Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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175 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Ilse Haag

Reviewed March 2022

Narnia! (without the witch and other scary beings)

Finnish Wilderness Week exceeded our (my daughter’s and my) expectations! Our incredible guide, Martti, established an amazing group culture, taught us a ton, and kept us safe all week. There were many different ability levels in our group, and Martti made sure each person was challenged, engaged and having fun.

Our 1st-class accommodation, Basecamp Oulanka, and it’s attentive staff, definitely exuded a vibe—totally chill. Every meal was comfort food (Finnish style), delicious and plentiful, with all dinners and desserts made from-scratch. And of course, there was a sauna!

We snowshoed through snow-covered fir trees, we skied on a frozen lake, and we drank hot tea from a thermos at the summit of a mountain, overlooking a lake. Everywhere was so silent!

When we visited the dog-sledding and reindeer farms, we experienced first-hand how the owners of each organization “walk the talk”, and are true stewards of their animals. I, personally, overcame a huge fear of mine, when I was coached, entrusted and encouraged to drive a team of dogs!

Another personal challenge I met, as a claustrophobe, was squeezing through the opening of the quinzee we built, then committing to spending the night in it. And when we turned off our headlamps to call it a night—lo and behold, the Northern Lights began to shimmer!

But my favorite and most memorable travel adventures are the ones where I end each day sitting around a table with new-found friends, eating and drinking together, and sharing stories—this week had that in spades! This adventure is another Exodus home run—challenges, comfort, fraternity.

Sonja Barnard

Reviewed March 2022

Wow, wow, wow!!

Wow is the only word for this trip! I was truly blown away by the breathtaking scenery and the incredible experiences and adventures of this trip. A real holiday of a life time – I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention! The husky dog sledding was incredible (definitely upgrade to the 20k option in you can). The snow shoeing adventures around base camp were fantastic and the optional extra to visit the breath taking Riisitunturi National Park is a must. Finally the excitement of getting to sleep in a quinzee you built, is a truly memorable experience (and not as cold as you’d image, even when it’s -16.c outside)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martti was an exceptional leader, he was very friendly and knowledgeable and above all made the activities fun for everyone. The rest of the staff at base camp were friendly and the food was delicious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t hesitate - just book it, you really won’t regret it!! Although they do provide the clothing needed for the week I would definitely recommend taking your own clothing if you would prefer, especially base and mid layers including fleeces (as theirs were a little ‘tired’) Their boots and outer layers were of good quality though.

Roy Easto

Reviewed February 2022

The best

A great itinerary of fantastic activities. Enough spare time to go and snow shoe or cross country ski in the area in any spare time.

Most Inspirational Moment

The 20km husky drive and optional Ski Mobile trip were the best single moments for me but I also hugely enjoyed the optional walk high up in the national park that is visited by Instagram photographers to capture the beautiful snow sculpted trees. In the spare time a few of us took the skis out and set off on the cross country trails at our own pace which was a good taster for a possible cross country ski holiday in the future.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marti was great, very friendly and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for all of the extras, definitely extend the husky ride from 10km to 20km as you go further out into the higher up areas which are so beautiful. If you are worried that you cannot do an activity then you can always skip it.

Suggestions

We didn't need any cash Euros except for the tip, all the charges went on the room (under your own name if shared). Pack light they give you boots and around 3 outer layers, thermos, towel, hair dryer.

Katie Shilton

Reviewed February 2022

A Must Do Trip!

This is an absolutely fabulous trip that I would not hesitate to recommend. I really wasn’t sure how I would get on with a holiday in the cold as I am a warm weather person normally but I really enjoyed it. My feet and hands got cold sometimes but my body was warm all holiday – even in -24 watching the Northern Lights.

The variety of activities is brilliant – I got to do so many things for the first time.

I loved the Basecamp – so cosy with lovely staff and great food. The rooms are fairly small but are warm and comfortable with good storage space. I was fortunate to have an absolutely amazing group as well.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick one as the whole trip was an inspiration. Obviously things like the Northern Lights and Husky ride were amazing as was the optional walk in Riisitunturi National Park but I also really enjoyed some of the things I wasn't so sure would be as amazing like the reindeer farm which was really interesting and also the quinzee building which was brilliant fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martti is fabulous. Funny, interesting, efficient - a great tour leader. His love for his country and the outdoors is infectious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about taking too many clothes if you don't already have them as they give you lots of layers to wear as well as boots and gloves etc. I would recommend hand and foot warmers though and good socks. It is well worth upgrading from a 10km to 20km husky ride if you have the option. Also - being on the back is way more fun that sitting down! Remember your driving license if you want to snowmobile as that was great fun as was the ice karting.

Suggestions

Just do it - it is a truly wonderful trip.

Simon Burbidge

Reviewed February 2022

A fantastic week of winter activities in Finland

We’ve just returned from the Wilderness Week at Basecamp Oulanka and it’s been brilliant. I can’t believe that we managed to pack so much into one week. As complete novices to wintersports we weren’t sure how we’d fare but wanted to give them a try, which we did and thoroughly enjoyed them all. The tuition from Elina, Martti and the team was really good, they are a really friendly team and were happy to ensure that we got the most from the trip. For example Elina gave my wife a one to one lesson in cross-country skiing after she had to miss the group session. The food was lovely, including some traditional Finnish dishes and plenty of it too. The accommodation in the cabins was warm and comfortable and we were supplied with all the kit we needed, which included three sets of boots to cover all the activities.
I would wholeheartedly recommend the trip to anyone after an active holiday, as I have done to all our friends.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, I would say that three activities were my favourites. Firstly, the dogsledding was really memorable gliding along through the snow behind seven huskies. Secondly, the chance to try some ice climbing was a treat even if I'm not likely to repeat it at 70 and thirdly, racing ice karts was really good fun with the competitive spirit kicking in big time. I'm sure that my wife would add spending a night in the Quinzee we built in -20C to that list.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elina, Martti and the team were really first rate with their tuition and helpfulness as I've said. They were all really sociable, informative about flora and fauna and Finnish history and customs all of which go to make the holiday enjoyable. All of the organisation was first class and all the excursions and externally provided activities went like clockwork.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not particularly save that when the trip notes say that all kit will be provided it will be and good quality it is too.

Suggestions

As I said earlier, I would wholeheartedly recommend the trip to anyone after an active holiday, as I have done to all our friends.

Alice Nimmo

Reviewed November 2019

What a week!

Highly recommended and couldn’t stress how much effort the guides put in on making you feel welcome to this amazing country and how supportive they were in making the trip perfect for each individual. Head guide Elina is a fantastic overall lovely person.
The food was to die for (all traditional Finnish), don’t be expecting burgers unless it’s an Elk one!
The drink was expensive, but I had budgeted for this prior to the trip as I knew this would be the case. It’s good idea to purchase alcohol at a UK airport or lack some in your case before hand.
All of the activities were perfect to gain a taster of each, and once equipped with your gear, you were free to use them as you please in your free time.
I took a hike up a local hill on our free day, using the snowshoes provided, Elina showed me a map in which I took with me, and an easy to follow, well marked trail. What a fabulous day to get a view of the Russian border from the top.
The owners of the Huskies were so caring and knew a of the dogs inside out, what a lovely life they lead and the dogs really enjoy their work, this is obvious when you meet them, due to the excitement and noise they make when they know they’re going on a trip.
The reindeer are well looked after, and the herdsmen explained that they are trained to pull the sleighs in the winter when they are brought back to the farm, but released again to roam during the summer months.
I can’t tell you enough how much I love this country, the lovely people and how close they are to nature.
If your after a really laid back holiday and an escaped from the rush of day to day life, this is for you!

Most Inspirational Moment

The way of life the Finnish lead is to die for, they really are the most lovely people with an amazing connection to nature and their wildlife

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Elina couldn't have been any better, she couldn't have tried to please everyone anymore if she tried

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect restaurant quality food, expect a more rustic and traditional Finnish cuisine such as reindeer, elk and fish

Suggestions

Worth every penny

Paul Viollis

Reviewed July 2019

Fantastic Finland

For me its was a amazing trip. Although my staying arrangements was not that good as expected but other things made my trip awesome. I enjoyed range of outdoor activities such as snowshoeing,downhill skiing and dog sledding.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riisitunturi National Park

Pamela Marshall

Reviewed May 2019

Finnish Wilderness Week

Hi – as a single female traveller over 60 years of age I really enjoyed this holiday. Accommodation was quite basic, but this was too be expected and food showed much creativity but the company was enjoyable and activities varied and very interesting.

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourite activity was the husky sledge rides and seeing all the dogs in their natural surrounding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was great - she couldn't do enough for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be wary of your own capabilities. On my free day off I chose to do a 6KM hike with a younger and fitter member of the group ; I think I would have been okay had we not cover the distance up to the highest point of the resort in 2 hours - however I've since suffered a repetitive calf injury and am still suffering 5 weeks later. Great views though and wouldn't have missed the trip!

Suggestions

If booking this holiday think about the weather - winter months means cold weather, shorter days and a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights. April is early spring, the snows are melting, lighter, longer days but probably no Northern lights.

Jo Grant

Reviewed May 2019

Fantastic Fun in Finland

We had the most amazing week at the logging lodge with Elina. What a huge variety of activities to try out. Our 16 and 18 year old daughters loved it too, particularly the dog sledding day and the downhill skiing in Ruka. Cooking pancakes and sausages over a fire was also a highlight. Elina was knowledgable, friendly and inclusive. Would really recommend to families with a sense of adventure.