Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the husky sledding, it was a great experience.  The owners of the husky farm, Marika and Lauri without a doubt love their dogs and look after them so well.  The trip out through the wilderness was fantastic, all you could hear was the dogs panting and the "pad pad pad" of the dogs feet on the deep snow.  The scenery was beautiful, so much so that I had to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure I really was there - it felt like being in a David Attenborough programme! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri and Hanna were both superb - great leaders, always happy to help out with questions, extra clothing, advice on activities.  They both have a great sense of humour and did everything they could to make us all feel at home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your own base layers (I used merino wool and didn't have to change them all week - it's miracle stuff!).  When you go out for the husky sled it might be a good idea to take a slightly warmer jacket as you will not be moving around as much as during the other activities.It is very quiet at Oulanka Basecamp - no TV, no music, no wireless, no internet, which I think is great as it is billed as a get-away holiday and that's exactly what it is - perfect! 

Suggestions

It was just wonderful!  I loved it so much at Oulanka that I didn't want to come home.  Exodus, if there might be an option to extend by a few days to make a 10 day trip I think that might be even better than five stars!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many moments i will never forget.....Snoe shoeing, forest frisbee in snow shoes for the first time, tree hugging!, Husky sledging through wilderness that can only be described as indescribable, and coming off head first into a snow filled ditch, ice climbing, cross country skiing and learning to go uphill on skis, snowmobiling and hitting 95kpm accross a frozen lake, The ice bar in Ruka, sledging, tobogganing, kick sledge races, downhill skiing lessons, walking the little bear trail without getting lost, rolling in the snow in nothing but a swimsuit, building an igloo and nearly staying the whole night! Watching an amazing arctic sunset at 2 in the afternoon, and..... the icing on the cake.....Nearly 2 hours of The Aurora Borealis on the flight home...SPECTACULAR!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri was amazing, so friendly and knowledgable. Henri and Hanna made the trip, and basecamp became a place that i never wanted to leave (except to have more fun of course)!

Advice for Potential Travellers

BOOK IT NOW!There isnt anything about this trip that i would change or complain about...it was PERFECT!!!

Suggestions

This is a trip of a lifetime and should not be missed by anyone who has a spirit of adventure, a love of the great outdoors and doesnt mind the cold!

Most Inspirational Moment

Everything was so good it's hard to pick, but husky sledding through the national park was truly spectacular, the scenery the silence and the dogs were brilliant, something I will never forget

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader henri was brilliant, he had a wealth of knowledge on all activities, was a great instructor, and so informative about the area and it's environment, very sociable great to be around, a great friend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like outdoor winter activities DO THIS!! You will have a truely awesome time

Suggestions

In your free time pop along to ruka if you like snowboarding or skiing, excellent resort and excellent runs for all from beginners to pros, and hardly any1 on the runs, brilliant. All in all this holiday far exceeded my expectations in all ways, i genuinely thoroughly enjoyed this holiday and highly recommend it :)

Most Inspirational Moment

Snowshoeing to Castle Rocks on my birthday. Just amazing and unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and obviously loved the environment in which he was lucky enough to work and wanted to share that with the people visiting. The perfect host.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the time to go out and explore on your own and experience the quiet forests.

Most Inspirational Moment

Dog sledging through the national park, an experience I will never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Everybody was so helpful and friendly, especially Hanna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're thinking about this holiday, just do it! You will not be disappointed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

*All* equipment and clothes are provided at Basement, only casual wear for evenings is required. Taking a game or two for the evenings is a good idea.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many, but possibly just slightly in the lead was the husky driving - what an experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hannah was fantastic, nothing was too much trouble, definitely went the 'extra mile'. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

They really do provide everything you need.  The cabins are well heated, plenty of hot water.  Food is good and plenty of it. Energy bars are a good idea to bring, just to take you over from lunch to dinner. 

Suggestions

This is truly an amazing experience, you get to try out things that you would not normally do and the setting is beautiful.  You can go at your own pace, there is no pressure. Don't worry about age, matures do as well (if not better than!) the youngsters.

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning to Cross-country ski - something I've wanted to do for a while.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hanna was amazing - organising almost everything,keeping the group together, whilst having a laugh with us all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some Marshmallows for toasting on the many open fires!If you have your own ski gloves - take them.The ice climbing was really hard, but don't be discouraged if you don't make it to the top (I didn't). I've perviusly ice climbed on glacier ice (heavily compacted snow not frozen water) and made 4 climbs in a few hours.

Suggestions

We went looking for a cut-down our own christmas tree, made our own decorations and dressed the tree.I made a reindeer skin Shamen drum - fantastic!We built and slept in our own igloo (quinzhee).

Most Inspirational Moment

I think just the scenery - I was worried about the short days and low light but it was actually quite magical. Soft snowy hazy days, everything coated in a thick layer of super soft powdery snow and sparkling ice

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eki was a great group leader - very cool, assured and capable.  He looked after everyone in a very easy-going way, he knows everything about the area and dealt with a large group seemingly effortlessly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Rest assured that all the equipment and absolutely everything but your thermal underwear can genuinely be provided there so don't bother loading up your bags with stuff that you can borrow there (and certainly don't bother buying anything specially). Stuff for evenings and travelling is really all you need. If you're keen on photography, a good camera and tripod are recommended to make the most of the beautiful light. Oh, and bring lots of heavy-duty moisturiser (yes, both girls and boys) as being outdoors all day in that weather is tough on your skin. 

Suggestions

Have a go at everything, be prepared to spend a bit of extra money on the additional activities, and enjoy.  The food is great, rooms comfortable and the location, just fantastic.

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the Huskies, this was an unbelieveable experience, one I will never forget, especially as I have some fantastic photos of the dogs to keep as a reminder.  Sledging with the dogs to the top of the mountain was amazing and the views were spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hanna, Henrik and Teemu were absolutely fantastic and they went over and above to help in any way possible that they could.  Their knowledge and experiences was brilliant and you felt in very safe hands whilst in their company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes - Go for it.  If you are thinking of doing it, go on, do it, you will not be disappointed I can assure you.

Suggestions

I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone at Base Camp, you are all amazing and have made our holiday absolutely perfect.  I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this holiday to any that would listern but there are not too many people left that I haven't bored the ears off.Thank you thank you thank you, that's all there is left to say.