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

Alice Nimmo

Reviewed May 2019

Finnish Wilderness Week 14th-28th

I really enjoyed the trip and it was Greta to see the transition from winter to spring as we were the last trip of the season. The most enjoyable part was the husky ride, so much I went twice. But also, Elina and Ismo really took care to make sure we enjoyed Finnish traditions, and we cooked pancakes and bread on an open fire as well as quinzee building and first aid in the wildness.
I would definitely recommend this trip of you want a jam packed holiday and to tick off a few things from your bucket list.
The guides are fantastic and you really feel a sense of being in the wilderness, especially of you are staying in the loggers lodge

Most Inspirational Moment

Do selling and baking bread on the fire

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elina was fantastic, so friendly and knowledgeable, she loves the first and nature and is so open minded. Ismo who helped her was also fantastic and he had a lot of knowledge about Finnish traditions and nature

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect 5 star accomodation as one of the people did when I went, she was shocked, bit I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting mountain hut standard

Suggestions

The food was spectacular and it was fantastic to experience delicious traditional Finnish food and drink

Matthew Handford

Reviewed April 2019

Finnish Wilderness Week

I loved this trip. It was a chance to head to the frozen north (Finland/Lapland) in April and take part in a range of outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, x country skiing, downhill skiing and dog sledding. It was also great to go out in the wilderness and have a chance to see wildlife and perhaps the Northern Lights.

Most Inspirational Moment

What was special was a combination of things - a social group, feeling I could at least begin to get the hang of activities such as skiing and dogsledding, generally travelling around the Oulanka National Park area by road whilst seeing all of it covered in snow and getting to meet the huskies and reindeer. I also had the chance to take off on my own in the afternoon into the wilderness which gave me a sense of exploration!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elina is a very good leader and had us clearly organised everyday. She took us out snowshoeing and showed us cross country skiing. Else kept us well fed from the kitchen and took us out on a night walk with the snowshoes. Both have a lot of local knowledge and were very social, as part of the group. Elina also organised us with the most outdoor kit I have ever been given on a trip!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a week where there is a lot of choice as to what one can do. Hence, perhaps, it helps to have some preconceived ideas as to what one would like to experience from the week.

Suggestions

This is a rare trip in that I would really like to do it again. There is always the argument that there are too many places in the world to visit and hence it is not worth returning to the same one. However, this trip takes place in different locations in the National Park and it is possible to do different activities over the course of the week.

Steven Toon

Reviewed February 2019

Wonderful wilderness week

My friends suggested this trip to me and although it sounded amazing I was a little cautious but went for it and I am so glad I did!
The whole trip is just one fantastic experience after another. The weather was incdredible especially the -32 that warmed up to only -7!
The scenery is stunning without exception and thats just the start.
Ignore the neigh sayers about the accomodation and food. The chalets are lovely, cosy, comfortable and very warm. It’s so serene in the morning its wonderful, I woke up to that amazing woodland view, peace and quiet and the occasional squirrel coming for food.
The food is great and plentiful and filling just with a big grpup like ours (32 people) you sometimes have to queue to get it. Try not to be too British expecting a hot cup of tea each morning. I took my own kettle and onlu used it twice.
The kit is great and does the job perfectly and the room floor dries things out very well.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to name just one but the husky experience is unforgettable. Being driven by those beautiful dogs across the amazing landscape under an epic clear blue sky was just jaw dropping especially when they turn around and look at you if you dare apply the brake to slow them down. Actually getting to see the northern lights was truly memorable. Standing on that frozen lake in the middle of the night just watching the display in awe inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elina was wonderful. She explained everything well and really encouraged you to want to try that bit harder to get the hang of things. She mixed with us and seemed to really enjoy her time with us as much as we did with her. Special mention to Andrea who came to Riisilntunturi National Park with us. It was her day off and she had never been so came as back stop guide and was lumbered with the daft set messing about, she laughed so much I hope she enjoyyed it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Throw yourself into it, and you really should give the sleeping out in the quinzee a try its crazy but fun. As with other advice you don't need much so dont overpack. If you wear glasses and want to keep your face warm, try to find something tight fitting over your nose becasue as you breath the moisture in your breath feezes on your lenses. If you like a drink perhaps pick up a bottle or two up before you get there it is quite expensive at the camp.

Suggestions

Go and enjoy it, we went as 3 friends but made great ones when we got there, we even had people wishing they were in our group we had that much fun. Falling over is fantastic, getting back up again is hilarious!

Iain Maclean

Reviewed February 2019

A real doze of Fresh Air !

What a great week, despite the unusual cold for late January (reaching below -30), the still fresh air was envigorating. Great mix of activities, in a stunning landscape, especially under the sun with its relative low point in the sky. And to top it off, we saw the aurora, never guaranteed, but on a clear night, a genuinely spectacular show of colour.

Most Inspirational Moment

Really enjoyed the dog-sledding, a 10km spin through the forests and over the lakes. Even on a cloudy day, spectacular scenery, under deep powder snow, with hot soup in a teepee around a roaring fire to finish (ahem) it off, hosted by Lauri, whose sharp wit had us all at ease and in great humour. And of course, seeing the aurora, never guaranteed, but on a clear night, a genuinely spectacular show of colour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The team were first rate, whether out on activities or at base camp in the kitchen, helpful, friendly and informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Except for skin layer thermals, all the winter gear is provided, from hats to socks and base, mid and outer layers, and worked for us even in temperatures just under -30, so no need to overpack, though hand and foot warmers might be welcome ! And sensible to have some shampoo with you too. Accommodation is as you would expect for base camp, simple and functional, with underfloor heating and plenty hot water. The communal area is large, and on really cold nights (there that means below -30) a warm jumper or fleece is needed despite the roaring fire. If you don't fancy the free day, the Little Bear snow trail (12km/5hrs) is very worthwhile.

Suggestions

Thursday was the least satisfying day for us. The reindeer trip was interesting, but the one short circuit we did on the sleigh was well short of the fun we had had with the dogs the day before. And Ruka, while an impressive winter resort, was such a contrast to the wilderness feel at Base Camp we so enjoyed. We hiked the Little Bear on Friday, it was a great day out, it would be a good addition/alternative to the programme if it could be fitted in, but it is a full 5hr outing ...

Jo Luckhurst

Reviewed February 2019

Magical week in a snowy wonderland

Thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic week at base camp. Scenery is absolutely stunning and activities are varied and fun. At the end of January/ early Feb there was plenty of daylight to make the most of everything on offer. There are superb snowshoe walks right from the front door, the little bear trail in particular. Accommodation is comfortable with plentiful tasty food and good variety. All staff work hard to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. Although the clothes provided are perfectly acceptable, if you already own your own cold weather gear ( ski jacket / fleeces) you can wear these too. Lucky to share our holiday with a friendly bunch of fellow travellers who helped make it extra memorable.
We would highly recommend this holiday to anyone thinking of going.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to say - so many but the scenery and tranquility was splendid.

Thoughts on Group Leader

All base camp staff were friendly and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you live near Birmingham airport do enquire about the Birmingham flight (we found out about it after we arrived) Take plenty of warm woolen socks, not necessarily all thick ones you will probably need to wear 2 or 3 pairs at a time. If you like downhill skiing the slopes in Ruka looked very quiet.

Suggestions

As others have said before if you are thinking of booking this trip then do......you will not regret it.

Abby Willcox

Reviewed February 2019

Amazing trip in a beautiful country

We had a fantastic time in the Finnish Wilderness. Basecamp was great, the staff were all lovely and really helpful. We enjoyed trying out a wide range of activities and then being free most afternoons to do the activities on our own or just relax or have a wander around the forest. Having the marked trails was really handy for independent exploring. The food was varied and we always had plenty to eat. The constant availability of free teas, coffee and juice was nice, as was the lovely log fire in the main lodge for warming us up after a chilly day out. The equipment and clothing provided was excellent, much better than I’d expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was husky dog sledding, without a doubt one of my favourite activities ever. My partner enjoyed seeing the northern lights twice and having an endless number of photography opportunities, albeit very cold ones!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elina was great, our favourite exodus guide so far. She was so friendly and approachable with a really good humour. The only down side is your guide is not with you every day as you go off to do different activities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As with other reviews, you don't need to take many of your own clothes. We washed our quick dry base layers in the sink every other day. Be prepared to pay a lot for the optional activities, of which there were many more available than those listed in the trip notes.

Suggestions

Go, enjoy yourself. Spend a week in another world doing fun activities, meeting nice people and eating lots of food. Nothing not to love about this trip.

Johnny Corn

Reviewed January 2019

Should be on everyone’s bucket list

This is a trip every Exodus traveller should do! So many different activities in a week based at the wonderful Oulanka Basecamp with its great facilities, gear and staff. The day light is short but you sure make the most of it and have plenty of time to unwind and relax. Laugh at yourself as to try and tackle most things that you would have never tried before but after a taster would want to do most of them as holidays in themselves- husky sledging, snow shoe walking, cross country skiing and driving a skidoo. The final day in the enchanted snow covered National Park of Riisitunturi is one I will never forget as one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to! Did not see the Northern Lights which would have put the icing on the cake but will just mean I will have to come again! Everyone seems to do the Petra trip but I suggest this is a most do trip too.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Husky sledging and the snow shoe walk in Riisitunturi.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elena was a brilliant guide and leader and supported by all the team at the camp! They were all so enthusiastic, professional and fun and clearly love what they do.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you do the river floating do not wear your glasses as they like the clothes you are provided with freeze! You hardly need to take a thing as the gear they provide is better than the gear I have and I am a real wimp in the cold! Take plenty of good socks, hipflask, buy duty free as my bar bill was horrendous ( my own fault but enjoyed it all!), if your clothes get wet of sweaty dry them out on the floor of your room with underfloor heating! No soaps etc in rooms so take your own!

Suggestions

Did not get time as day light short but try and do Bear walks from Basecamp!

Elizabeth Gladin

Reviewed January 2019

A happy time with new friends, lots to do in a glorious place. Very special week.

Whats not to like? Dog sledding on a snowy christmas morning, the fabulous walk we took just the two of us on the Bear Trail, the group snow shoe hike up in the Riisitunturi National Park or the laughing tumbles practicing our cross country skiiing, or the group dinners with lots of joyful tales of our days, and a sip or two of Cloudberry Liquer? Elina always ready with a grin, a story or some good advice. The Oulanka Basecamp staff with their smiles at all times of the day, and hearty offerings of food and drink. We will return!

Most Inspirational Moment

What to choose? All of it, really.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Everyone of our guides were brilliant - helpful, friendly, informative and professional. Elina especially was great and contributed to making our activities such fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it. A brilliant way to spend a snowy unchristmasy but very special Christmas

Suggestions

Nothing to add except we want to go back. Or do another Exodus trip......

Claudia Radaelli

Reviewed January 2019

Wilderness Adventure

The experience overall was very good on many lelvels. The basecamp was not luxorious but the people are very welcoming and it is very clean. My only criticism is about the food, I cannot understand how it one can serve frozen berries with ice cream as dessert when it is -20 outside!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Northern Lights and the Husky sledging

Thoughts on Group Leader

very nice indeed, lovely person

Advice for Potential Travellers

yes, bring warm undergarments!! the rest they provide.

Suggestions

Not at this stage, just better food please and more warm choices.

Dina Stylianou

Reviewed January 2019

Enjoyable week of snowy activities

A wonderful week in beautiful surroundings and well organised activites by the team at basecamp. An opportunity to experience the full beauty of Finland and try a variety of snowy activities. Comfortable warm lodge, varied and plentiful wholesome food, a welcoming and client-oriented basecamp team and a great mixiture of snow sports and actiivites. One of my favourite Exodus holidays.

Most Inspirational Moment

I love everything, but in particular the dogsledding. It was very unexpectd to walk into someone's home and be so welcomed. A great experience all round. The dogs are so well looked after and well behaved. The owners were adorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fab. The Exodus leader was great. Our team leader at Basecamp was brilliant. She did all the right things and ensured that everyone had equal experince of activities regardless of level and experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it. It's a great experience, and take a dressing gown to get you from your apartment to the sauna.

Suggestions

Thank you to Millie Reeves for answering all my questions (even the silly ones) and taking time out to talk me through (on email) the itinerary. It really helped.

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