an appearance, making it quite magical ( and freezing cold 🥶🥶, finishing with a wonderful snowy day in the Riistitunuri National Park snowshoeing through the deepest powder. It was difficult to find fault - other than the tiny sized cups at breakfast, small bath towels, but that was the worst it got. All technical equipment and clothing provided for those who wanted to use it, lovely warm and clean rooms, good comfort food and friendly helpful staff. Basecamp Oulanka is in a beautiful location, with opportunities for us to practice our newly acquired skills to explore the area in our free time. Also enjoyed using the sauna and outdoor hot tub. We enjoyed the week and laughed a lot with a lovely group of people. One of our best Exodus holidays without doubt.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tuomas and Joonas were our guides - both lovely people, were very supportive and each gave good instruction and encouragement. Quite different styles but each was patient and had a dry sense of humour, creating opportunities for us to get the most from our experience.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take as much or as little technical clothing as you wish -other than base layers, it’s all provided. It’s clean and decent quality, but I just preferred to use my own as I already owned it. Certainly no need to buy any. Go with an open mind, join in and try everything that is available - it really was the greatest fun. I didn’t expect to particularly enjoy the snowshoe walking but now a complete convert. If it’s a trip you’ve considered just go for it, as it really is a very special experience.
Finnish wilderness week 2024
Great trip – exceeded my expectation
Most Inspirational Moment
Being in such a remote area with so much snow! Building and sleeping in a quizzed
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great
Advice for Potential Travellers
go for it
Winter wonderland
Fantastic week from start to finish. Great food and comfortable accommodation, equipment great also.
Most Inspirational Moment
Nothern lights
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide was a kind and sweet man, he was clearly passionate about nature and was more than happy to share his knowledge about our surroundings
Advice for Potential Travellers
Spend time getting to know the others in the group.
Wonderful week of variety in a stunning setting
This was a lovely week of many different activities in beautiful surroundings staying in a comfortable environment.
Most Inspirational Moment
Husky dog sledding
Thoughts on Group Leader
Timo was excellent. He really knew the wilderness environment and was in touch with it. A calm soul who really enhanced the whole experience and was very helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you want an introduction to many winter activities, this is the holiday for you. The fact that all specialist clothing and equipment is provided is a real bonus. Basecamp Oulanka is very comfortable and they feed you extremely well, you certainly won't go hungry.
My first winter activity trip
I normally go somewhere warm in February, but thought I would try something different this year. Reading the reviews convinced me to try this trip, and it was a very good decision.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking in snowshoes on a forest trail and stopping to light a fire to toast marshmallows. Dog sledding from the husky farm. Driving a snowmobile for the first time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both Tuomas and Elina were both very friendly and good teachers of the outdoor skills. Tuomas in particular was a great advocate of saunas.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Invest in some pairs of good merino blend socks and a hat. Everything else is provided, but your own base layer is a good idea to ensure a good fit. Day time temperatures during our week in February varied from -20C to +1C, so a selection of layers was key. The sunshine and lack of wind meant -20C was not a problem. The rooms have underfloor heating, so we were advised to lay everything out at night to dry and air clothes.
Variety, fun and a great group
A brilliant “taster” holiday with so many different activities on offer and all in beautiful deep snow. Every day offered a new experience, either as part of the programme or as an option: snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, husky-sledding, visiting a reindeer farm, building a quinzee, downhill skiing and snowmobiling.
During the afternoon downtime there was the option to do more snow-shoeing, cross- country skiing, tobogganing outside or just read with a cup of tea or glass of wine or relax in the hot tub and sauna.
The food was delicious and plentiful. Soft drinks were always available as part of the package and wine, beer and other drinks were available to buy along with chocolate and snacks. You will notice how frequently berries appear: in desserts, soft drinks, liqueurs and chocolate bars in shops.
Most Inspirational Moment
Every day was fun and novel but the husky-sledding was very special. The dogs we saw at their farm were so well cared for with plenty of inside and outside space. They were so gentle too, loving a stroke and a fuss after their 10km run. Their excitement was off the scale once they were harnessed and ready to run; they LOVE it! The reindeer visit was lovely too: a short 300m plod as opposed to a 10km sprint but we were able to feed the year-old animals and stroke them if we were quick!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Elina was our main group leader and she was fabulous! Her English is excellent and she has a wicked sense of humour. She inspired confidence with the new outdoor activities we tried and is an expert shoveller for quinzee building. We learnt so much about northern Finnish culture and history from her in her "guide hour" and she was always available to help with anything. Tuomas was the other guide whose love of nature and the wilderness were inspiring. His English is also superb and we loved looking at tracks in the snow to guess which animal had left them or learning about the precious lichen hanging from branches among other things.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Much has been mentioned in previous reviews which are vey helpful. The group of 18 travellers on this tour was such a special bunch of people. We all got on so well and laughed a lot. Although most people were aged over 50, there were also people in their 30s and 40s who didn't seem to mind being with us more "mature" folk! There's decent wifi in the dining room and bedrooms and a wood-burning stove in the dining room to keep you cosy at all times. It turns out that 2 sets of fleece base layers are provided - along wot all outer wear - and it was recommended that we wear those next to our skin. I preferred to wear my own base layers next to my skin with a fleece layer on top. Woollen socks are the best for your feet and you can wear them for more than one day. The weather was mild for our week: hovering around 0 degrees so we were not cold at all but the huskies and reindeer were boiling! We didn't get to see the Northern Lights as it was cloudy every day so it's probably best not to set your heart on seeing them. I have back problems but was able to do all of the activities. I didn't go snowmobiling but people said it was very bumpy. Don't forget to take your driving licence if you want to do that activity.
Amazing!
Absolutely amazing week, stunning scenery, great group and fantastic guide!
Most Inspirational Moment
So many fantastic moments! I think the day that stands out most was having fun making and sleeping in a quinzee, as it's such a once in a lifetime experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Elina was absolutely amazing, really friendly, helpful and always checking that everyone was warm and happy. She also ran a guide hour on several days where she talked about Finnish seasons, culture and history, which were really interesting.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The kit provided was brilliant and we had easy access to more kit if needed so beyond a thermal base layer you genuinely don't need to bring many clothes at all.
Basecamp Oulanka
Brilliant week in the snow of Finland learning new skills and having fun.
Most Inspirational Moment
All the activities were awesome
Thoughts on Group Leader
All the staff at Basecamp Oulanka were welcoming and helpful. We had 2 instructors / leaders who were brilliant.
Advice for Potential Travellers
As other reviews, you do only need your base layers as Basecamp provide everything else. The snowmobiling was extra cost, but well worth it!
Like a Fairytale!
This whole week felt like being in a fairytale! The scenery was absolutely breathtaking – the snowshoe hikes and cross-country skiing routes took us through the forests of Oulanka National Park with beautiful snow-covered trees, picturesque spots along the Oulanka river/rapids like a frozen waterfall, and vast frozen lakes covered in snow! We were lucky to be there during a week with very clear skies which meant lots of pink, purple and orange colours which made it feel extra magical. Because of the clear skies, we were also able to see the Northern lights on most evenings! All the activities, such as husky sledding and snowmobiling were extremely fun and took us through even more beautiful places.
We were there during the coldest week of the season (most days were between -30 and -35 degrees C) but we did not feel the cold at all (and I am someone who always suffers the cold back in the UK) because the clothes provided by Basecamp were extremely warm! I even felt too hot at some points! The accommodation was lovely, cozy and warm – there was underfloor heating which warmed up the whole room and made drying clothes very easy. There is a sauna and hot tub available for the whole group to use each afternoon/early evening which was a perfect way to wind down every evening after a day full of activities. The food was also delicious!!!! We ate very well during the whole trip and we could eat as much as we wanted which was great! All of the staff at basecamp were very friendly and helpful!
Most Inspirational Moment
It is hard to choose just one as they were all inspirational for different reasons! Husky sledding took us through the most beautiful scenery and was a real pinch-me moment, the snowshoeing/skiing was amazing as it took us through all the snow-covered trees and very beautiful viewpoints overlooking the Oulanka river, and the snowmobiling was so fun!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our very friendly guide Elina was amazing - she had a real passion for the wilderness and nature which was very inspiring. She was very knowledgeable about the area and was very keen to share her knowledge with us. We learned a lot from her and enjoyed spending time with her. She was always smiling and you could see how much she enjoyed taking us through the wilderness and teaching us!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring moisturiser!!! The climate is extremely dry and you need very strong moisturisers to keep your skin hydrated to prevent it from cracking! I suggest buying Finnish creams/lotions at Helsinki airport (there is a shop there that sells creams) as they are much better as they are designed for this climate. The ones I brought from the UK were just not good enough to cope with how dry the climate was. You also don't need to bring many clothes at all apart from a tight-fitting base layer and maybe 1 or 2 jumpers for the evening. You are able to exchange the basecamp clothes at any time if they get too wet/dirty or if you want to change the size so you don't need to worry about that. They also have thicker layers for if the weather gets extremely cold like it did on our trip so you don't need to worry about bringing thick jackets and trousers.
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Sunday Sunday
07 Dec 2025 07 Dec 2025
Sunday Sunday
14 Dec 2025 14 Dec 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price Usually £ 2299Now £ 2049Saving £ 250 Usually £ 2749Now £ 2499Saving £ 250 Book with £ 512 deposit Book with £ 624 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
14 Dec 2025 14 Dec 2025
Sunday Sunday
21 Dec 2025 21 Dec 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price Usually £ 2299Now £ 2049Saving £ 250 Usually £ 2799Now £ 2549Saving £ 250 Book with £ 512 deposit Book with £ 637 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Citizen Science Departure
Citizen Science Departure
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
21 Dec 2025 21 Dec 2025
Sunday Sunday
28 Dec 2025 28 Dec 2025
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price Usually £ 2699Now £ 2449Saving £ 250 Usually £ 3279Now £ 3029Saving £ 250 Book with £ 612 deposit Book with £ 757 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
28 Dec 2025 28 Dec 2025
Sunday Sunday
04 Jan 2026 04 Jan 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price Usually £ 2799Now £ 2549Saving £ 250 Usually £ 3449Now £ 3199Saving £ 250 Book with £ 637 deposit Book with £ 799 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
11 Jan 2026 11 Jan 2026
Sunday Sunday
18 Jan 2026 18 Jan 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2749 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 687 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
18 Jan 2026 18 Jan 2026
Sunday Sunday
25 Jan 2026 25 Jan 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2749 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 687 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
25 Jan 2026 25 Jan 2026
Sunday Sunday
01 Feb 2026 01 Feb 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2749 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 687 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
01 Feb 2026 01 Feb 2026
Sunday Sunday
08 Feb 2026 08 Feb 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2749 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 687 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Citizen Science Departure
Citizen Science Departure
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
15 Feb 2026 15 Feb 2026
Sunday Sunday
22 Feb 2026 22 Feb 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2949 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 737 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
22 Feb 2026 22 Feb 2026
Sunday Sunday
01 Mar 2026 01 Mar 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2879 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 719 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
01 Mar 2026 01 Mar 2026
Sunday Sunday
08 Mar 2026 08 Mar 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2849 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 712 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
08 Mar 2026 08 Mar 2026
Sunday Sunday
15 Mar 2026 15 Mar 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2919 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 729 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
15 Mar 2026 15 Mar 2026
Sunday Sunday
22 Mar 2026 22 Mar 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2349 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 587 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
29 Mar 2026 29 Mar 2026
Sunday Sunday
05 Apr 2026 05 Apr 2026
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price £ 2299 £ 2299 Book with £ 574 deposit Book with £ 574 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
05 Apr 2026 05 Apr 2026
Sunday Sunday
12 Apr 2026 12 Apr 2026
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price £ 2299 £ 2299 Book with £ 574 deposit Book with £ 574 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
12 Apr 2026 12 Apr 2026
Sunday Sunday
19 Apr 2026 19 Apr 2026
Availability On Request
Land Only Trip Price £ 2399 £ 2399 Book with £ 599 deposit Book with £ 599 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 400
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesWould you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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Finnish Wilderness Week
8 Days
Excluding Flights From
8 Days
from