Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Huskie dog sledging was a real highlight for me, especially after seeing as how well cared for the dogs were, and the outdoor dinner round the campfire was unforgetable. The Northern Lights were also spectacular, but if you do see them, take all your pictures then - they came out on our first night, before we had dug our cameras out of our suitcases, and then they never reappeared!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was outstanding, as were all the BaseCamp staff. He was extremely competent but also made every effort to ensure that we had the maximum amount of fun - I haven't laughed so much in a long time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although I enjoyed the trip, I would have to say it was my least favourite of all my Exodus adventures. My two areas disappointment were the amount of free time in the itinerary and the cost of the optional activities. My overall impression was that the included activities were taster sessions, to promote the (rather expensive) extra activities. The cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing sessions never ventured more than several hundred metres from the Basecamp, and further snowshoe trips were self guided or paid for. The dog-sledding was fun, but not even half a day and the longer day trip was over £250. Even simple extras like on-site ice wall climbing and a trip to a reindeer farm were extremely expensive for what was offered. After the high price of the holiday to start with, I could not afford any extras, and as a solo traveller I ended up trying to fill a lot of free time alone. This was in contrast to the cohesive group holiday that I have come to enjoy normally with Exodus. My advice to solo travellers would therefore be to factor in some very expensive extras, or be prepared to make your own mini-adventures by yourself.

Suggestions

Basecamp is a truly spectacular place and the accomodation is first class. The week gives you a taster of many winter activities in a short place of time, and is overall a lot of fun. It is, however, expensive and was not a good holiday for the solo traveller on a budget, and therefore was not my favourite holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The husky sledding for me was the absolute highlight but cross country skiing around the 'Basecamp' lake to the second lake and into a forest that was something straight out of Narnia and making it to the top off the ice-climbing tower... actually the entire week was full of inspirational moments!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eki was great, really knowledgable and friendly. The whole team was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Basecamp do supply everything you need, although we found that our own thermals were welcome, it was so warm and the ones they provide are fleecy, ours actually helped keep us cool! We also had our own socks and gloves which I prefered but again these are provided if needed. End of March beginning of April was very sunny, so sunscreen and sunglasses are definitely needed.

Suggestions

Just an absolutely fabulous week, couldn't fault it... apart from having to come home at the end! There is quite a lot of free time so it's up to you whether you choose to take out the skis/ snowshoes that are free to use or the optional activities, which can add up but we had read the trip notes so were prepared to pay the extra. We actually ran out of time to do everything we wanted so will be returning one winter soon!

Most Inspirational Moment

The main reason for booking the holiday was to see the Northern Nights and we did.  The first night we arrived there they were in all their glory - well at least in glory enough not to be disappointed.  Husky sleding was also amazing.  Having your own team of 6 dogs pulling you through a winter wonderland is quite something.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As we were a party of 20 we were split into tow groups for the activities.  Our group was led by Eki and the other by Teemu who also played host to the whole group.  Both of them were great, cannot praise them highly enough.  The same goes for all the staff at Base Camp.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Believe it when they say you do not need to bring any warm clothes.  They really do provide everything.  All you need are your clothes to travel in and a few changes for the evening.

Suggestions

There could be a more comfortable area for guests to sit and while a way the evenings - some sofas and comfortable chairs.  Eki did tell us that they have plans to convert what is the clothing store into such a place which if that happens would be a real bonus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Dog-sledding.  Especially the sudden change from frenetic, howling excitement when stationary (the dogs, not me) to the calm serenity of silently sliding through unspoilt snow-covered wilderness.  So good, most of us signed up for an extra whole day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olli was great (although so were all the other Basecamp staff).  He must take so many groups through the same week's routine each season, and yet at no point did we not feel special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Basecamp provides all of the gear you'll need, although your own set of inner thermals may be a useful addition.  A bottle of scotch was good for the hot-tub and for flambeing pancakes outside on the last night.

Suggestions

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the snow-mobiling from Ruka, I wasn't convinced that it, or a day in an urban ski-resort setting, was entirely in keeping with the rest of the week.  You may prefer to arrange a private expedition around Basecamp to stick to the wilderness feel of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Harrisuvanto, on the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail - frozen river, suspension bridge setting it all off perfectly, under a foot of snow, all in white, freezing cold, but no-one around.  Complete solitude, gorgeous setting and a wonderful sense of peace.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olli was good - he knew his stuff and did all he could to make sure the activities went as smoothly as possible.  Did not spend that much time getting to know us all, other than the usual "how did your day go" type stuff. However, always there when you needed him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Manage your expectations re Northern Lights.  When we went, all the activity was way too low down on the horizon to realy see anything, which was our only disappointment.  Clothes provided really are well provided for and plentiful.  All in good nick as well.  Take your own base layers, and if you have some special socks you like wearing in cold weather, take those as well.  However, you really can pack light.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all good - even building quinzhees in a wind chill of -25C.  Both times with the huskies were great, as was the ice climbing, the hot tub and the endless supply of rye bread at breakfast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olli was a friendly, sociable and knowledgeable leader who looked after us well. As we were a big group we were also looked after at times by Teemu, Hanna, Sara and pretty much anyone else who was around at Basecamp - all keen on making sure we had as much fun as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Another review I read recommended budgeting around £500 additional expenses which I'd say is about right, particularly if you're planning on doing the full day of husky driving.  Booze from the bar wasn't bad value at €21 for a bottle of wine and €3.50 for a shot of whichever dodgy Finnish spirit takes your fancy. The cold weather kit provided at Basecamp is more than enough for what you need, good boots and endless layers of thermals and waterproofs, you don't need to take anything of your own. 

Suggestions

I didn't go on the day out to Ruka as I wasn't ready for the 'bright lights and coffee bars', preferring to stay around camp and do my own bit of cross country. which was a good choice for me.Other than sitting around the table and chatting there is nothing to do in the evening - although we found the evenings quite short as we normally were too tired to stay up for long - but books and possibly games would be a good thing to take.A really excellent trip though, I'd thoroughly recommend it - and it was possible to do more or less if the level of activity didn't suit. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teemu was excellent.  From the very start he wanted us to have fun and not take things too seriously.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Honestly, don't take many clothes with you.  I know that the trip notes state this but we took our own cold weather gear anyway because we just didn't know how good the kit supplied would be.  But the kit supplied - 3 layers top and bottom plus two pairs of gloves, a hat and boots - were excellent.  I would still take your own base layer and socks although they do supply the latter if you don't have them.  You can even use the gear (apart from the cross country skis and snow shoes) on other trips too.

Suggestions

The additional trips are pretty expensive so be prepared.  Everything in Finland (and the other Scandinavian countries) just seems to be a lot more expensive than they would be here.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Aurora Borealis - how many people can see that in a lifetime? And the husky ride. It is a once in a lifetime experience! I highly recommend taking the additional day-long Husky trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lovely people. I really like how they encouraged us to try everything, but always allowed for people's different activity level. They were fun, extremely kind and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

March is an excellent time to go. There is plenty of sunlight, so you can participate in all the activities, and it is already warm enough (hovering just below a balmy 0 Celsius), so you can enjoy the outside for hours at a time. I also recommend a "snow roll", which basically goes like this: Go in the sauna for 10-15 minutes, and when you are just hot enough, run outside, take a roll in the snow, and return to the sauna! It's a Finnish favorite, and a practice that I thoroughly enjoyed during my visit. I would also recommend  bringing 2 - 3 pairs of thermal underwear of your own. Although the basecamp provides everything, it's good to have spares, as you will be active.

Suggestions

I highly recommend this trip! If you need some fresh air, a beautiful landscape, to try unique, fun activities that you've never tried before, and to relax but also get your body moving, then I can think of nothing better than the Finnish Wilderness Week. It was truly a special holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The husky ride was a great experieance but seeing the Northern lights was quite breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Hanna, was both very well organised and personable.  She made everyone feel most welcome and capable even with the more difficult activities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a sense of fun and you won't be disappointed.

Suggestions

Despite the low temperatures and the fact that it snowed none stop for two days, we never felt cold - even though we were outside for most of the day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many inspirational moments, but the Northern Lights topped them all.  We had two hours (2!!!) of Northern Lights on the second night at the camp.  Staff at Basecamp don't remember the last time that it lasted that long and were that bright, so I guess we have been incredibly lucky.  I will never forget 7 circles of Aurora Borealis shining and dancing in the sky with reflections of green, blue and white watched from the middle of the frozen lake.  Absolutely memorable and I am so thankful for Exodus and Basecamp Oulanka to facilitate this experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guides were fantastic and so the entire staff at Basecamp Oulanka.  Our guide Hanna was a natural Winter Elf, expert in anything from teaching you how to walk for the first time on snow shoes or cross country (and how to get up) to play snow frisbey in deep snow, funfilled with a very good sense of humour.  She knew everything of the area and going along her weekly plan was as easy as a breathe of fresh air.  However I have good words for the all staff at Basecamp: they are truly an amazing group of young men and women and I will always remember them for as long as I live.  Leaving Basecamp has been really hard and missing all of that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!  What are you waiting for?!  This week is absolutely a must do, you will never forget it.  Just follow the instructions that come from Exodus, go with the flow, embrace the experiences and you will have the time of your life.

Suggestions

This is my third holiday with Exodus: it was Morocco first, then Peru and now Winter Finland.  All three of them have been experiences that I will carry in my heart forever, some of those stories you can tell your nieces and nephews in the long winter days.  I know Exodus is a business and in the end they are here to stay in business, but I can't thank this company enough for bringing me to life experience with such natural approach and practicing responsible tourism.  On my last day of the Finnish holiday I have decided that next year it will be Kilimanjaro: if there is anybody that can make me get to the top of it, I am sure, Exodus is the right one.